Press Releases
Wyden, Colleagues Urge the Biden Administration to Release Guidelines for Spending Unused COVID Relief Funds for Infrastructure, Disaster Relief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues are urging top federal officials to speed up the release of guidance urgently needed by state and local governments on what pandemic relief expenses qualify are eligible for critical infrastructure and disaster relief projects in Oregon and nationwide before these funds expire. "By leveraging these resources effectively, state and local governments can not only address the immediate impacts of the pandemic but … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Continue Fight to Improve Mental Health Services for Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would strengthen school-based mental health services for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The Mental Health Services for Students Act would help schools in Oregon and nationwide partner with local mental health providers to establish on-site mental health services for students. The bill would also provide training for school personnel on how to recognize, assist … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.2 Million to Oregon to Advance Wood Product Innovation in Resilient, Sustainable Construction Materials
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the U.S. Forest Service has awarded Oregon more than $1.2 million to support wood products innovation in Oregon's manufacturing facilities and develop markets for innovative uses of mass timber and renewable wood energy. Projects also help to restore healthy forests and reduce wildfire risk. "These federal investments in our state's world-renowned wood products are a huge win for Oregon that will lead to construction … Continue Reading
June 12, 2023
Wyden: DNI Report Confirms Government Purchases of Private Data Threaten Privacy and Constitutional Rights; Congress Must Adopt New Protections Against Unchecked Surveillance of Commercial Data
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for new protections against government purchases and surveillance of Americans’ personal data, following the release of a report commissioned by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that raised new concerns about the practices. “I appreciate that DNI Haines kept her word to stand-up this review group and then to publish the results of their work. This review shows the government's existing … Continue Reading
June 12, 2023
Wyden To Hold Seven Town Halls in Eastern Oregon
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have seven open-to-all, in-person town halls throughout Eastern Oregon from June 23-27. Wyden has already held 25 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,052 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. "Shortening the distance between Oregon and Washington, DC is essential to representing our entire state, and why I hold open-to-all … Continue Reading
June 09, 2023
Wyden, Whitehouse, Sanders Launch Investigation into Major Insurance Companies’ Climate Risk Evaluation, Fossil Fuel Support
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and fellow Senate Budget Committee members Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., today launched an investigation into how the U.S. insurance industry evaluates climate-related risks, decides to invest in or underwrite fossil fuel expansion projects that drive such risks, and prices policies that insure such projects. "Witnesses have warned that sea level rise and wetter, more intense storms could eventually make more … Continue Reading
June 09, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $1 Million to Oregon State University to Study Effects of Fire on Mass Timber
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon State University will receive $1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the effects of fire on mass timber products to determine sustainability for their increased use in new construction. "Oregon continues to lead the way in modernizing wood products, generating jobs and economic opportunities in communities statewide," Wyden said. "I'm gratified that Oregon State has earned these funds … Continue Reading
June 09, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $500,000 for Air Quality Monitoring and Improvements to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $500,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) for air monitoring to improve public health. "One of the most important steps in protecting frontline communities from air pollution is actually monitoring their air so that we can see where there are problems and take steps to address them," said Senator Merkley. … Continue Reading
June 08, 2023
Wyden Sounds the Alarm on ADHD Drug Shortage
Watch a video of Wyden’s floor remarks here Senate speech amplifies Wyden pressure last week on FDA and DEA on ADHD drug shortage hitting Oregon and nationwide As prepared for delivery America is facing a medication shortage crisis. People can no longer count on their medications being available at the pharmacy counter when they need them. But it’s actually worse than a simple shortage - it is, in particular, that America does not have access to an adequate supply of affordable … Continue Reading
June 07, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $225,000 to Klamath and Lake Counties for Economic Development
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the South Central Oregon Economic Development District will receive $225,000 from the Economic Development Administration for economic development planning in Klamath and Lake counties. "I know from holding more than 1,050 town halls throughout our state that Oregon communities are working hard to support resilient, lasting economic growth," Wyden said. "These federal dollars will provide a targeted investment … Continue Reading
