Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Warn Non-Unionized Automakers Not to Interfere in UAW Unionization Efforts
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Senate colleagues in a letter to 13 non-unionized automakers urging them to allow United Auto Workers’ (UAW) legally protected unionization efforts at their manufacturing plants. After the ratification of historic agreements between UAW and the Big Three automakers in Detroit, thousands of non-union autoworkers are publicly organizing to join the UAW. “We are concerned by reporting at numerous automakers that management has … Continue Reading
January 04, 2024
Wyden, Merkley Announce $72 Million Federal Investment for Expansion of Microchip’s Gresham Facility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce is awarding $72 million in direct funding to Microchip for its Gresham expansion, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act passed by Congress in 2022. “Oregon is the beating heart of our nation’s semiconductor industry,” said Wyden. “When I brought Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to Oregon last year, I was confident that she would see the Silicon Forest for what it is: a world class … Continue Reading
December 28, 2023
Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Investment of More Than $1 Million in Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook County
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of more than $1.1 million for Habitat for Humanity in Tillamook to secure space for its retail operations and administrative offices. “In my town halls in Tillamook County and throughout the state, I hear from Oregon families and businesses that housing poses a huge challenge,” Wyden said. “Housing is a human right, and Habitat for Humanity has been on the frontline providing much-needed homes … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million for Rural School Hybrid Program
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a $2.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Program for Chemeketa Community College. “Students of all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at a solid education,” Wyden said. “This funding is the perfect example of how to expand opportunities for folks in rural Oregon and across the nation, and I applaud Chemeketa Community College for receiving this … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
Wyden, Crapo Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho today applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation designating U.S. Highway 20 between Newport, Ore. and New England as the “National Medal of Honor Highway.” "It's an honor to have worked closely with veterans in Oregon and nationwide in the grassroots movement to designate our country's longest continuous highway, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as the ‘National Medal of Honor Highway,’” … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Colleagues call for Expanded Funding for Community Health Centers
Washington, D.C. - Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas, joined bipartisan colleagues today to urge the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide more access to federal resources for community healthcare centers. Currently, there are 136 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alikes in Oregon and across the nation that provide services to over 1 million patients, but still don’t … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Wyden Urges Federal Trade Commission to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block the proposed Kroger and Albertsons merger due to potential negative effects on consumers in Oregon and nationwide. “Specifically, I am concerned that the proposed merger, if approved, will result in fewer pharmacy options for Oregonians, fewer economic opportunities for Oregon’s small farmers, and harm to Oregon’s workers and consumers,” Wyden wrote in the letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan. “The … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Wyden Begins 2024 With Seven Town Halls in Central & Eastern Oregon
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will begin his 2024 town hall schedule with seven in-person town halls the first week of January in Jefferson, Sherman, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Baker and Malheur counties. Heading into these initial town halls of the new year, Wyden has held a total of 1,065 town halls throughout Oregon in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. “I’m very much looking forward to starting 2024 … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Oregon Officials’ Statements on $600 Million Federal Award for Interstate Bridge Replacement Project
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Gov. Tina Kotek, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici as well as the Oregon Department of Transportation issued the following statements about today’s $600 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Interstate-5 Bridge replacement project. “Today’s $600 million down payment on the federal investment needed for the Interstate Bridge is good news for freight traffic in Oregon and throughout the Northwest … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Senate Committee Advances Two Wyden Bills Key to Oregon’s Future
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement applauding the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for advancing his Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act (CEO Act) and his Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023: “The ENR Committee has advanced two of my bills key to Oregon’s future. “The Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act preserves both a treasured way of life and a treasured landscape. The bill helps … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Wyden and Merkley Introduce Legislation to End Voter Suppression by Unreasonably Long Lines
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today introduced legislation that would end hours-long lines at polling places that suppress hundreds of thousands of votes, and restore Americans’ constitutional rights to vote in free and fair elections. “Oregonians are fortunate to have the option to vote at home, but many other voters nationwide lack that opportunity and shouldn’t be effectively cut off from the ballot box by lines that leave them on their feet … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Mandate Civil Rights Offices in Federal Agencies that Handle Artificial Intelligence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) to introduce the Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems (BIAS) Act to ensure that every federal agency that uses, funds, or oversees artificial intelligence has an office of civil rights focused on combating AI bias and discrimination, among other harms. “There is no place for racial and ethnic bias in Oregon and across the nation, and that same mindset must apply to … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Federal Agencies to Boost Public Food and Agriculture Research Funding in Fiscal Year 2025
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he’s joined Senate colleagues to urge top federal officials to increase the Department of Agriculture’s research budget by at least five percent, plus inflation, for Fiscal Year 2025. “As the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget request is prepared, we request that an increase of at least five percent, plus inflation, above the FY 2024 funding levels proposed by the Senate, be provided across the board for all USDA research activities … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Boost Jobs in Health Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he reintroduced legislation that reauthorizes and modernizes the Health Profession Opportunity Grant program to help address health care shortages in Oregon and nationwide and create pathways to high quality, in-demand health care careers. “Addressing the nation's health care worker shortage means helping struggling families with job opportunities,” said Wyden. "That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that would provide job … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Wyden Urges Senate Judiciary Committee to Support Judge Amy Baggio’s Nomination
Watch a video of Wyden deliver his remarks here As prepared for delivery Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, members of the committee, I’m very pleased to join you this morning to introduce Judge Amy Baggio, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Judge Baggio comes before the Committee today with extensive experience as both a jurist and a litigator. That experience includes four years on the bench as a judge with the Multnomah County Circuit Court, as well as … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan Push for Clear Guidance on the New Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he’s joined Senate colleagues from both parties to urge federal officials to provide clear guidance and communication to students, families, educators, college access counselors, and schools leading up to and after the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The redesigned FAFSA will make it easier for students to get financial aid and help 1.5 million more students access the maximum Pell Grant award. “We … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Merkley, Wyden: Over $3.6 Million for Safer Streets heading to Marion, Umatilla, and Clackamas Counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $3,669,840 in federal funding heading to three Oregon counties to develop and update comprehensive road and street safety plans. “Whether walking, driving, or biking, Oregonians in every corner of the state deserve safe streets in their communities to get where they need to go,” said Merkley. “These investments will transform Oregon’s roadways in Marion, Umatilla, and Clackamas counties into safer … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Wyden, Merkley and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Reduce Foam Container Pollution
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland to introduce legislation that would phase out single-use plastic foam food service products, “loose fill” such as packing peanuts, and non-medical disposable coolers - materials known to harm human health and pollute waterways. The Farewell to Foam Act they introduced along with Senate and House colleagues would reduce plastic foam pollution nationwide by requiring … Continue Reading
December 11, 2023
Wyden Demands Federal Review of Crater Lake Concessionaire Contract
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is asking federal officials to act immediately to prevent concessionaire mismanagement from continuing to pose safety risks to Crater Lake National Park, its visitors, and the employees who live and work at this world-renowned natural treasure in southern Oregon. “The annual concessionaire assessments paint a troubling picture of the concessionaire’s fulfillment of its important responsibilities at Crater Lake National Park over several … Continue Reading
December 08, 2023
Wyden Votes Against Reauthorizing Warrantless Surveillance as Part of Massive Military Policy Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., opposed reauthorizing warrantless government surveillance of Americans as part of the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), in a procedural vote today. A four-month extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was added to the NDAA without a vote or debate. Wyden and bipartisan members of Congress have pushed for years to reform that surveillance authority, which has been abused to allow warrantless searches for … Continue Reading
