{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"OR\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/2020-year-disruptions-good-and-ill", "2020: A year of disruptions, for good and ill", "2020-12-31", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Feb. 19 arrest sparked outrage, including from U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Beaverton Democrat whose House district includes all of Washington County. Bonamici has lobbied without success for Congress to pass a bill she has sponsored to keep ICE away from bus stops, schools, courthouses and other \"sensitive locations.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/minority-group-leaders-discuss-covid-19-vaccine-equity-oregon", "Minority group leaders discuss COVID-19 vaccine equity in Oregon", "2020-12-31", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The livestream discussion lasted more than two hours, including recorded remarks from Oregon's US Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/increasing-pentagon-spending-when-people-are-going-hungry-madness", "Increasing Pentagon Spending When People Are Going Hungry Is Madness", "2020-12-30", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In addition to Khanna, the Democrats who cast no votes were: California's Mark DeSaulnier, Jimmy Gomez, Jared Huffman, and Barbara Lee; Hawaii's Tulsi Gabbard; Illinois's Chuy Garcia; Oregon's Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici; Massachusetts's Joe Kennedy, Jim McGovern, and Ayanna Pressley; Michigan's Rashida Tlaib; Minnesota's Ilhan Omar; New York's Yvette Clarke, Adriano Espaillat, Grace Meng, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Washington's Pramila Jayapal; and Wisconsin's Mark Pocan.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/community-invited-discuss-equitable-vaccine-distribution-experts-elected-officials", "Community Invited to Discuss Equitable Vaccine Distribution with Experts, Elected Officials", "2020-12-29", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The discussion features greetings from US Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and US Senator Ron Wyden. Speakers include: Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commissioner; Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority Director; Pam Treece, Washington County Commissioner; and Jessica Guernsey, Multnomah County Health Department Public Health Director. Moderators for the discussion are Juwairyah Syed, Chair of the OIA STEM Program, and Ronault Polo Catalani, Creative Writer and Founder of New Portland Foundation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/climate-emergency-oregon-sen-merkley-calls-for-national-declaration", "Climate Emergency: Oregon Sen. Merkley calls for national declaration", "2020-12-26", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Climate Emergency: Oregon Sen. Merkley calls for national declaration \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaturday, December 26, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley is urging the incoming Biden administration to declare a national climate emergency, he said would unlock powerful tools to address the climate crisis.\r\nMerkley outlined his recommendations in an op-ed published Dec. 21 by The Washington Post.\r\nToo many Americans are experiencing the wrath of climate-related disasters firsthand,\" Merkley wrote. \"These disasters are killing our citizens, bankrupting businesses, endangering our national security and threatening to leave our children a world of growing scarcity and conflict. The climate crisis is an emergency, and President-elect Joe Biden needs to treat it that way. That means using every tool available to him, including declaring a national climate emergency and using emergency powers to take unilateral executive action.\r\nAccording to Merkley, declaring climate chaos a national emergency under the National Emergency Act (NEA) would unlock powers that would allow the United States to take significant, concrete actions, regardless of congressional gridlock. Specifically, the declaration would allow the president to redirect spending to build out renewable energy systems, help put large-scale clean transportation solutions in place, and finance distributed energy projects to boost climate resiliency. Each of these steps would help safeguard communities across America and slash the harmful pollution that continues to drive the climate crisis.\r\nMerkley also explained in his op-ed that the Defense Protection Act (DPA) would help address the national security threats posed by our climate crisis and strengthen emergency preparedness in America by supporting the construction of resilient energy infrastructure and mobilizing domestic industry to ramp up the manufacturing of clean energy technologies. These are necessary steps to protect Americans from the coming deluge of violent storms and extreme weather events on the horizon, and can also spawn a robust clean energy industry can generate millions of high-quality American jobs vital to rejuvenating our post-COVID economy, according to Merkley.\r\nOver 500 environmental, health, faith, and labor groups have also called for a climate emergency declaration. Earlier this month at the summit marking the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate agreement, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on every country to declare a climate emergency. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.\r\nMerkley serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and is a member of the Senate Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the Environmental Justice Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/year-review-student-loan-forgiveness-legislation", "Year In Review: Student Loan Forgiveness Legislation", "2020-12-24", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Streamlining Income-driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education (SIMPLE) Act (H.R. 3833). Introduced by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) with 5 cosponsors on 7/18/2019, this bipartisan bill automates the updating of income information for borrowers in income-driven repayment plans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-key-wins-for-everyone-who-relies-on-oregons-waterways-and-ports", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Wins for Everyone who Relies on Oregon\u2019s Waterways and Ports", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Wins for Everyone who Relies on Oregon's Waterways and Ports \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t After last-minute legislative push, bill will increase funding to nearly all Oregon ports\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and on the Senate Appropriations Committeeand Ron Wyden today announced that the full Senate has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes a number of key provisions that will benefit Oregonians.\r\nAs we continue to work to beat back the coronavirus and rebuild our economies after this devastating year, we must focus on creating the strong foundation our communities need to be healthy and thrive, said Merkley, who authorizes these projects through his role on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and then funds them through his role on the Appropriations Committee. That's why I fought to ensure that this year's WRDA bill will help us safeguard Oregon's incredible waterways, and make key investments in the harbors and ports that our coastal economies rely on.\r\nMuch of Oregon's economy flows through our state's ports and harbors, and these investments help provide coastal communities a much-needed lifeline to survive the economic fallout of the pandemic, Wyden said. I'm gratified these resources are headed to Oregon waterways and will keep working to support these job-creating assets throughout our state.\r\nThe WRDA bill provides authorizations for studies and projects that upgrade infrastructure like jetties, levees, and breakwaters in Oregon's communities, such as West Linn and Coos Bay-North Bend, as well as critical funding for ports, such as the Port of Astoria, Port of Bandon, and Port Orford.\r\nThe bill unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) by providing the authority to appropriate $2 billion in additional funds annually for harbor maintenance needs from its existing balance. Combined with a provision from the CARES Actwhich provided economic relief in response to the global pandemicthe bill provides for up to $4 billion in annual expenditures for port maintenance.\r\nMerkley and Wyden have consistently fought to make sure small ports in Oregon and throughout the country receive a share of HMTF funding for dredging and other critical projects. This year's WRDA bill includes language that allows, beginning in October 2022, up to $5 million of HMTF funding for Emerging Harborswhich includes most of Oregon'sto be available for up to 10 maintenance dredging projects in marinas or berthing areas in harbors located adjacent to, or accessible by, a federal navigation project. This will bolster small ports' access to funding for maintenance projects.\r\nIn keeping with experts' warnings that the destruction of waterway ecosystems could cripple local economies and threaten the health of countless species, the senators fought to ensure that the WRDA bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out efforts to restore salmon and steelhead habitat. The bill also authorizes a number of studies that will support Oregon's small ports and fish hatcheries.\r\nAdditionally, the bill provides authorization for the Corps to address and resolve silting and shoaling that impacts small ports, as well as flood control projects, algal bloom control measures, and construction of tribal housing along the Columbia River.\r\nNew provisions also require the Army Corps to include environmental justice considerations and disadvantaged communities' needs in its policies, as well as expanding consultation requirements with indigenous groups when the Corps is working close to tribal lands.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/help-way-much-more-needed", "Help is on the way. Much more is needed.", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, Congress finally passed another bill to help the millions of families and small businesses who are struggling to make ends meet. After so many months of obstruction by Senate Republicans, I'm relieved that additional help is on the way to Oregonians.  \n\tThis long-overdue legislation is by no means perfect. But it will help people put food on the table, stay in their homes, and keep small businesses afloat until we can work with the Biden-Harris administration on further support. In the short-term, some of the things we secured include:\n A one-time $600 direct cash payment to adults with annual incomes up to $75,000, plus another $600 per child. A family of four could receive $2,400. However, this is still inadequate and I will continue to fight for larger, re-occurring payments.\n\tAn additional $300/week in increased unemployment benefits for those who have lost jobs. This is a start, but we need to enhance and extend this.\n\tAn extension of the CDC's eviction moratorium, along with $25 billion in funds that will help people make rent.\n\t$13 billion to help more families have food to eat throughout the crisis.\n\t$69 billion to speed-up distribution of the vaccine in Oregon and across the country.\n\t$325 billion to help small businesses stay open and keep people employed.\n I was able to secure some relief for local, independent restaurants, though much more is still needed to save our beloved neighborhood spots. We're still working to pass our RESTAURANTS Act, that already passed the House and has more than 50 co-sponsors in the Senate.  \n\tIn the meantime, we want to get information out about this bill quickly. My website will have new resources posted as they become available. And please remember, we are here to help. You can always call my office at (503) 231-2300.  \n\tAs we look ahead to the new year, I want to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/oregonians-wait-see-if-trump-signs-relief-bill-and-if-it-includes-600-or-2000", "Oregonians wait to see if Trump signs relief bill and if it includes $600 or $2,000 checks", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Right now, people need relief, not political posturing. On Monday I will vote to increase the direct payments, and I hope that change passes. But no matter what happens, Trump must sign the bill and get help to our communities,\" said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, on Thursday.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-investments-in-rural-communities-included-in-spending-bill", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Merkley co-authored agriculture spending bill included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture and rural developmentand Ron Wyden today announced that the Senate has passed a fiscal year 2021 agriculture spending bill that will benefit Oregon's farms and families. The next step for the bill is to be signed into law by the president.\r\nIn every corner of our state, I've heard about the need for investments in our farms and rural industries, affordable housing, and good-paying jobsespecially as the coronavirus crisis' toll on our health and economy continues to deepen, said Merkley, who co-authored the agriculture appropriations bill. I fought hard to ensure that those insights, and the specific ideas and priorities Oregonians have shared with me, would make it into this bill, so we can strengthen the vitality of our communities and keep delivering the world-class agricultural products Oregon is known for.\r\nBuilding the strongest possible quality of life throughout Oregon requires robust investment to support signature job-creating state industries such as agriculture and fishing, while also ensuring rural residents have housing they can afford, Wyden said. I'm glad this bill helps to achieve all those goals that Oregonians have shared with me on Zoom calls, virtual town halls and socially distanced conversations during this most challenging year.\r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield a generation ago to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nKey elements to benefit Oregonians in the spending bill are: \r\nWine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: This year's unprecedented wildfire season blanketed much of the state of Oregon with dense, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted Oregon's wine grape harvest. To better understand the challenges facing Oregon's wine growers, the bill includes $3.5 million for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities, building on $2 million secured the prior appropriations cycle.\r\n\r\nRural Housing: The bill includes $1.41 billion for rental assistance and $40 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent housing crisis facing Oregon's rural communities.\r\nRural Development: The bill protects funding for a number of USDA's Rural Development programs, including rural housing and business development programs that President Trump proposed eliminating. These programs make billions of dollars of investments in rural America every year.\r\nNational Scenic Area: The bill includes $2 million to help Oregon's rural communities promote economic development through the Oregon and Washington Investment Boards, rounding out a $10 million commitment that was authorized when the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was created.\r\nSoil Health: The bill includes $1.5 million for the establishment of a Soil Carbon Research Center at OSU focused on research into current and future dryland production practices to increase profitability and yield, conserve soil, enhance soil water storage, and promote sequestration of carbon for soil health.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The bill includes a $30 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations in Oregon. Funding is included for irrigation districts that need to improve water efficiency and conservation or otherwise improve fish and wildlife habitat. This program is providing critical funding for the collaborative processes underway across the state working to conserve water and keep Oregon's family farms in business while improving the habitats of endangered species. Construction has begun on several key projects to address water resource interests in Central Oregon, including in Tumalo Irrigation District and Central Oregon Irrigation District, and funding announced today will allow further expansion across the state, such as the East Fork Irrigation District project that has broken ground in Hood River.\r\nPacific Shellfish: The bill includes $3.5 million of federal funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the Pacific shellfish agricultural system. This research is critical to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate chaos on the health and economies of Oregon's coastal communities.\r\nWestern Rangeland Livestock: The bill includes $3 million for the establishment of a Western Rangeland Precision Livestock center to develop precision-based nutrition strategies for rangeland-based livestock, as well as technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and productivity of Western rangeland-based livestock and the rangeland ecosystem. This funding will be split among land grant universities in Oregon, Montana, and Wisconsin.\r\nAgricultural Research: The Agricultural Research Service received an increase of $77 million in funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the nation's agricultural systems. In addition, Merkley was able to secure funding for key Oregon agriculture research programs, including funding for research on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen plaguing the south coast. Other research funding victories include research for alfalfa, barley, tree fruits, pear, wheat, hops, hemp, apple, shellfish, small fruits, seaweed, floriculture, nurseries, and rangeland ecology.\r\nMass Timber Products: The advanced wood products program at USDA received $3.5 million for work on mass timber products that would enhance Oregon State University's cutting-edge research.\r\nSummer EBT: The bill continues funding the Summer EBT program at $42 million. This program has provided much-needed nutrition for Oregon families during the summer months when schools are not in session.\r\nFood Corps: The bill provides an increase of $1 million for Food and Agriculture Service Learning. This program helps improve education resources for healthy eating especially among children.\r\nHemp: The bill provides $16.5 million to implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill allowing for the cultivation of commercial hemp, which can be used to make everything from cloth and rope to oil and soap. Hemp has already quickly become one of Oregon's leading cash crops, and many feel has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years, but only with a fair and reasonable regulatory framework.\r\nIn addition, the explanatory statement highlights several concerns raised by Oregon hemp producers over the USDA's proposed testing and sampling regulations, and directs the USDA to ensure that the final rule for the Domestic Hemp Program is based on science and will ensure a fair and reasonable regulatory framework for commercial hemp producers. The bill also:\r\n \r\nExtends the 2014 hemp pilot program until January 1, 2022, providing hundreds of Oregon farmers clear operating guidelines as the USDA smooths out regulatory challenges;\r\nEncourages the USDA to study the usage and impact of energy and water in hemp cultivation and to make recommendations on best practices and standards;\r\nDirects the agency to establish and maintain a hemp germplasm repository for hemp breeding purposes;\r\nProvides $2 million for the agency to conduct regionally-driven research, development, and stakeholder engagement to improve understanding of how to effectively integrate hemp into existing agricultural cropping, processing, and marketing systems; and\r\nDirects the USDA to work with institutions under its jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp producers and businesses.\r\n \r\nFood and Drug Administration (FDA): The bill provides $3.2 billion in discretionary funding for FDA. As FDA continues to be on the frontlines of addressing COVID-19, the bill ensures the agency continues to have adequate funding to respond to this urgent need.The bill also includes an additional $5 million for FDA to continue work on a regulatory pathway for CBD, a product derived from hemp.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-major-investments-in-oregon-communities-included-in-spending-package", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in Oregon Communities Included in Spending Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in Oregon Communities Included in Spending Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress includes investments in natural resources, small ports, transportation, housing, and more\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves on the Senate Appropriations Committeeand Ron Wyden today announced a wide range of investments that will benefit Oregon and are included in the fiscal year 2021 spending bill that has passed the Senate. The next step is for the president to sign the bill into law.\r\nTaken together, the investments announced by the senators impact virtually all communities in every corner of the state, addressing some of Oregonians' biggest challenges. The provisions highlighted include only a fraction of those in the omnibus package that benefit Oregon, including health care, education, science and conservation, and more.\r\nThese bills include key investments to create jobs in the woods and reduce wildfire risk. They support stakeholders working on collaborative water solutions so family farms have the irrigation water they need to make it to the next generation. They will create new housing where it's desperately needed, help modernize infrastructure without burdening ratepayers, support port dredging on the coast, and keep small airports open for business, Merkley said. Government is supposed to be how all of usWe the Peoplecome together to solve problems and build a better future, and I'm trying to make sure Oregonians' voices and priorities are reflected in our investment decisions.\r\nOregonians in every nook and cranny of our state are hurting from the devastating blows delivered in 2020. I've heard their concerns throughout this challenging year over Zoom, virtual town halls and socially distant conversations, and I'm glad to report this bill will open doors for new jobs, housing, water solutions for small farms, and healthier and safer communities in our stateduring a time when we need it most, Wyden said. Our efforts won't stop here. The fight for a secure and healthy future for every Oregonian continues.\r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield a generation ago to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nU.S. Department of Interior funding includes support for wildfire management, following another year of unprecedented blazes, as well as support for Land and Water Conservation Fund projects all across Oregon, through the Great American Outdoors Act:\r\n \r\nWildfire Management: In anticipation of the next fire season, the bill includes $3.74 billion for fire suppression at the Forest Service and Department of the Interior. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management received significant increases of an additional $25 million and $25.9 million, respectively, for hazardous fuels reductionwhich makes forests far more resilient to wildfiresbringing the total funding level to $689.9 million. Fiscal year 2020 was the first year that the bipartisan fire borrowing fix went into effect; this fiscal year, $2.35 billion of additional funds are available for fire suppression and other priorities within the Interior bill.\r\nForest Health Restoration and Collaboration: The bill provides $40 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). With the addition of the new CFLRP project in October, Oregon has three active CFLR projects: Northern Blues Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, Southern Blues Restoration Coalition Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, and Lakeview Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project.\r\nKlamath Basin Water and Wildlife Conservation: In continued efforts toward a long-term solution in the Klamath Basin, the bill maintains the increase that Merkley secured last year, providing $6.5 million to support strategies to restore fish habitat and scale up ongoing efforts to restore healthy populations of shortnose and Lost River suckers. The bill also maintains the additional $5 million in funding that Merkley secured for habitat restoration in advance of the removal of Klamath River dams.\r\nPayment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill includes $515 million for the PILT program to fund vital services for rural communities, including public safety, social services, transportation and housing. This funding goes to Oregon counties that have large tracts of federal land, which doesn't pay property taxes. The investment approved by Congress is $73 million over the president's request.\r\nWater Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure loan programs under the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Authority (WIFIA) Act received $65 million to leverage billions of dollars in investments, such as the new projects in Hillsboro and Portland. Merkley authored the WIFIA program in 2012, working to ensure public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are well-maintainedcritical for public health and safety, strong local businesses, population growth, and clean rivers and aquifers. WIFIA was passed into law as part of the 2014 Water Resources Development Act.\r\nTribal Programs: The Indian Health Service, which provides health care to thousands of Oregon Tribal members, received $6.3 billion, $189 million more than fiscal year 2020. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education received $3.4 billion, an increase of $174 million to the fiscal year 2020 level. The BIA funding includes $1.5 million for Columbia River Treaty sites, advancing the ongoing effort to improve tribal housing at the site.\r\nLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): The bill provides $900 million, as required by the Great American Outdoors Act, which Merkley and Wyden helped pass into law this summer. For Oregon, that means projects will be funded at an estimated: $2.5 million for the Spence Mountain Forest Legacy project in Southern Oregon; $3.3 million for the Wasson Forest project in Siuslaw National Forest in Western Oregon; $2.18 million Crooked River Gorge in Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon; and $1.1 million for the Elk Creek project in Wallowa Whitman National Forest in Eastern Oregon. For over 50 years the program has been the main source of funding for federal land and water acquisitions. Acquiring and protecting public lands not only provides environmental and recreational benefits, but also creates jobs in the tourism, recreation, timber, fishing, and other natural resource sectors.\r\nEarthquake Preparedness: The bill includes $85 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support regional earthquake initiatives, including $25.7 million for the West Coast ShakeAlert early warning project. The bill also encourages the USGS to continue the development of a system for Cascadia that will help prepare for and mitigate the negative human and economic impacts of a major seismic event.\r\n \r\nThe Energy and Water bill includes vital funding for Oregon's small ports on the coast and irrigators across the state:\r\n \r\nSmall Ports and Army Corps Navigation: The program, which is vital to help Oregon ports pay for dredging and other necessary infrastructure projects, received $580 million for deep-draft harbor and channel improvements, $60 million for inland waterways, $41 million for navigation maintenance, and $65 million for small ports, which supports the small ports that are the lifeblood of Oregon's coastal economy.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The WaterSmart program received a $21million increase, to $55 million, to fund projects that will help irrigation districts comply with the Endangered Species Act. The WaterSmart program has supported the collaborative process that is underway within Central Oregon to conserve water, improve habitat for endangered steelhead and the spotted frog, and keep Central Oregon family farms in business.\r\nExpanding Renewable Energy: The bill includes $110 milliona $10 million increasefor wind energy and $10 million for distributed wind. The bill also includes $150 million for water power research, which will support ongoing research at OSU, and $273.5 million for solar power programs.\r\n \r\nThe Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill includes support for affordable housing and homelessness serviceswhich are of particular importance as the state grapples with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic:\r\n \r\nCommunity Development Block Grants: The bill includes $3.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program funds vital housing rehabilitation, supportive services, public improvements and economic development projects in communities across Oregon and the nation while encouraging local investment.\r\nAffordable Housing: As rural and urban communities across Oregon continue to experience housing crises, the bill includes additional funding for affordable housing programs for some of Oregon's most vulnerable peoplelow-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Merkley led 37 of his colleagues, including Wyden, in a successful effort to provide an additional $895 million to support continuing rental assistance for 1.2 million low-income households. Funding for housing programs that benefit the elderly and people with disabilities were also preserved.\r\nRural Housing: The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Rural Capacity Building Program received $10 million and $5 million, respectively. SHOP provides funds for non-profit sweat-equity homebuilders, such as Habitat for Humanity, to cover land purchases and infrastructure costs. The Rural Capacity funds are intended to build the capacity of rural low income housing non-profits by providing training, information, technical assistance, and financing.\r\nHomeless Assistance Grants: The bill includes $3 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $179 million increase that will benefit organizations across Oregon. Within that appropriation, rapid rehousing programs for victims of domestic violence received $52 million; homeless youth programs received $82 million; and Emergency Solutions Grantsparticularly important to the Portland metro areareceived $290 million to support street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance.\r\nHOME Investment Partnerships Program: The bill includes $1.35 billion for the program to provide states and localities with flexible resources to respond to their affordable housing challenges, including rental housing and paths to homeownership for low-income families.\r\nHUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: The program received $40 million to provide new rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans, along with case management and clinical services. These vouchers have been critical to reducing veterans' homelessness by 49 percent since 2010.\r\nCapital Investment Grant Program: The bill includes nearly $2 billion for the program, which provides funding for major transit investments that support sustainable transportation and reduced congestion in cities like Portland, Eugene and Salem.\r\nBUILD Grants: Formerly known as TIGER, the program received a $1 billion investment for 2021. This critical transportation grants program has helped fund projects across Oregon such as the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge replacement project.\r\nEssential Air Service and Contract Towers: The bill includes $142 million for the Essential Air Service. The Essential Air Service program supports flights between the City of Pendleton and Portland International Airport, a vital connection to support economic development across Eastern Oregon. Additionally, the bill increases funding for FAA Contract Towers to $172.8 million. There are six contract towers across Oregon, and this funding ensures their continued operation.\r\n \r\nAdditionally, the omnibus package includes renewable energy and conservation provisions that the senators fought for:\r\n \r\nMarine Energy Research and Development Act: The package includes Wyden and Merkley's bill, which reauthorizes marine renewable energy programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). Those programs include the national marine renewable energy research, development and demonstration centers found around the country, including one operated by Oregon State University. The legislation also directs the DOE to research ways to build a stable marine energy supply chain in the United States, as well as ways to ensure marine energy development does not interfere with ocean navigation, fisheries and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.\r\nWater for Conservation and Farming Act: The package also includes key elements of Wyden and Merkley's bill, including provisions to:\r\n\r\nCreate opportunities, through the Community Watershed Management Program, for disadvantaged communities, primarily in rural areas, to work with the Department of the Interior to plan conservation projects that improve drinking water quality and supply;\r\nEstablish an aquatic ecosystem restoration program at the Department of the Interior at $15 million annually for 5 years that will help fund projects to improve the health of fisheries, wildlife or aquatic habitat; and\r\nIncrease funding for the WaterSMART program by $150 million, and allow non-profit organizationsin addition to farmers and ranchersto access this additional money.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-crapo-short-line-rail-efforts-included-in-end-of-year-package", "Wyden, Crapo Short Line Rail Efforts Included in End-of-year Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Crapo Short Line Rail Efforts Included in End-of-year Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.--A long-term, bipartisan effort by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to permanently extend a critical tax credit used to repair and upgrade short line railroads was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 omnibus package.\r\nShortline railroads play a critical role in creating good-paying jobs throughout Oregon, said Wyden. Permanently extending this tax incentive to rehabilitate and maintain these tracks, after years of effort, is critical to growing Oregon's economy, and ensuring small businesses have accessible transportation options to move their goods to market. I greatly appreciate Senator Crapo's longtime partnership on this issue, which is so important for both our states. \r\nAccess to affordable and reliable options for transporting goods to markets is an important part of Idaho small businesses' success and ability to grow and innovate, said Crapo. All over the country, short line railroads act almost like arteries, connecting freight from rural areas to the heart of our major transportation lines, and they have proven quite instrumental at moving Idaho goods to customers worldwide as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Witnessing first-hand the economic expansion efforts this industry has brought to Idaho and the nation has been incredible. I have been a longtime champion of the short line rail tax credit, and its permanent extension is excellent news for supporting critical infrastructure. I thank Senator Wyden for his partnership on this effort.\r\nMaking the short line railroad rehabilitation tax credit (45G) permanent is a tremendous victory for the thousands of agricultural, energy, and manufacturing customers throughout Idaho, Oregon, and the entire country that rely on short line service, said Chuck Baker, President of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. Making the credit permanent after 15 years of on-again off-again extensions will create certainty and further incentive investment into expensive and hard-to-maintain short line infrastructure, allowing short lines to connect customers in small town and rural America to markets in the domestic and global economies and to move goods in an efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly way.