June 07, 2023
In Preparation for Fire Season, Merkley and Wyden Join Western Senators in a Bipartisan Push To Increase Wildland Firefighter Recruitment and Retention
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in a bipartisan letter urging the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to consider a long-term solution to increase wildland firefighter recruitment and retention. In their letter, the Senators push for Congress to act before short-term pay increases for over 16,000 federal wildland firefighters funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are set to expire on … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.55 Million to Improve Oregon Transportation by Tackling Problems Caused by Railroad Crossings
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding Bend and Portland a combined total of $1,550,000 to support planning and projects that will eliminate railroad crossings, improving congestion, accessibility, and safety in the communities. "Freight and passenger trains are vital modes of transportation for businesses and communities, but when their tracks intersect with car, bike, and … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $642,000 to Oregon State University to Detect Plant Diseases
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon State University will receive more than $642,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build out a tool that diagnoses invasive diseases in native plants. “Oregon is a leader in growing food and foliage that power and enrich our lives—from fruit, berries and hazelnuts to wheat, plant starts and grass seed,” Wyden said. “Countless Oregon-grown products are … Continue Reading
June 05, 2023
Wyden Presses FDA and DEA on ADHD Drug Shortage
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced he is urging regulators at two federal agencies to provide a comprehensive explanation for the continued shortage of affordable, generic ADHD medications and how the agencies are working together to tackle this national crisis. Wyden’s letters to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf follow an April 18 meeting between Wyden, the … Continue Reading
June 05, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1 Million Coming to Oregon for Housing Vouchers to Help Low-Income, Housing Insecure Residents Afford Rent
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding local housing authorities a combined total of $985,893 to help address the housing needs of communities in Portland, Albany, The Dalles, and Klamath Falls. "Too many Oregonians are struggling under the enormous weight of America's affordable housing crisis," said Senator Merkley. "This critical federal housing funding will help more … Continue Reading
June 05, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Seek Answers from Twitter on FTC Compliance Following High Level Resignations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues today asked Twitter to provide information regarding concerns that the company may have violated its consent decree with federal regulators and put consumer privacy and data security at risk. The letter comes days after Twitter's head of Trust and Safety and head of Brand Safety and Advertising Quality announced their resignations. "Regardless of his personal wealth, Mr. Musk is not exempt from the law, and neither is the … Continue Reading
June 05, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press to Hold Companies Accountable for Unlawfully Employing Migrant Child Labor
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that they and Senate colleagues are pressing to hold nine companies accountable that contracted with Packers Sanitation Services, Inc., which the Department of Labor found were unlawfully employing migrant child labor at these host companies' facilities. "We write in response to recent reports that your company employed a contractor, Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), that violated the Fair Labor Standards Act's … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $10 Million Coming to Oregon for Fire Resiliency and Ecosystem Restoration
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be investing $10 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help increase fire resiliency and protect native vegetation on public lands in Oregon. "Dynamic ecosystems have defined Oregon for ages, but with intensifying climate chaos, fires and other threats are putting Oregonians, our communities, and our natural treasures in danger,"?said Senator Merkley, … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Applaud Rule Change to Increase Transparency and Access to Capital for Small Businesses
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues praised the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for implementing changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to bring transparency to small business lending, combat unlawful discrimination, and provide increased access to fair capital. "The final rule issued by the CFPB is a significant step forward in promoting fair lending practices and dismantling barriers that hinder entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Increase Multilingual Content Moderation Enforcement and Transparency
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would improve multilingual large language models, automated decision-making systems, and content moderation practices to better protect non-English speaking communities online. "Big tech companies are failing millions of people by allowing scams, fraud and other slime to spread in Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese, where the same posts in English would be filtered out. At the same … Continue Reading
