Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $22 Million Coming to Oregon to Repair Water Infrastructure, Advance Drought Resilience
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Oregon will be receiving $21,713,000 from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for projects to improve water infrastructure in Jefferson, Klamath, Umatilla, and Wasco Counties. "Reliable water supply is vital for our communities, for our farmers and ranchers, and for many iconic wildlife species?to thrive," said Merkley. "With persistent drought making efficiency and modernization more important than ever, up-to-date … Continue Reading
April 11, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.6 Million to Help Train School-Based Mental Health Professionals
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Education will be awarding Portland State University (PSU) and Oregon State University (OSU) a combined total of $1,613,898 to support training programs for school-based mental health providers under the Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program. "Mental health care is essential health care, especially for school-aged kids, which is why I have fought to put more providers in … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Call for Robust Funding to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Development Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues are urging the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations to provide robust funding for entrepreneurial development programs at the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provide critical support and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Oregon and nationwide. "SBA entrepreneurial development programs are now more important than ever, helping to promote small businesses and provide critical … Continue Reading
April 10, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce $8.5 Million Coming to Oregon for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding Oregon $8,559,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to help upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems. "Reliable access to clean water is vital to the health and safety of any community," said Merkley, Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds this program. "These funds will help improve water … Continue Reading
April 07, 2023
Wyden to President Biden and FDA after Texas Ruling: Ignore Any Ban, Keep Mifepristone on the Market
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden released the following statement after a right-wing judge today ruled to ban mifepristone nationwide: "There is no way this decision has a basis in law. It is instead rooted in conservatives' dangerous and undemocratic takeover of our country's institutions. No matter what happens in seven days, I believe the Food and Drug Administration has the authority to ignore this ruling, which is why I'm again calling on President Biden and the FDA to do just … Continue Reading
April 06, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Celebrate New Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice Center at the University of Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the University of Oregon has received $800,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to officially launch its Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice. The Senators secured the funding for this crucial community-initiated project to help ensure Oregon communities are better prepared for wildfire smoke events. "Nearly every Oregonian has in some way experienced the growing threat that wildfires … Continue Reading
April 04, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $600,000 to Central Oregon Community College for Veteran Student Success Center
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Central Oregon Community College (COCC) will receive nearly $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to expand veteran student services into a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) on the COCC campus. "It was clear during my recent visit that Central Oregon Community College has an ear to the ground of what its students need to do their best work. COCC attracts some of the greatest … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Wyden Introduces Bill to Safeguard Consumers, Require Companies to Shift from Opt-Out Requirements to Opt-In
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced legislation that would protect consumers from online free trial scams and hard-to-cancel recurring-payment programs. The bill requires companies to shift extending subscriptions and memberships from "opt-out" conditions to "opt-in." "I have long supported efforts to increase transparency so Oregonians and consumers across the nation are not harmed by unexpected charges from companies using deceptive marketing practices and zombie fees … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Wyden Cosponsors Bill Closing “Charleston Loophole” on Gun Sales
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring legislation that would close a loophole letting gun sales proceed if a background check is not completed within a certain time period, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to buy a gun. The gap in existing law has allowed thousands of gun sales to prohibited buyers, including the sale of the firearm used by the shooter in the deadly 2015 attack at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church. "This common-sense solution … Continue Reading
March 29, 2023
Wyden, Lummis Question Justice Department’s Use of Paid Confidential Informants To Obtain Americans’ Personal Information Without Warrants or Court Orders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., today urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to end the use of paid confidential informants to obtain large quantities of Americans' personal information without court oversight. The senators called for new transparency about the use of informants to acquire private data. Federal investigators have documented the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) use of paid informants in the rail and travel industries … Continue Reading
March 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $1.6 Million to Bend Municipal Airport for Permanent Control Tower
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Bend Municipal Airport will receive $1.6 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to invest toward the $15 million cost of building a permanent control tower. "Reliable and safe air service is crucial for Oregonians and our state's economy," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I worked to pass go toward building a permanent control tower in Bend-one … Continue Reading
March 29, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Consumers Bill for Cheese
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues from both parties have reintroduced legislation that would help better inform consumers when they buy cheese. The CURD (Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions) Act would codify a formal definition of "natural cheese," a term commonly used on food packaging that currently has no official definition. "Oregonians are proud of our state's world renown high-quality cheese," Wyden said. "The CURD Act will ensure … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Urge President Biden Not to Reinstate the Use of Family Detention for Migrant Children
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in a letter to President Biden raising concerns over reports that the Administration is considering a return to the inhumane and ineffective practice of detaining migrant families, after previously ending family detention in December 2021. "Under both the Obama and Trump Administrations, family detention had disastrous effects on migrant families and children, without any corresponding improvement in border … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $50 Million Coming to Oregon for Housing Services and Support
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding Oregon non-profits, state, and local governments $49,970,799 through the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program to support efforts across the state to address homelessness and promote access for individuals and families facing homelessness to resources and programs. "Access to safe and affordable housing is vital to growing strong and vibrant … Continue Reading
March 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Underscore National Security Imperative to Provide Abortion Leave for Service Members
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined colleagues urging the U.S. Department of Defense to protect national security interests by providing service members access to protected leave for abortion and reproductive health care services. "Following the Dobbs decision, the RAND Corporation estimates that 40% of active duty women serving in the continental United States face limited or no access to abortion services where they are stationed," the senators wrote to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Wyden To Hold Town Halls in Seven Oregon Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have open-to-all, in-person town halls from April 1-7 in Wasco, Sherman, Morrow, Umatilla, Gilliam, Douglas and Jackson counties. Wyden has already held 15 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,042 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. "Open-to-all town halls shorten the distance between Oregon and Washington DC by providing … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $2.1 Million to Oregon Farmers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that 11 Oregon farmers will received a combined $2.1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand their influence and market new products. The grant announcement comes out in honor this week of National Ag Day 2023. "Oregon's family farmers and ranchers have put Oregon on the map as an agriculture powerhouse, all while supporting jobs across the state. These grant dollars help kick-start … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $38 Million Coming to Oregon for Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Access
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be awarding the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) $28,513,417 from the Wildlife Restoration fund for wildlife habitat restoration projects and research aimed to better manage wildlife species, and $9,229,182 from the Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) fund to support important fisheries, monitoring, and education programs throughout Oregon. "As Chairman of … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Wyden, Barrasso and 12 Bipartisan Senators Urge FCC To Ensure Rural, Tribal Communities Receive Fair Share of Federal Broadband Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and 12 other bipartisan senators called on the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to ensure rural and tribal communities in need receive their fair share of federal broadband grants, in a letter today. The members urged FCC to update the National Broadband Map each month, rather than every 6 months, so broadband grants will be awarded based on the most accurate information. The National Telecommunications and … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Wyden Introduces Bill to Increase Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care for Kids, Seniors and Low-Income Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Michael Bennet today introduced legislation that would expand access to mental and behavioral health care for Oregonians and all Americans on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid. "Mental health care should be affordable, reliable and accessible for everyone," said Wyden, who as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, has introduced legislation for an historic investment in mental health … Continue Reading