\r\nThe 45G tax credit provides short line and regional railroads a tax credit for railroad track maintenance expenses, up to $3,500 per mile of track owned or leased by the railroad. The short line railroads ensure that small manufacturers' products can get to markets in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The incentive is credited with a number of rail expansion projects benefiting communities across Idaho and Oregon, and the permanent extension will allow communities to repair, maintain and upgrade additional short line railroads nationwide. Congress has acted periodically since 2006 to extend the credit, often retroactively. Earlier this Congress, Wyden and Crapo introduced S. 203, the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act to make the extension permanent. The BRACE Act had an additional 61 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate, and the House of Representatives companion legislation had garnered 303 bipartisan co-sponsors.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-helps-secure-relief-unemployment-benefits-cash-assistance-oregonians", "Bonamici Helps Secure Relief, Unemployment Benefits, Cash Assistance for Oregonians", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [12/21/20] \u2013Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici helped the House pass bipartisan legislation to provide needed relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"The pandemic has raged for nearly a year, threatening the health of Oregonians and pushing many working families to the brink of financial collapse,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"The heartbreaking loss of life and economic damage inflicted by COVID-19 demand bold action from Congress. I've long fought for additional economic relief that meets the scale and scope of this crisis. Although I am grateful that this package will put some money directly into the hands of Oregonians and help stave off some of the worst effects of the pandemic, I acknowledge that there is still more to be done.\n\n\"Fortunately many frontline health care workers in Oregon and across the country have already received vaccinations, but we know it's going to take a massive effort to make vaccines available to all. This relief package will accelerate the distribution of vaccines, improve testing, and help overcome the barriers faced by communities of color.\n\n\"The bill passed today also includes a critical extension of unemployment insurance for nearly 72,000 Oregonians, and a $300 per week enhancement of the benefits, which will help provide a lifeline to so many people who are out of work. Additionally, the bill provides a new round of $600 direct payments for individuals and families, including many families who were previously denied assistance because of the immigration status of a household member. This is much less than the ongoing, direct cash assistance to Oregon families I've been advocating for throughout the pandemic, and it is infuriating that we could not convince Senate Republicans to provide more direct relief to people in such dire need.\n\n\"This new relief package also expands support for small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our communities and our economy. There are provisions to help independent venues, the arts, nonprofit organizations, and more. Unfortunately, many small, independent restaurants are closing daily. This bill takes some steps to help them, but not enough, and I won't let up in my fight to secure the additional aid they need.\n\n\"Importantly, this bill includes relief funding for schools and institutions of higher education that will help them better meet the needs of their students during the pandemic, including funding that can help schools prepare to reopen to students. We also know that our economy will not recover until parents, and particularly mothers, can access affordable child care. I am glad that this legislation includes $10 billion in child care assistance, but without more we will not see an economic recovery.\n\n\"Food insecurity has been increasing across Oregon and the country, and this bill increases SNAP benefits and provides funding for child nutrition programs to help make sure families and children do not go hungry. The bill will also help keep families in their homes by extending the moratorium on evictions and providing rental assistance.\n\n\"This relief package will make a meaningful difference to our communities, but it is not nearly enough to fully account for the damage from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is reprehensible that for months Senate Republicans fought our efforts to get this urgent relief to our communities and the people who need it. I will continue fighting for more aid to help our families, workers, and businesses stay safe, recover, and rebuild.\"\n\nThe House also passed the Congresswoman's Water Power Research and Development Act, bipartisan legislation to increase investments in marine energy, as part of the end of year relief and spending package. More information can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-young-deutch-bill-strengthen-marine-energy-passes-house", "Bonamici, Young, Deutch Bill to Strengthen Marine Energy Passes House", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [12/21/20] \u2013Today the House passed bipartisan legislation to increase federal investments in marine energy led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman Don Young (R-AK), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL).\n\nThe Water Power Research and Development Act strengthens water power programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) and provides funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of marine energy. The legislation passed the House as part of a funding and COVID relief package. It will authorize $186.6 million for the DOE Water Power Technologies Office over the next four years, including $137.4 million for federal investments in marine energy.\n\n\"Our ocean holds tremendous potential to mitigate the climate crisis, but for too long the power of waves, tides, and currents has been an untapped clean energy resource,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"We must expedite our transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, and scaling up the development of marine energy technologies can help sustainably power our homes, buildings, and communities, and also create good-paying jobs. I am thrilled that our Water Power Research and Development Act will be signed into law because it will accelerate innovative research and development, including the efforts of Oregon State University and the Pacific Marine Energy Center. I appreciate the support and collaboration of Rep. Don Young and Rep. Ted Deutch in moving this bill forward.\"\n\n\"Hydropower is crucially important to Alaska, and I am very proud that the Water Power Research and Development Act has made it into the final omnibus package. I have long supported harnessing Alaska's vast hydropower capabilities. I was very proud to support projects such as the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Plant and the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project. Both of these ventures are generating energy, and sustaining good-paying jobs in our communities,\" said Congressman Don Young. \"As a nation, we need to get serious about helping renewables compete on a level playing field. Hydropower represents enormous potential for the State of Alaska, and we should be empowered to pursue it. As we look to diversify America's energy portfolio, it is my great hope that our legislation will assist with the development of hydropower projects across our country. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of their aisle for supporting this critical effort, and I am especially grateful to Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Ted Deutch for their partnership on this bill.\"\n\n\"Reducing the increasing impacts of climate change requires that our nation move toward renewable sources of energy,\" said Congressman Ted Deutch. \"Harnessing marine and hydrokinetic power from ocean currents, waves, tides, and other sources can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions. This bill will invest in research, development, and deployment of marine and hydrokinetic power that is currently being conducted by research centers, such as Florida Atlantic University. This is an investment in the energy of the future and one that I strongly support.\"\n\nImportantly, the bill authorizes funding for existing and new National Marine Energy Centers, including the Pacific Marine Energy Center \u2013 operated by Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks \u2013 and Florida Atlantic University's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center.\n\n\"The Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University is working at the forefront to advance science, facilitate innovation, and develop the future workforce for what will become a multi-billion dollar marine energy sector,\" said Bryson Robertson, Co-Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University. \"Enactment of the Water Power Research and Development Act sends an important and clear signal that the US remains committed to pursuing a commercially viable domestic marine energy sector that can reliably contribute toward a carbon-free energy portfolio. This is an exciting time for this emerging field.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-covid-relief-bill-contains-multiple-wins-for-oregon-families-and-small-business", "Wyden: COVID Relief Bill Contains Multiple Wins for Oregon Families and Small Business", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden: COVID Relief Bill Contains Multiple Wins for Oregon Families and Small Business \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator cites gains in top priorities he pressed for in relief package to help Oregonians with broadband, improved access to capital for women and minority-owned businesses\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said tonght that the COVID relief bill contains significant Oregon wins for top priorities he fought to include for families and small business -- broadband assistance, help for renters, improved access to capital for women and minority-owned businesses, and more.\r\nThose gains, he said, come in addition to the relief package's provisions Wyden negotiated on unemployment insurance for Oregonians who are out of work through no fault of their own, health policy and tax incentives made permanent for craft beverage producers.\r\nOregon families and small businesses face a holiday season like few others in American history more than nine months into this public health crisis and its devastating economic impact, said Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. I'm glad this package will provide relief on multiple fronts statewide and will keep pressing in the new year to get Oregon communities all the help that's needed to weather this crisis.\r\nWyden highlighted these following additional provisions in the package:\r\n \r\nBased on Wyden's Emergency Broadband Connections Act, $3.2 billion will be provided to keep working families connected to the internet. It provides $50 a month for broadband access to anyone laid off or furloughed during the pandemic  critical assistance for Americans needing broadband connections to get new jobs, and to have access to school, health care and other government services.\r\nEstablishment of the first-ever emergency federal rental assistance program to be distributed by state and local governments. These funds will be targeted to families in Oregon and nationwide affected by COVID and struggling to make the rent and may have past due rent compounding on itself. It also includes an extension of the existing CDC eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021.\r\nDedicated Paycheck Protection Program set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); $9 billion in emergency U.S. Treasury capital investments in CDFIs and MDIs to support lending in low-income and underserved communities, including persistent poverty counties, that may be disproportionately hurt by the economic effects of the COVID19 pandemic.\r\nExpansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and ensuring congressional intent is followed and small businesses are able to deduct expenses covered by the Paycheck Protection Program.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-the-broadband-provisions-in-covid-relief-package", "Wyden Statement on the Broadband Provisions in COVID Relief Package", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Statement on the Broadband Provisions in COVID Relief Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on the broadband provisions in the COVID relief package, which include hisEmergency Broadband Connections Act, providing $3.2 billion to keep working families connected to the internet. It provides a $50 a month emergency broadband benefit for anyone laid off or furloughed during the pandemic:\r\nBroadband connections are essential for Americans seeking to get new jobs, and to access school, health care and other government services. Ensuring working families can stay online will pay massive dividends for kids' education, helping people find jobs and jump starting the economic recovery next year.\r\n\r\nThe provision mirrors sections of the HEROES Act, which passed the House of Representatives in May.Wyden also applauded the inclusion of $1 billion in grants for Tribal broadband programs and $300 million for broadband infrastructure grants.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-save-our-seas-20-act-signed-law", "Bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Signed into Law", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Don Young (R-Alaska), today welcomed the signing of the Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Congress to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal ecosystems and communities, and harming marine life.\n\n\"Across the globe, our widespread use of plastics is polluting our ocean and exacerbating the climate crisis,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"Save Our Seas 2.0 is an important step to strengthen the NOAA Marine Debris Program and invest in infrastructure to prevent the mismanagement of plastic waste, and I am glad it was signed into law. I will continue working with my fellow House and Senate Oceans Caucus colleagues to advance comprehensive action to minimize the production of new plastics, remove waste, reduce pollution, and protect the health of our ocean.\"\n\n\"After two years of collaboration, hard work and advocacy, I am incredibly excited to announce that the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act is now the law of the land,\" said Senator Sullivan. \"This historic accomplishment is the result of so many people who love our oceans: members of Congress who span the country and political spectrum, members of the administration, stakeholders in industry and environmental groups, and everyday citizens. SOS 2.0 will improve America's ability to clean up waste, advance international cooperation with nations responsible for the majority of trash entering the oceans, and explore innovative ways to manage and even reuse plastic waste. This bill will be particularly important for Alaska, a state that disproportionately experiences the impact of ocean debris with our thousands of miles of coastline. I commend President Trump for signing SOS 2.0 into law, and I also thank my colleagues\u2014Sheldon Whitehouse, Bob Menendez, Suzanne Bonamici, Don Young, and all of the other cosponsors\u2014for being such strong partners and champions for our oceans, fisheries, wildlife and coastal communities.\"\n\n\"Save Our Seas 2.0 is officially law\u2014another milestone in our effort to clean up marine debris and ocean plastic pollution across the globe,\" said Senator Whitehouse, who co-founded the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus to find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts. \"I'm grateful for the bipartisan partnership of Senators Sullivan and Menendez on this issue. We're already hard at work expanding on the laws we've passed to tackle the scourge of plastic waste washing up on shores from coast to coast.\"\n\n\"I am thrilled to witness this monumental legislation be signed into law to bolster U.S. leadership and global engagement in confronting the plastic waste and marine debris crisis,\" SenatorMenendez said. \"Pollution in our world's oceans is a global problem with dramatic and enduring implications for our livelihoods and well-being. As a landmark bipartisan environmental victory, SOS 2.0 represents a stepping stone toward greater collaboration and progress in our efforts to preserve a most vital resource that sustains life today and will provide for generations to come.\"\n\n\"This is a great day for our oceans, marine ecosystems, and the countless communities they support. Our state is home to more coastline than any other, and Alaskans know that healthy oceans are essential to our economy and way of life,\" said Congressman Don Young. \"Serving as House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair has allowed me to stand up and fight for Alaska's waters, and I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish in both the House and Senate. Save Our Seas 2.0 builds on our successes in combating marine debris by bolstering plastics research and providing funding crucial for infrastructure improvements. Countless Alaskan families earn a living on the water; clean oceans are not just an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. I am sincerely grateful to my friend and Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, for fighting alongside me to get this bill across the finish line and signed into law. Our Senator, Dan Sullivan, has been an unwavering leader on this issue, and I am especially grateful for his efforts in the Senate to get this done. There is still work ahead of us in the 117th Congress. I will continue fighting to ensure that our marine ecosystems stay healthy and productive for generations to come.\"\n\nThe Save Our Seas 2.0 Act is composed of three main pieces:\n\n1) Strengthening the United States' domestic marine debris response capability with a Marine Debris Foundation, a genius prize for innovation, and new research to tackle the issue.\n\n2) Enhancing global engagement to combat marine debris, including formalizing U.S. policy on international cooperation, enhancing federal agency outreach to other countries, and exploring the potential for a new international agreement on the challenge.\n\n3) Improving domestic infrastructure to prevent marine debris through new grants for and studies of waste management and mitigation.\n\nSOS 2.0 builds on the success of the Save Our Seas Act, introduced by Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse in the Senate, and Representatives Bonamici and Young in the House, and signed into law by President Trump in October 2018.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-presses-for-relief-for-foster-youth-facing-unique-covid-19-challenges", "Wyden Presses for Relief for Foster Youth Facing Unique COVID-19 Challenges", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Presses for Relief for Foster Youth Facing Unique COVID-19 Challenges \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide relief for young people in the foster care system as they continue to face a number of unique challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.\r\nIn a letter to Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson, Wyden and 11 other senators asked that HHS work with states to extend relief to foster families and implement temporary and long-term changes to help foster youth weather this crisis and secure a better future.\r\nAlmost all families in the United States have had to make significant adjustments in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for the children and young adults in our nation's foster care system, periods of change and adjustment are not new, the senators wrote.Foster youth have survived a lifetime of uncertainty before and after entering foster care. The serious health challenges and economic downturn brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have merely exacerbated existing challenges faced by the approximately 424,000 children in the foster care system and the more than 20,400 young adults whoage out'of foster care each year.\r\nAs of December10, 2020,over 70million applications for unemployment benefits had been filed since March 21, 2020. Given this high unemployment ratethe highest we have seen in the U.S. in recent memorywe are increasingly concerned about the potentially dire consequences foster youth may face during the economic recession brought on by the pandemic,they continued.Even before the public health emergency, only about half of youth aging out of the foster care system each year were anticipated to have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24. We believe that if temporary changes are made to strengthen support and resources for foster youth, they will be better equipped to pursue their goals and become active members of our nation's workforce.\r\nIn their letter, the senators expressed particular concern about the impact of the digital divide on foster youth, who often lack the proper equipment and internet services needed to participate in virtual learning. Specifically, the senators noted findings from a report indicating that only 21 percent of foster youth have regular access to a computer, with that number dipping as low as five percent for foster youth in rural settings.\r\nSpecifically, the senators asked HHS to:\r\n \r\nContinue to encourage states that have not previously exercised the title IV-E program option to extend foster care programs and extend Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood Program (Chafee Program) services until age 23;\r\nDirect guidance to states regarding additional payments to foster care families and providers as part of states' response to COVID-19;\r\nProvide a temporary moratorium on work and study requirements for foster youth during the pandemic;\r\nAllow title IV-B funds to be used to provide internet and other technology to vulnerable foster youth and families; and\r\nWork with states to address the impact of the digital divide on foster youth.\r\n \r\nIn addition to Wyden, other senators signing the letter, led by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., are U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Cory Booker, D-N.J.\r\nA copy of the letter is available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-senators-press-trump-administration-on-decision-not-to-pre-order-more-doses-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-need-for-transparent-plan-going-forward-", "Wyden, Merkley, Senators Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 14, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley, Senators Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Reporting revealed the Trump Administration turned down an option this summer to pre-order additional doses Pfizer's vaccine\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today asked top Operation Warp Speed officials about recent reports that earlier this year the Trump Administration declined to buy additional doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine when given the opportunity.\r\nThe letter from Wyden, Merkley and 16 other senators to Dr. Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of Operation Warp Speed, and General Gustave Perna, Chief Operating Office of Operation Warp Speed, expresses concern about the Trump Administration's lack of planning and transparency, and presses for more information about the Administration's preparations to purchase vaccines.\r\nWe write to you about reports the United States Government declined to exercise its option to purchase additional doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year, the senators wrote. We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, causing further loss of life and economic devastation. We fear this is yet another instance in which the Trump Administration's failure to develop a comprehensive national vaccines plan in a timely manner could jeopardize efforts to get people vaccinated and ultimately end this pandemic. \r\nThe letter continued, To earn public confidence, demonstrate accountability, and ensure the incoming Biden Administration has the information it needs to hit the ground running in getting our COVID-19 response on track, the Administration must be more transparent about its preparations, as well as how much funding is available, and is needed, to purchase, distribute, and administer sufficient vaccine to end this pandemic.\r\nThe letter led by Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was signed by Merkley as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).\r\nThe entire letter is here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-western-senators-push-senate-leadership-to-provide-housing-assistance-to-communities-impacted-by-2020-wildfires-", "Merkley, Wyden, Western Senators Push Senate Leadership To Provide Housing Assistance To Communities Impacted by 2020 Wildfires", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Western Senators Push Senate Leadership To Provide Housing Assistance To Communities Impacted by 2020 Wildfires  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden teamed up with with U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to push Senate leaders to deliver critical housing assistance to Americans struggling to find reliable shelter in the wake of catastrophic wildfire damage in western states. This year alone, fires in the west burned over 5.8 million acres, claimed over 30 lives, and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.\r\nThe current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden, the senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy.\r\n\r\nState resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief, the lawmakers continued.\r\n\r\nThe senators' request includes $15 billion for Community Development Block Grants, $3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, $2 billion in Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding, and $1 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development and Rural Housing Service. The letter also included specific program guidance to ensure the funds would put much-needed housing assistance funding in the hands of people significantly impacted by fire; help incentivize and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding; ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states; and help repair and rebuild housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.\r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nDear Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Chairman Shelby, and Vice Chairman Leahy,\r\n\r\nWe write to request that the Senate immediately consider and pass urgent federal housing assistance for residents of Oregon, Washington, and California impacted by historically destructive and dangerous wildfires. While FEMA has delivered substantial emergency relief to our home states, the scale of natural disasters in western states demands additional resources that can only be delivered through disaster supplemental legislation.\r\n\r\nSince August dozens of large fires in Oregon, Washington, and California have burned over 5 million acres, displacing tens of thousands of people and resulting in dozens of fatalities. Air travel was temporarily suspended in several locations due to poor visibility, schools were forced to close, and many of our constituents have been forced to stay indoors due to extremely hazardous air quality conditions. Many of these homes and business are uninsured, leaving these victims even more vulnerable in the recovery process.\r\n\r\nThe current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden.\r\n\r\nState resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief. We strongly encourage you to consider including the following specific funding levels and programs as you work to negotiate an appropriate disaster supplemental response package in the near future.\r\n\r\n \r\n$15 billion for Community Development Block Grant  Disaster Recovery\r\nTo ensure that funds reach victims quickly, HUD should use the same process by which CDBG  COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) funds were recently allocated and disbursed.\r\nCDBG grantees should be allowed to immediately use CDBG-CV funds to assist people significantly impacted by fire.\r\nCurrent CDBG grantees should be allowed to pledge CDBG and CDBG-DR estimated allocations as collateral for funding through HUD's Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, and borrow up to 10 times their estimated annual allocation.\r\nCDBG-DR funds should be able to pay of land acquisition loans executed as a direct result of fire recovery efforts.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund\r\n$3 billion for wildfire impacted states will help incentive and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding, including private owners of manufactured housing parks who might otherwise sell to an investor to build luxury housing.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$2 billion Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding\r\nCDFI funding can quickly ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states through the preexisting CDFI lending network.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$1 billion for USDA Rural Development and Rural Housing Service\r\nFunds should be directed towards repairing and rebuilding housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.\r\nExpand USDA's Section 502 Manufactured Housing Loan Pilot program to any fire impacted state, and modify lending rules to cover new manufactured homes on land owned by nonprofits and housing authorities.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe thank you for your consideration, and look forward to working with you on this matter of importance to our states.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-votes-no-on-defense-policy-bill-12-11-2020", "Wyden Votes No on Defense Policy Bill", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Votes No on Defense Policy Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after voting against the conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\r\nI want to be clear that I support plenty of provisions in this NDAA. I evenintroducedor negotiated some of the language to improve the bill  like anti-money laundering provisions and amendments to push the Pentagon toward encrypting its computers and require the Army to provide a plan to finish cleaning up the former Umatilla Army Depot.\r\nThe conference report will also set in motion a three-year process to remove Confederate names from military assets. I would have preferred a shorter timeline, but I am glad that Congress will be taking this overdue step to ensure that military bases do not honor traitors who fought to defend the horrific institution of slavery.\r\nBecause of the time and effort that Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed and other individuals put into this package, this year's NDAA contains some invaluable provisions of which the American people should be deeply proud. I thank Senator Reed for his tireless work.\r\nBut I cannot in good conscience authorize $740 billion in military spendingincluding roughly $70 billion to continue the forever warswhile Senate Republicans are offering mere crumbs to help folks stay safe from a raging pandemic and help small businesses stay afloat during this unprecedented time.\r\nThis bill also does nothing to prevent Donald Trump or any future president from sending federal agents to occupy American cities and treating peaceful protestors like foreign enemies, just as Trump did in Portland this summer.\r\nI regret that these and other flaws mean that I must continue to oppose this NDAA.\r\n###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-casey-release-new-report-showing-nursing-home-rates-of-death-and-infection-are-rising-rapidly", "Wyden, Casey Release New Report Showing Nursing Home Rates of Death and Infection are Rising Rapidly", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Casey Release New Report Showing Nursing Home Rates of Death and Infection are Rising Rapidly \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  As the nation enters what experts predict will be the most severe months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of COVID-19 deaths and infections among residents and workers in nursing homes is rapidly rising.\r\nToday, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, and Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, are releasing a report that shows that the already dire situation in nursing homes is worsening.\r\n \r\nIn November, more than 15 nursing home residents died from COVID-19 per hour, with 19 residents dying each hour during the week of November 22, 2020, the most recent week reported. \r\n \r\n \r\nThe number of weekly COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents has increased 133 percent since Labor Day, and 96 percent among nursing home workers during the same period.\r\n \r\n \r\nWorkforce shortages have increased since Labor Day: In November, one in six nursing homes nationwide reported that they do not have a sufficient workforce.\r\n \r\nThese new findings serve as a warning for what is to come if Congress does not come together to alleviate the COVID-19 crisis in nursing homes.\r\nIt's with great sadness that we are once again giving a grim update on the toll that COVID-19 is continuing to take on nursing homes. It's abundantly clear that inaction has contributed to the loss of more than 104,000 mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends and neighbors who lived and worked in nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the country, said Senators Wyden and Casey. Experts are predicting that we are heading into the most severe months of the COVID-19 pandemic, marred by climbing caseloads and increasing stress on our Nation's health care system. We are once again calling on our colleagues to work with us to pass a comprehensive COVID relief bill to bring urgently needed help to nursing homes, residents and workers.\r\nSince the beginning of this public health crisis, Senators Wyden and Casey have been sounding the alarm that the Trump Administration has not done enough to stop the virus and its devastating effects on nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In addition to calling for increased transparency and data on COVID-19 in nursing homes, they also released two reports: The Cost of Inaction: 11 Deaths an Hour and COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: How the Trump Administration Failed Residents and Workers.\r\nBoth reports provided a series of recommendations outlining the urgent actions that are needed to address the crisis in nursing homes. These include ensuring comprehensive data collection, providing states and nursing homes with funding, supplying adequate PPE and testing, investing in home and community-based services, supporting nursing home workers with premium pay, overtime and other essential benefits and upholding resident rights and resuming visitation safely.\r\nRead the report here. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-portman-introduce-open-courts-act-to-reform-federal-court-record-system-to-ensure-easy-and-free-use-for-all-americans", "Wyden, Portman Introduce Open Courts Act to Reform Federal Court Record System to Ensure Easy & Free Use For All Americans", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Portman Introduce Open Courts Act to Reform Federal Court Record System to Ensure Easy & Free Use For All Americans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rob Portman (R-OH) have introduced the Open Courts Act to reform the federal government's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), a database of federal judicial filings.\r\nThis consensus legislation builds off the Electronic Court Records Reform Act that Wyden and Portman introduced in 2019. The PACER system is outdated and charges exorbitant fees to users. This bill will reform PACER to solve these problems and ensure easy and free public access to federal government court records. Representatives Doug Collins (R-GA) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) are leading the legislation in the House of Representatives.\r\nFor far too long, unnecessary paywalls have kept the American people from freely accessing public court records. The Open Courts Act will deliver a long-overdue upgrade to PACER, totaling a savings of more than a hundred million dollars a year in operating costs. Federal courts will then be able to remove burdensome paywalls and provide the public, including researchers and journalists, with free access to public court documents,Wyden said.