Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley: More than $140,000 to Klamath Community College to Recruit Veterans for a Commercial Driver Training Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Klamath Community College has earned a $140,856 grant from the United States Department of Transportation for a commercial driver training program for veterans. "Oregonians who have served this country deserve every opportunity to have productive civilian careers," Wyden said. "The Commercial Driver's License program will play a crucial role in ensuring that student veterans at Klamath Community College have a … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Announce Application Process for U.S. Attorney for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced they are opening an application process for candidates interested in filling the job of U.S. Attorney for Oregon. Applicants wanting to be considered by a selection committee assembled by the two Oregon senators should send a completed application, cover letter, and resume to elise_gaffney@wyden.senate.gov. The deadline for applications is Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. The application is here. The previous U.S. Attorney for … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden and Merkley Cheer Federal Dollars to Help Health Providers Through COVID Surge
Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today cheered an announcement by the Biden Administration that $25.5 billion from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) would be distributed to health care providers in Oregon and across the nation amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases. "The delta variant has put Oregon health providers under enormous strain as frontline health care workers approach their breaking point," said Wyden, who in recent weeks has heard … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Wyden Calls for Bolstered Ports Infrastructure Funding in Upcoming Build Back Better Bill to Address Congestion
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today called for at least $2.5 billion in funding to address port congestion in the upcoming Build Back Better bill as a critical step to the success of ports -- a major economic engine and vital to job creation in Oregon and nationwide. "We write to urge your support for addressing port congestion through funding the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). We ask that you provide at least $2.5 billion in … Continue Reading
September 09, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Urge President Biden to Take All Necessary Legal Steps to Terminate Remain in Mexico Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged President Biden in a letter to take all necessary legal steps to terminate the Remain in Mexico policy - or the perversely named Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) - that placed tens of thousands of asylum seekers and migrants in danger. The letter signed by eight U.S. senators and 23 U.S. representatives comes after the U.S. Supreme Court denied the Biden administration's request for an emergency stay in Biden v. Texas, a … Continue Reading
September 08, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Applaud New FEMA Steps to Make it Easier for Oregonians Impacted by Future Wildfires to Access Assistance
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making a number of changes to reduce barriers for underserved populations seeking to access federal assistance in the wake of future natural disasters, including wildfires. The announcement comes a year after the 2020 Labor Day fires-and their plumes of hazardous smoke-devastated families, businesses, and … Continue Reading
September 07, 2021
Oregon Delegation Announces Funding for Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness
WASHINGTON - Oregon's congressional Democrats today announced federal funding to help Oregon prepare for a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and tsunami. The funds are being allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) FY2021 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. Oregon will receive $388,463 to support the development of a comprehensive logistics and supply chain management plan in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. The grants are … Continue Reading
September 07, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $225,000 for Tribal Economic Development WA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) will be receiving $225,000 in federal funding to assist with job creation and capital investment strategy. "While we are still trying to build our economy back from a global pandemic, we can't forget or leave behind those who have been hit hardest-including Indigenous Americans and tribal communities," Merkley said. "I am pleased that this funding will … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $800,000 to Lane County to Expand Community Health Care Workforce During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane County will receive $877,731 to train community health workers to support COVID-19 public health response and build community resilience as the COVID pandemic drags on. "It's clear that we are in this pandemic for longer than we hoped and need a collaborative, community-wide approach to continue to build vaccination levels and weather these variants," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see Lane County earn these … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.1 Million in Funding to Protect Kids in Medford from Lead Paint
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $2.1 million in federal funding is headed to Medford to protect children from lead-based paint hazards in older homes. "No Oregonian-regardless of where they live or what their job is-should have to worry about whether their home is poisoning them or their children," said Merkley. "I'm pleased that this funding is coming to Medford to help us address the threats posed by remnants of lead-based paint, … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Urge Funding for Wildfire and Drought Prevention, Mitigation, and Relief Efforts in Upcoming Reconciliation Bill
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are working alongside their colleagues from western states to urge the Senate Committee chairs tasked with drafting the upcoming budget reconciliation legislation to include funding for wildfire and drought prevention, mitigation, and relief measures in their respective sections of the bill. "In the West, climate change has increased the severity and frequency of wildfires and caused record high temperatures and drought … Continue Reading
September 01, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Fair Housing Council of Oregon to Receive $500,000 in Federal Grants
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Fair Housing Council of Oregon will receive $500,000 in federal Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants to provide equal access to housing for thousands of Oregonians. "I am gratified to see a concentrated federal investment in Oregon communities hit hard by a crushing combination of the housing affordability crisis and housing discrimination," Wyden said. "Housing is a human right and every dollar counts … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Push Department of Justice to Investigate Hate Group Networks
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), are pushing the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize investigating the networks that exist across state lines to support, operationalize, and recruit people into extremist and hateful ideological groups. The lawmakers' letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland follows the Proud Boys' most recent incursion into Portland, which left a wake … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Wyden Calls on VA to Address Impact of Afghanistan Withdrawal on Veterans’ Mental Health
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined a bipartisan group of 35 senators calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to swiftly develop and conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terrorism - especially those who served in Afghanistan - to provide them with mental health resources. Their call for action comes as reports find calls to veterans' suicide hotlines have increased since the fall of Kabul earlier this month. "We write in light of the recent events in … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.6 Million in Firefighter Assistance Funds
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that over $1.6 million in firefighter assistance funding is coming to Oregon. "I am deeply grateful for the courage and expertise of our firefighters, whose tireless commitment to protecting our communities has saved lives and livelihoods," said Merkley. "It's our responsibility to make sure they have all of the tools and support they need to keep up their impressive work. I'm fully committed to doing … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $100,000 to Rural Counties in Affordable Housing Vouchers
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Klamath, Malheur, Umatilla and Douglas counties will receive a combined more than $100,000 in Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) for affordable housing. "Too many Oregonians devote more than half of their monthly take-home pay to keep a floor under their feet and a roof over their head," Wyden said. "I am gratified these housing vouchers will go to some of Oregon's rural communities hardest hit by an housing … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: La Clinica to Receive $123,792 Federal Telehealth Grant for COVID Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that La Clinica del Valle Family Health Center in Medford has secured a $123,792 federal grant to help provide telehealth services to its patients in southern Oregon during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I saw and heard firsthand last week in southern Oregon the painful and punishing toll this pandemic continues to take on patients and providers," said Wyden, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. "I'm gratified these … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Merkley, Wyden to Oregon Health Authority: Help Is On The Way
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with American Medical Response, will supplement medical staff at six hospitals throughout Oregon in Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, and Deschutes counties. The counties were identified to have critical staffing needs caused by surging COVID-19 hospitalization rates. "Our healthcare heroes are working around the clock to treat their communities … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Amid Coronavirus Surge: Merkley, Wyden, Bipartisan Colleagues Press Department of Health and Human Services to Speed Up Distribution of Critical Funds
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are working alongside a bipartisan group of 40 senators in pressing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to distribute funds remaining in the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and other health care programs, in order to assist communities-particularly those in rural areas with fewer resources-in the fight against the latest COVID-19 surge. "Regrettably, the PRF funding distribution process has been uneven. Shifting … Continue Reading
August 26, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Urge Biden Administration to Take Advantage of Options to Expedite Evacuation of Afghans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined 27 of their colleagues in a letter urging the Biden administration to expedite efforts to evacuate Afghans at risk as the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Wyden, Merkley and the other senators specifically pushed for the administration to explore the use of parole to speed up entry for Afghans with … Continue Reading
