Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $92,000 to Upper Klamath Basin for Crucial Conservation Planning
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Upper Klamath Basin will receive nearly $92,000 from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for data collection and conservation planning through Oregon State University. "There have been incredible efforts by folks in the Klamath Basin to prepare and respond to more frequent and severe droughts caused by climate chaos—but all of that starts with everyone having all the … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden Statement on Cyber Safety Review Board Investigation of Recent Microsoft Exchange Online Intrusion
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security announcement that its Cyber Safety Review Board will review the recent Microsoft Exchange Online hack. Wyden requested the board investigate the recent hack in a letter sent July 27. “I applaud President Biden and CISA Director Easterly for acting on my request for the board to review this recent espionage campaign, including cybersecurity negligence by … Continue Reading
August 11, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Press Feds to Provide More Opportunities for Oregon Coast to Weigh in on Draft Wind Energy Areas
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle said today they are urging federal officials -- if draft wind energy areas for the Oregon Coast are released -- to schedule three public meetings on the Coast for public review, and also to double the comment period from 30 days to 60 days. The letter with those requests from the four Oregon lawmakers to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Elizabeth Klein comes in … Continue Reading
August 08, 2023
Wyden To Hold Two Town Halls Next Week in Tigard, Hood River
Portland – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have two in-person town halls next week in Washington and Hood River counties. Wyden has already held 34 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023– including previous town halls this year in both Washington and Hood River counties. Heading into next week’s town halls, Wyden has held 1,061 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of … Continue Reading
August 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $515,000 Coming to La Grande School District to Address Regional Housing Needs, Promote Technical Education
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the La Grande School district will be awarded $515,000 through the Department of Education for a Community Initiated Project to operate housing construction and construction career and technical education (CTE) programs in the school district. “This is a win-win for the La Grande students and community as it helps students learn valuable skills and addresses the housing crisis we are … Continue Reading
August 03, 2023
Wyden Urges ADHD Drug Manufacturers to Boost Production or Relinquish Excess Quota to Help Shortage
Wyden’s call follows joint statement released by DEA and FDA at his request providing an update on the shortage crisis hitting Oregon and entire country DEA tells Wyden manufacturers are on track to fall one billion doses below quota Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged manufacturers of much-needed amphetamine medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including Adderall and generic equivalents, to either increase their … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Duckworth Make Push for Increased Support for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Wyden, Duckworth also sent a letter to HHS citing concerns the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by Congress jeopardizes the Corps’ public health emergency response capabilities, urge HHS to ensure USPHS programs are fully funded Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., today announced their efforts to ensure the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps has the funding it needs to ensure a highly-trained, always-ready, … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Support Recent Immigrants, Refugees
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would support immigrants and refugees overcome common obstacles to naturalization, including language barriers and challenges navigating the search for employment. “The naturalization process shouldn’t be confusing for folks trying to achieve the American dream,” Wyden said today. “As the son of refugees from Nazi Germany, I’m proud to introduce legislation … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on Auto Companies to Include all Battery Plant Workers in National Union Contract
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are calling on General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company to negotiate in good faith to reach a fair outcome that folds in workers at all joint venture electric vehicle battery facilities into the national United Auto Workers union contract. “Profits should translate to gains for workers. It is unacceptable that in the midst of extreme financial gains for the companies, executives, and investors, the workers … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Legislation to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to ensure the safety and health of workers in Oregon and across the nation who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace. The Asunción Valdivia Heat Stress Injury, Illness, and Fatality Prevention Act is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for ten hours straight in 105-degree temperatures. Mr. Valdivia … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden, Salinas, Duarte, Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bill to Restore Forests, Boost Rural Economies by Supporting Wood Product Innovation
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., John Duarte, R-Calif., and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., this week introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, sequester more carbon, and boost rural economies by supporting innovative timber products, such as mass timber. ”Oregon’s cutting-edge leadership in wood products innovations strengthens rural economies by generating … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Coos County to Receive Federal Grant to Conserve & Restore South Slough
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Coos County will share in $2 million in federal grants to conserve and restore habitats in the South Slough. “Research is a crucial first step toward healing marine ecosystems from the harm done by the climate crisis,” Wyden said. “I am gratified to see funding go toward conservation, especially incorporating strategies long-used by the Tribes that have inhabited this land since time … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden Introduces Legislation to Support Secondary Language Education Research
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore, this week introduced legislation that would support secondary language learning by requiring research on student attainment in non-English languages. “Helping students succeed in a diverse multilingual world means investing in secondary language education,” Wyden said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that would help students in Oregon and nationwide learn new languages by directing … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle Reintroduce Legislation Investing in Rural Schools
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle today reintroduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through 2026. “Two decades ago, I recognized the need for federal support for rural forested counties working to sustain and diversify economic opportunities in their communities,” Wyden said. “I fought then to pass, and … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Wyden Votes No on Massive Military Policy Bill: NDAA Fails to Hold the Pentagon Accountable for Wasteful Spending and Fraud
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act today. “I’d like to commend my Senate colleagues for ensuring that this year’s defense policy bill received a open floor process, with the consideration of many worthy amendments across a diverse range of issues. Ultimately, this year’s Senate bill authorizes $886 billion for the Department of Defense, national security … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Wyden, Paul and Bipartisan Senators Reintroduce the Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., reintroduced the Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act today, following the bill’s unanimous passage in the House Judiciary Committee last week. The bill, first introduced in 2021, blocks the government from purchasing information about Americans that would otherwise require a warrant. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Mike Lee, R-Utah, Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Patty … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Wyden, Salinas, Bonamici, Casten Introduce Legislation to Improve Soil Health, Crop Resilience and Address the Climate Crisis
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and Sean Casten, D-Ill., today introduced legislation to help address the climate crisis by encouraging farming practices that improve soil health and crop resilience and lower the amount of carbon in the atmosphere – with a strong focus on supporting the nation's small, rural and underserved farmers in this transition. “America’s farmers are … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Wyden Requests Federal Agencies Investigate Lax Cybersecurity Practices by Microsoft That Reportedly Enabled Chinese Espionage
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today requested the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and Cybersecurity and Cyber Safety Review Board investigate whether lax security practices by Microsoft enabled the recent Chinese government hack of multiple U.S. government agencies and high-ranking federal officials. The hack came two years after separate cybersecurity failings by Microsoft contributed to the massive SolarWinds hack of several federal … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Food Bank Southeast Oregon Services to Receive $66,900 Federal Investment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced Oregon Food Bank Southeast Oregon Services in Ontario will receive a $66,900 federal investment to buy a refrigerated box truck, fuel and insurance for two years - all of which will help this community mainstay respond to increased food demands in Malheur and Harney counties. "Quality of life in Malheur and Harney counties begins with ensuring everybody has access to food, and that's exactly what the Food Bank works … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $20 Million Coming to Oregon for Security and Disaster Preparedness
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is awarding the state of Oregon, Lane Transit District, and nonprofits across the state nearly $20 million to build and sustain capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. "Ensuring Oregonians and communities across the state are safe and prepared for any threats they face is critical," said … Continue Reading