\r\nPACER was intended to create a level playing field for small-time litigants, small business, civil society, journalists, and citizens who care about transparency in government, said Senator Portman. However, with its frustrating interface and fees, PACER has done the opposite. The American people should have easy access to the court records of their country, and this bipartisan, consensus legislation will fix the problem once and for all by putting in place a free, streamlined system with an emphasis on security, accessibility, affordability, and performance. \r\nNOTE: This legislation will resolve three issues with the PACER system: \r\n \r\nPACER aggregates 319 million legal documents across 94 district courts and 13 appellate circuits, but it has no uniform way of filing, tracking, and saving case information.\r\nPACER charges 10 cents for each search, and with its cumbersome search function, users can easily squander resources on incorrect searches. Moreover, once a document is found, it costs an additional 10 cents per page to download or print.\r\nThe E-Government Act, enacted in 2002, permits the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to impose fees on PACER, but only to the extent necessary to make the documents available to the public. Yet, even at 10 cents a search/page, PACER brings in $146 million in revenue annually. This figure vastly exceeds the amount it takes to operate a website and the money has been found to be used for purposes not directly related to the public access of records.\r\n \r\nThe Open Courts Act would modernize the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts' underlying record system and eliminate the PACER paywall that forces the public to pay more than $140 million annually to access court records. The new system will provide a stable, secure, easily searchable site to file and read court records and monitor docket activity. All public court records on the site will be available free of charge.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-chu-and-bonamici-praise-reports-nomination-katherine-tai-us-trade", "Reps. Chu and Bonamici Praise Reports of Nomination of Katherine Tai for US Trade Representative", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Following reports that Katherine Tai, Chief Trade Counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as United States Trade Representative, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), a member of the USMCA Working Group, issued the following statements praising the nomination:\n\n\"Katherine Tai is immensely qualified to be our next trade ambassador,\" said Rep. Bonamici. \"Her diplomatic skills and subject matter expertise have earned her the respect of Congress, labor and environmental leaders, and the trade community at large. President-elect Biden will be well served by her representing the American people in global negotiations as U.S. Trade Representative.\"\n\n\"While still not confirmed, I'm thrilled to hear reports that Katherine Tai will be nominated to be our next US Trade Representative,\" said Rep. Chu. \"From our work together on Ways and Means, I have seen firsthand Ms. Tai's skill and experience with trade deals and have been impressed by her work on the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Agreement, as well as her vast knowledge of the current and coming trade challenges. Through her work as Chief Counsel for China Trade Enforcement at USTR, Ms. Tai has also demonstrated her commitment to enforcing trade deals that work for the United States. That's why Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and I led a letter to President-Elect Biden with 10 women members urging the nomination of Katherine Tai.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-help-for-working-class-in-covid-19-relief-proposal", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Help for Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Help for Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined four of their colleagues in urgingtheir fellow senatorsto recognize the enormity of the economic and public-health crisis posed by the pandemic, by ensuring that any COVID-19 relief proposal includes $1,200 in direct payments to adults and $500 to their children, and rejecting any provisions that give liability shields to corporations that threaten the health and safety of their workers and customers.\r\nIn a letter to theSenate Democratic Caucus, the senators note that COVID-19 is infecting nearly 200,000 Americans and killing 2,000 Americans daily, and argue that a bipartisan proposal under negotiation does not go anywhere near far enough, as America experiences the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Only $348 billion in new money is currently allocated in that proposal, the Senators point out, even though the Trump Administration and a bipartisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-19 relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.\r\nIt would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money,the senators wrote. \r\nThe lawmakers further expressed their opposition to a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk currently under consideration in a bipartisan COVID-19 relief measure, and cited concerns from labor groups that granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase.\r\nThe letter's signatories also registered their agreement with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal, as over half of American workers live paycheck to paycheck and one in four are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, while millions more face eviction and hunger.\r\nMerkley and Wyden were joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA).\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDecember 8, 2020\r\n\r\nDear Colleague:\r\nAs you know, the COVID-19 pandemic is surging throughout the country and is now causing more pain and havoc than at any time since it began. Last week, an average of almost 200,000 Americans a day were diagnosed with COVID-19 and, tragically, over 2,000 people are now dying every single day.\r\nFurther, as a result of the pandemic, we are now experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Over half of our workers are living paycheck to paycheck and one out of four workers are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year. In addition, 92 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured, tens of millions of people face eviction and hunger in America is exploding.\r\nWe very much appreciate the hard work that has gone into the current $908 billion proposal being drafted by a number of Democratic and Republican Senators. But, simply stated, given the horrific extent ofthe current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough. In truth, rather than the $3.4 trillion which we Democrats called for in the HEROES Act, this bill only allocates $348 billion in new money according to one of the lead Republican negotiators. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated.\r\nUnlike the CARES Act, which we passed in March, this proposal only provides a $300 supplement for unemployed workers rather than $600 a week. Further, unlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment.\r\nMoreover, this proposal does nothing to address the health care crisis impacting tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford medical care and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable.\r\nFurther, despite long-time Democratic opposition, it is our understanding that this proposal may provide 100 percent legal immunity to corporations whose irresponsibility has led to the deaths of hundreds of workers. It would continue to provide a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk. In fact, the result of this proposal is that, through this liability provision, corporations will be encouraged to avoid implementing the common sense safety standards needed to protect workers and consumers - and make a bad situation worse. We agree with the AFL-CIO and the 141 organizations who oppose providing this kind of immunity to corporations. According to a letter these groups sent to Senators on December 4th: Granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase.\r\nLast March, with unanimous support in Congress, President Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act into law that provided a $600 a week supplement in unemployment benefits and a $1,200 direct payment to every working class adult, $500 per child and significant help for small businesses, states and cities. In October, as part of the negotiating process, the Trump Administration and a bi-partisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment. \r\nGiven the enormity of the crisis today, it would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money. The American people need help and they need help now. We agree with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal. We also feel strongly that we should not provide immunity to corporations who endanger the health and lives of their employees. Please join us in demanding that any new COVID-relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children. Further, please work with us to make certain that there is no language in this bill to give a liability shield to corporations who threaten the health and safety of workers and customers.\r\n\r\n Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-press-fbi-and-dhs-for-information-on-qanon-threat-posed-to-america-and-abroad", "Wyden, Colleagues Press FBI and DHS for Information on QAnon Threat Posed to America and Abroad", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 09, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Colleagues Press FBI and DHS for Information on QAnon Threat Posed to America and Abroad \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letter seeks answers on how QAnon operations peddle dangerous conspiracy theories\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined his colleagues in requesting from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a written assessment to Congress on the threat posed by QAnon in the United States and abroad. The senators also requested information on the role of foreign influence operations in the inception and amplification of QAnon conspiracy theories.\r\nIn a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Principal Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Joseph Maher, the senators wrote, QAnon conspiracy theories have inspired acts of domestic extremism and violence, sought to undermine democratic institutions, and contributed to hatred in the United States and overseas. There is also reporting indicating that foreign influence operations have contributed to the dissemination of QAnon conspiracy theories.\r\nQAnon has been active in attacking America's democratic institutions by disseminating false and dangerous conspiracy theories, includingabout the November 2020 presidential election. Recent reports also indicate that foreign influence operations have contributed to theamplification of QAnon conspiracy theories resulting in dangerous misinformation campaigns.\r\n[W]e request that you provide to Congress a written assessment of the threat posed by QAnon, in the United States and abroad, and on the role of foreign influence operations in the inception and amplification of QAnon conspiracy theories. We further request that this assessment be made public, with any classified matters provided separately to Congress through appropriate channels, the senators concluded.\r\nThe letter, led by U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., was also signed by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.\r\nA PDF of the letter is here.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-feds-to-begin-expedited-review-of-klamath-dam-removal-plan", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Begin Expedited Review of Klamath Dam Removal Plan", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 08, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Begin Expedited Review of Klamath Dam Removal Plan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letter: Timely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote federal regulators to urge consideration of an amended application for the Lower Klamath Project and begin environmental reviews as soon as possible of the plan's four proposed dam removals.\r\nThe Oregon senators' letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Secretary Kimberly D. Bose comes in the wake of the Nov. 17 announcement by Oregon and California agreeing to become co-licensees with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) in the dam removal project.\r\nWyden and Merkley wrote in a letter with two other lawmakers that the KRRC has a plan, schedule and resources in place to implement the settlement, and has the financial capacity to take over the Lower Klamath Project and subsequently remove the dams.\r\nAdditionally, KRRC's amended application demonstrates that there is a sufficient body of environmental documentation to allow for expedited environmental review, they wrote. Removal of the Lower Klamath Project is necessary for the health and vitality of the Klamath River System broadly, which for decades has had fish passage blocked, experienced repeated harmful algal blooms, and seen conflicts between various stakeholder groups. \r\nTimely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California, Wyden and Merkley wrote.\r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, others signing the letter are U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA).\r\nThe entire letter is below.\r\nKimberly D. Bose, Secretary\r\nFederal Energy Regulatory Commission\r\n888 First Street, N.E.\r\nWashington, DC 20426\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Bose:\r\n\r\nWe write to support the amended surrender application for the Lower Klamath Project, submitted by PacifiCorp and the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) on November 17, 2020. In keeping with the request from PacifiCorp and KRRC, we also ask that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) expedite its consideration of this amended surrender application and begin environmental reviews as soon as possible, so that the four lowermost Klamath River Dams can be removed.\r\nWhile we continue to believe FERC erred in denying outright license transfer from PacifiCorp to KRRC, the states of Oregon and California have agreed to become co-licensees with KRRC, removing PacifiCorp from the license upon FERC's approval of the amended surrender application. According to the amended surrender application, KRRC has a plan, schedule and resources in place to implement the settlement, and has the financial capacity to take over the Lower Klamath Project and subsequently remove the dams. Additionally, KRRC's amended application demonstrates that there is a sufficient body of environmental documentation to allow for expedited environmental review.\r\nRemoval of the Lower Klamath Project is necessary for the health and vitality of the Klamath River System broadly, which for decades has had fish passage blocked, experienced repeated harmful algal blooms, and seen conflicts between various stakeholder groups. Timely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California.\r\nWe thank you for your consideration of our request and for your timely consideration of the amended surrender application for the Lower Klamath Project.\r\n\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-neguse-lead-call-for-wildfire-relief-funds-to-be-included-in-next-covid-19-relief-package", "Wyden, Neguse Lead Call for Wildfire Relief Funds to be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 08, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Neguse Lead Call for Wildfire Relief Funds to be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Rep.Joe Neguse, D-Colo.,todayled their colleagues in sending a letter toHouse and Senate leadership requesting that funds for wildfire risk mitigation and recovery efforts be included in the next COVID-19 relief package.\r\nEntire communities in Oregon and across the West were leveled to ash in the wake of this year's wildfire seasonlives lost and homes and small businesses destroyed, and all on top of a life-threatening global pandemic,Wyden said.With the blow 2020 delivered to these communities, Congress has a responsibility to provide for their recovery and invest in preventing future devastation.\r\nA record 2020 wildfire season has forced thousands of evacuations, threatened air and water quality, and destroyed homes and businesses. Communities that have been fighting the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 are now also beginning the long journey of recovering from catastrophic wildfire,saidNeguse.Congress has the power to not only help these communities recover, but also to make major federal investments in sustainable forest management to ensure they are better prepared for the next season. After a devastating wildfire season in Colorado, it is critical that we ensure our firefighters and communities are protected from future tragedies of this magnitude, and fully equipped for the long road of recovery.\r\nSpecifically, the letter calls for:\r\n \r\nLocal economic relief to assist cash-strapped cities and towns originally excluded from the CARES Act in order to ensure firefighters and first responders can remain on payroll and have access to needed staff and resources;\r\nInvestments in fire risk mitigation, such as establishing a 21st Century CivilianConservation Corps to restore forest health and making investments in vital Forest Service programs that assist with forest management, such as the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program;\r\nFederal support for fire response efforts, including investments in FEMA's Staffing For Adequate Fire And Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants, increased funds for late-season interagency hotshot crews, and increased pay and benefits for federal wildfire personnel; and\r\nInvestments in fire recovery efforts to support the work being done by local, state, and federal officials to revitalize the environmental health, water quality, and economy of communities impacted by wildfires.\r\n \r\nRead the letter here.\r\nThe letter led by Wyden and Neguse was signed by U.S. Sens.Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.,Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.,Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.,Tom Udall, D-N.M.,Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Patty Murray, D-Wash.,Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and U.S. Reps.Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif.Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.,Ral Grijalva, D-Ariz.,Jared Huffman, D-Calif.,Ro Khanna, D-Calif.,Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.,Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Jerry McNerney, D-Calif.,Grace Napolitano, D-Calif.,Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz.,Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Katie Porter, D-Calif., Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif.,Brad Sherman, D-Calif.,and Mike Thompson, D-Calif.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-leads-letter-us-army-concerning-covid-19-protocol-oregon", "Oregon Delegation Leads Letter to U.S. Army Concerning COVID-19 Protocol for Oregon National Guardsmen", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today the Oregon Congressional delegation sent a letter to Secretary McCarthy of the U.S. Army on behalf of members of Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade.\n\nRep. Schrader was alerted by family members of Oregonian soldiers who recently returned from Kosovo and are currently at Ft. Bliss for demobilization that at least 10 soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19 and dozens more are showing concerning symptoms.\n\n\"We must ensure that our brave servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect us, are being protected themselves,\" wrote the delegation. \"Their safety and the safety of their families is of critical importance and we look forward to a swift response from Secretary McCarthy regarding sufficient PPE, testing kits and adequate quarantine protocol for demobilizing soldiers.\"\n\nSecretary Ryan D. McCarthy\n\nU.S. Department of the Army\n\n1600 Army Pentagon\n\nWashington, DC 20310-1600\n\nDear Secretary McCarthy,\n\nDecember 3, 2020\n\nWe are writing on behalf of members of Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade who recently returned from Kosovo to Ft. Bliss for demobilization before returning home to Oregon. Our offices have learned that among the recently returned members, at least 10 soldiers have tested positive for coronavirus with dozens more showing symptoms consistent with coronavirus. Our concern for the health and wellbeing of the soldiers and their families is of the utmost priority as they reintegrate back into their communities, and to that end, we have questions as to their care at Ft. Bliss:\n\nWhat is the Department of the Army testing and quarantine protocol for these soldiers upon returning stateside and having positive cases in their unit, including protocol and plan for living quarters during observation and quarantine?\n\nDoes the Department of the Army have sufficient test kits, PPE, and personnel to test, trace, monitor and treat each soldier currently demobilizing with Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade at Ft. Bliss? If not, what is the plan to address shortages and is there assistance needed to do so? If not, what is the plan to address shortages and is there assistance needed to do so?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to our questions and we are looking forward to your expedient response.\n\nSincerely,\n\nKURT SCHRADER Member of Congress\n\nJEFFREY A. MERKLEY U.S. Senator\n\nRON WYDEN U.S. Senator\n\nPETER DeFAZIO Member of Congress\n\nEARL BLUMENAUER Member of Congress\n\nGREG WALDEN Member of Congress\n\nSUZANNE BONAMICI Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-inclusion-of-county-payments-in-end-of-year-federal-funding-efforts", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Inclusion of County Payments in End-of-Year Federal Funding Efforts", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 07, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Urge Inclusion of County Payments in End-of-Year Federal Funding Efforts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letter led by Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch ties county payments to COVID crisis\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that the COVID-19 pandemic is one more reason that payments to counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs should be prioritized in a year-ending appropriations bill.\r\nIn order to assist these rural counties' response to the current public health crisis, as well as to invest in infrastructure, schools, and law enforcement, Congress must include a reauthorization of SRS, Wyden and Merkley wrote in a letter with a bipartisan group of 25 senators to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.\r\nWyden, Merkley and Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) have led the effort to ensure federal payments for counties by reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program through S. 430, which has received approval in committee but not yet passed the full Congress.\r\nThe time is now for Congress to help rural Oregon communities facing the unprecedented economic and public health challenges of the coronavirus crisis as well as the aftermath of this year's devastating fires, Wydensaid. Our bipartisan request is a must to help these communities in our state and nationwide continue to provide essential services such as roads, schools and public health programs while Congress develops a long-term permanent solution to support a strong quality-of-life for rural America.\r\nOur rural towns and counties are already suffering from lost revenue due to the coronavirus crisis. Failing to fully fund SRS and PILT could mean first responders and teachers losing their jobs, which would be terrible for everyone,Merkley said. For communities with large tracts of public lands, these funds are a lifeline for critical services ranging from schools to roads to public safety. It is critically important for Congress to reauthorize the federal support that counties need so urgently right now.\r\nNearly two-thirds of Idaho's lands are federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for counties to pay for essential services such as roads, law enforcement and schools, Crapo said. Both PILT and SRS serve as a lifeline to Idaho's counties, and the ongoing global pandemic has stretched our local budgets even thinner. While I continue to work on a long-term solution for the SRS program, it is crucial that Congress reauthorize SRS and continue to fully fund PILT to ensure a predictable funding source for Idaho counties and school districts encompassed by federal land.\r\nIdaho's rural counties need certainty. This year, the annual fight to secure county payments for communities with federal lands is even more significant given the extraordinary challenges posed by this pandemic, Rischsaid. The federal government has a moral obligation to these communities, and Congress must fund PILT and SRS.\r\nCo-signers on the letter include Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Kristen Sinema (D-Arizona) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire).\r\nA copy of the entire letter is HERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-applauds-house-passage-of-cannabis-legalization-legislation", "Wyden Applauds House Passage of Cannabis Legalization Legislation", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 04, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Applauds House Passage of Cannabis Legalization Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applaudedHouse passage of the MORE Act, legislation to legalize cannabis at the federal level and includes Wyden's proposal, developed in partnership with Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.,to establish clear rules of the road to responsibly tax and regulate cannabis.\r\nWyden released the following statement:\r\nToday commonsense and justice prevailed, and the federal governmentis closer than ever to closing the chapter on failed cannabis prohibition  a prohibition that has needlessly destroyed lives, stifled researchand treated job-generating legalsmall businesses like criminal organizations.This moment has been culminating since Oregon became the first state to decriminalize cannabis in the 1970s, andI want to commend my goodfriend and fellow Oregonian Rep.Earl Blumenauer forhis steadfastdedicationto bring our cannabis policies out of yesteryear.\r\n\"Weare onthe brink of history, with a vast majority of Americans behind our efforts.Now,we needto get Mitch McConnell to heed their call to legalize cannabis.Today we celebratevictory in the House, and then get right back to the fight for justice in the Senate.\"\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-calls-for-virtual-exam-software-companies-to-improve-equity-accessibility-and-privacy-for-students", "Wyden Calls For Virtual Exam Software Companies to Improve Equity, Accessibility & Privacy For Students", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 04, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Calls For Virtual Exam Software Companies to Improve Equity, Accessibility & Privacy For Students \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letter follows reports that students of color and students with disabilities have reported major issues in using the software of leading online testing platforms\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden is pressing three of the largest virtual testing companies used by schools and testing administrators amid the COVID-19 pandemic to address alarming equity, accessibility, and privacy issues faced by students using the platforms.\r\nRecent reports indicate students, particularly students of color and those with disabilities, have had severe issues using the software, been locked out of tests, or wrongly accused of cheating. For example, students of color and students wearing religious clothing like headscarves reported the software failed to recognize their facial features and they were temporarily barred from access.\r\nStudents have run head on into the shortcomings of these technologiesshortcomings that fall heavily on vulnerable communities and perpetuate discriminatory biases, Wyden and five other senators wrote in a Dec. 3 letter to virtual testing company ExamSoft. Similar letters were sent to virtual testing companies Proctorio and ProctorU. \r\nIt is critical that bias, including racial and gender disparities, be addressed expeditiously to ensure that our students of color are not facing additional barriers in their fields, the senators wrote. \r\nThe senators raised major concerns about the companies' accommodations for students with disabilities, for example those with facial tic disorders or muscle reflexes, who may be flagged by the software as suspicious or cheating, and virtual proctors unprepared to accommodate students with disabilities.\r\nThe senators also expressed alarm over the safety and privacy of students who are being recorded and observed by virtual proctors, are required to install intrusive software on their personal computers, and provide extensive personal information about their homes and health to the companies, writing:\r\nIn addition to Wyden, other senators signing the letter led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).\r\nA copy of the full letter to ExamSoft is here.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-legislation-championed-reps-bonamici-young-improve-ocean-data", "House Passes Legislation Championed by Reps. Bonamici, Young to Improve Ocean Data Collection and Information Sharing", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK-At Large), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan House Oceans Caucus, applauded passage of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act \u2014 legislation they championed in the House to improve data collection and information sharing between the federal agencies and coastal observation partners dedicated to monitoring oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes.\n\n\"The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the planet, but despite our intrinsic connection to our ocean we know very little about what is beneath its surface,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"Coastal communities rely on accurate ocean data and monitoring for information about ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, sea level rise, flooding, navigation, and port security. In the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems leading the way. I was pleased to work with my House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Don Young, to support these important ocean observation efforts.\"\n\n\"This is a great day for our oceans and the health of our marine ecosystems for generations to come. This is not just an environmental issue, but an economic one too. Our integrated Ocean Observation System helps make maritime commerce possible,\" said Congressman Don Young. \"Equipping our fishermen and ship captains with the best possible data is essential to making our waters safer and more navigable. Accurate data collection is also critical to maritime search and rescue operations, fisheries' health, and the mitigation of coastal hazards. I am very grateful to my Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Suzanne Bonamici, for her continued partnership on this and countless other Caucus priorities. Our work is not done. In the 117th Congress and beyond, I look forward to continuing to move future Oceans Caucus priorities across the finish line. The health of our waters depends on it.\"\n\nThe bill, which includes the technical changes implemented by the U.S. Senate, would reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act through Fiscal Year 2024. The eleven regional association networks of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) work with regional partners to develop, operate, and maintain more than 300 observing assets that collect oceanographic and coastal data, including information about rising sea levels, coastal flooding, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia. It now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.\n\nThe bipartisan House Oceans Caucus is committed to taking action to protect the health and future of our oceans. This Congress, the Caucus is focused on environmental stressors (including ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia); marine debris; ocean data and monitoring; coastal resiliency; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-warren-markey-schatz-secure-dhs-ig-investigation-of-cbp-phone-location-data-surveillance-program", "Wyden, Warren, Markey, Schatz Secure DHS IG Investigation of CBP Phone Location Data Surveillance Program", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 02, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Warren, Markey, Schatz Secure DHS IG Investigation of CBP Phone Location Data Surveillance Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will launch an inspector general investigation into Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) warrantless tracking of phones in the United States following an inquiry from the senators earlier this year.\r\nIf federal agencies are tracking American citizens without warrants, the public deserves answers and accountability, Wyden said. I won't accept anything less than a thorough and swift inspector general investigation that sheds light on CBP's phone location data surveillance program.\r\nCBP is not above the law and refused to answer questions about purchasing people's mobile location history without a warrant -- including from shady data brokers like Venntel. I'm glad that the Inspector General agreed to our request to investigate this potentially unconstitutional abuse of power by the CBP because we must protect the public's Fourth amendment rights to be free from warrantless searches, Senator Warren said.\r\nAmericans are increasingly concerned that they cannot travel, move, or go about their daily lives without being tracked. Information about where we are and where we have been is highly sensitive, and it's time for answers about exactly how the Department of Homeland Security is accessing this type of data. I am proud to partner with Senator Wyden on this effort to uncover and stop any inappropriate or unlawful surveillance that may be taking place. The right to privacy must not become a thing of the past, Markey said.\r\nAs revealed by public contracts, CBP has paid a government contractor named Venntel nearly half a million dollars for access to a commercial database containing location data mined from applications on millions of Americans' mobile phones. CBP officials also confirmed the agency's warrantless tracking of phones in the United States using Venntel's product in a September 16, 2020 call with Senate staff.\r\nIn 2018, the Supreme Court held in Carpenter v. United States that the collection of significant quantities of historical location data from Americans' cell phones is a search under the Fourth Amendment and therefore requires a warrant.\r\nIn September 2020, Wyden and Warren successfully pressed for an inspector general investigation into the Internal Revenue Service's use of Venntel's commercial location tracking service without a court order.\r\nA copy of DHS' letter opening its inspector general investigation is available here.\r\nA copy of the senators' October 2020 letter is available here. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, also joined the senators in sending the October 2020 request.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-press-extend-open-enrollment-period-dec-31", "Oregon Delegation Press to Extend Open Enrollment Period to Dec. 31", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici today pushed the Trump administration to extend the Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace through the end of the year in light of severe obstacles Oregonians faced due to COVID-19 and historic wildfires.\n\n\"The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe health and economic consequences for Oregon. To date, nearly 60,000 Oregonians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, over 700 lost their lives, and 145,000 remain jobless. The crisis is also far from over: around 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 are being reported each day, and over 50,000 Oregonians have filed new unemployment claims since the beginning of September,\" the lawmakers wrote. \"This makes ensuring access to health coverage more critical now than ever as families continue to grapple with the effects of the virus on their health and livelihoods.\"\n\n\"At the same time, thousands of Oregonians have become displaced or homeless as a result of wildfires that raged across the state earlier this fall. Over 2,000 wildfires led to evacuation orders affecting 500,000 Oregonians, destroyed more than 4,000 homes, and led to 24,000 claims for public assistance,\" the lawmakers continued.