Press Releases
Wyden, Merkley Urge USDA for Expedited Review of Oregon’s State Meat Inspection Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to quickly review Oregon's rules and regulations for a state meat inspection program that meets USDA standards, and, if approved, to expedite the needed training for Oregon staff to carry out the required work. In their letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Wyden and Merkley noted that large meat packing facilities have been hurt by the pandemic and unable to … Continue Reading
December 06, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to Receive COVID-19 Aid
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will receive a combined more than $2.7 million in resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help them deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. "This public health crisis has landed hard on tribes in Oregon and nationwide putting in long hours to provide quality community care in the face of this devastating … Continue Reading
December 06, 2021
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press Warrior Met To Negotiate a Fair Contract with Workers’ Union
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are joining colleagues in writing to Walter J. Scheller, Chief Executive Officer Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (Warrior Met), urging him to oversee good-faith negotiations for a fair contract with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). In 2016, when Walter Energy filed for bankruptcy, the UMWA agreed to save the company by sacrificing their wages and benefits packages. The new company, Warrior Met Coal, then asked workers to work most … Continue Reading
December 03, 2021
Wyden, Colleagues Urge IRS to Keep Phone Lines Open, Improve Telephone Services for American Taxpayers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is joining with colleagues from both parties to urge the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to keep phone lines open while clearing the unprecedented backlog of unprocessed returns and to take concrete steps to instead improve telephone services for taxpayers in Oregon and nationwide. "We are concerned to hear reports that the National Taxpayer Advocate held discussions with IRS officials about a temporary shutdown … Continue Reading
December 03, 2021
Wyden Stresses Importance in his Recreation Bill of Enhancing Americans’ Ability to Access and Enjoy Public Lands
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) this week made the case for how his bipartisan Recreation Not Red-Tape Act would remove barriers to outdoor recreation, increasing equitable access to public lands and boosting rural economies and jobs, during a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the bill. Witnesses voiced support for the legislation as a key tool to expand public land access. "Recreation is a major economic engine and job creator for rural … Continue Reading
December 02, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.4 Million FEMA Grant to Shelter Victims of Wildfire Disasters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a major federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will help reimburse significant costs for providing non-congregate shelter to Oregonians who lost their homes or were displaced during the 2020 wildfires. "I will never forget seeing entire towns that had been completely destroyed by wildfire in September 2020, or meeting children who were living at evacuation sites," said Merkley. … Continue Reading
December 01, 2021
Wyden Statement on Congressman DeFazio Announcement
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today issued the following statement after Rep. Peter DeFazio made his announcement: "Peter DeFazio blends all the best qualities of a top-notch legislator - he's an effective, passionate and powerful advocate who always puts the best interests of his constituents first," Wyden said. "Thanks to Peter DeFazio, roads, bridges and transportation systems in Oregon and nationwide are stronger, last longer and are cleaner and greener." "Oregonians always know … Continue Reading
November 30, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: More than $118 Million in COVID Relief Headed to Oregon Rural Health Providers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that 481 rural health providers in Oregon will receive a total of $118,654,854 for COVID relief under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). "For the past 20 months, Oregon's rural health providers have shouldered a heavy burden of this public health crisis-from illness prevention to treatment to vaccination and boosters-and they have been providing quality treatment 24/7." Wyden said. "These providers deserve every … Continue Reading
November 24, 2021
Wyden, Merkley Send Names of Three Finalists for U.S. Attorney for Oregon to White House
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today sent to the White House the names of three finalists to be the next U.S. Attorney for Oregon. The three finalists were chosen after review by a selection committee assembled by Wyden and Merkley. Following interviews with seven applicants for the job and soliciting public input, each committee member ranked the candidates. The three highest-ranked candidates from the cumulative rankings for the U.S. Attorney for Oregon post, … Continue Reading
November 23, 2021
Wyden, Merkley: USDA Rural Development Grant Approved for Two Eastern Oregon Counties
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $172,894 rural development grant that would help low-income homeowners in Harney and Malheur counties make critical home repairs. "This investment will help homeowners of modest means in Harney and Malheur counties make sure their homes are safe for them and their families," Wyden said. "Helping rural Oregonians remain in their homes is essential to rural quality … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Wyden, Markey Applaud Department of Agriculture for Correctly Prioritizing Broadband Applicants that Follow Net Neutrality Principles
