Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: More than $5 Million to go to Community Colleges in Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Mt. Hood Community College, Chemeketa Community College, and Treasure Valley Community College will receive a combined more than $5 million to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "With the advent of more contagious variants of the COVID-19 virus, colleges around the state need support to continue adapting to keep their students safe," Wyden said. "These CARES Act dollars will go a long way to help … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Central Oregon Airports to Receive More than $6.1 Million in Federal Grants
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that airports in Redmond and Prineville have earned a combined $6.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for operations, concessions, personnel, and sanitation. "Rural airports serve as critical connectors for every nook and cranny of Oregon, and ARPA dollars will serve to benefit the local economy as more and more people travel to experience Central Oregon's world-class recreation," Wyden said. "I'm … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden, Brown Introduce Bill to Lower Cost of Rent for Workers and Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have introduced legislation that would lower the cost of rent for families across the country. Their Renters Tax Credit Act of 2021 would establish a new renters tax credit to make housing more affordable for low-income households. These households, which include many low-wage workers, seniors, and people with disabilities living on low, fixed incomes, are far more likely than other households to pay very high shares of … Continue Reading
July 30, 2021
Wyden Co-Sponsors Legislation to Examine History of Racially Restrictive Covenants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring legislation that would examine the history of racially restrictive covenants-which were used as tools of discrimination to keep Black families and households of color from moving into certain neighborhoods-so we can better understand the scope of these covenants. "Many of the 21st century neighborhoods we know were fundamentally and cruelly shaped by racist red-lining and discriminatory covenants," said Wyden. "The … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: $54,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to go to Gold Beach and La Grande/Union County Airports
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Gold Beach Municipal Airport and La Grande/Union County Airport will receive a combined $54,000 in federal grants for operations, sanitation, and personnel. "Rural airports serve as critical connectors for every nook and cranny of Oregon and provide crucial support for wildfire suppression via aircraft," Wyden said. "I'm gratified that Gold Beach and La Grande have secured these federal dollars, and will … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Wyden, Tillis and Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Combat Counterfeit Court Orders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore, with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., introduced new legislation to combat the growing use of counterfeit court orders by scammers and criminals. Forged court orders, usually involving copy-and-pasted signatures of judges, have been used to authorize illegal wiretaps and fraudulently take down legitimate reviews and websites by those seeking to conceal negative information and past crimes. The Digital … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Wyden Secures Key Provisions to Protect Whistleblowers, Defend Democracy and Strengthen Oversight in Intelligence Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., secured key provisions that protect Intelligence Community whistleblowers, defend the security of Congress and strengthen oversight as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act that passed the Senate Intelligence Committee today. Wyden, a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, applauded the committee for including his provisions in the bill. "Smart intelligence policy doesn't have to be a boxing match," Wyden said. "I thank my … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Oregon Delegation Pushes Feds for More Relief Following Historic Wildfires, Droughts, Heat
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's entire congressional delegation today joined with Western colleagues in the House and Senate to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the West affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Wyden, Jayapal Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Alternatives to Incarceration for Parents and Caregivers to Keep Families Together, Children Out of Foster Care
Legislation is endorsed by nearly 100 criminal justice, civil rights and child welfare organizations Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today reintroduced legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers and provide them the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Redmond Airport to Receive $800,000 Federal Grant
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today the Redmond Airport has earned an $800,000 federal grant to recruit, initiate and support new air service from Central Oregon to Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. "Expanded air links for the Redmond Airport strengthen the Central Oregon economy by adding options for visitors attracted by the region's world-class recreation, and make it easier for local families wanting to connect with loved ones," Wyden … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden Co-sponsors Bill to Reform Disaster Recovery, Speed Up Aid to Families
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would help communities in Oregon and nationwide plan for and recover faster from wildfires and other major disasters. "Oregonians struggling to put their lives back together after a wildfire or other disaster deserve the smoothest possible path for the federal response that's needed to help them with a recovery," Wyden said. "The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act would iron out the bureaucratic … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden, Cantwell, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Revive, Sustain Trusted Local News
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said today he has introduced legislation with U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) that would help financially support local news organizations through tax credits to incentivize hiring more journalists, subscriptions, and advertising from local small businesses. "The decline of local news has had devastating effects on our communities," said Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee. "Local news has often been the only window … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Bill to Close Retirement Gap for Women
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring the Women's Retirement Protection Act of 2021 (WRPA) legislation to address the retirement gap and bolster women's financial security. "Coming out of a pandemic where more than 4 in 10 women expect to see long-term impacts on their finances, it is time to invest in economic equality so that everyone has the opportunity for a stable and secure retirement," Wyden said. "WRPA legislation would … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: High Desert Museum to Receive $1.2 Million Grant for STEM Education in Rural Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Oregon's High Desert Museum in Bend will receive more than $1.2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand STEM education for rural students and their families. "Income or zip code should not determine your access to culturally relevant STEM education," Wyden said. "I'm proud to see an Oregon institution like the High Desert Museum center the community in their program development, … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Wyden Co-Sponsors Bicameral Bill to Close Homework Gap, Ensure Students have Reliable Broadband Access
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today co-sponsored legislation close the homework gap by ensuring reliable access to broadband for all. The bill builds on the Emergency Connectivity Fund created under the American Rescue Plan and provide schools and libraries with $8 billion a year over five years-for a total of $40 billion-to continue to provide Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and internet-enabled devices to students, staff, and library patrons following the coronavirus pandemic. … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Wyden Introduces Legislation to Make Pell Grants Tax-Free
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today introduced the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act to help students take full advantage of higher education tax credits and Pell Grants to pursue a college education. "Pell grants have allowed millions of first-generation college students to afford higher education and build a better future, but there's more we can do to ensure students are able to take advantage of federal financial help. Tax free financial aid is a good place to start," Wyden said. … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: $120,000 Economic Development Grant to Aid Southern Oregon Businesses Recovering from 2020 Wildfires
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) received a $120,000 grant to support businesses recovering from wildfire. "In the wake of horrific wildfires in 2020, investments in Main Street small businesses are key to the economic recovery of our local communities," Wyden said. "The Almeda fire devastated Southern Oregon, with nearly 2,800 homes and businesses completely destroyed. … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
As Bootleg Fire Rages, Merkley, Wyden Introduce Package of Bills to Help Communities Harmed by Wildfire Smoke
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced three bills to help the public, businesses, and agricultural operators combat the effects of wildfire smoke, and recover from the damage it causes: the Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act, the Smoke Planning and Research Act, and the Wildfire Smoke Relief Act. The introductions are the latest in a years-long effort by Merkley and Wyden to help prevent, fight, and recover from increasingly severe … Continue Reading
July 16, 2021
Merkley, DeFazio Lead Oregon Delegation to Push FEMA for Maximum Readiness for 2021 Wildfire Season
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4)-who serves as the Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-are leading U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2) in pushing FEMA for maximum readiness for Oregon's 2021 wildfire season, requesting … Continue Reading
July 15, 2021
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Improve Dam Safety, Modernize Hydropower, Restore Rivers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today introduced a bill that would invest $21.1 billion to enhance the safety, grid resilience benefits and power generating capacity of America's dams and provide historic funding to remove dams that are no longer necessary. Companion legislation to the Twenty-First Century Dams Act, was introduced last … Continue Reading