\n\nThe current scheduled close for Open Enrollment is December 15, 2020. The Oregon members wrote to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to push for approval of Governor Kate Brown's request to extend the deadline to December 31, 2020.\n\n\"Extending the Open Enrollment \u2026 is critical to protecting the health and wellbeing of Oregonians and all Americans. We urge you to take this step immediately to ensure people have access to the affordable and comprehensive health coverage during these unprecedented times,\" the lawmakers concluded.\n\nA copy of today's letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bonamici-bill-support-paid-job-training-opportunities-rebuild", "House Passes Bonamici Bill to Support Paid Job Training Opportunities, Rebuild Economy", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [11/20/20] \u2013Today the House passed the National Apprenticeship Act, legislation co-led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) that will create nearly one million apprenticeships over the next five years. The legislation supports workers who have historically faced barriers to employment with paid job training opportunities and will help rebuild the economy.\n\n\"Registered Apprenticeships are critical at a time when hundreds of thousands of people are out of a job because of the coronavirus pandemic,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"Apprenticeships provide meaningful upskilling and reskilling opportunities and supportive services for displaced and dislocated workers. I am pleased to be co-leading this important bill with Congresswoman Susan Davis to create nearly one million new Registered Apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship positions.\"\n\n\"Recently I convened a virtual roundtable discussion with apprentices, pre-apprentices, and union leaders from across Northwest Oregon. I heard from apprentices like Lacy who said, \u2018I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing' without her apprenticeship with Laborers Local 737, because it \u2018made it possible to pay my bills and feed my kid.' With the National Apprenticeship Act, we are helping workers like Lacy gain the skills and support services to provide for themselves and their families.\"\n\nBonamici's bipartisan Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers' Required Skills (PARTNERS) Act was included in the legislation. The PARTNERS Act will help small and medium sized businesses establish Registered Apprenticeships and provide workers with the support services they need to succeed. The PARTNERS Act provides funding to industry partnerships that bring together employers, education, training, labor, and community-based organizations to create paid, on-the-job training programs that meet the needs of employers and provide workers with important support services and training.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-beyer-castor-grijalva-lead-89-members-opposing-trump-effort-undermine", "Bonamici, Beyer, Castor, Grijalva Lead 89 Members in Opposing Trump Effort to Undermine Climate Science", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [11/19/20] \u2013 Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL), and Natural Resources Committee Chair Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) led 89 members in calling on Donald J. Trump to stop any attempts to further undermine climate science during the last days of his presidency.\n\nRecently the Trump administration attempted to derail and politicize work on the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA), which is crafted by 13 federal agencies under the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The NCA is the country's most comprehensive science-based evaluation of the consequences of the climate crisis, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies.\n\n\"We cannot stand by and tolerate the suppression, censorship, and manipulation of climate science,\" the Members wrote. \"Peer-reviewed, evidence-based science can and should support and inform policies, and it is vital that the NCA remain free from political interference or bias.\"\n\nThe members noted that they are extremely concerned about the recent removal of Dr. Michael Kuperberg from his detail as the Executive Director of USGCRP and subsequent reports that Dr. David Legates, a political appointee at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a long-time climate change denier, may soon assume the role.\n\n\"By undermining the trust built into the process and placed in the leadership of the USGCRP, the Administration is destabilizing the NCA process and politicizing the NCA and its findings,\" the Members wrote. \"\u2026We urge you to increase transparency and make sure that the NCA process is driven by high quality, evidence-based, peer-reviewed science. Our communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, facing raging wildfires and extreme weather events. We must preserve this robust process to make sure that they have the regional assessments they need to implement effective mitigation and adaptation efforts.\"\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below. In addition to Bonamici, Beyer, Castor, and Grijalva the letter was signed by Representatives Cindy Axne, Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n, Earl Blumenauer, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Brendan F. Boyle, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Matt Cartwright, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, David N. Cicilline, Yvette D. Clarke, Steve Cohen, Jim Cooper, Gerald E. Connolly, TJ Cox, Danny K. Davis, Peter A. DeFazio, Diana DeGette, Suzan K. DelBene, Mark DeSaulnier, Debbie Dingell, Mike Doyle, Eliot L. Engel, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Bill Foster, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Jimmy Gomez, Deb Haaland, Alcee L. Hastings, Jim Himes, Jared Huffman, Pramila Jayapal, Marcy Kaptur, William R. Keating, Joseph P. Kennedy, III, Andy Kim, Ann McLane Kuster, Rick Larsen, Barbara Lee, Mike Levin, Ted W. Lieu, Alan Lowenthal, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, A. Donald McEachin, James P. McGovern, Jerry McNerney, Gregory W. Meeks, Grace Meng, Gwen S. Moore, Joseph D. Morelle, Grace F. Napolitano, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Pappas, Scott Peters, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Jamie Raskin, Kathleen M. Rice, Bobby L. Rush, Linda T. S\u00e1nchez, John P. Sarbanes, Jan Schakowsky, Kim Schrier, M.D., Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott, Jos\u00e9 E. Serrano, Mikie Sherrill, Albio Sires, Elissa Slotkin, Adam Smith, Darren Soto, Abigail D. Spanberger, Jackie Speier, Haley M. Stevens, Mark Takano, Bennie G. Thompson, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez, and Peter Welch.\n\nThe Honorable Donald J. Trump\n\nPresident of the United States of America\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nWe write to convey our grave concerns about any attempt to derail or undermine the process for developing the Fifth National Climate Assessment. We implore you to preserve the integrity of our nation's premier climate science report and work with us to support federal science agencies.\n\nThe National Climate Assessment (NCA) is crafted and vetted by the thirteen federal agencies that comprise the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). It is our government's most comprehensive science-based evaluation of the consequences of the climate crisis, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies for the United States. The Global Change Research Act of 1990 directs the USGCRP to prepare and submit an assessment to Congress at least once every four years that \"integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the Program and discusses the scientific uncertainties associated with such findings; analyzes the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity; and analyzes current trends in global change, both human-inducted and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years.\"[1] The sustained assessment process provides Congress, state, local, and Tribal governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and the larger scientific community with trusted, reliable, peer-reviewed climate research on a regional scale to inform strategies and policies to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. Any efforts to disregard the best available science in the process of drafting the Fifth National Climate Assessment would not only fail to comply with congressional intent but will also have long-term implications for the communities that we represent.\n\nWe are extremely concerned that the Administration delayed work on the next NCA.[2] These frustrations were only exacerbated by the recent removal of Dr. Michael Kuperberg from his detail as the Executive Director of USGCRP and subsequent reports that Dr. David Legates, a political appointee at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a long-time climate change denier, may soon assume the role.[3] By undermining the trust built into the process and placed in the leadership of the USGCRP, the Administration is destabilizing the NCA process and politicizing the NCA and its findings.\n\nThe process for developing the NCA is world-renowned. Scientific experts from different institutions, sectors, fields, and geographic locations author the report. The National Academy of Sciences, an authoritative, independent, non-partisan scientific organization, reviews the NCA. Additionally, the thirteen federal agencies that comprise the USGCRP conduct a technical review of the assessment before it is publicly released. Public engagement is a cornerstone of the process through USGCRP workshops, listening sessions, and formal public comment periods. According to the USGCRP, \"a public call for technical inputs resulted in the submission of more than 400 peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, and other contributions authored by hundreds of individuals from academia, industry, various levels of government, and nongovernmental organizations\" and the Program's National Coordination Office conducted a survey of more than 1,200 articles and reports for Fourth National Climate Assessment authors to consider in their work.[4]\n\nWe urge you to increase transparency and make sure that the NCA process is driven by high quality, evidence-based, peer-reviewed science. Our communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, facing raging wildfires and extreme weather events. We must preserve this robust process to make sure that they have the regional assessments they need to implement effective mitigation and adaptation efforts. The USGCRP must comply with the Global Change Research Act by evaluating higher-emission scenarios and analyzing all scenarios and effects on the 100-year outlook. The climate crisis is an existential threat and a national emergency. We cannot stand by and tolerate the suppression, censorship, and manipulation of climate science. Peer-reviewed, evidence-based science can and should support and inform policies, and it is vital that the NCA remain free from political interference or bias. We urge you to maintain a collaborative, transparent, peer-reviewed process through USGCRP and provide the nation's top scientists with the resources necessary to produce a Fifth National Climate Assessment that informs our work and the public about the implications of the climate crisis.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-wyden-bonamici-urge-united-states-coast-guard-bring-additional-deep", "Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici Urge United States Coast Guard to Bring Additional Deep Water Vessels to Tongue Point in Astoria", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Following the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) decision to homeport two new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) at Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), have requested that the USCG consider stationing an additional two FRCs at the port.\n\nFRCs are used to strengthen port, waterways and coastal security, as well as conduct fishery patrols, and search and rescue and national defense missions.\n\n\"The Coast Guard has a critically important mission that benefits the Pacific Northwest in many ways: by safeguarding our fishing fleets and recreational vessels, ensuring safe passage for the maritime shipping industry, and protecting our borders and national security. The community of Astoria is well equipped to support the Coast Guard and its vessels in their mission here in Oregon. Co-locating four FRCs at Tongue Point will advance the Coast Guard's mission, increase efficiency and economy of scale, and provide close proximity to a number of worldclass maritime services and shipyards,\" the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant, United States Coast Guard.\n\n\"A strong Coast Guard presence is critical in this community given its regional significance as the gateway to the Columbia River and the notoriously treacherous waters of the \u2018graveyard of the Pacific.' We applaud the Coast Guard's decision to station two FRCs at Tongue Point and hope that you will consider homeporting two additional FRCs alongside them. Astoria benefits greatly from the US Coast Guard's presence in the community and looks forward to hosting additional staff and resources,\" the lawmakers continued.\n\n\"The City of Astoria values the tremendous positive impact its Coast Guard members and families bring to the community. Astoria is committed to supporting a robust Coast Guard presence and homeporting infrastructure. The growing shipyard and other maritime services capability at North Tongue Point make it an ideal location for an expanded Fast Response Cutter siting,\" said Bruce Jones, Mayor of Astoria.\n\nThe full text of the lawmakers' letter is available here and follows below.\n\nDear Admiral Schultz,\n\nWe write to express our appreciation that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has decided to homeport two of its new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) at Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon, as well as to ask that two additional FRCs also be homeported at Astoria.\n\nFor the last 164 years, the City of Astoria has served as the headquarters of USCG Sector Columbia River. The community has a long, proud legacy as being one of only twenty-eight Coast Guard Cities nationwide and is dedicated to supporting over 2,000 Coast Guard team members including active, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary members, and their families.\n\nThe Coast Guard has a critically important mission that benefits the Pacific Northwest in many ways: by safeguarding our fishing fleets and recreational vessels, ensuring safe passage for the maritime shipping industry, and protecting our borders and national security. The community of Astoria is well equipped to support the Coast Guard and its vessels in their mission here in Oregon. Co-locating four FRCs at Tongue Point will advance the Coast Guard's mission, increase efficiency and economy of scale, and provide close proximity to a number of worldclass maritime services and shipyards.\n\nA strong Coast Guard presence is critical in this community given its regional significance as the gateway to the Columbia River and the notoriously treacherous waters of the \"graveyard of the Pacific.\" We applaud the Coast Guard's decision to station two FRCs at Tongue Point and hope that you will consider homeporting two additional FRCs alongside them. Astoria benefits greatly from the US Coast Guard's presence in the community and looks forward to hosting additional staff and resources.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-assume-100-percent-cost-share-wildfire-impacts", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Oregon's entire congressional delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year.\n\nThe letter to FEMA from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader comes in support of a similar state cost-share request.\n\n\"As you saw when you toured the state with us earlier this year, wildfires have utterly decimated communities across Oregon,\" the lawmakers wrote. \"Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Emergency Management predict that total disaster costs will ultimately total more than $1 billion\u2014a burden the state will be unable to shoulder in light of ongoing pandemic-related responses.\"\n\nThe letter noted the damage assessment from the 2020 fire season in Oregon now exceeds the regulatory threshold for FEMA to support an increased federal cost share from 75 percent to 100 percent and also that FEMA has regularly increased its cost share in past disasters.\n\n\"FEMA has authorized 90% cost share in more than 20 disasters since January 2017, including wildfires, and 100% cost share in 22 disasters during the same period,\" the Oregon lawmakers wrote. \"Indeed, the administration recently amended the Major Disaster Declaration for California to authorize 100% percent cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures.\"\n\nA copy of the entire letter is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-to-assume-100-percent-cost-share-for-wildfire-impacts-", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 17, 2020\n\t\t\t Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Lawmakers' letter seeking more aid for debris removal, emergency protective measures comes as state's total disaster costs expected to exceed $1 billion\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Oregon's entire congressional delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year.\r\nThe letter to FEMA from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader comes in support of a similar state cost-share request.\r\nAs you saw when you toured the state with us earlier this year, wildfires have utterly decimated communities across Oregon, the lawmakers wrote. Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Emergency Management predict that total disaster costs will ultimately total more than $1 billiona burden the state will be unable to shoulder in light of ongoing pandemic-related responses.\r\nThe letter noted the damage assessment from the 2020 fire season in Oregon now exceeds the regulatory threshold for FEMA to support an increased federal cost share from 75 percent to 100 percent and also that FEMA has regularly increased its cost share in past disasters.\r\nFEMA has authorized 90% cost share in more than 20 disasters since January 2017, including wildfires, and 100% cost share in 22 disasters during the same period, the Oregon lawmakers wrote. Indeed, the administration recently amended the Major Disaster Declaration for California to authorize 100% percent cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures.\r\nA copy of the entire letter is here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t Related Files \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-statement-on-klamath-dam-removal", "Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Dam Removal", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 17, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Dam Removal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley released the following statement on today's Klamath Dam announcement by Oregon and California:\r\nOregon and California have made the best of a bad situation forced upon the two states when FERC upset the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement dam removal process with an unexpected and unwelcome ruling last summer, said Wyden and Merkley. We're glad to see the states step up and all the parties that signed the Klamath settlement reach this agreement, and we look forward to seeing these dams come out just as soon as humanly possible.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-armed-services-leaders-to-rename-military-bases-and-other-assets-honoring-the-confederacy-", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Armed Services Leaders to Rename Military Bases and Other Assets Honoring the Confederacy", "2020-11-11", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Urge Armed Services Leaders to Rename Military Bases and Other Assets Honoring the Confederacy  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are urging Senate and House Armed Services leaders to retain a bipartisan measure that would require military installations and assets honoring the Confederacy and Confederate officers to be renamed within the next three years. \r\nThe letter from Wyden, Merkley and 35 of their colleagues to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees comes as those Armed Services leaders begin the final stage of conference this week on the National Defense Authorization Act.\r\nIn June, the Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) passed a bipartisan version of the amendment to remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederacy and anyone who voluntarily served it from bases and other property of the U.S. military on a voice vote. The House Armed Services Committee passed a similar measure, both creating a process for identifying all military assets where the Confederacy is honored and implementing the new removal requirement. The House bill requires the process to be complete within one year, while the Senate bill authorizes a three-year period for complete renaming. In their letter, the Senators urge the conference committee to adopt a reconciled version of the measure that would require renaming to be complete within three years. Both committees passed their bills out of committee with overwhelming bipartisan majorities and each chamber followed suit.\r\nThe Senate and House strongly supported the inclusion of this requirement by passing their bills with overwhelming, veto-proof, bipartisan majorities. The requirement also received bipartisan support in committee markups, the senators wrote in their letter to Armed Services Committees' leadership.\r\nTheir letter raises concerns with Senate Armed Services Chairman Inhofe's declaration that he intends to strip the bipartisan, veto-proof provision out behind closed doors in conference, saying We're going to see to it that provision doesn't survive the bill I'm not going to say how at this point.\r\nWe strongly oppose removing this provision and respectfully request the conferees to retain in the conference report the provision endorsed by both chambers: a requirement for the Department to rename all military assets named for the Confederacy no later than three years after the date of enactment, the senators wrote.\r\nMillions of servicemembers of color have lived on, trained at, and deployed from installations named to honor traitors that killed Americans in defense of chattel slavery, they wrote. Renaming these bases does not disrespect our military  it honors the sacrifices and contributions of our servicemembers in a way that better reflects our nation's diversity and values. We know who these bases were named for and why they were named. It is long past the time to correct this longstanding, historic injustice. We must not shrink from our solemn duty in his moment.\r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter led by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to Armed Services leadership also was signed by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.) - all members of the Senate Armed Services Committee - and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i).\r\nThe entire letter is here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-oregon-unemployment-benefits-backlog", "Wyden Statement on Oregon Unemployment Benefits Backlog", "2020-11-09", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 09, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Statement on Oregon Unemployment Benefits Backlog \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on the Oregon Employment Department's commitment to resolve the unemployment benefits backlog by the end of the year:\r\nThe Oregon Employment Department told me that the agency is finally getting on track to resolve the thousands of claims currently in the adjudication backlog by the end of the year. This is a real commitment to help Oregonians who have been struggling for months to pay rent and buy groceries. OED also committed to paying current waiting week claimsincluding the additional $600by the end of November, with a goal to start by Thanksgiving. Given the enormous frustration Oregonians have experienced, I intend to watchdog every day to ensure these critically important goals are met. It's unconscionable when Oregon is first in so many areas to have Oregon lagging behind in getting workers the benefits they need and are entitled to receive. I also won't allow self-employed and gig workers to be told to go pound sand. It's urgent that Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims are processed, and I'm pushing hard to extend that program into 2021. I'm also working on legislation that would cover these workers on a permanent basis so we're better prepared for the next crisis.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-the-appointment-of-chris-miller-to-head-dod-", "Wyden Statement on the Appointment of Chris Miller to Head DoD", "2020-11-09", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 09, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Statement on the Appointment of Chris Miller to Head DoD  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today made the following statement regarding the appointment of Chris Miller as the acting secretary of defense. Wyden previously opposed Miller's nomination to the National Counterterrorism Center:\r\nDonald Trump fired someone who wouldn't order U.S. troops to attack peaceful protesters and is replacing him with someone he may think will carry out those orders. I opposed Chris Miller's nomination earlier this year, because he refused to promise that intelligence agencies wouldn't target Americans based on their political views. He should remember that anyone who carries out an illegal order from Donald Trump will be held fully accountable under the law.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-32-million-in-federal-investments-to-help-agricultural-producers-in-oregon-develop-market-new-innovations-funding-is-headed-to-15-businesses_", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.2 Million in Federal Investments to Help Agricultural Producers in Oregon Develop, Market New Innovations Funding is headed to 15 businesses", "2020-11-05", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 05, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.2 Million in Federal Investments to Help Agricultural Producers in Oregon Develop, Market New Innovations Funding is headed to 15 businesses   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development is allocating $3.2 million among 15 agricultural producers in Oregon, helping businesses develop and market new products.\r\nAgricultural innovation has long played an essential role to the vitality of rural economies throughout our state, said Merkley, who servesas the top Democraton the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA.I'm pleased that these investments are headed to Oregon to help grow the small businesses and farms that continue to be trailblazers in producing the sustainable and creative products we're known for. Especially as we continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, I will continue to look for every available opportunity to support our agricultural producers as they create more jobs, expand their operations, and find new markets.\r\nA strong quality of life in rural Oregon depends on continuing to invest in these innovative agricultural businesses that generate good jobs and world-class products in every nook and cranny of our state, Wyden said. Those investments are especially vital during this pandemic to help farms and small businesses statewide weather this economic storm, and I'm glad these signature Oregon enterprises have secured these federal resources. This is good news for these businesses and I am committed to finding and funding more winning investments throughout Oregon. \r\nThe funding awardees are as follows:\r\n \r\nFriends Farm, LLCor the Deck Family Farmin Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its marketing and scale of pasture-raised poultry.\r\nChalice Vineyards LLC in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its sustainably produced wine.\r\nMt. Hood Forest Products LLC will receive $250,000 in Hood River County to expand its processing, marketing, and sales of specialty dimensional lumber.\r\nUproot Meats LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its meat production and customer base.\r\nSunshine Mountain Vineyards LLC in Wasco County will receive $250,000 to expand its customer base.\r\nTillamook County Creamery Association in Tillamook County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its cheese and ice cream products into the Singapore market.\r\nWhistling Duck Farm LLC in Josephine County will receive $250,000 to increase its marketing of fermented vegetable products.\r\nTerritorial Vineyards in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production and wholesale distribution.\r\nB&B Organics LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production, marketing, and sales.\r\nDistrict Row LLC in Marion County will receive $247,250 to expand its wine sales.\r\nScott Henry's Winery Corp. in Douglas County will receive $244,000 to expand its retail and direct-to-customer wines.\r\nKitamura Farms Inc. in Malheur County will receive $235,725 to expand its sale of specialty brined and pickled onions.\r\nThompson Creek Organics in Jackson County will receive $100,000 to produce and market a new hard cider.\r\nFirebird Farms LLC in Jackson County will receive $150,429 to expand its sale of artisan yak charcuterie.\r\nSokol Blosser Winery in Yamhill County will receive $49,500 to expand the customer base for its organic, sustainably-crafted wines.\r\n \r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-oregon-housing-authorities-to-receive-23-million-in-covid-19-aid", "Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Housing Authorities to Receive $2.3 Million in COVID-19 Aid", "2020-11-04", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 04, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Housing Authorities to Receive $2.3 Million in COVID-19 Aid \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Federal resources heading to housing agencies helping residents in Clackamas, Douglas, Polk, Wasco and Clatsop counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that Clackamas, Douglas, Polk, Wasco and Clatsop counties will receive about $2.3 million to help residents with housing choice vouchers during COVID-19.\r\nHeading into winter when temperatures drop and with the battle ongoing against coronavirus, these housing resources are timely and essential to keep Oregonians safe and housed, Wyden said. I'm gratified this help has been secured for Clackamas, Douglas, Polk, Wasco and Clatsop counties and I'll keep working to ensure that all corners of Oregon get all possible housing aid during this public health crisis.\r\nBefore the coronavirus hit, Oregon's rural and urban communities alike were already experiencing severe affordable housing shortages, said Merkley. Now, this pandemic has pummeled our public health and economy and made it even harder for our families to keep roofs over their heads. I'm grateful that this federal funding is coming to Oregon to help us tackle our urgent housing crisis, and will keep fighting to secure every resource available to ensure that every Oregonian has a safe, affordable place to call home.\r\nThe $2.32 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Choice Voucher program will assist very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. \r\nThis supplemental housing choice voucher funding is authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and will be distributed as follows:\r\n Housing Authority of Clackamas County, $966,710\r\n Housing Authority of Douglas County, $448,243\r\n Housing and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County, $156,967\r\n Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, $259,607\r\n Northwest Oregon Housing Authority, $490,235\r\nCOVID-19 has increased the cost of supporting families with housing choice vouchers because people are losing jobs and more funding is needed to help fewer families, said Sonya Fischer, Clackamas County Commissioner and Housing Authority Board Member. Inadequate funding for the voucher program has for several months prevented us from helping the thousands of families on our waiting list, but this award from HUD means Clackamas County can support upwards of 90 additional families for the next year.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-3-million-energy-investment-in-umatilla-county_", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3 Million Energy Investment in Umatilla County", "2020-11-03", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 03, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce $3 Million Energy Investment in Umatilla County   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperation Association has received a $3 million federal loan to finance major energy efficiency upgrades that will reduce energy waste and cut costs for residents of Umatilla County.\r\nThe 20 year loan is being administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)a program designed by Senator Merkley to allow rural electric co-ops to offer their customers low-interest loans to provide affordable financing for energy efficiency improvements. Customers then pay back the loans through the savings on their electric bills.\r\nThroughout this year, the coronavirus crisis has claimed Oregonians' lives and livelihoodsupending every aspect of our lives, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the USDA. Now is the time to do all that we can to build a road to recovery, and that road must include the state-of-the-art infrastructure investments our rural communities need to access essential utilities, cut costs, and thrive. I'm pleased that this loan will help pave that road, and will continue to fight for more of these investments for rural areas in every corner of our state.\r\nWhen I was in Pendleton last month, I heard both during my online town hall and in a meeting with local economic development officials how COVID-19 and the February floods have combined in 2020 to wallop Eastern Oregon, Wyden said. Smart investments like this loan for the Umatilla Electric Cooperative to help low-income customers make their homes more affordable to heat this winter are a must for rural Oregonians to weather this economic storm, and I'll keep battling for communities throughout our state to secure resources like this so they too can be helped in their recovery.\r\n### \r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-walden-announce-official-signing-of-critical-fix-to-help-klamath-irrigators", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce Official Signing of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators", "2020-11-02", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 02, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce Official Signing of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The technical correction to the Water Resources Development Act gives basin irrigators access to up to $10 million in drought relief\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Greg Walden (R-OR-2), today announced that a critically needed fix to the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)which will provide relief to Klamath Basin irrigators who have been hard-hit by droughthas been signed into law. \r\nBetween this year's unprecedented wildfires, a severe drought, and the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus crisisthis has been a difficult time for the Klamath Basin, Merkley said. But through it all, irrigators have consistently come together to work collaboratively with one another to make headway with longstanding water challenges that have only become more complicated during this particularly difficult season. I'm pleased that this correction will allow farmers to swiftly access much-needed resources, so we can continue working toward long-term solutions to support the region's water needs for generations to come.\r\nOregonians don't shrink from challenges  we work together to find solutions that work for everybody, Wyden said. That Oregon Way approach guided this legislation freeing up resources for Klamath Basin farmers and ranchers to take a good step forward in this tough year of drought, wildfires and the coronavirus' economic fallout toward a long-term resolution to longstanding water supply challenges.