Press Releases
Merkley, Wyden Announce Another $66.2 Million in Federal Funding Headed to Oregon for Natural Disaster Recovery and COVID-19 Response
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $66,223,786.66 in funding for Oregon from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These funds are intended to help various agencies and departments around Oregon to financially recover from emergency response efforts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Labor Day fires. ?“As Oregon continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme fire events, this FEMA … Continue Reading
August 25, 2022
Wyden Praises White House Moves to Open Scientific Research, Boost Innovation
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., praised a new announcement from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy that will accelerate innovation by making taxpayer-funded research more accessible to the scientists and researchers. The announcement came six months after Wyden and Sen. Ed Markey asked OSTP to issue new guidance to unlock that research. "The White House announcement today is an astronomical win for innovation and scientific progress. Unlocking federally … Continue Reading
August 24, 2022
Wyden Renews Call to Encrypt Twitter DMs, Secure Americans’ Data From Unfriendly Foreign Governments, Following Whistleblower Complaint
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement following a complaint this week by a former Twitter employee that alleged widespread poor privacy and security practices at the social media company: "The best time to encrypt users' DMs was 5 years ago. The second-best time is today, after reports that thousands of Twitter employees may have access to those conversations. "I personally urged Jack Dorsey to secure users' private conversations with strong, end-to-end … Continue Reading
August 24, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in the Klamath Basin
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is investing nearly $26 million in the Klamath Basin through the first year of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projects include nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery. The Bureau of Reclamation, in collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will also fund an … Continue Reading
August 23, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Call on Biden Administration to Extend Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver Deadline
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined colleagues urging the Biden Administration to extend the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver deadline until at least July 1, 2023, when the Department’s proposed rules to improve and expand federal student debt relief programs, including PSLF, are currently on track to take effect. Extending the waiver would help ensure more public servants are able to benefit from the historic waiver that has already resulted in more … Continue Reading
August 19, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Press for Answers to Allegations of Retaliation Against Inmates at Federal Prison in Sheridan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week asked federal officials to respond to “significant and troubling” reports about retaliation against inmates at the federal prison in Sheridan, as well as significant delays in access to treatment and evaluation for defendants in the federal criminal justice system in Oregon and nationwide with mental health conditions. “We write today with deep concern about allegations of retaliation by guards against inmates at … Continue Reading
August 18, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Announce Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Headed to Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a total of $346,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headed to three Oregon communities to upgrade facilities so they can better serve families and increase access to essential medical services."No matter your zip code, every Oregonian should have easy access to the care they need," Wyden said. "This money will go a long way in addressing hunger, keeping mental health … Continue Reading
August 18, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $16.5 Million Headed to Oregon to Improve Public Transit Infrastructure, Invest in Climate Conscious Solutions
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $16,600,584 in federal funding for public transit districts around Oregon from the Buses and Bus Facilities Program as well as the Low-No Emissions Program. These funds are intended to improve transit facilities and projects, invest in EV infrastructure, and reduce transportation-based emissions that contribute to climate chaos. “Our public transportation systems keep Oregonians connected and … Continue Reading
August 16, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $72 Million Headed to Oregon for COVID-19, Natural Disaster Recovery
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $72,211,884.93 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awards. These funds are intended to help various organizations and departments around Oregon to financially recover from disaster and emergency response efforts and to repair critical infrastructure from extreme weather events. ?“Natural disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, … Continue Reading
August 15, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce over $13 Million in Federal Awards to Revamp McGilchrist Street in Salem
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the City of Salem will be receiving $13,299,320 in Fiscal Year 22 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants to fund construction for the McGilchrist Complete Street Project. “McGilchrist Street already plays a crucial role for Salem transportation and infrastructure, and with a face-lift it can play an even bigger role,” said Merkley. “This investment will transform … Continue Reading
August 15, 2022
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1.4 Million Headed to Oregon to Help All Students Succeed in Higher Education
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a total of $1,471,869 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education headed to four Oregon education institutions. These awards are intended to support disadvantaged students transition from high school to college and help current undergrads transition towards a graduate degree. “As the first in my family to graduate from college, I know how challenging it can be to make the leap to higher … Continue Reading
August 15, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Support Proposed Rules on Student Debt Relief Programs, Encourage Biden Administration to Further Strengthen Proposal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., and colleagues in commenting on the Department of Education’s proposed rules to expand and improve student debt relief programs. In a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, the senators applauded the Department’s efforts to provide and expand relief to borrowers whose schools closed or defrauded them, borrowers working in public service, and borrowers who are totally and … Continue Reading
August 12, 2022
Wyden, Colleagues Renew Request for FDA to Address Concerns about Dangerous Pulse Oximeter Inaccuracies Affecting Communities of Color
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week with colleagues Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., implored the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a post market study of pulse oximeters to ensure they are effective across racially diverse patients and consumers. Recent studies have shown that inaccurate results from pulse oximeters are more likely when used to monitor people of color, … Continue Reading
August 07, 2022
Wyden Clean Energy, Prescription Drug Pricing Legislation Passes Senate as Part of Inflation Reduction Act
Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today passed the Senate as part of the historic Inflation Reduction Act. The linchpin of the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy package is Wyden’s Clean Energy for America Act, first introduced in 2015, which reforms the energy tax code to incentivize emissions reductions rather than specific technologies. The Clean Energy for America Act would reduce carbon emissions in the power … Continue Reading
August 07, 2022
Wyden Statement on Attack on Israel by Iran-backed Terrorist Organization
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today issued the following statement in response to attacks on Israel by Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad: "I fully support Israel's inherent right to defend herself in the face of attacks on its people by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Iran-backed terrorist organization that targets civilians. The Iron Dome remains critical to the defense of the Israeli homeland, and the United States must stand with our ally Israel against these terrorist … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: $850,000 Federal Grant to Salem Airport to Support Regional Air Service Effort
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the City of Salem will receive a $850,000 federal grant to initiate regional commercial air service at the Salem Airport. "Regional air service through small airports just like this one in Oregon's capital city are crucial to our state's economy," Wyden said. "I am gratified to see these dollars go toward expanding regional air service in Salem to have a more accessible option for travel in and out of the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Vote for Natalie Wight to be U.S. Attorney for Oregon
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued the following joint statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee's voice vote today to send President Biden's U.S. Attorney for Oregon nomination of Natalie Wight to the full Senate for consideration: "We're glad the Judiciary Committee has forwarded Natalie Wight to the full Senate, and we're committed to securing a full Senate vote for her as soon as possible. Natalie Wight has everything it takes to succeed in the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $200,000 to Klamath Community College for Commercial Driving Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Klamath Community College will receive more than $194,000 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to enroll qualified students in the college's Commercial Driver's License program. "I've heard from hardworking truck drivers all over Oregon how serious the need is for more colleagues to drive and deliver goods all over the state," Wyden said. "I'm gratified to see these federal dollars go toward the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1.5 Million from the FAA to Medford Airport for Crucial Updates
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport will receive more than $1.5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for crucial security and health updates. "The Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport provides essential air service for Southern Oregonians and is a crucial part of our entire state's economy," Wyden said. "As a frequent passenger in and out of the Medford Airport, I hear firsthand … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Wyden, Booker, Blumenthal, Schatz, Padilla Introduce College Athletes Bill of Rights
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) this week introduced the College Athletes Bill of Rights, comprehensive legislation that would change the landscape of college sports and protect and expand the rights of college athletes. "For decades, college athletes have been exploited and denied basic rights while the NCAA rakes in billions of dollars year after year off their backs," Wyden said. … Continue Reading
