Press Releases
Oregon Delegation Pushes Trump Administration for Coronavirus Testing Supplies for Vulnerable Nursing Homes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today led members of Oregon's congressional delegation-including U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, and Kurt Schrader-in pushing the Trump administration to help meet Oregon's urgent need for critical coronavirus testing supplies at long-term care facilities. In a letter to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Demand Answers from Zoom After Company Deactivated Accounts of Pro-democracy Chinese Activists
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded information from Zoom's CEO after the company admitted it deactivated the accounts of U.S-based, pro-democracy Chinese activists - at the request of the Chinese government - after they held a Zoom meeting on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. "We write with deep concern regarding reports that Zoom, a U.S.-based company, deactivated the accounts of two U.S.-based, pro-democracy Chinese activists after they … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Wyden Presses Trump Administration to Stop Weaponizing Facial Recognition Technology Against Protesters
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today pressed Trump administration officials to end federal law enforcement's weaponizing of facial recognition technology against peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights to speak out about the police killing of George Floyd and other black Americans. In a letter with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to Attorney General William Barr and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, Wyden noted how … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Wyden, Merkley: Two Portland Groups to Get Federal Aid for Telehealth Work During COVID-19 Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Volunteers of America Oregon and Prism Health will receive $768,644 in federal funds to help provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. "The value of telehealth for Oregonians and the hard-working medical providers who care for them takes on even greater importance when COVID-19 protocols include distancing," Wyden said. "I am glad these two Portland groups have earned these federal resources, and … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Call on Senate Leadership to Support Digital News Outlets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with a dozen of their colleagues, are urging Senate leadership to include support for digital-native news outlets in future COVID-19 response legislation. During this pandemic, these outlets have provided information to Americans on health and safety measures and reopening protocols in communities across the country. Digital-native outlets rely primarily on advertising revenue, yet the pandemic has caused a severe drop … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Demand Immediate GAO Review of Safety of Rubber Bullets Being Used on Protesters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) immediately conduct a review to examine the safety of rubber bullets being used against protesters during civil rights protests. Merkley and Wyden's request comes on the heels of public reporting that indicates there have been serious injuries resulting from law enforcement's use of these projectiles to control and disperse protests occurring across the country … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Wyden, Lee, Booker and 13 House Members Question Juniper Networks Over Secret Government Backdoors
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Cory Booker, D-N.J. and 13 members of the U.S. House asked Juniper Networks to explain how an NSA-designed algorithm, which leading cybersecurity experts believe contains an encryption backdoor, appeared in its products, and how the key to this backdoor was later changed by unknown parties. Juniper first revealed a security breach in late 2015 in which unauthorized code was added to its products. Cybersecurity experts … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Wyden Will Hold Virtual Southern Oregon Town Hall on June 15
Portland - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he will have a live on-line town hall on June 15 hosted by Town Hall Project for residents of Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties. Anybody wanting to watch that virtual regional town hall beginning at 11 AM PT on Monday, June 15 can go to this Facebook link. Residents of Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties who would like to participate by asking Wyden a question can fill out this form for consideration by Town Hall Project. A … Continue Reading
June 10, 2020
Wyden, Family Forward Oregon, Portland Mom, MomsRising Highlight Benefits of Supercharged Unemployment Insurance
Washington, D.C. - Ahead of the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the role of unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., hosted a press conference call with Family Forward Oregon executive director Andrea Paluso and workers such as Nicola Van Hoff of Portland to highlight the benefits of supercharged unemployment insurance for families nationwide. Excerpts from their remarks from before the June 9 hearing follow: Senate … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Wyden, Grijalva, Haaland Call for Investigation of Park Police's Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters and Journalists in Lafayette Park
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Deb Haaland, D-N.M., this week requested that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) investigate the U.S. Park Police's use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists in Lafayette Park to clear the way for a staged photo of Donald Trump in front of St. John's Episcopal Church. "We request that the [OIG] investigate whether the Park … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Wyden Gives Forest Service a Week to Explain Agency Actions to Protect Firefighters and Communities Amid Wildfire Season and COVID-19
Washington, D.C. - Following a U.S. Forest Service official's admission today that the agency could do more to protect the safety and well-being of firefighters and communities from COVID-19 during this wildfire season, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded the agency provide its safety plan in writing within a week. During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Wyden pressed the agency on the lack of coordination with on-the-ground officials: "I was recently briefed … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $68 Million in Federal Homeless Assistance Funding Headed to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced over $68 million in funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus outbreaks among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness in Oregon. This is the second allotment of the funding allocated to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which Congress passed in March. "Right now-as … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.5 Million in Federal Funding for Seal Rock Water District
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Seal Rock Water District will receive $1.5 million in federal grants to assist with the construction of a storm-resilient and reliable water treatment plant. The funding is being allocated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program. "Access to reliable drinking water is essential to the health and economic vitality of our rural communities," … Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Wyden Co-sponsors Justice in Policing Act of 2020
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today co-sponsored legislation that would hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement and build trust between law enforcement and our communities in Oregon and nationwide. Wyden said he supports the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 introduced by U.S. Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-CA), U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) because it's bold and … Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Wyden Will Hold Virtual Town Hall on June 12
Portland - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he will have a live on-line town hall on June 12 hosted by Town Hall Project for residents of Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler and Wasco counties Anybody wanting to watch that virtual regional town hall beginning at 11 AM PT on Friday, June 12 can go to this Facebook link. Residents of Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler and Wasco counties who would like to participate by asking Wyden a question can fill out this form for consideration by … Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Wyden, Foster Lead Bicameral Warning Against Trump Administration Resuming Explosive Nuclear Testing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Bill Foster, D-Ill., today led a bicameral group of 80 other colleagues in urging Donald Trump not to resume explosive nuclear testing after a 28-year hiatus. This letter comes in response to reports indicating the administration is considering taking this step. In a letter to Donald Trump, the legislators wrote, "We are deeply concerned by recent reports that you are considering a resumption of explosive nuclear … Continue Reading
June 04, 2020
Wyden, Merkley: Defense Department Must Refrain from Using U.S. Military to Suppress Nationwide Protests
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley voicing grave concerns over Donald Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to nationwide protests seeking justice for George Floyd and an end to systemic racism. "President Trump's behavior over the last three years has repeatedly politicized our Armed Forces and portrayed their mission not … Continue Reading
June 04, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Press For College Students in Need to Have Access to High-Speed Internet
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined with colleagues in urging congressional leadership to include funds in future legislation that ensures college and university students with the greatest financial need in Oregon and nationwide have access to high-speed internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Even before the pandemic, only 66 percent of black households, 61 percent of Hispanic households, and 63 percent of rural households had access to broadband, and one … Continue Reading
June 04, 2020
Wyden, Merkley Introduce $50 Billion Bill to Address Child Care Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in introducing a bill that would address the child care crisis worsened by coronavirus in Oregon and across the country by creating a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund. The Child Care is Essential Act would provide grant funding to child care providers to stabilize the child care sector and support providers to safely reopen and operate. "Child care workers in Oregon and … Continue Reading
June 04, 2020
Wyden: Senate Passage of PPP Reforms Strengthens Lifeline that Small Business Needs During COVID-19
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following statement after the Senate approved legislation he sought to make urgently needed reforms for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that small business needs to get through the economic crisis touched off by COVID-19: "Extending the deadlines for small businesses in Oregon and nationwide to spend the PPP resources they need to pay their employees and bills during the economic fallout of this public health crisis was a common-sense … Continue Reading