\r\n\"This is welcome news for irrigators in the Klamath Basin, who are enduring another drought-stricken year, unprecedented wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic all at the same time, Walden said. This legislation will ensure they have the tools they need to get through these hard times as well as prepare irrigators in the Klamath Basin if they are hit with severe drought in the years ahead. I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing this bill into law and taking care of the hardworking farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. \r\nMerkley used his seat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to include the language in the Senate's Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization. With WRDA stalled, Merkley pivoted and introduced the language with Wyden as a stand-alone bill, which was passed by the Senate in July. Walden introduced companion legislation in the House, which passed in October. \r\nThe original language authorized up to $10 million a year for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to work with the farming and ranching community to develop and implement strategies to align water demand with available supply. This technical correction clarifies the authority for irrigators to access the funds for strategies such as land idling and groundwater pumping in times of drought.\r\n### \r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-put-politics-aside-end-plans-to-hold-critical-public-health-resources-hostage", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Put Politics Aside, End Plans to Hold Critical Public Health Resources Hostage", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 28, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Put Politics Aside, End Plans to Hold Critical Public Health Resources Hostage \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Administration plotting to withhold funding from Democratic-leaning cities for COVID-19 care, food, HIV and opioid treatment, among other programs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) led five of their Senate colleaguesincluding Senator Ron Wydenin pressing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that millions of dollars in federal funding for critical public health programs will not be withheld to inflict political retribution in the middle of a pandemic. President Trump and Attorney General Barr have threatened to withhold the funding as part of a politically-motivated scheme to punish Americans in Democratic-leaning cities where residents have been protesting for racial justice.\r\nHHS reportedly sent a list of more than 1,500 grants awarded to Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, New York City, and Washington, D.C.cities that President Trump and Attorney General Barr have specifically targeted due to local leaders' support of racial justice proteststo the White House budget office.\r\nTying federal funds for local public health efforts to an arbitrary definition of anarchist jurisdictions' is of questionable legality and an appalling abuse of powerparticularly in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic recession. According to a report, HHS has identified numerous public health programs and funding mechanisms for potential cuts, including those related to HIV treatment, the opioid crisis, addiction and recovery services, lung disease, hearing screenings for newborns, nutrition and mental health for the elderly, hospital preparedness, child support enforcement, care for COVID-19 patients at community and migrant health centers, and more, the lawmakers wrote in their letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar.\r\nAny arbitrary funding cuts to these programs would have detrimental effects on the vulnerable communities they serve, as well as negatively impact the delivery of crucial health care services during a historic crisis this Administration has utterly failed to mitigate. Additionally, these cuts could further exacerbate the health inequities already made worse by this pandemic, the lawmakers continued.\r\nTo ensure that critical funding for public health essential programs are delivered, the senators requested that HHS respond to the letter within two weeks with a copy of the compiled report of federal grants, funding awards, and health programs from all agencies the Department oversees; an explanation for how the Department plans to implement President Trump's directives regarding punishing Portland, Seattle, New York, and Washington, D.C.; and an explanation to whether President Trump's directives will influence the granting or withholding of coronavirus relief funds.\r\nA copy of the senators' letter is available here and follows below.\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\nDear Secretary Azar,\r\n\r\nWe write with significant concern regarding a new report[1] that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering eliminating millions of dollars in federal funding for critical public health programs, including federal coronavirus relief, amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. This is a clear and unconscionable attempt by President Trump and his Administration to choose winners and losers for public health funds based on whether or not the politics of American cities align with the politics of the President.\r\n\r\nThese potential funding cuts were reportedly compiled in response to President Trump's September 2, 2020 memorandum entitled Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities.[2] President Trump announced this policy allegedly . . . to ensure that Federal funds are neither unduly wasted nor spent in a manner that directly violates our Government's promise to protect life, liberty, and property.\r\n\r\nThe policy further states, it is imperative that the Federal Government review the use of Federal funds by jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America's cities. In a September 21, 2020 memorandum, the White House directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the United States Department of Justice to review federal funding to state and local governments. This memorandum specifically targets Portland, Oregon; New York City, New York; and Seattle, Washington. The White House later added Washington, D.C. to the list.\r\n\r\nTying federal funds for local public health efforts to an arbitrary definition of anarchist jurisdictions is of questionable legality and an appalling abuse of powerparticularly in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic recession. According to a report, HHS has identified numerous public health programs and funding mechanisms for potential cuts, including those related to HIV treatment, the opioid crisis, addiction and recovery services, lung disease, hearing screenings for newborns, nutrition and mental health for the elderly, hospital preparedness, child support enforcement, care for COVID-19 patients at community and migrant health centers, and more. Any arbitrary funding cuts to these programs would have detrimental effects on the vulnerable communities they serve, as well as negatively impact the delivery of crucial health care services during a historic crisis this Administration has utterly failed to mitigate. Additionally, these cuts could further exacerbate the health inequities already made worse by this pandemic.\r\n\r\nDue to the grave implications of such decisions, we request the following information and responses to questions from your Department:\r\n\r\n \r\nA copy of the reported list HHS compiled identifying the federal grants, funding awards, and health programs from all agencies the Department oversees.\r\nAn explanation for how HHS plans to implement the President's memorandum in regard to funding decisions for public health programs.\r\nWill the President's September 2, 2020 memorandum influence any HHS decisions regarding the granting or withholding of coronavirus relief funds to the above-named cities?\r\n \r\nWe respectfully request this information within fourteen days of receipt of this letter.\r\n\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-slams-trump-claim-that-he-has-ended-the-pandemic-as-covid-19-cases-surge-nationwide", "Wyden Slams Trump Claim That He Has \u201cEnded The Pandemic\u201d As COVID-19 Cases Surge Nationwide", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 28, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Slams Trump Claim That He Has Ended The Pandemic As COVID-19 Cases Surge Nationwide \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t White House Continues to Push False Narrative As Infections Grow Across the Country\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today slammed new claims from the Trump administration that the COVID-19 pandemic is over despite record viral transmissions sweeping the country, and dire warnings that health care may soon need to be rationed as hospitals reach capacity.\r\nOn Tuesday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released a list of accomplishments that included ending the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that his administration had taken decisive actions  to understand, treat, and defeat the disease.\r\nThe claim that Trump has ended the pandemic wouldn't pass the fact-checking desk at The Onion, Wyden said. It is an insult to people whose lives are being cut short for the Trump administration to list defeating COVID-19 as an accomplishment at a time when field hospitals are being set up around the country to relieve overflowing medical systems.\r\nThe president doesn't have to look any further than the vice president's office to know that the pandemic isn't over, Wyden added. Now, communities from Texas to Wisconsin are paying the price for Donald Trump trying to wish, explain and lie away a deadly disease that has taken more than 225,000 American lives.\r\nThe White House's blatantly false claims about the COVID-19 pandemic come at a time when all measurements point to a deteriorating public health situation in communities across the United States:\r\n \r\nSurging Infections and Deaths: More than 1.5 million people have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 18,000 have died since October 1st, bringing the U.S. total to 8.7 million people infected and at least 226,000 dead.\r\n \r\n \r\nHospitalizations Continue Breaking Records: COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen by 5% or more over the last week in 36 states, and the seven-day average of 70,000 new infections a day is the highest during the pandemic. One epidemiologist predicted the increase is a harbinger of a very tough winter that's coming.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nHospitals Warn of Rationed Care: The governor of Utah was recently warned by the state's hospital association that medical providers may be forced to ration care within two weeks. In the face of dwindling bed capacity, the proposed rationing plan would prioritize younger patients over older patients, since older patients are more likely to die.\r\n \r\n \r\nCOVID-19 Hitting Communities of Color Hard: The pandemic continues to exacerbate health inequalities experienced by communities of color in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that Hispanic, Black and Asian Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives were experiencing more three-to-five times excess deaths during the pandemic than their white peers. Similar racial disparities have been identified at nursing homes, as facilities with higher shares of Black and Hispanic residents were more likely to report at least one COVID-19 death.\r\n \r\n \r\nSecond White House Outbreak: Several senior staff in Mike Pence's office contracted COVID-19, a fact White House officials tried to hide from the public. Despite the potential exposure, Pence continued crisscrossing the country attending campaign rallies, flouting CDC and state recommendations calling for him to quarantine. The outbreak follows the Rose Garden Ceremony for then-Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett that turned into a super spreader event, infecting dozens of people.\r\n \r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tTaylor Harvey (202)224-4515\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-commerce-committee-section-230-hearing", "Wyden Statement on Commerce Committee Section 230 Hearing", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 28, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Statement on Commerce Committee Section 230 Hearing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee's hearing on Section 230, a provision of the Communications Decency Act authored by Wyden:\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to writing laws usually you need two things  first, lawmakers need to agree on what the existing law says, and second, they need to know what problem the new law would solve. After watching the hearing today, I don't believe my Republican colleagues have read the First Amendment, let alone Section 230. Their obsession with forcing private companies to print misinformation, lies and hate speech is unconstitutional and lays bare how little this is about Section 230 and how much it is a transparent attempt to work the refs a week before the election.\r\n\r\n\"I stand ready to take on big tech and ensure that users, free speech and innovation are always the guiding light of tech policy. I'm all for comprehensive privacy laws, stronger antitrust enforcement and, importantly, laws to better protect and empower the vulnerable online. But today's sad spectacle shows how far this body is from having a rational debate about how to make the internet a better place.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-state-department-to-bolster-efforts-to-protect-journalists", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge State Department to Bolster Efforts to Protect Journalists", "2020-10-27", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge State Department to Bolster Efforts to Protect Journalists \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with nine of their Senate colleagues, are pushing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Trump administration to increase efforts to protect journalists around the world, and hold foreign leaders accountable for suppressing freedom of the press. \r\nThe lawmakers' letter to the State Department marks the recent anniversary of the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and resident of the U.S. who was murdered in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul under orders from the Saudi government because of his writings in opposition to Saudi government policies. \r\nRecently, we marked the somber anniversary of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed by agents of the Saudi government at its Consulate in Istanbul for openly criticizing that country's leadership, the senators wrote in their letter to Secretary Pompeo. Two years later, we have yet to see evidence that the State Department recognizes the fundamental importance of a free press.\r\nThe senators' call also follows the State Department Inspector General's report that the administration revoked the Department's prestigious International Women of Courage Award to Jessikka Aro, a Finnish investigative journalist who faced death threats and harassment over her work exposing Russian propaganda efforts, because she authored social media posts critical of President Trump. \r\nThe United States is stronger and safer when our values  including defense of a free press  are protected at home and advanced as a central component of our foreign policy. We must make it clear that it is unacceptable to suppress, imprison, and violently target the press and that the United States will hold foreign governments who attempt to do so accountable, the senators continued.\r\nTo ensure that the State Department is taking necessary steps to protect journalists at home and abroad, the senators requested that Secretary Pompeo explain what additional steps have been taken since the Trump administration sanctioned some of the people involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and why the Department misrepresented its reasons for revoking the International Women of Courage Award for Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro. Additionally, the senators inquired about the role protecting press freedoms abroad plays into the Department's efforts to counter foreign disinformation targeting Americans, and what the Department is doing to stop foreign governments from using the pandemic as an excuse to restrict press freedoms, public access to information, and free speech.\r\nMerkley and Wydenwhose father was a journalistwere joined by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Jack Reed (D-RI).\r\nThe full text of letter can be found here and is available below.\r\n### \r\nDear Secretary Pompeo:\r\nWe write to urge the State Department to increase its efforts to protect journalists around the world and hold accountable foreign leaders who seek to suppress the freedom of the press.\r\nRecently, we marked the somber anniversary of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed by agents of the Saudi government at its Consulate in Istanbul for openly criticizing that country's leadership. People across America were rightly appalled by the murder of Mr. Khashoggi  a U.S. resident and respected journalist  and the Saudi government's shifting explanations, inadequate cooperation with investigations, and use of authoritarian tactics to silence its critics. Further, our President repeatedly dismissed his own intelligence community's assessment. This response was not only unacceptableit was also at odds with our values as a country.\r\nTwo years later, we have yet to see evidence that the State Department recognizes the fundamental importance of a free press. Just last month, the State Department Inspector General reported that the Administration revoked the Department's prestigious International Women of Courage Award to Jessikka Aro, a Finnish investigative journalist who faced death threats and harassment over her work exposing Russian propaganda efforts, because she authored social media posts critical of President Trump. Of particular concern is the State Department's role in initially misleading Congress and the public about the reasons for revoking Ms. Aro's award.\r\nIn recent years, countless journalists around the world have been threatened, imprisoned, beaten and even killed as they attempt to report the truth and hold their governments more accountable. On the anniversary of Mr. Khashoggi's murder, we pay special tribute to those brave journalists whose dogged pursuit of the truth never wavered in the face of these threats. Their legacy is proof that fear will not silence facts.\r\nThe United States is stronger and safer when our values  including defense of a free press  are protected at home and advanced as a central component of our foreign policy. We must make it clear that it is unacceptable to suppress, imprison, and violently target the press and that the United States will hold foreign governments who attempt to do so accountable.\r\nAccordingly, we request answers to the following questions on what steps the State Department is taking to protect journalists at home and abroad:\r\n \r\nSince the Administration sanctioned some of the people involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in November 2018, what additional steps has the Administration taken to hold accountable the Saudi leaders believed to have ordered his killing?\r\nWhy did the State Department misrepresent its reasons for revoking the International Women of Courage award for Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro and what action have you taken as a result?\r\nWhat role does protecting press freedoms abroad play in the Department's efforts to counter foreign disinformation targeting Americans?\r\nWhat is the Department doing to stop foreign governments from using the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic as an excuse for enacting emergency laws to restrict the press, limit public access to information, and suppress free speech?\r\n \r\nWe look forward to your response and to working with you to address this critical issue.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-brown-urge-trade-associations-to-take-action-to-ensure-members-are-not-complicit-in-chinas-state-sanctioned-forced-labor-program", "Wyden, Brown Urge Trade Associations to Take Action to Ensure Members Are Not Complicit in China\u2019s State-sanctioned Forced Labor Program", "2020-10-27", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Brown Urge Trade Associations to Take Action to Ensure Members Are Not Complicit in China's State-sanctioned Forced Labor Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Chinese Government Has Violated Human Rights of More Than A Million Uyghurs, Other Muslims by Coercing Them into Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) senta letter to trade associations urging them to take immediate action to ensuretheir members are not complicit in China's state-directed human rights abuses, including by relocating production from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.\r\nThe Chinese government has violated the human rights of more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims by coercing them into a forced labor program that has extensively infiltrated global supply chains across multiple sectors. The senators also asked that the corporate members of the trade associations take critical, comprehensive steps to achieve the supply chain integrity and transparency American consumers and workers deserve.\r\nAmerican workers and consumers are harmed by corporations' failures to prevent and eradicate human rights abuses in their supply chains.It is not acceptable to hide behind subcontractors or shared production facilities.It is not credible to say it is too complicated to track all of the components that go into the assembly of items stamped with your members' brands. It is time for multinational corporations to take responsibility for their supply chains and to ensure all internationally recognized labor rights and human rights are respected throughout them,wrote the senators.\r\nIn September, Sens. Wyden and Brown sentaletterto President Trump urging him to take further and effective action to crack down on Chinese products imported into the U.S. that are made with forced labor.\r\nIn 2015, Wyden and Brownauthoredan update to U.S. law closing a loophole that allowed imports into the United States of many products produced with forced labor, including forced child labor.\r\nA full copy of the letter can be found here and below: \r\n\r\nOctober 27, 2020\r\n\r\nThomas J. Donohue\r\nChief Executive Officer\r\nChamber of Commerce of the United States of America\r\n1615 H Street, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20062-2000\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Donohue:\r\n\r\nWe write to express our concerns over reports that the industries and companies that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents have supply chains that have been implicated in the state-sanctioned forced labor of Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China (XUAR) and in sites where Uyghurs have been relocated. The decision to operate or contract with production facilities overseas must be accompanied by high standards of supply chain accountability and transparency to ensure that no company's products are made with forced labor. We urge your members to take immediate action to ensure goods manufactured for them are not complicit in the China's state-directed human rights abuses, including by relocating production from the XUAR. In addition, we ask your members to take critical, comprehensive steps to achieve the supply chain integrity and transparency American consumers and workers deserve. It is past time for American multinational companies to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, on efforts to eradicate forced labor and end human rights abuses against workers in China.\r\n\r\nAs you are undoubtedly aware, the Chinese government has perpetrated the transfer and detention of more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim populations in and from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China (XUAR).[1] The targeted groups are required to participate in worker training and indoctrination programs and forced to take factory jobs for little or no wages. [2] China's oppression and abuse of the Uyghurs and other Muslims are not limited to forced labor, however.[3] Survivors of the imprisonment camps detail instances of torture[4], and the U.S. State Department has reported the killing of detainees.[5] Although the factories in the XUAR have gotten the most attention, there is also evidence that at least tens of thousands of Uyghurs are being transferred outside of the XUAR to be exploited in factories in other regions.[6]\r\n\r\nThe Chinese government has perpetuated these human rights abuses for years and taken advantage of China's role in international production to embed these abuses in numerous global supply chains, including textile and apparel, electronics, footwear, toys, furniture, and increasingly, others. A report issued earlier this year noted that dozens of global brands could have relationships with suppliers participating in this program.[7] This is unconscionable and requires immediate, comprehensive action by all global companies with connections to China, particularly those implicated in the report, to accept accountability for and eradicate forced labor in their supply chains.\r\n\r\nAs authors of the update to U.S. law banning all imports into the United States made in whole or in part with forced labor, we support a zero tolerance policy with respect to imports made with forced labor. We will continue to push Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to investigate and issue region-wide Withhold Release Orders (WROs) for all products known to be produced in the XUAR and to implement a comprehensive response to the Chinese government's violation of human rights. As you know, WROs block imports made with forced labor from entering the United States, and they are critical to maintaining the integrity of the American market for U.S. business and consumers. But, WROs are a remedy only after a problem exists, and in reality they should not be necessary for companies and industries who take responsibility for their supply chain. They represent an enforcement action for when there has been a failure on the part of a company or importer to fulfill that responsibility. \r\n\r\nRegardless of whether a WRO is issued directly related to a company's supply chain, it is each company's responsibility to ensure it does not have forced labor or any other human rights abuses in its supply chain, and it must take quick, concrete action to guard against that risk. For that reason, we ask that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's members commit to take the following steps:\r\n\r\nFirst and foremost, we call on your members to cease production and production or sourcing relationships in the XUAR. Given the scope and scale of the state-sanctioned human rights abuses, there is a high risk that any good, including components and inputs, produced in the XUAR has been made by workers subjected to the state-run forced labor program. Your companies must immediately sever all ties, direct and indirect, with production facilities and sources of raw material in the XUAR and communicate to the American public when they have done so. Notably, the situation in XUAR differs from many other instances of forced labor, where governments in host countries may be merely incapable or unwilling to address forced labor. In those circumstances, companies can play a beneficial role in lifting labor standards by imposing rigorous standards in their own operations. In contrast, China is systematically underwriting the forced labor in the XUAR as an integral component of its repression of a minority population, so there is no discernible benefit to the human rights of Uyghurs if companies remain in the region as an instrument of that repression.\r\n\r\nSecond, your members must commit to heightened transparency throughout their supply chains. Human rights abuses often go unaddressed because of the opaque network of global supply chains. Corporate accountability is an essential part of efforts to eradicate forced labor in the XUAR, other areas of China, and other countries. In addition to the disclosing details of supply chains sufficient to demonstrate the absence of forced labor, your members must undertake a complete mapping of the supply chain for every good, including inputs, manufactured for their brands, regardless of whether the company serves as the importer. Corporations have the ability to trace the sourcing of materials and goods at every level of the supply chain. It is not credible for companies to claim it is too hard to track all steps of production and assembly as the technology to enable tracing has progressed. The public understands that if a corporation does not know where its products are made, it is because the corporation has chosen not to know. We ask that they immediately disclose on their websites locations of production for inputs and finished products. In the case of supply chain facilities located in China and the XUAR specifically, we insist they provide information sufficient to verify that those factories have not used forced labor while part of their supply chain as well as plans to immediately shift production from the region.\r\n\r\nThird, your companies must work to ensure that workers have a meaningful voice at all facilities in their U.S. supply chains. In the case of the XUAR, this is not possible given the suppression of the Uyghurs, other Muslim groups, and civil society. That is why your companies must cease all production and sourcing in that region. However, in other facilities where forced labor may be less apparent, it is critical for companies to obtain on-the-ground information about working conditions in their supply chains. For that reason, it is imperative that they seek to engage directly with the workers who make their products through strong relationships with worker advocates and representatives on the ground in locations and sectors where there is a risk of forced labor, even at facilities with workers who are not direct employees and at those that are not in the XUAR or China. In facilities where the workers are represented by an independent union, your companies must reach out to the union and establish a formal line of communication between the union and an executive officer at the company. In facilities where workers do not have independent union representation, your companies should establish the same direct lines of communication with civil society and worker advocacy groups. Further, we ask your companies to indicate the ways in which they have established these lines of communication on their websites. Removing forced labor from U.S. supply chains cannot be accomplished if corporations turn a blind eye to potential abuses by suppliers. Rather, corporations must give a voice to the workers they rely on.\r\n\r\nAmerican workers and consumers are harmed by corporations' failures to prevent and eradicate human rights abuses in their supply chains. It is not acceptable to hide behind subcontractors or shared production facilities. It is not credible to say it is too complicated to track all of the components that go into the assembly of items stamped with your members' brands. It is time for multinational corporations to take responsibility for their supply chains and to ensure all internationally recognized labor rights and human rights are respected throughout them.\r\n\r\nWe will continue to push the U.S. government to take all action necessary to eradicate forced labor and protect human rights, but that does not eliminate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's members' role in pursuing the same goal. We ask you to respond to this letter by November 6, 2020 with a written commitment on behalf of your companies to adopt the actions outlined above. In addition, we would like to stay in communication with you to discuss the steps your companies take pursuant to these actions.\r\n\r\n Sincerely,\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n[1] The Economist, The Persecution of the Uyghurs is a Crime Against Humanity Oct. 17, 2020 https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/10/17/the-persecution-of-the-uyghurs-is-a-crime-against-humanity. New York Times, Absolutely No Mercy': Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims, Austin Ramzy and Chris Buckley, November 16, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/16/world/asia/china-xinjiang-documents.html. See also: International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Exposed: China's Operating Manuals for Mass Internment and Arrest by Algorithm, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, November 24, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.icij.org/investigations/china-cables/exposed-chinas-operating-manuals-for-mass-internment-and-arrest-by-algorithm/; Center for Strategic and International Studies, Connecting the Dots in Xinjiang, Amy K. Lehr and Mariefaye Bechrakis, October 2019. Retrieved from: https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/Lehr_ConnectingDotsXinjiang_interior_v3_FULL_WEB.pdf\r\n\r\n\r\n[2] The New York Times, Inside China's Push to Turn Muslin Minorities Into an Army of Workers, Chris Buckley and Austin Ramzy, December 30, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/world/asia/china-xinjiang-muslims-labor.html. See also: Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Uyghurs for sale, Vicy Xiuzhong Su, Danielle Cave, et al., March 1, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale\r\n\r\n\r\n[3] Foreign Policy, China's Own Documents Show Potentially Genocidal Sterilization Plans in Xinjiang, Adrian Zenz, July 1, 2020. Retrieved from: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/07/15/uighur-genocide-xinjiang-china-surveillance-sterilization/\r\n\r\n\r\n[4] NBC News, Uighurs accuse China of mass detention, torture in landmark complaint, Willem Marx and Olivia Sumrie, September 9, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/uighurs-accuse-china-mass-detention-torture-landmark-complaint-n1239493\r\n\r\n\r\n[5] U.S. Department of State, 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: China  Xinjiang, Office of International Religious Freedom, June 10, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/china/xinjiang/\r\n\r\n\r\n[6] Australian Strategic Policy Institute.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-oregon-company-secures-70-million-federal-contract-for-air-tankers-to-fight-wildfires", "Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Company Secures $70 Million Federal Contract for Air Tankers to Fight Wildfires", "2020-10-27", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 27, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: Oregon Company Secures $70 Million Federal Contract for Air Tankers to Fight Wildfires \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that Hillsboro-based Erickson Aero Tanker has earned a $70.5 million federal contract for next-generation large air tanker services to support wildland firefighting in Oregon and nationwide.\r\nThe blazes that devastated so much of Oregon this year unfortunately provide the latest example of the urgent need to build a comprehensive arsenal of tools to fight wildfires in our state and the entire country, Wyden said. Air tankers are an essential piece of that arsenal and I'm glad Erickson Aero Tanker has earned this contract that will help keep Oregon communities safe while also generating good jobs in Washington County.\r\nI drove hundreds of miles across Oregon as this year's unprecedented wildfires raged, and I saw unfathomable destruction and hazardous smoke at every turn, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. This year was a devastating reminder of just how important it is that we have every possible toolincluding airtankersat the ready to keep our communities safe from future blazes. I'm pleased that this funding is headed to our state, and I'm going to keep doing everything I can to make sure we're not only prepared, but taking urgently needed steps to reduce the risk of more catastrophic wildfires.\r\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture said the air tankers for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will provide modern aerial firefighting support delivering retardant throughout the United States.\r\nWe are very pleased that the USFS has selected two of our MD-87 fire bombers under the NextGen 3.0 contract for large airtankers, said Erickson Aero Tanker general manager Matt Isley. With this contract, Erickson Aero Tanker will have four MD-87s under exclusive use contracts with two more available for call-when-needed emergency use. This fire season, our tankers -- including our DC-7 tanker in Oregon -- have dropped over 6.5 million gallons of water or retardant on fires in 13 states. \r\nWe are proud to be an integral part of saving lives and property in the hardest-hit areas of Oregon and the rest of the country, Isley said. We are extremely grateful for the support from Senators Wyden and Merkley in their efforts to ensure that the western U.S. has much-needed firefighting assets in place for years to come.