Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1 Million for Oregon Public Schools Stormwater Reduction
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 the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership $1,376,029 for their School Stormwater Reduction Program. This effort is targeted at reducing stormwater and improving water quality at public school parking lots and school yards, and promoting better engagement with school communities. “A clean Columbia River Basin is essential to the health of our region, … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Wyden, Cassidy to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Identity Fraud from AI
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that he and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., will introduce bipartisan legislation to combat rising cases of identity fraud from the use of artificial intelligence by allowing the United States Postal Service to offer identity verification and related services to the private sector like they currently do for government agencies. “Criminals using hacked personal information made it hard enough to verify a person’s identity - now AI … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Klamath Tribes Earn $500,000 Federal Investment in Upgraded Broadband
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Klamath Tribes have secured a $500,000 federal grant to improve broadband service for its Tribal members in southern Oregon. “Tribal communities in Oregon and nationwide need and deserve reliable, modern broadband for educational and job opportunities, small business growth, telehealth and more,” said Wyden, who earlier this year successfully fought to correct inaccuracies in the National Broadband Map that … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Three Tribes in Oregon to Receive More Than $2.3 Million in U.S. Justice Department Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that three Tribes in Oregon have secured more than $2.3 million combined in federal grants to provide services and promote justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. “These federal funds will help to ensure Tribes in our state can do everything possible for members who have survived some of the most horrific crimes imaginable,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the Confederated … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Immediate Action on Wildland Firefighter Pay Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues this week called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to advance permanent, comprehensive pay reform for wildland firefighters in Oregon and nationwide as temporary pay increases are set to end. “Firefighters deserve fair pay, support for their mental and physical health, and time to recover from their dangerous work. In a future with increasingly catastrophic wildfires, Congress cannot delay and deny … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Make Higher Education More Affordable
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would exclude Pell Grants from taxable income and make financial assistance more accessible to students pursuing higher education. “Figuring out how to pay for college is hard enough without having to maneuver the inner workings of the U.S. tax code," Wyden said. "This legislation would ensure that students are able to take full advantage of the aid they're entitled to —which … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Wyden Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Domestic Critical Mineral Supplies, Fuel Clean Energy Manufacturing and Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil and Gas Imports
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today reintroduced legislation that would support the processing, manufacturing, and production of critical minerals that would reduce imports of critical minerals, ease reliance on foreign oil and gas and support domestic manufacturing. “The historic clean energy package I authored in the Inflation Reduction Act has put our country on a supercharged path to secure clean energy independence and drastically cut carbon emissions. To expedite this clean … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Curb Firearms Trafficking to Mexican Drug Cartels
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he and Senate colleagues have introduced legislation that would prevent firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico. “International firearms trafficking puts lives in danger and helps criminals sell narcotics. This must end now,” Wyden said. “It’s time for Congress to address the proliferation of firearms trafficking and keep Americans safe from gun violence by passing the Stop Arming Cartels Act.” The trafficking of … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Wyden Statement on SAFER Banking Act
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee passed the Secure And Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act: “The U.S. Senate is finally on its way to making sure that small cannabis businesses can finally get access to banking services just like any other law-abiding businesses - no more wheelbarrows full of cash. The Senate has got to get this important legislation across … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Wyden, Markey Applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel for Proposed Broadband, Net Neutrality Plan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., released the following statement today after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced plans to reinstate net neutrality rules and reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act: “Broadband is not a luxury. It is an essential utility and it is imperative that the FCC’s authority reflects the necessary nature of the internet in … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Resolution Reaffirming Importance of Clean Water Access for Tribal Communities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that they and Senate colleagues have reintroduced a resolution emphasizing the federal government’s responsibility to provide access to clean drinking water for Tribal communities in Oregon and throughout the country. “Everyone deserves access to clean water - yet today many Tribal communities across the country lack access to this vital natural resource,” Wyden said. “It’s time to reinvest and ramp up water infrastructure … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Wyden, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Reduce Tobacco Use in America
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), today introduced the bicameral Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2023. The bill would close tax code loopholes for tobacco products by establishing a new federal tax on e-cigarettes, updating the federal cigarette tax rate to restore its public health impact, and harmonizing the tax rate across tobacco products to address … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Wyden, Bonamici, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Increase Food Security for Oregon College Students
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today announced they introduced legislation that would help college students in Oregon and nationwide experiencing food insecurity have easier access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. “Being a college student is tough enough without having to also study federal rules and regulations to combat hunger,” Wyden said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that makes SNAP benefits … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Wyden To Hold Two Town Halls Next Week in Klamath, Lake Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have two in-person town halls next week in Klamath and Lake counties. Wyden has already held 36 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 and 1,063 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. “I’m very much looking forward to these open-to-all town halls in Klamath and Lake counties where any Oregonian can ask a question, voice an opinion and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Announce Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Bill Passes Senate Committee
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act cleared a major hurdle by passing out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The critical legislation would reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy’s (DRC) eligibility to receive federal funding for water quality and conservation projects—efforts critical to the restoration of wildlife and reducing agricultural runoff in … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Wyden, Luján Urge Biden Administration to Collect the Data Needed to Address the Lack of Access to Water and Sanitation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., this week asked the Biden administration to collect and publish data that would help identify and address the water and sanitation needs of communities around the country. “We are writing to request that you take steps to collect and publish data needed to meaningfully address the lack of access to water and sanitation that exists here in the United States. This Administration has recognized that as the source of … Continue Reading
September 21, 2023
Wyden, Booker and Clarke Introduce Bill to Regulate Use of Artificial Intelligence to Make Critical Decisions like Housing, Employment and Education
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Representative Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., today introduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023, to create new protections for people affected by AI systems that are already impacting decisions affecting housing, credit, education and other high-impact uses. The bill applies to new generative AI systems used for critical decisions, as well as other AI and automated systems. “AI is making choices, today, … Continue Reading
September 21, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Tackle Plastic Pollution Crisis
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues have reintroduced legislation that would create a new incentive to recycle plastic and help reduce the plastic waste disrupting coastal economies, overwhelming ecosystems, and threatening public health. “Coastal communities in Oregon and nationwide know all too well the harm plastic pollution can cause to local ecosystems and public health,” Wyden said. “That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that would … Continue Reading
September 21, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Successfully Urge Biden Administration to Establish Civilian Climate Corps Program through Executive Action
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today praised the Biden Administration for responding to their request to advance a federal Civilian Climate Corps program that would tackle some of the climate crisis’ worst impacts and prepare a whole generation of workers for good-paying union jobs in the clean economy. This week’s administration announcement to launch the American Climate Corps that will put more than 20,000 young people to work in jobs that promote clean energy, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2023
Wyden Urges Action on the Drinking Water Access Emergency
Watch a video of Water and Power ENR Subcommittee Chair Wyden deliver his opening remarks here As prepared for delivery Over 2 million Americans are going to bed each night without access to safe and reliable drinking water by their bed. This is bad news for vulnerable seniors and bad news for our kids' futures. We can do better. And we must do better. This problem is worsened by the devastating drought that has hit so much of America. And, it’s hard to figure out who’s in charge of water … Continue Reading
