Press Releases
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
August 25, 2021
Wyden Will Hold Online Town Halls Sept. 3 for Yamhill and Columbia Counties
Portland - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he will have two live on-line town halls hosted by People's Town Hall for residents of Yamhill and Columbia counties on Friday, Sept. 3. The virtual town hall for Yamhill County will begin at 10:30 am, and the virtual town hall for Columbia County will begin at 2 pm. Wyden has held 970 in-person town halls statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. Heading into these two … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Urge Defense Department to Hold Public Hearing in Malheur County, Expand Public Comment Period on Proposed Increase of Low-level Training Flights into Owyhee Canyonlands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week asked the Department of Defense to provide a public hearing in Malheur County on U.S. Air Force plans to expand low-level training flights into the Owyhee Canyonlands as well an additional 30 days for public comment on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) so Oregonians have a full opportunity to voice concerns about the proposed flights from the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. In their letter to Defense Secretary … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Mt Hood Community College to Receive $450,000 for Academic Services for Veterans
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) has earned a $450,000 grant to establish a Veterans Service Center, which would improve academic outcomes for student veterans. "Oregonians who have served this country deserve to have every opportunity to meet their academic goals and have productive civilian careers," Wyden said. "The Center for Veteran Student Success grant will play a crucial role in ensuring that … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $22 Million to Protect Senior Living Facilities from COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that over $22 million has been allocated to the state of Oregon in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 through senior living facilities and fund other protective measures against the virus. The grant will assist in providing medical shelter to residents who test positive for COVID-19 in order to reduce the number of affected individuals in nursing home communities, ensure that infected residents are … Continue Reading
August 24, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Rogue Community College to Receive More Than $270,000 for Educational Opportunity Center
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Rogue Community College has earned a $273,793 grant toward an Educational Opportunity Center to expand access to postsecondary education. "Community colleges provide valuable postsecondary programs that everyone-no matter their age, income, or zip code-should be able to access," Wyden said. "The Educational Opportunity Center will play a crucial role in ensuring that Rogue Valley students from all walks … Continue Reading