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-adams-lead-call-protect-workplace-rights-women", "Bonamici, Adams Lead Call to Protect Workplace Rights for Women", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [10/26/20] \u2013 Today Education and Labor Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Chair Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chair Alma Adams (NC-12) led their colleagues in calling on the Department of Labor (DOL) to withdraw a harmful proposed rule to narrow its interpretation of employee status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which would leave workers vulnerable to employee misclassification and threaten workplace protections for women.\n\n\"Equal pay requirements, break time for nursing workers, and paid leave are hard-fought protections that promote the health and economic security of millions of working women and their families,\" the Members of Congress wrote. \"The Department's proposed rule fails to acknowledge or quantify the potential effects for workers if they are stripped of these key protections.\"\n\nThe Members noted that even before the pandemic, women struggled with economic insecurity and were overrepresented in low-wage jobs. Even though women are nearly half of the workforce and many serve as essential workers, four times more women than men dropped out of the labor force in September 2020 because of the economic consequences of the pandemic. Women of color face even greater disparities.\n\n\"Fast tracking a rule that would exclude workers from critical protections during a period of deep economic strife goes against the mission of the Department to assure work-related benefits and rights for wage earners and job seekers,\" the Members wrote. \"We implore the Department to stop this attempt to push through a rule that would leave workers, including women, worse off.\"\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Eugene Scalia\n\nSecretary of Labor\n\nU.S. Department of Labor\n\n200 Constitution Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20210\n\nRE: Comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, RIN 1235-AA34, Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act\n\nDear Secretary Scalia:\n\nWe urge the Department of Labor to withdraw its harmful proposed rule that would narrow the interpretation of employee status under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This proposed rule will threaten workplace protections, especially for women workers.\n\nThe Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage, overtime, and child labor standards, and it includes a broad employment standard to make sure that its protections extend to a wide range of workers, including women. Congress established a broad definition of \"employ\" to include \"to suffer or permit to work.\"[1]This definition rejects the narrower common law standard of employment, which focuses on the degree to which an employer has control over an employee.[2] In fact, employment under the FLSA's \"suffer or permit to work\" standard is the \"broadest definition that has ever been included in any one act.\"[3]For decades, the courts have effectuated congressional intent to define employment status broadly by applying a multi-factor economic realities test to help determine if a worker is economically dependent on the potential employer or in business for themself.[4]Different courts use slightly different factors, but the ultimate question centers on economic dependence.[5]\n\nThe Department's proposed rule to narrow its interpretation of employee status directly conflicts with the FLSA and congressional intent by creating a new test that centers around a control factor.[6] In passing the FLSA, Congress intended \"to eliminate, as rapidly as practicable, substandard labor conditions throughout the nation.\"[7] Unfortunately, the Department's proposed narrow control test could jeopardize workplace protections for many workers. Under the Department's narrow control test, workers could be misclassified if employers improperly change their workers' classification from employee to independent contractor or hire them as independent contractors when they would otherwise be classified as employees. The Department's proposal fails to estimate the number of workers who could be misclassified as independent contractors as a result of its proposal; nor does it address the proposed rule's effect on low-wage industries, including those in which a disproportionate number of women work.\n\nWomen make up nearly half of our workforce. In September 2020, the labor participation rate was 56.3 percent among white women ages 20 and older, 59.8 percent among Black women, and 57 percent among Latina or Hispanic women.[8] Their wages pay for rent, groceries, child care, and health care. Sixty-four percent of mothers in the United States are either the sole family breadwinner or the co-breadwinner.[9]\n\nWomen are also on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic as essential workers, risking their lives every day to provide for our communities. According to a recent report, \"one in three jobs held by women has been designated as essential.\"[10] At the same time, women are being forced out of the labor market as a result of the economic consequences of the pandemic. In September 2020, four times more women dropped out of the labor force than men.[11] The experiences of women of color are even harsher. Black women, Asian women, and Latinas have consistently reported higher rates of lost employment income in their households than their white counterparts.[12]\n\nEven before the pandemic and the current economic crisis, women struggled with economic insecurity in low-wage jobs. Long-standing structural inequities, including racism, sexism, unpaid and unequal caregiving responsibilities, and discrimination in the workplace erode the job and wage mobility for many women of color. Women represent 64 percent of the workforce in the 40 lowest paying jobs, and 42 percent of women in low-wage jobs were living near or below the federal poverty line in 2018.[13] The realities are even more alarming for women of color, especially Latinas, Native women, and Black women, who are overrepresented in low-wage jobs compared to their share of the overall workforce. This proposed rule could make things worse for these workers, who are already often underpaid and undervalued.\n\nUnder the Department's proposal, employers could improperly deny their workers the minimum wage and overtime protections of the FLSA, putting women workers who are misclassified at greater risk of wage theft. Astoundingly, the Department fails to estimate how much workers would lose in wages under its proposal.[14] The Economic Policy Institute estimates that, if finalized, this proposal will result in at least $3.3 billion in transfers from workers to employers each year. Additionally, workers will incur at least $400 million from ongoing paperwork for being newly misclassified as independent contractors. This means the total cost to workers will be at least $3.7 billion annually.[15]\n\nThe proposed rule may also jeopardize other protections that rely on the FLSA's standards of employment. Those of particular importance to women workers include protections from gender-based wage discrimination, break time for nursing workers, and paid leave.\n\nSince 1963, the Equal Pay Act (EPA) has prohibited employers from paying unequal wages to workers who perform substantially equal work, regardless of sex. Yet, fifty-seven years later, the gender pay gap persists. On average, women today earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.[16] The gender wage gap is even worse for women of color, with Black women making 62 cents, Hispanic women making 54 cents, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander women making 61 cents, American Indian or Alaska Native women making 57 cents, and Asian-American women making 89 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.[17] The gender wage gap persists in nearly every line of work, regardless of education, experience, occupation, industry, or job title. This has severe consequences for the lives of working women and families and for our economy. And despite the overrepresentation of women of color in low-wage jobs on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, they are still disproportionately underpaid for their work, further exacerbating the gender and racial wage gap.[18] Pay discrimination is already difficult to prove because employee pay is often cloaked in secrecy.[19] The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has enforcement and subregulatory authority over the EPA. Because the EPA amended the FLSA, the Department's proposed rule could create greater confusion among courts and make it even harder for workers to bring successful pay discrimination claims.\n\nWorkplace protections for new mothers, including breastfeeding accommodations, are important for improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Nearly a quarter of working mothers go back to work within two weeks of childbirth, and the disparities are even more profound for women of color in low-wage jobs who lack access to paid family leave.[20]Enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act[21] in 2010, the Break Time for Nursing Mothers Act amended the FLSA to require employers to provide covered employees with reasonable break time to express milk and provide access to a private, non-bathroom space in which to do so.[22] Working mothers should not be forced to choose between breastfeeding their infants and keeping their jobs. Under this proposed rule, nursing workers could face increased misclassification, making them ineligible for this protection. This would undermine their health and the health of their infants, as well as put them at greater risk of losing employment for asserting their nursing needs.[23]\n\nProviding all workers with adequate paid leave is an economic issue for working families. A national paid family and medical leave program would help foster a more equitable society. In March, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in response to the unprecedented public health crisis from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The FFCRA provides eligible workers with up to two weeks of paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons and twelve weeks (10 of which are paid) of emergency Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to care for a child if their school is closed or child care provider is unavailable. This legislation represents a milestone in providing millions of workers with access to paid leave protections for the first time in this nation's history, but there are still far too many workers who were excluded from the law's protections. Because the FFCRA's emergency paid leave provisions and emergency paid family leave provisions rely on the FLSA's standards of employment, this proposed rule could threaten a critical lifeline and leave even more workers without vital protections during a pandemic. The FFCRA provides tax credits for true independent contractors for purposes of paid leave, but workers also need the right to take leave, and they need protections from retaliation from doing so\u2014rights given to employees under the FFCRA paid leave provisions. Employees misclassified as independent contractors could be denied these rights by their employers.\n\nEqual pay requirements, break time for nursing workers, and paid leave are hard-fought protections that promote the health and economic security of millions of working women and their families. The Department's proposed rule fails to acknowledge or quantify the potential effects for workers if they are stripped of these key protections.\n\nAccording to recent reports, the Department is attempting to complete this rule before the end of the year.[24] Fast tracking a rule that would exclude workers from critical protections during a period of deep economic strife goes against the mission of the Department to assure work-related benefits and rights for wage earners and job seekers. We implore the Department to stop this attempt to push through a rule that would leave workers, including women, worse off, especially without providing the public an adequate opportunity to participate and comment in this process[25] and without the required information about how the proposed rule would negatively affect workers. We strongly urge the Department to withdraw its harmful proposed rule.\n\nSincerely,\n\nSuzanne Bonamici Alma S. Adams, Ph.D.\n\nChair Chair\n\nSubcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee on Workforce Protections\n\nCommittee on Education and Labor Committee on Education and Labor\n\nADDITIONAL SIGNATORIES\n\nRa\u00fal M. Grijalva\n\nMarcia L. Fudge\n\nKim Schrier, M.D.\n\nJahana Hayes\n\nDavid Trone", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-five-oregon-tribes-receive-expanded-access-to-wireless-broadband", "Wyden, Merkley: Five Oregon Tribes Receive Expanded Access to Wireless Broadband", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 26, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: Five Oregon Tribes Receive Expanded Access to Wireless Broadband \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Broadband gains for Grand Ronde, Umatilla, Coquille, Cow Creek and Warm Springs Tribes follows Oregon senators' work to help address the digital divide\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that five Oregon Tribes have secured spectrum licenses from federal regulators that will help to close the digital divide by providing Tribes with expanded access to broadband and other advanced wireless services.\r\nThe good news for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs follows work by Wyden and Merkley to address the digital divide hurting Tribes and to provide them every opportunity to expand broadband access in Oregon and nationally.\r\nTribal members throughout rural Oregon need this modern wireless broadband access for a quality of life that includes top-notch connectivity to telehealth, classroom instruction and work opportunities, Wyden said. I'm glad we have advanced broadband equity for tribal communities, and I will continue fighting to provide full broadband access and address all other historic inequities this country has inflicted for far too long on Tribes in our state and nationwide. \r\nThe federal government has a long history of morally reprehensible action against tribal nations, and we have a responsibility to turn the page and do everything we can to support these communities, said Merkley. That must include making sure they have access to the resourceslike reliable, affordable broadbandcommunities need to thrive and be healthy. I'm pleased this funding is making its way to these tribes, helping to make remote school and work more accessible, and putting telehealth services within reach at a time when it's needed the most.\r\nThe Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are recipients of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) first set of spectrum licenses through the agency's first-of-its-kind Rural Tribal Priority Window.\r\nThe 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window gave Tribes an opportunity to apply for unassigned spectrum over their lands that is mid-band and can be used for both mobile coverage and 5G broadband access.\r\nCTUIR has wanted reliable internet for several years, said Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Chair Kat Brigham. The tribe is now one step closer to moving forward in developing a broadband infrastructure to help our families, students and employees who now really need it as an essential tool through the COVID-19 pandemic. \r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-takes-to-senate-floor-to-oppose-rushed-scotus-confirmation", "Wyden Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Rushed SCOTUS Confirmation", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 26, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Rushed SCOTUS Confirmation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t As Prepared for Delivery\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n Mr. President, everything that's happened since the untimely passing of the legendary Justice Ginsburg is a clear reminder that much of what goes on in Washington DC is not on the level. \r\nRight now, this country is hurting. Mass death. Mass unemployment. Mass hunger and suffering among children. The two sides in Congress ought to address those challenges together. Now more than ever, while so many people are fearful about the future, the rules we play by and the agreements we make ought to stand for something. \r\nThat's how I felt when I negotiated for the $600 per week unemployment insurance boost in March. The Treasury Secretary for the Republicans agreed to it, but then at the last minute, Republican Senators pretended otherwise and tried to vote it out of the bill. Think about that. There was an agreement  between both sides  on the key proposal to help workers pay the rent and the food bill, and Republicans went back on it. \r\nAnother example is unfolding right here before our eyes. Until a few weeks ago, Leader McConnell and Chairman Graham would have told you it was essentially the 11th Commandment, carved in stone: No election-year Supreme Court appointments. \r\nAgain, Republicans have gone back on their word. If the cure to COVID-19 was partisanship and rule-breaking, then Republicans might be onto something with their low stunt on the high court. But it isn't. \r\nThe American people have a much more sensitive radar for unfairness than Senate Republicans do. When I was home, I went to counties that went for Trump and counties that went for Clinton in 2016. The people I talked to all said the person who wins the 2020 election should choose the nominee. And in this case, the American people know what's at stake for them personally as a result of this rule breaking. \r\nIf Judge Barrett is confirmed and does what Donald Trump says he requires of a nominee  help him throw out the Affordable Care Act  what happens? \r\nTens of millions of people will suddenly lose their health care during the pandemic, and COVID-19 will become a pre-existing condition used by insurance companies to discriminate against consumers. \r\nEven the nominee herself shows this process on judicial nominees is so dysfunctional and so broken, it doesn't come close to being on the level. Amy Coney Barrett may have established herself as the Babe Ruth of saying pretty much nothing. \r\nNow everybody understands that nominees typically clam up during these hearings. I don't expect Judge Barrett to disavow Trump health care policy. I wouldn't expect to agree with all of a Trump nominee's positions. But this hearing was a new low. \r\nOne of my colleagues asked whether Judge Barrett was aware that the president had committed to nominating judges who would throw out the ACA  a statement that was part of news accounts all across the country again and again and again. Back in 2015, Trump said, If I win the presidency, my judicial appointments will do the right thing, unlike Bush's appointee John Roberts, on Obamacare. The day after Judge Barrett's nomination, he tweeted Obamacare will be replaced with a much better and far cheaper alternative, if it is terminated in the Supreme Court. But Judge Barrett answered, I don't recall hearing about or seeing such statements  that wasn't something that I heard or saw directly by reading it myself. She also said she couldn't recall whether senators brought it up during their conversations with her. \r\nColleagues, does anybody here think that seems like an authentic answer? Everybody knows that Donald Trump wants to tear down the Affordable Care Act. He famously promised the far-right that his judges would take all the far-right positions. He routinely attacks Republican-appointed justices for opinions he dislikes. This never heard it, never saw it argument asks people to believe that Judge Barrett didn't read the newspapers, didn't catch the nightly news, didn't talk with anybody about the health care debate that has been the front-and-center political debate in this country for a long, long time. But here's the reality; you don't reach the heights of the academic and legal professions by ignoring the news of the day for years at a time. \r\nSo if you watched Judge Barrett's hearing, it's clear what this never heard it, never saw it argument is all about. It's about denying there's any real threat to the Affordable Care Act. To protections for pre-existing conditions. To cheaper prescription drugs for seniors. \r\nJudge Barrett put on a hall of fame performance in ducking and dodging and weaving her way out of answering even the simple, routine questions about the law. The stuff that's guaranteed to come up in every hearing like this one. \r\nFor example  and this one really stunned me when I heard it  she wouldn't say whether Griswold v. Connecticut was decided correctly. Griswold is the landmark 1960s case that affirmed the right of married women to have access to contraception. It's one of the key Supreme Court decisions that gets directly to the right to privacy, and to the right of women to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives. The decision in Roe v. Wade follows directly from the decision in Griswold. \r\nEven Justices Thomas, Roberts, Alito and Kavanaugh  not exactly the liberal wing of the Court  said Griswold was decided correctly. Judge Barrett refused. And that matters because there is a far-right campaign working to undo both of those decisions, which would be devastating to women's fundamental freedoms in our society. \r\nShe dodged serious questions on the legality of IVF, which has helped millions of parents achieve the dream of having a family. \r\nBarrett refused to say whether she believed that Obergefell was decided correctly. That's the case that enshrined marriage equality in America. \r\nShe dodged a question on whether United States Presidents should commit to a peaceful transfer of power. \r\nShe wouldn't say that voter intimidation is illegal. That's not an open question, it's a case of black-letter law.\r\nShe was given what I view as a slam dunk opportunity to confirm that a president cannot unilaterally change the date of the election. That one's not open to interpretation  the law is clear that he cannot. But she wouldn't say so. \r\nColleagues, it's not like this nominee has been shy about sharing her opinions before. For example, she bashed the opinion by Chief Justice Roberts that upheld the Affordable Care Act. She said it, pushed the Affordable Care Act beyond its plausible meaning to save the statute.\r\nThat decision is the reason that 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are protected today  why insurance companies cannot impose caps on people who need costly health care  why seniors no longer get stuck in the prescription drug donut hole, bankrupting their savings. \r\nShe put her name on a letter that talked about overturning Roe v. Wade because of what it called its barbaric legacy. She also lectured on that subject. And she failed to disclose the letter and some of those lectures in her disclosure to the Judiciary Committee. \r\nIt's understood that nominees are always careful in these hearings. I get it. Nomination hearings have provided less and less substance for a long time. But Judge Barrett set a new low.\r\nYears ago, Chief Justice Roberts talked about how the job of Supreme Court Justice was about calling balls and strikes. How can you be trusted to call balls and strikes if you spend your nomination hearing playing hide the ball? \r\nThis rush job doesn't qualify as advice and consent. Not even close. And in my view, you look at Donald Trump and Republicans rushing this confirmation  and you look at all the ducking and the dodging of basic questions by Judge Barrett  and it's hard not to see the political agenda behind it. \r\nAt a moment when there are millions of people around the country wondering how they're going to pay the rent, how they're going to afford their medications, when they'll be able to safely hug their elderly parents again, Senate Republicans are laser-focused on locking in political power over the courts. That's really what this is all about. \r\nSenate Republicans have tried to pull a Houdini act, suddenly making the threat to the ACA disappear. It is not working. And my view is, the American people understand that the rush to fill the Ginsburg seat is about a lot more than health care, too. \r\nRepublican nominees for the Courts always come before the Senate and talk about how it's all about the text of the laws as written, respecting precedent, respecting the original meaning of the Constitution. What happens when these nominees take their seats on the bench? They throw out longstanding precedents, restrict individual rights and push forward with an agenda that favors special interests and the powerful. \r\nFor example, Judge Barrett gutted a consumer protection law from the bench by essentially ignoring the text of the law itself, making it easier for debt collectors to prey on vulnerable Americans. \r\nJudge Barrett threw out precedent to deny $332 in damages to a woman who was injured in a medical procedure. The woman was unable to afford a lawyer, and she mistakenly used the wrong word to describe the money she was owed. Judge Barrett used that mistake against her. \r\nShe ignored another existing precedent to take away a jury award from a teenager who was repeatedly raped by a prison guard. \r\nShe sided with a company that segregated employees by race. \r\nIn another case, she came up with a twisted interpretation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act to allow discrimination against older job applicants. \r\nNone of that has anything to do with calling balls and strikes or respecting the laws as-written. They're rulings that favor corporations and the powerful over the little guy. \r\nThe president and Senate Republicans have packed the courts from the top on down with far-right judges who issue these kinds of ideological rulings. They blocked Democratic judicial nominees for years. They had a plan to remove seats from the DC Circuit, rather than consider the sitting Democratic president's nominees. \r\nThis president has pushed through an immense number of nominees, given how many seats Republicans left open through obstruction. Some of these judges have been deemed not competent for the job by nonpartisan legal groups. It's done incredible damage to the legitimacy and the independence of the judiciary in this country. And virtually all of them tell the same story about originalism, and sticking to the text, in the tradition of Justice Scalia. \r\nJustice Scalia is considered to be the ultimate example of somebody who was supposedly an originalist. Judge Barrett recently said, his judicial philosophy is mine too. \r\nBut Scalia packed his opinions with ideology. He wrote that the decision granting same-sex couples the right to marry was a threat to American democracy, that robs the People of  the freedom to govern themselves. He wanted to throw out the ACA. He helped gut the Voting Rights Act in a ruling that has led to massive voter disenfranchisement. \r\nWhat's behind all this talk about originalism and sticking to the text of the laws as written is a political agenda, plain and simple. Taking away people's health care. Disenfranchising voters and entrenching minority rule. Giving Corporations more power over their employees. Legalizing discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and against Black, Hispanic, Asian and other groups of Americans. Cementing government control over women's bodies. Republicans could never enact these deeply unpopular policies through legislation, so they want the Supreme Court to enact their agenda for them.\r\nAll of that is contrary to what Justice Ginsburg spent her career fighting for. \r\nBut it's exactly what this big rush to fill the Ginsburg seat is all about. And this process torpedoes any opportunity for the Senate to come together on other big issues.\r\nMy Democratic colleagues and I have virtually been pleading with the majority to work with us on another major COVID package, but Leader McConnell said it was too complicated to get done.\r\nLast week, I brought forward a bill on enhanced unemployment insurance  a lifeline for jobless workers. It was blocked. Two days ago, Democrats brought forward a series of bills, including proposals addressing domestic violence, election security and child care. All blocked. This nomination comes first, everything else must wait. \r\nThis nomination and this process are not on the level. Republicans are once again breaking their word to hand the Supreme Court to the far right. \r\nAnd I know because I've heard from so many Oregonians about it  people are worried about losing their health care, their vote, and so many of their other fundamental freedoms. They're worried about what this means for the future of the country. \r\nThis debate is about the Ginsburg seat. Justice Ginsburg was not just an iconic fighter for the rights of the powerless and vulnerable. She always said what she meant, and meant what she said. We did not get that from Judge Barrett. I oppose the nomination.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-votes-no-on-amy-coney-barrett", "Wyden Votes 'No' on Amy Coney Barrett", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 26, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Votes 'No' on Amy Coney Barrett \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senate Republicans have broken rules, violated their word and gamed the system in bad faith to pack the courts with far-right ideologues who will do their dirty work for them\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., voted no' on the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court today. Wyden released the following statement:\r\nThe Republican agenda  throwing millions of Americans off their healthcare, overturning Roe and their myriad other priorities that threaten fundamental freedoms  is too unpopular to enact through legislation, so Republicans are working to enact it through the Courts. That's really what the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett is all about. \r\nThis rush job to fill the Ginsburg seat has been illegitimate from the beginning, and it was proven to be a sham when Judge Barrett turned out to be the Babe Ruth of ducking and dodging simple questions during her nomination hearing. Justice Ginsburg was not just an iconic fighter for the rights of the powerless and vulnerable. She always said what she meant, and meant what she said. We did not get that from Judge Barrett. \r\nSenate Republicans have broken rules, violated their word and gamed the system in bad faith to pack the courts with far-right ideologues who will do their dirty work for them. They have done severe damage to the legitimacy and the independence of the judiciary in this country. We need to give serious consideration to any solution that can undo this damage and ensure that all Americans are guaranteed equal protection under the law. \r\n###\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-blasts-continued-attempts-by-senate-republicans-to-influence-the-election-with-bogus-allegations", "Wyden Blasts Continued Attempts by Senate Republicans to Influence the Election with Bogus Allegations", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Blasts Continued Attempts by Senate Republicans to Influence the Election with Bogus Allegations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenate Finance Committee Ranking Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement in response to the latest shameless, unfounded and partisan investigation by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and Finance Committee Republicans, targeting Vice President Biden:\r\nThe Republicans continue to push bogus allegations in an attempt to influence the election instead of addressing our urgent national problems. I have seen no evidence of wrongdoing by Joe Biden, and last night the Wall Street Journal confirmed the same. Hopefully the FBI can get to the bottom of this transparent effort to interfere in an election.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tKeith Chu (202) 224-4515\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-introduces-legislation-to-improve-soil-health-crop-resilience-and-address-the-climate-crisis", "Wyden Introduces Legislation to Improve Soil Health, Crop Resilience and Address the Climate Crisis", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Introduces Legislation to Improve Soil Health, Crop Resilience and Address the Climate Crisis \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced legislation to helpaddress the climate crisisby encouraging farming practices thatimprove soil health and crop resilience and lower the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.\r\nIn 2020 alone, the climate crisis hasdelivereddevastating wildfires, severe droughts and floods that decimated crops and with them thelivelihoods of countless family farmersin Oregon and nationwide, Wyden said.Tackling the climate crisis head on through smart farming practices is a must and asignificantvictoryfor both farmers and the environment.\r\nThe Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act builds on a2018 Farm Bill provision authored by Wydenby creating a permanent soil health program through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program would provide $100millionto producers who adopt practices designed to improve soil health through increasing carbon levels in soil. By promoting farming practices that capture carbon in soil, producers will improve soil health and crop resilience, while lowering the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.\r\nThe bill establishes protocols for measuring soil organic carbon levels before and after these practices begin in order to determine which farming practices store the most carbon. This is critical because there is a significant need for more science and data to determine which conservation methods are most effective at storing carbon in the soil to improve soil health.\r\nThe Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act will also establish a Soil Health and Carbon Science Research Program at Agriculture Research Stations that would provide grants to land-grant colleges and universities to conduct research relating to soil health and carbon science and conduct research relating to soil health and carbon science at Agriculture Research Stations of the Department of Agriculture.\r\nBill text can be found here.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-to-dea-interim-rule-on-hemp-contradicts-congressional-intent-by-criminalizing-intermediate-steps-in-hemp-processing", "Wyden, Merkley to DEA: Interim Rule on Hemp Contradicts Congressional Intent by Criminalizing Intermediate Steps in Hemp Processing", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley to DEA: Interim Rule on Hemp Contradicts Congressional Intent by Criminalizing Intermediate Steps in Hemp Processing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Oregon senators say DEA is hurting farmers and that the agency no longer has authority to regulate hemp production\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkleytodayexpressed strong objections tothe U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)'sunilateral and uncalled for actions onhempthat runcountertothe 2018 Farm Bill and congressional intentbytreating this legal cropas a Schedule I controlled substancewheneverits THC content exceeds 0.3%.\r\n\r\nAuthors of the provision in the 2018 Farm Bill to legalize hemp, Wyden and Merkleysaidin their letter to the DEA that the agency's Interim Final Rule (IFR)on hemphurts hemp farmers in Oregon and nationwide by seriously misunderstanding hemp processing.\r\n\r\nThe Oregon senators noted thatin the intermediate stages of hemp processing, hemp extracts can temporarily exceed the 0.3% THC threshold that Congress used to define hemp, even though the plant and the final product both meet the threshold.\r\n\r\nIn effect, the IFR criminalizes the intermediate steps of hemp processing, which is wholly inconsistent with Congress's clearly stated purpose and the text of the 2018 Farm Bill,the senators wrote. In our view, the IFR rewrites the 2018 Farm Bill contrary to Congressional intent.\r\n\r\nThe senators also noted that the 2018 Farm Billformally removed hemp, including its seeds and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, whether growing or not, from the purview of the DEA. This places the sole authority to promulgate federal regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of hemp, which includes its derivatives, extracts and cannabinoids, with the Secretary of Agriculture.