Press Releases
Oregon Delegation Urges Department of Education to Curb Opioid Use, Increase Fentanyl Awareness in Oregon Schools
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Lori Chavez-Deremer, Earl Blumenauer, Andrea Salinas, and Val Hoyle are raising concerns with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that Oregon teens are dying of drug-related causes faster than any other state, and the lawmakers are pushing for action. The Oregon delegation members are urging the Department to work with school districts to combat the opioid crisis and substance misuse in … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $288,000 to Rural Oregon Airports for Crucial Runway Improvements
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two rural Oregon airports will receive a combined more than $288,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for crucial runway improvements "Small airports in rural areas help drive our state's economy," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars go toward improving crucial runway infrastructure that will allow for safer and more regular air service. Investing in airport infrastructure lays the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: 18 Oregon Counties to Receive Nearly $26 Million in Secure Rural Schools Funds from BLM
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed nearly $26 million in federal investment from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act for 18 Oregon counties to use for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation. This $25.6 million from the Bureau of Land Management for these 18 counties is in addition to $45.6 million recently announced in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds … Continue Reading
April 19, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $45 Million in Secure Rural Schools Funds to Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon counties will receive more than $45 million in payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation. "I'm glad the Secure Rural Schools law continues to pay huge dividends for rural America with Oregon leading the way and securing more than $45 million … Continue Reading
April 14, 2023
Oregon Congressional Democrats File Amicus Brief Urging Appeals Court to Prevent Dangerous Ruling Threatening Access to Mifepristone From Taking Effect
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas this week submitted an amicus brief with colleagues in support of the Biden administration's appeal of U.S. District Court judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk's ruling last week that suspends the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone. The Trump-appointed federal judge's ruling threatens access to mifepristone … Continue Reading
April 13, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Two Oregon Parks Secure $718,000 in Federal Investment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Nugent Park in the city of Umatilla, and Thompson Park in The Dalles have secured a combined $718,222 in grants from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. "Getting outside and enjoying parks in communities throughout Oregon is essential to quality of life in every nook and cranny of the state," Wyden said. "I'm glad the Land and Water Conservation Fund that I've been proud to support continues to invest … Continue Reading
April 13, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $3.7 Million to Advance Wood Product Innovation, Reduce Wildfire Risk in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $3,737,200 from the Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support wood processing facilities in Oregon. "Oregon has the most innovative wood products in the world, and we have been working hard to keep Oregon at the forefront of timber products," said Merkley, who chairs the Senate Interior Appropriations … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: $13.8 Million to City of Portland to Replace Nearly Century-Old Burgard Bridge
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the City of Portland will receive $13.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the Burgard Bridge. "I have long said that you can't have a big league economy without big league infrastructure, and that includes resilient bridges," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars go toward replacing the Burgard Bridge in North Portland so that commuters and visitors alike can continue to … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden Statement on HHS Proposed Rule to Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Privacy
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the new proposed rule announced by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to strengthen reproductive health care privacy: "Women seeking health care should not live in fear that their personal health information will be weaponized against them. Providers should be able to do their … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Wyden Requests Annual Cybersecurity Audits of Phone Network For First Responders and Military Personnel
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for annual cybersecurity audits of the federal government's cellular network used by first responders and the military, in order to identify security weaknesses that could be exploited by criminals and foreign governments Cybersecurity experts have called for upgrades to U.S. phone networks for years, due to security weaknesses in the systems used to exchange information between different carriers' networks, known as SS7 and Diameter. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
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