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), this week wrote U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to support his recent decision to offer additional points to applicants to the department's ReConnect Program who commit to following net neutrality principles. The ReConnect Program furnishes critical loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Merkley, Wyden Announce $7 Million FEMA Grant for Rural Infrastructure Damage Caused by Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that a $7 million grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help repair damaged electrical infrastructure in Marion County. "Wildfires and intense winds caused significant damage to our electrical infrastructure in Marion County, jeopardizing the stability of small businesses and the homes of many Oregon families," said Merkley. "I am pleased that these grants will help repair critical … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Senate Unanimously Confirms Oregonian Chuck Sams as National Park Service Director after Wyden Takes to the Senate Floor
Washington, D.C. - Tonight, the Senate unanimously approved the nomination of Chuck Sams as National Park Service Director after U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., went to the Senate floor and asked the Senate pass the nomination by unanimous consent. "Chuck Sams is the right nominee to lead the National Park Service as it addresses these challenges. I know Chuck. He is hardworking. He is committed," Wyden said on the Senate's action. "Chuck is a role model in the stewardship of American land … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio & Bonamici: More than $31 Million to Lane & Washington Counties for Critical Transportation Updates
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio and Suzanne Bonamici today announced that Lane and Washington counties have earned a combined more than $31 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for road, rail, and transit improvements. "I've said for a long time, you can't have a big league economy with little league infrastructure," Wyden said. "I am gratified these two counties have earned such large grants that will … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Wyden Welcomes Step Forward for Legislation to Help Recreation and Wildfire Prevention Work in SW Oregon and Near Molalla River
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today welcomed bipartisan passage of his legislation by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to boost recreation opportunities in Southwestern Oregon and on the Molalla River in Clackamas County, while ensuring wildfire prevention work in both of those regions. Wyden's bill is now eligible to be considered by the full Senate. The Oregon Recreation Enhancement (ORE) Act, which Wyden introduced earlier this year with U.S. … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Wyden, Lummis, Khanna and Meijer Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to End Warrantless Searches of Automobile Data and Protect Americans’ Rights
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., introduced bipartisan legislation today to protect Americans against warrantless searches of the data generated and stored in their cars and trucks. The Closing the Warrantless Digital Car Search Loophole Act ends the outdated "vehicle exception" to the Fourth Amendment, that was created by courts long before automobiles contained computers that generate vast amounts of digital information and requires law … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Wyden and Eshoo Press for Answers on Restrictive E-Book Agreements That Limit Libraries’ Digital Lending
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., today sought answers about expensive, restrictive e-book lending contracts with libraries, in letters to nine e-book aggregators and platforms. Aggregators are middlemen that license e-books to libraries on behalf of book publishers, and can also develop the e-lending platforms used by library patrons. The questions are part of Wyden and Eshoo's ongoing inquiry into restrictions on public and academic libraries' … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Wyden, Blumenthal, Democratic Colleagues Reintroduce Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers
Washington, DC - Ahead of a busy holiday travel season, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said today he has joined with U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to reintroduce comprehensive legislation to expand protections for air travelers. Among a host of key consumer protections, the Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights would ensure that airlines provide passengers with fair compensation, refunds, and recourse in the event of … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021
Senators Wyden, Lee “Bet” On Oregon-Utah Game
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today announced he and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) have placed a friendly "wager" on Saturday's college football game between Oregon and Utah, with the winners of the "bet" being the community members facing food insecurity in both states - and the food banks working hard year-round to help fight hunger. Thanks to Farmers Ending Hunger and Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) in Oregon, 15,000 pounds of ground beef and more than 20,000 … Continue Reading
November 15, 2021
Wyden-Neguse Disaster Safe Power Grid Proposal Signed Into Law as Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.)'s proposal to upgrade America's power system and protect local communities from extreme weather events was signed into law today as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Wyden and Neguse introduced the Disaster Safe Power Grid Act earlier this year to ensure that power companies do their part to reduce the risks of power blackouts and wildland fires through power system upgrades, fire … Continue Reading