\r\n\r\nAcopy of the letter can be found here.\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-van-hollen-davis-introduce-legislation-to-improve-federal-programs-to-promote-healthy-relationships-and-financial-stability-for-low-income-families", "Wyden, Van Hollen, Davis Introduce Legislation to Improve Federal Programs to Promote Healthy Relationships and Financial Stability for Low-Income Families", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Van Hollen, Davis Introduce Legislation to Improve Federal Programs to Promote Healthy Relationships and Financial Stability for Low-Income Families \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Would End Harmful Federal Policy that Takes Child Support Money out of the Hands of Families\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON Today, Senate Finance Committee Ranking MemberRon Wyden (D-Ore.), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representative Danny Davis (D-Ill.) introduced legislation to make important improvements to our nation's child support program to ensure that low-income children and families get the financial support they need.\r\nThe current child support program aims to ensure that all non-custodial parents contribute financially to their children. However, right now,if families receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, the government takes a cut of child supportpaid from noncustodial parentsto recoup the costs of that assistance, depriving the lowest income families of this much-needed financial support and making it more difficult to maintain healthy co-parenting relationships. The Senators' new legislation would address these issues while also reauthorizing the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood grant program to help strengthen parents' relationships with each other and their children.\r\nFamilies receiving TANF shouldn't be penalized for needing help, Senator Wyden said. When families are depending on social services to make ends meet, it's cruel to then turn around and take child support payments intended to help children to pay back the state and federal governments for TANF aid. This bill would not only end cost recovery for good, it would bolster child support programs to help encourage healthy relationships between parents and their children, regardless of custody status.\r\nParents play a critical role in their children's lives. And even when parents are not living with their child, strengthening their relationship can prove vital to the child's well-being. But the current child support program falls short of what our children and our families need and can actually take money away from families. To fully invest in our children, we must fix it. That's why I'm proud to introduce this legislation to modernize and improve these programs to make them work better for families. I urge the Senate to take action on this common-sense proposal, and I will keep fighting to provide the support and resources our children need to succeed, said Senator Van Hollen.\r\nThis bill helps custodial and non-custodial parents maintain positive, healthy relationships with each other and their children, said Representative Davis, Chairman of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee on the House Ways and Means Committee. Directing child support to families and foster youth rather than governments further improves the economic well-being of children. This bill improves federal policy to improve child development and strengthen families.\r\nThe Strengthening Families for Success Act would:\r\n \r\nModernize child support by completely eliminating cost recovery for TANF, Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments, and Medicaid birth costs by Fiscal Year 2026 while providing bridge funding to states to help implement these changes, incentivizing uncontested parenting time agreements through a new 5-year pilot program, and encouraging closure of unnecessary enforcement referrals\r\nReauthorize the Healthy Marriage Promotion and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) grant program for 5 years (through Fiscal Year 2025) and make improvements to promote coordination and partnership with domestic violence shelter and service organizations, establish infrastructure for HMRF grantees to measure outcomes and receive technical assistance, and support HMRF programs and ensure continuity of services during a public health emergency\r\nAddress the COVID-19 public health emergency's impact on the child support program and families by providing emergency flexibility for the programs during the pandemic and exempting 2020 Economic Income Payments from the CARES Act from reduction or offset\r\n \r\nThe Strengthening Families for Success Act is endorsed by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), and Center for Urban Families.\r\nThe Strengthening Families for Success Act would ensure that child support paid by non-custodial parents supports their children, not state budgets, said Olivia Golden, Executive Director of theCenter for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). The bill is particularly important during a brutal recession and has critical racial equity implications due to racial biases in the labor market and justice system.\r\nCWLA supports the Strengthening Families for Success Act of 2020. We feel the legislation takes an important step in making reforms to the nation's child support system including provisions that can affect children and families involved with the foster care system. We look forward to working with the Congress in advancing these critical programs that have such a large impact on some of our poorest families, said Chris James-Brown, President & CEO of the Child Welfare League of America.\r\nAmerica's greatest assets are its children whose promise is tied to the success of their parents. Families who need temporary public benefits support often engage the child support system operating under outdated and often punitive policies and practices. The Strengthening Families for Success Act of 2020 modernizes the child support program; invests in services for responsible fathering and marriage education; and addresses the COVID-19 public health emergency's impact on the child support program. I fully endorse this important legislation and look forward to its positive impact on fathers and families, said Joseph Jones, the Founder/CEO of the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore, MD.\r\nThis bill ensures that child support payments are used to support children, and not kept as government revenues, said Vicki Turetsky, former Commissioner for the Office of Child Support Enforcementat the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.\r\nText of the bill can be found here.\r\nA one-page summary of the bill can be found here.\r\nSection-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-warren-brown-markey-schatz-push-for-investigation-of-cbp-phone-location-data-surveillance-program", "Wyden, Warren, Brown, Markey, Schatz Push for Investigation of CBP Phone Location Data Surveillance Program", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Warren, Brown, Markey, Schatz Push for Investigation of CBP Phone Location Data Surveillance Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, today requested an inspector general investigation into Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) warrantless tracking of phones in the United States.\r\nAs revealed by public contracts, CBP has paid a government contractor named Venntel nearly half a million dollars for access to a commercial database containing location data mined from applications on millions of Americans' mobile phones. CBP officials also confirmed the agency's warrantless tracking of phones in the United States using Venntel's product in a September 16, 2020 call with Senate staff.\r\nIn 2018, the Supreme Court held in Carpenter v. United States that the collection of significant quantities of historical location data from Americans' cell phones is a search under the Fourth Amendment and therefore requires a warrant.\r\nCBP is not above the law and it should not be able to buy its way around the Fourth Amendment, the senators wrote in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari. Accordingly, we urge you to investigate CBP's warrantless use of commercial databases containing Americans' information, including but not limited to Venntel's location database.\r\nThe senators also requested the inspector general investigate any legal analysis CBP's lawyers performed before the agency started to use this surveillance tool and how CBP was able to begin operational use of Venntel's location database without the DHS Privacy Office first publishing a Privacy Impact Assessment.\r\nIn September 2020, Wyden and Warren successfully pressed for an inspector general investigation into the Internal Revenue Service's use of Venntel's commercial location tracking service without a court order.\r\nA full copy of today's letter is available here.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-wyden-blumenauer-bonamici-demand-answers-doj-following-prolonged", "Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Demand Answers From DOJ Following Prolonged Deputations of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers in Oregon", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden teamed up with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) today to press the Department of Justice (DOJ) for more information regarding the recent special deputation of state and local law enforcement officers in Oregon, which the DOJ now indicates will last for the remainder of the year against the wishes of local authorities.\n\n\"Despite the temporary nature of the public safety emergency caused by a planned right wing extremist rally, which we understand prompted the deputations, it has come to light that the Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to keep the deputations in force through the remainder of this year,\" the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Donald Washington, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service at the DOJ.\n\n\"This echoes a troubling history of DOJ over-reach into local law enforcement policies and practices that led to heightened tensions in recent months between protesters and members of law enforcement. Numerous reports have indicated that a primary purpose of the deputations is to circumvent the duly-elected Multnomah County District Attorney, and enable federal prosecutors to bring charges for what otherwise would be charged under the Oregon Revised Statutes and decided at a local level,\" the lawmakers continued. \"The importance of transparency in response to continued federal involvement in local jurisdictional matters cannot be overstated.\"\n\nIn order to receive urgent clarification of the reasons for deputation, and particularly why the USMS and DOJ have maintained the deputations\u2014contrary to the explicit requests of local authorities\u2014the lawmakers requested a thorough explanation, including all supporting documentation and memoranda that led to this determination.\n\nAdditionally, the lawmakers requested responses to nine other questions within 10 days, including how many city or state law enforcement officers in Oregon have been federally deputized; the scope and limitations of the deputations; whether federal agencies cross-deputized local law enforcement officers in conjunction with federal drug enforcement activity; whether similar deputations have been previously carried out; and what training the deputations entailed; why requests from local officials to end the deputations have been refused; and what kind of coordination is being undertaken between deputized officials and local and state police bureaus, Attorney General William Barr, and the White House.\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\n\nDear Director Washington:\n\nWe write to request further information regarding the recent special deputation of state and local law enforcement officers in Oregon. Last month, a number of Portland Police Bureau and other local law enforcement officers took a special federal deputation oath of office to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in response to protests and demonstrations, citing federal arrest authority granted by Title 18 of the United States Code.\n\nDespite the temporary nature of the public safety emergency caused by a planned right wing extremist rally, which we understand prompted the deputations, it has come to light that the Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to keep the deputations in force through the remainder of this year. We understand that the City of Portland has expressed desire to terminate the federal deputation of Portland Police Bureau employees and has formally withdrawn its consent for officers to continue serving in any federal capacity, but that you have refused to end the designation as requested by local law enforcement and city authorities.\n\nThis echoes a troubling history of DOJ over-reach into local law enforcement policies and practices that led to heightened tensions in recent months between protesters and members of law enforcement. Numerous reports have indicated that a primary purpose of the deputations is to circumvent the duly-elected Multnomah County District Attorney, and enable federal prosecutors to bring charges for what otherwise would be charged under the Oregon Revised Statutes and decided at a local level.\n\nThe importance of transparency in response to continued federal involvement in local jurisdictional matters cannot be overstated. We seek urgent clarification of the reasons for deputation, and particularly why the USMS and DOJ have maintained the deputations, contrary to the explicit requests of local authorities. To address these concerns, please provide information on the following:\n\nPlease provide the reasoning for the recent deputations of local law enforcement officers in Oregon, including all supporting documentation and memoranda that led to this determination.\n\nHow many city or state law enforcement officers in Oregon do you consider to be federally deputized as of the date of receipt of this letter?\n\nPlease outline the scope and limitations of the deputations. For example, the Special Deputation Appointment language on the Special Deputation Oath of Office outlines the authority to make arrests under Title 18 authority with no apparent restrictions on these arrests.\n\nThe Special Deputation Appointment language stipulates that the authority does not extend to federal drug enforcement activity, unless also deputized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Drug Enforcement Agency. To your knowledge, have these agencies cross-deputized local law enforcement officers in conjunction with this specific mission?\n\nHas the USMS expanded the scope or authority of the deputations at any point for purposes beyond protecting the federal courthouse? Are there contingency plans in place to expand the scope or authority of the deputations and if so, in what circumstances?\n\nWhat training does USMS provide to local law enforcement officers about the scope, responsibilities, and other operational details of their deputation?\n\nIn light of the explicitly stated preference of local authorities to end the deputations, why has the USMS and DOJ refused this request? In your view, what authority does the DOJ have to continue the deputations of local law enforcement officers against the wishes of relevant local authorities?\n\nWhat kind of coordination, if any, is the USMS engaged in with the Portland Police Bureau, the Oregon State Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff's office, the Portland Mayor's office, and the Office of Governor Brown in relation to the deputations?\n\nWhat coordination has USMS had with Attorney General William Barr, or Department of Justice staff acting on his behalf, in relation to these deputations?\n\nWhat coordination has USMS had with the White House in relation to these deputations?\n\nKindly provide responses to the above questions within 10 days of receipt of this letter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-135-democratic-lawmakers-to-senate-and-house-leadership-we-must-take-bold-and-comprehensive-action-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic", "Merkley, Wyden, 135 Democratic Lawmakers to Senate and House Leadership: We Must Take Bold and Comprehensive Action to Prevent the Next Pandemic", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, 135 Democratic Lawmakers to Senate and House Leadership: We Must Take Bold and Comprehensive Action to Prevent the Next Pandemic \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Even as Congress works to put an end to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it must also take steps, now, to prevent future pandemics from occurring\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden teamed up with a group of 135 Democratic lawmakers to send a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to prioritize the development of comprehensive policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In the letter, the lawmakers outline the steps necessary to prevent future pandemics while also noting that Congress must act to provide relief to Americans suffering from the current economic downturn and public health emergency.\r\nAs the United States continues to weather the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic, we write to ask that Congress take action to learn from the mistakes of our nation's preparation and response and lay the groundwork to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. The current Administration's response has exposed serious flaws in the country's ability to combat large scale public health challenges, wrote the lawmakers. In addition to passing a robust package to address the current crisis, we must take bold and comprehensive steps now to ensure the nation is better prepared for the next pandemic.\r\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on communities across the country and has devastated the nation's economy. Currently, the United States leads the world with more than eight million confirmed cases and 220,000 dead, out of over one million worldwide. Millions are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. It is clear that pandemics are already rapidly accelerating: animal-to-human outbreak prevalence grew six-fold from 1980 to 2010,and experts predict they will become even more common in the future. It is imperative Congress take bold and comprehensive steps now to prevent and mitigate future pandemics. Specifically:\r\n \r\nCongress must invest in domestic programs, systems, and supply chains that will help improve Americans' health outcomes, combat the spread of new disease, and ramp up public health capacity during global health emergencies. This includes robust investments in state, local, and tribal public health departments; improvements to the Strategic National Stockpile; and the development of support systems, such as affordable housing, that reduce chronic health conditions and boost health outcomes.\r\n \r\n \r\nCongress must support global public health efforts to identify and mitigate the spread of new diseases before they become global pandemics. This includes ensuring the Administration protects the public by fulfilling its international commitments to organizations such as the World Health Organization; investing in global surveillance programs, like USAID, to identify emerging disease threats; and combating antimicrobial resistance.\r\n \r\n \r\nCongress must create 250,000 permanent, high-paying public health jobs to rebuild our depleted public health workforce and ensure the rapid deployment of contact tracers and other support workers during future pandemics. These workers should be trained in key public health initiatives, such as contact tracing and disease surveillance, and should be prepared to deploy to their communities in public health emergencies. Congress must ensure these workers have access to health and safety protections, can unionize, receive universal paid sick leave and family leave, and have access to health insurance and childcare services.\r\n \r\n \r\nCongress must address the systemic racism embedded in our health care system and pass legislation ensuring that health care treatments, pandemic countermeasures, vaccines, and primary disease prevention measures are accessible for all. This includes ensuring that everyone in America has access to high-quality health care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and primary disease prevention measures; eliminating race and socioeconomic disparities in health care access; addressing the social determinants of health; and requiring companies that receive federal funding to produce pandemic countermeasures offer their products at reasonable prices.\r\n \r\n \r\nCongress must halt the environmental degradation increasing the likelihood of global pandemics. This includes combating climate change, protecting and restoring land and inland water areas to their natural state, and preventing dangerous practices contributing to the spread of zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential.\r\n \r\nFull text of the letter is available here. \r\nThe letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Maine.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio.).\r\nThe letter was also signed by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.), Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), Rep. Ral M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.), Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), Rep. Adriano Espailla (D-N.Y.), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Rep. Daniel T. Kildee (D-Mich.), Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D. Pa.), Rep. Mark Pocan (D- Wis.), Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio.), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Rep. Nydia M. Velzquez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Rep. James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Joseph D. Morelle (D-N.Y.), Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), Rep. Henry C. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Jr., Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Rep. William R. Keating (D-Mass.), Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence (D-Mich.), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas.), Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.), Rep. Andr Carson (D-Ind.), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine.), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragn (D-Calif.), Rep. Al Green (D-Texas.), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio.), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas.), Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-N.Y.), Jr., Rep. Jess G. \"Chuy\" Garca (D-Ill.), Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Rep. David E. Price (D-N.C.), Rep. Peter A. Defazio (D-Ore.), Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.), Rep. Val B. Demings (D-Fla.), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.), Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Rep. Robin L. Kelly (D-Ill.), Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Ma.), Rep. Alma S. Adams. Ph.D (D-N.C.), Rep. Jos E. Serrano (D-N.Y.), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Rep. Bradley S. Schneider (D-Ill.), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Rep. J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-Va.), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.), Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas.), Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.), Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.), Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands.), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas.), Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-blumenauer-bonamici-demand-answers-from-doj-following-prolonged-deputations-of-state-and-local-law-enforcement-officers-in-oregon", "Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Demand Answers From DOJ Following Prolonged Deputations of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers in Oregon", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, Bonamici Demand Answers From DOJ Following Prolonged Deputations of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers in Oregon \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Requests from local authorities to end the deputations have been refused\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden teamed up with Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) today to press the Department of Justice (DOJ) for more information regarding the recent special deputation of state and local law enforcement officers in Oregon, which the DOJ now indicates will last for the remainder of the year against the wishes of local authorities.\r\nDespite the temporary nature of the public safety emergency caused by a planned right wing extremist rally, which we understand prompted the deputations, it has come to light that the Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to keep the deputations in force through the remainder of this year, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Donald Washington, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service at the DOJ. \r\nThis echoes a troubling history of DOJ over-reach into local law enforcement policies and practices that led to heightened tensions in recent months between protesters and members of law enforcement. Numerous reports have indicated that a primary purpose of the deputations is to circumvent the duly-elected Multnomah County District Attorney, and enable federal prosecutors to bring charges for what otherwise would be charged under the Oregon Revised Statutes and decided at a local level, the lawmakers continued. The importance of transparency in response to continued federal involvement in local jurisdictional matters cannot be overstated.\r\nIn order to receive urgent clarification of the reasons for deputation, and particularly why the USMS and DOJ have maintained the deputationscontrary to the explicit requests of local authoritiesthe lawmakers requested a thorough explanation, including all supporting documentation and memoranda that led to this determination. \r\nAdditionally, the lawmakers requested responses to nine other questions within 10 days, including how many city or state law enforcement officers in Oregon have been federally deputized; the scope and limitations of the deputations; whether federal agencies cross-deputized local law enforcement officers in conjunction with federal drug enforcement activity; whether similar deputations have been previously carried out; and what training the deputations entailed; why requests from local officials to end the deputations have been refused; and what kind of coordination is being undertaken between deputized officials and local and state police bureaus, Attorney General William Barr, and the White House.\r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n\r\n### \r\nDear Director Washington:\r\nWe write to request further information regarding the recent special deputation of state and local law enforcement officers in Oregon. Last month, a number of Portland Police Bureau and other local law enforcement officers took a special federal deputation oath of office to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in response to protests and demonstrations, citing federal arrest authority granted by Title 18 of the United States Code. \r\nDespite the temporary nature of the public safety emergency caused by a planned right wing extremist rally, which we understand prompted the deputations, it has come to light that the Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to keep the deputations in force through the remainder of this year. We understand that the City of Portland has expressed desire to terminate the federal deputation of Portland Police Bureau employees and has formally withdrawn its consent for officers to continue serving in any federal capacity, but that you have refused to end the designation as requested by local law enforcement and city authorities.\r\nThis echoes a troubling history of DOJ over-reach into local law enforcement policies and practices that led to heightened tensions in recent months between protesters and members of law enforcement. Numerous reports have indicated that a primary purpose of the deputations is to circumvent the duly-elected Multnomah County District Attorney, and enable federal prosecutors to bring charges for what otherwise would be charged under the Oregon Revised Statutes and decided at a local level. \r\nThe importance of transparency in response to continued federal involvement in local jurisdictional matters cannot be overstated. We seek urgent clarification of the reasons for deputation, and particularly why the USMS and DOJ have maintained the deputations, contrary to the explicit requests of local authorities. To address these concerns, please provide information on the following:\r\n \r\nPlease provide the reasoning for the recent deputations of local law enforcement officers in Oregon, including all supporting documentation and memoranda that led to this determination.\r\nHow many city or state law enforcement officers in Oregon do you consider to be federally deputized as of the date of receipt of this letter? \r\nPlease outline the scope and limitations of the deputations. For example, the Special Deputation Appointment language on the Special Deputation Oath of Office outlines the authority to make arrests under Title 18 authority with no apparent restrictions on these arrests. \r\nThe Special Deputation Appointment language stipulates that the authority does not extend to federal drug enforcement activity, unless also deputized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Drug Enforcement Agency. To your knowledge, have these agencies cross-deputized local law enforcement officers in conjunction with this specific mission?\r\nHas the USMS expanded the scope or authority of the deputations at any point for purposes beyond protecting the federal courthouse? Are there contingency plans in place to expand the scope or authority of the deputations and if so, in what circumstances?\r\nWhat training does USMS provide to local law enforcement officers about the scope, responsibilities, and other operational details of their deputation? \r\nIn light of the explicitly stated preference of local authorities to end the deputations, why has the USMS and DOJ refused this request? In your view, what authority does the DOJ have to continue the deputations of local law enforcement officers against the wishes of relevant local authorities?\r\nWhat kind of coordination, if any, is the USMS engaged in with the Portland Police Bureau, the Oregon State Police, the Multnomah County Sheriff's office, the Portland Mayor's office, and the Office of Governor Brown in relation to the deputations? \r\nWhat coordination has USMS had with Attorney General William Barr, or Department of Justice staff acting on his behalf, in relation to these deputations? \r\nWhat coordination has USMS had with the White House in relation to these deputations? \r\n \r\n\r\nKindly provide responses to the above questions within 10 days of receipt of this letter. \r\n\r\n                              Sincerely, \r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-devos-to-help-82-million-federal-student-loan-borrowers-currently-unable-to-access-relief_", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge DeVos to Help 8.2 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Currently Unable to Access Relief", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge DeVos to Help 8.2 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Currently Unable to Access Relief   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are among 34 Senate Democrats urging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to ensure all struggling federal student borrowers can gain access to crucial federal relief. \r\nSince March, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has provided forbearance, waived interest, and halted collections for borrowers whose student loans were directly held by the U.S. Department of Education. But, according to new information, 8.2 million federal student loan borrowers currently cannot take advantage of this relief, because some or all of their loans do not quality. Of those borrowers, 4.4 million people are not receiving any relief, and 3.8 million people have a mix of loans that qualify and those that do not. To ensure that these borrowers don't continue to face unnecessary financial struggles and confusion, the senators wrote to Secretary DeVos to demand that she take immediate action to help these students qualify for much-needed relief. \r\nThe more than eight million student loan borrowers falling into donut holes of critical relief have missed out on needed benefits and suffered unnecessary complexity and confusion for more than six months, wrote the senators in their letter. It is essential that the Department immediately begin the targeted outreach and take the actions we are requesting.\r\nIn order to ensure that students receive critical relief, the senators demanded that Secretary DeVos immediately reach out to borrowers currently missing out on relief and help them consolidate their loans into qualifying loans. They also urged Secretary DeVos to use her administrative authority to improve the consolidation process for borrowers by waiving restrictions and penalties during the coronavirus national emergency.\r\nThe letter follows the introduction of a resolution by Merkley, Wyden, and 11 of their senate colleagues, outlining a bold plan for the next president to use existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt for federal student loan borrowers. \r\nMerkley has kept a steady drumbeat on the needs of students throughout Betsy DeVos' disastrous tenure as Secretary of Educationincluding the introduction of the If It's Good Enough for the Banks, It's Good Enough for Students Act, which would allow students to refinance their student loans at the same rates available to big banks, and an effort to push the Secretary to hold a massive student loan servicer accountable for a serious blunder this year that could have lowered millions of federal student loan borrowers' credit scores. \r\nWyden and Merkley have also urged commercial student loan lenders and guaranty agencies to take additional measures to support federal student loan borrowers during the pandemic, and pressed the Trump administrationduring COVID-19 to haltthe seizure of tax refunds from federal student loan borrowers in defaultandrefund any payments seized contrary to CARES Act requirements.\r\nIn addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (D-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\r\nThe full letter is available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-and-schumer-fbi-must-not-launch-political-investigations-to-influence-the-election", "Wyden and Schumer: FBI Must Not Launch Political Investigations to Influence the Election", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden and Schumer: FBI Must Not Launch Political Investigations to Influence the Election \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Succumbing to Pressure from Trump to Investigate Vice President Biden's Family Would Undermine National Security, Credibility of Law Enforcement and Do Irreparable Harm to U.S. Democracy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. The FBI must reject pressure from Donald Trumptoannounceinvestigations ofJoe Biden or his familyto influence the presidential election, or else it risks doing lasting harm to our democracy and national security, Senate Intelligence Committee member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.\r\nFollowing a widely questioned article in the New York Post, that alleged to have obtained stolen Hunter Biden emails from the president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump has publicly called for investigations of Vice President Biden and his son.\r\nWe are deeply concerned about the possibility that in response to these reports the Trump Administration will take actions before Election Daythat would seek to damagethe Democratic presidential candidate and undermine the rule of law,Wyden and Schumer said.\r\nGiuliani has worked for months to spread false and misleading allegations about the Biden family, including working with Russian asset Andrii Derkach, who has been sanctioned by the United States for interfering in the U.S. election.\r\nThe FBI has a critical role to play in safeguarding our elections and, in partnership with the Intelligence Community, is responsible for exposing and combating both foreign cyber and influence efforts targeting our electoral process,the senators continued.\r\nIn carrying out this critical national security mission, law enforcement's handling of this matter must be above politics and beyond reproach. I therefore urge you to resist pressure from President Trump and other partisan actors to take any actions intended to benefit President Trump politically on the eve of the election.Succumbing to such pressure would deeply undermine our national security interests and the credibility of law enforcement, and could have devastating consequences for the resiliency of our democracy.\r\nRead a PDF of the letter here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-leahy-schumer-merkley-ask-national-guard-for-wildfire-readiness-assessment", "Wyden, Leahy, Schumer, Merkley Ask National Guard for Wildfire Readiness Assessment", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Leahy, Schumer, Merkley Ask National Guard for Wildfire Readiness Assessment \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators praise Guard response to 2020 wildfires, say assessment will help ensure Guard has the firefighting resources it needs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today led colleagues in asking the National Guard for a report on its readiness to help states prepare, fight and recover from wildfires.\r\nIn a letter to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel R. Hokanson, the senators wrote, As devastating fires of historic proportion continue to ravage the United States, we ask you to provide us an assessment of the National Guard's ability to prepare for, respond to, and help state firefighting forces recover from wildfires. A frank estimation will help Congress address any gaps and use every resource available to respond to this year's fires. It will also help us better resource and equip the Guard for a future in which human-driven climate change will make fire seasons increasingly severe and destructive.\"\r\nWe commend all the heroic men and women of the National Guard who have been responding to raging wildfires as part of a federal, state, and local effort, the senators wrote.With a more complete understanding of the Guard's ability to respond, we can ensure proper resourcing and will be better able to keep our Guard members always ready and always there.\r\nThe senators requested the National Guard provide the following information in response to today's letter:\r\n \r\nThe availability of appropriately trained personnel and equipment for firefighting-related needs;\r\nAn accounting of the capacity available through Emergency Management Assistance Compacts and whether expanding them may provide additional opportunities or wildfire capacity; and\r\nAny National Guard Bureau plans or constructs developed with governors for coordinated regional response.\r\n \r\nWyden, Leahy, Schumer and Merkley were joined by U.S. Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Tom Udall, D-N.M., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Maria Cantwell D-Wash.\r\nA copy of today's letter is available here.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-denounce-trump-administrations-historically-low-refugee-resettlement-goal-", "Wyden, Merkley Denounce Trump Administration\u2019s Historically Low Refugee Resettlement Goal", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Denounce Trump Administration's Historically Low Refugee Resettlement Goal  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Letter from Oregon senators and 21 colleagues pushes for increased refugee admissions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today denounced the Trump administration's proposal to cap refugee admissions at 15,000 for Fiscal Year 2021the lowest ceiling in the history of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and urged the administration to restorerefugee admissionsto their long-standing historic average.\r\nThe United States has a long, bipartisan legacy of providing refugees protection through resettlementprior to 2016 we resettled an average of more than 80,000 refugees per year, Wyden, Merkley and 21 Senate colleagues wrote in a letter to Secretaries Michael Pompeo and Alex Azar and Under Secretary Chad Wolf. \r\nYet, during this time of soaring global resettlement needs, this Administration has once again abdicated America's global leadership role by further reducing the refugee admissions ceiling to its lowest level in the 40-year history of the program, the senators wrote. We urge you to substantially increase the refugee admissions target for FY 2021, and end the current suspension of the refugee resettlement program.\r\nThe lawmakers highlighted the importance of a strong resettlement program, which serves as an essential lifeline for the most vulnerable among the 29.6 million refugees worldwide while also strengthening our communities and economy. In addition, the senators affirmed the importance of U.S. leadership on resettlement as a powerful tool to garner greater global support for refugees facing persecution. \r\nAmerican leadership in refugee resettlement is critical in securing greater global support for this important lifeline, which is available to less than one percent of all refugees, the senators added.As this Administration has slashed its annual refugee admissions goals, other leading resettlement countries have followed suit and lowered their resettlement numbers as well.\r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, others signing the letter led by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). \r\nThe entire letter is here.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-calls-for-disaster-assistance-for-winegrape-growers-amid-destructive-wildfire-season", "Wyden Calls for Disaster Assistance for Winegrape Growers Amid Destructive Wildfire Season", "2020-10-21", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 21, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Calls for Disaster Assistance for Winegrape Growers Amid Destructive Wildfire Season \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden,D-Ore., todayasked Senate appropriators to provide additional disaster assistancefor winegrape growersdevastatedbysmoke during this year's destructive wildfire season.\r\nIn the 2019 disaster relief package, Congress provided $3 million through the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP)for winegrowers whose grapes weredamagedby wildfires in 2018 and 2019. Due to the fact that wildfires have burned millions of acres of land throughout the West and caused heavy layers of smoke in 2020, winegrape growersnowrequire the same assistance.\r\nAs Ranking Member Merkley knows firsthand, our home state's wine industry has been hurt by the catastrophic wildfires, leaving many winegrape growers unable to sell their smoke-tainted product.Exposure to smoke particles can dramatically change the flavor of wine grapes, rendering them unusable in the winemaking process,Wyden wrote ina letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Chairman John Hoeven and Ranking Member Jeff Merkley. I thank you both for your continued efforts and commitment to address the wildfires in Oregon and your past efforts to secure WHIP assistance for wine grapes damaged by wildfire smoke.\r\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-co-sponsor-heroes-small-business-lifeline-act", "Wyden, Merkley Co-sponsor Heroes Small Business Lifeline Act", "2020-10-21", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 21, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Co-sponsor Heroes Small Business Lifeline Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation would provide more than $370 billion to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses in Oregon and nationwide\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today co-sponsored a new comprehensive package of measures that would provide more than $370 billion to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses in Oregon and nationwide.\r\nBoth senators said the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act is a must to respond to the economic fallout of COVID-19 on small business, including minority-owned businesses and industries, such as restaurants and live venues.\r\nOregon is an overwhelmingly small business state, and those small businesses generate jobs and pump life into communities across our state, said Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. This legislation would provide an urgently needed lifeline for thousands of small businesses struggling to keep their doors open and to employ Oregonians who want very much to earn a paycheck.\r\nThroughout this crisis, I've been in touch with small business owners and workers struggling to weather the storm, said Merkley. And like so many of these Oregonians, I'm frustrated by continued inaction from some in Washington, DC who are more interested in lining the pockets of Wall Street executives than in saving our Main Streets. If we don't act soon, we risk losing countless businesses across our state that families rely onnot only for the valuable services they provide, but for their livelihoodsand I'm going to keep fighting to do all that I can to make sure that doesn't happen.\r\nThe HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act is nearly identical to the small business provisions of HEROES 2.0, which passed the House of Representatives on October 1.\r\nThe HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act would:\r\n \r\nExtend and improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to better serve small businesses. HEROES 2.0 extends PPP through March 2021; provides a second PPP for the hardest-hit small businesses and nonprofits; expands eligibility to ensure that all nonprofits, regardless of size and type, critical access hospitals, and local news media can participate; simplifies the forgiveness process; repeals the requirement of deducting an EIDL advance from the PPP forgiveness amount; and removes limitations that unfairly restrict small businesses owned by formerly incarcerated individuals from securing a PPP loan.\r\nExtend and expand the Debt Relief program. HEROES 2.0 extends payments of principal, interest, and fees on all preexisting and new Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a), 504 and microloans for up to a year, with more relief targeted to existing borrowers in underserved markets and the hardest-hit sectors. This debt relief program is also expanded to include SBA's physical and EIDL disaster loans.\r\nSupport the smallest, most vulnerable businesses. HEROES 2.0 includes a new $40 billion Lifeline Grant program, of which half is set aside for undeserved businesses, that provides grants of up to $50,000 to vulnerable small businesses that have suffered a significant economic loss and creates a new $15 billion grant program for state and local governments to provide funds to vulnerable small businesses in their communities.\r\nDeliver targeted assistance to small businesses in struggling industries. HEROES 2.0 includes the Save our Stages (SOS) Act and the RESTAURANTS Act, which provide dedicated assistance for industries that rely on large gatherings, including restaurants, concert venues, and theaters.\r\nInvest in underserved communities. HEROES 2.0 invests in the mission- and community-based lenders that have a demonstrated history of getting capital to minorities, women, and other underserved communities. Specifically, it includes a dedicated $15 billion PPP set-aside for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), and other mission lenders, $1 billion in support for CDFIs, and $13 billion for a new Neighborhood Capital Investment Program to support CDFIs and MDIs, among other key policies to support the work of these lenders in underserved communities.\r\nImprove existing small business initiatives. HEROES 2.0 builds on SBA's core programs, including 7(a), Community Advantage, 504, and the Microloan program, by making them more affordable and useful to small businesses, and provides $1 billion for investment capital to underserved businesses. It also strengthens the accountability and transparency of SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and makes other commonsense improvements like removing the Trump Administration's arbitrary $150,000 cap on EIDL loans.\r\nHelp minority-owned businesses respond to COVID-19. HEROES 2.0 provides emergency grants to minority business enterprises through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The legislation also formally and permanently establishes MBDA and gives it the tools to carry out its mission to help minority entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.\r\n \r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, the bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is also cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-announces-ocean-based-climate-solutions-act", "Bonamici Announces Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act", "2020-10-20", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [10/20/20] \u2013 Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus and the only member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis from the Pacific Northwest, unveiled the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act with Natural Resources Chair Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor (D-FL). The bill is a comprehensive ocean climate package based on the Select Committee's Climate Action Plan. The package includes provisions from Bonamici's Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act, COAST Research Act, Water Power Research and Development Act, and BLUE GLOBE Act, as well as six other bills she co-led.\n\n\"Every person on this planet benefits from a healthy ocean, but for too long the ocean has literally taken the heat for us,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"As Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I am leading efforts to capture the power of the ocean to be part of the solution in mitigating the climate crisis. I'm grateful to Chair Grijalva and Chair Castor for their partnership on this comprehensive bill, which is based on the Select Committee's Climate Action Plan. The Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act will address the climate crisis, protect our ocean, and advance marine energy as we work to build a clean energy economy. I'm pleased that this legislation includes many of my ocean climate bills, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to advance meaningful policies to address the climate crisis.\"\n\nClick here for video of the Congresswoman's remarks at today's press conference on the bill.\n\nBonamici's ocean priorities included in the legislation are:\n\nThe Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act, which would create a national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, like mangroves, tidal marshes, seagrasses, and kelp forests, that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for centuries to millennia.\n\nThe COAST Research Act, a comprehensive bill to confront the challenges of ocean acidification and coastal acidification and help coastal communities adapt.\n\nThe Water Power Research and Development Act, which would scale up federal investments in marine energy, including the work at Oregon State University.\n\nThe BLUE GLOBE Act, which would assess the potential of an Advanced Research Project Agency\u2013Oceans (ARPA-O).\n\nThe Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act, which is responsive to a House Oceans Caucus letter to Leadership requesting investments in coastal restoration and resilience projects to support and create good-paying jobs.\n\nThe National Estuaries and Acidification Research (NEAR) Act, which would address the significant research gaps in our understanding of the effects of ocean and coastal acidification on our nation's estuaries.\n\nThe Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, which would direct NOAA to conduct vulnerability assessments to identify communities that are dependent on coastal and ocean resources that may be affected by ocean acidification.\n\nThe Ocean Acidification Innovation Act, for federal agencies to increase efforts to research, monitor, and manage ocean acidification and its effects.\n\nThe Living Shorelines Act, which would create a grant program to support natural infrastructure investments.\n\nThe Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act to strengthen monitoring of our ocean and coasts", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-abandon-plans-for-expanded-biometric-data-collection-in-immigration-system", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Abandon Plans for Expanded Biometric Data Collection in Immigration System", "2020-10-19", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 19, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Abandon Plans for Expanded Biometric Data Collection in Immigration System \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t DHS has proposed an expansion of facial scans, voice prints, and DNA testing that would allow the Department to force U.S. citizens and children to share their data\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), are urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to abandon plans to dramatically expand U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) collection of information about individuals' bodies, both non-citizens and U.S. citizens alike. The Department's proposal would allow DHS to collect biometric information as it conducts removal proceedings, processes family-based immigration applications, and vets immigrants seeking naturalization.  In September, USCIS, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would allow USCIS to dramatically expand the populations subject to invasive biometric data collection and increase the types of data that USCIS collects. The proposal would permit USCIS to require U.S. citizens and children to submit to biometric data collection. It would also allow the agency to create detailed biological profiles of individuals involved in the immigration system by amassing data from facial scans, voice prints, and even DNA testing. By DHS' own estimates, the proposal would lead to more than six million people sharing sensitive information about their bodies. Compelling non-citizens navigating the U.S. immigration system to submit to data collection involving highly sensitive and immutable information carries serious privacy risks; subjecting U.S. citizens and children to this surveillance would be unacceptable,write the senators in their letter to Acting Secretary Chad Wolf. Expanding biometric-data collection in this manner would chill legal immigration, be inconsistent with our privacy values, and pose disproportionate risks to individuals of color. The scope, sensitivity, and invasiveness of the proposed DHS biometric data collection program would amount to an unacceptable escalation of government surveillance.  A copy of the senators' letter can be found here. \r\nIn addition to his continued advocacy against the Trump administration's diabolical immigration policies, Senator Merkley has long been raising the alarm over the rapid advancement of biometric data technologies that put people at risk of over-surveillance and over-policing, both by pressing private companies using biometric identification to ensure that Americans' privacy is protected, and by introducing critical legislative safeguards. Those bills have included the Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act, which Merkley introduced with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) earlier this year to safeguard Americans' right to privacy by instituting a moratorium on all federal governmental use of the technology until Congress passes legislation outlining specific uses for the data. In August, Merkley and Sanders introduced the National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020 to prohibit private companies from collecting biometric data without consumers and employees' consent, or profiting off this data.\r\nIn addition to his steadfast support for immigrant communities against Trump's ongoing assault on their civil rights and human rights, Senator Wyden has pressed Trump administration officials to end federal law enforcement's weaponizing of facial recognition technology against peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights to speak out about the police killing of George Floyd and other black Americans. And he also has asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to review policies regarding the use of facial recognition technologies in federally assisted housing.\r\nAdditionally, Merkley and Wydenjoined their colleagues this summer to introduce theFacial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Actin response to reports that federal and local law enforcement entities have engaged with facial recognition companies, and following theamplification of a shocking story involving Robert Williams. Williams was a Black man from the Detroit area who was wrongfully arrested after facial recognition technology misidentified him as the man who was seen allegedly committing a crime on a store's surveillance camera feed.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-feds-investing-72-million-for-affordable-rental-housing-in-morrow-tillamook-and-yamhill-counties_", "Wyden, Merkley: Feds Investing $7.2 Million for Affordable Rental Housing in Morrow, Tillamook and Yamhill Counties", "2020-10-19", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 19, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: Feds Investing $7.2 Million for Affordable Rental Housing in Morrow, Tillamook and Yamhill Counties   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Resources will help preserve 122 units in Heppner, McMinnville, Newberg and Tillamook\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed more than $7.2 million in federal resources to renovate affordable housing units in Heppner, McMinnville, Newberg, and Tillamook.\r\nOregonians working hard to pay rent as well as their bills for groceries, prescription drugs and more know full well how the pandemic's economic fallout has worsened the longstanding challenge of affordable housing, Wyden said. This much-needed investment will help rural Oregonians to meet that challenge, and I will keep fighting for all available affordable housing resources for all Oregonians needing them.\r\nEveryoneregardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or their incomedeserves a safe place to call home, especially during a pandemic, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. But we still have a long way to go, in our rural and urban communities alike, to meet serious affordable housing shortages. I'm grateful that these resources are headed to Oregon where they will help tackle this urgent problem in some of our rural communities, and will continue to do all that I can to secure the support needed in every corner of our state to put roofs over Oregonians' heads.\r\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Glenhaven Park LLC will buy and renovate four apartment complexes using $7.25 million in loans from the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing that have been guaranteed by USDA Rural Development. The apartments will maintain affordable rates and retain rental assistance provided by USDAfor eligible low-income residents. The renovations by Chrisman Development, Inc. will preserve 122 units of affordable rental housing, along with rental assistance provided by USDAfor 110 low-income residents at these apartments to help ensure they pay no more than 30 percent of their income on housing.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/walden-merkley-wyden-applaud-official-signing-of-the-bill-to-rename-bend-va-clinic-after-robert-maxwell-", "Walden, Merkley, Wyden Applaud Official Signing of the Bill to Rename Bend VA Clinic after Robert Maxwell", "2020-10-16", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR)applaudedthe signing into law of a bill introduced by the Oregon delegation to rename the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Bend after Robert Maxwell, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient who lived in Bend. The bill was signed into law on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. At the time of Maxwell's passing, he was the oldest Medal of Honorrecipient in the nation and one of four remaining veterans from World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor. After his courageous service, he worked as a teacher in Bend.     \"Bob Maxwell was a selfless and humble public servant and a friend to everyone he met,said Walden. As we approach what would've been Bob's 100th birthday, I can't think of a better way to honor Bob than renaming the Bend VA Clinic after him. I applaud President Trump for swiftly signing this bill into law and forever ensuring that Bob's legacy is honored, and his heroism is remembered.\"\r\n\"Bob Maxwell's life is a testimony to the power of selflessness and dedication to serving a cause bigger than oneself,said Merkley.That lesson couldn't be more important today, and just like the countless Oregonians who have been moved by his story, I am grateful for the example he set throughout his lifetime of service. I am thrilled that this renaming will help ensure that his legacy will be remembered, and know that his courageous and generous spirit will continue to inspire for generations to come.\" \"Robert Maxwell's name on the VA Clinic in Bend is a well-deserved tribute to a World War II hero and beloved teacher in Central Oregon,Wyden said.I'm glad this Medal of Honor winner will be remembered in such a fitting fashion for his public service both overseas and at home.\" Oregon's congressional delegation previously wroteto the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs committees in support of the renaming. The City of Bend, American Legion Department of Oregon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oregon, and Disabled American Veterans Department of Oregon also advocated for the change.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-la-pine-community-health-center-earns-55-million-federal-investment", "Wyden, Merkley: La Pine Community Health Center Earns $5.5 Million Federal Investment", "2020-10-16", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 16, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: La Pine Community Health Center Earns $5.5 Million Federal Investment \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Resources will help clinic provide health care for 22,000 rural residents in Central Oregon\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the La Pine Community Health Center has secured $5.5 million in federal resources that will help the non-profit clinic provide services to thousands of rural Central Oregon residents.\r\nHigh-quality health care goes hand in hand with high quality of life in rural Oregon, especially now during a pandemic, Wyden said. I'm gratified the La Pine Community Health Center has earned this investment that will help provide continued and first-rate care for residents in Central Oregon.\r\nAll Oregoniansregardless of where they live or how much money they makedeserve affordable and quality medical care, said Merkley. I'm thankful for the dedicated health professionals at La Pine Community Health Center for helping to put their critical services within reach for Central Oregonians, especially during a time when so many need it the most. These federal dollars will help support them in their efforts, and I will continue to do all that I can to make sure every Oregonian has access to affordable health care.\r\nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan of $5.5 million helps the La Pine Community Health Center to buy the facility it's now leasing, stabilize its financial obligations by locking in its real estate expenses and helping it plan for the future. The clinic provides primary health care services to an estimated 22,000 Oregonians in La Pine, north to Sunriver, south to Crescent, and east to Christmas Valley.\r\nOur leadership team and staff are so thankful for this loan that was made possible by the USDA's Community Facilities Program. We are thrilled to have secured a long-term home for our health center and are excited that we now have space to expand and bring more medical care and health services to our rural area, said Courtney Ignazzitto, Public Relations Specialist for La Pine Community Health Clinic. Our passion is to bridge gaps and remove barriers that may be preventing the residents of south Deschutes, north Klamath and north Lake counties from receiving the care they need and deserve. La Pine Community Health Center is also thankful for the ongoing support of Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as they continue to fight for the continued funding and acknowledgment of community health centers in our great state and across the nation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-expand-tribal-broadband-application-deadline", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Tribal Broadband Application Deadline", "2020-10-15", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 15, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Tribal Broadband Application Deadline \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill follows FCC's refusal to implement a sufficient extension, instead giving tribal nations a severely limited application period that expired on September 2, 2020\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with 11 of their Senate colleagues, have introduced a bill to expand the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window to allow Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations the time they need to apply for spectrum licenses for unassigned spectrum over their own landsa critical step to expanding broadband access in their communities.\r\nIn 2019, The FCC created the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window to provide Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations an opportunity to apply for spectrum licenses over their land. However, the Window expired in September before many Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations were able to applyin some cases due to the COVID-19 pandemicand the FCC declined to extend the deadline any further, in opposition to multiple requests made by Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian organizations, telecommunications groups, and bipartisan Senate and House lawmakers. The Extending Broadband Tribal Priority Act of 2020 will require the FCC to open a new 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window that lasts at least 180 days, to commence no later than 30 days after the bill is enacted. This bill will give Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations an adequate amount of time to apply for spectrum licenses to deploy much-needed internet services on their lands.\r\nFrom patients engaging in telehealth visits, to students studying remotely, and employees working from home, high-quality broadband access has never been so vital to maintaining our public health, education, and economy. But millions of people, many of whom are members of rural tribal communities, still don't have access to reliable broadband service, said Senator Merkley. The federal government has a long road ahead when it comes to addressing its extensive record of condemnable actions against Native peoples, and that road must include making sure that every tribal community has the tools, like broadband, that they need to stay healthy and thrive.\r\nTribal communities in Oregon and nationwide desperately need quality wireless broadband access to keep on top of health care, school and remote work during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation will ensure Tribes won't be blocked from claiming spectrum over their lands just because that same pandemic has made it harder to submit applications to the FCC, said Senator Wyden.\r\nToday, the United States scores above the world average for connection rates to fixed broadband services for Americans living off Tribal lands at 92 percent, but only 65 percent of native Americans living on Tribal lands have access to these wireless services. This leaves approximately 1.5 million people on reservations without access to basic wireless services. Because Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian organizations cannot access spectrum rights to deploy broadband and telephone networks over their Tribal lands, in some of the most geographically isolated areas in the country, Native Americans continue to suffer from lack of access to life-saving digital services, and broadband access that we take for granted and further placing them behind in the digital divide.\r\nThe Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020 would do the following:\r\n \r\nEstablish a new 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window that lasts at least 180 days;\r\nRequire that the FCC open this new window no later than 30 days after the bill is enacted; and\r\nCreate additional time for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to apply for unassigned spectrum licenses over Tribal lands to deploy internet services\r\n \r\nThe bill has broad support, including the National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients; New America's Open Technology Institute; Public Knowledge; Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition; National Hispanic Media Coalition; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe; Access Now; National Indian Education Association (NIEA); Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA); Center for Rural Strategies; USET Sovereignty Protection Fund; National Congress of American Indians; Pueblo of Jemez; and AMERIND Critical Infrastructure.\r\nIn addition to Merkley and Wyden, the legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Angus King (I-ME) in the U.S. Senate, and by Representatives Deb Haaland (D-NM-1), Angie Craig (D-MN-2), Kendra Horn (D-OK-5), Don Young (R-AL-At Large), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-7), and Tom Cole (R-OK-4) in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-demands-investigation-of-federal-agencies-surveilling-black-lives-matter-protests", "Wyden Demands Investigation of Federal Agencies Surveilling Black Lives Matter Protests", "2020-10-15", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 15, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Demands Investigation of Federal Agencies Surveilling Black Lives Matter Protests \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWashington, D.C.  Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) are urging the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), an independent federal agency, to investigate allegations that government agencies have been surveilling recent Black Lives Matter protests.\r\nThe lawmakers' detailed letter states the importance of protests in advancing civil rights, cites several uninvestigated press reports of protester surveillance by federal agencies, enumerates several congressional inquiries on the topic, and urges PCLOB to use its statutory powers to investigate the federal government.\r\nThe act of protesting has played a central role in advancing civil rights in our country, and our Constitution protects the right of Americans to engage in peaceful protest unencumbered by government interference, the lawmakers wrote.We are, therefore, concerned that the federal government is infringing on this right, and we ask that the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) investigate the federal government's surveillance of recent protests, the legal authorities for that surveillance, the government's adherence to required procedures in using surveillance equipment, and the chilling effect that federal government surveillance has had on protesters.\r\nThe full text of the letter can be found HERE and enclosures to the letter can be found HERE.\r\nReps. Eshoo and Rush have written several letters about protester surveillance, including a letter on June 9th signed by 35 Representatives to the FBI, National Guard, DHS, and CBP; follow up letters signed by 23 Representatives on July 17th to the FBI and CBP; and a letter on September 23rd requesting an investigation by the Inspectors General of DHS, DOJ, and the Intelligence Community. Their June 9th letter led to an Air Force Inspector General investigation of the National Guard's flights over protests. Sen. Wyden has led letters on protester surveillance in Portland, Oregon, signed by members of the Oregon congressional delegation on June 24th to the U.S. Marshals Service and on September 25th to DHS.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-17-million-in-funding-for-economic-development-in-eight-rural-communities-", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.7 Million in Funding for Economic Development in Eight Rural Communities", "2020-10-14", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 14, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.7 Million in Funding for Economic Development in Eight Rural Communities  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Grants will create jobs, upgrade essential facilities, and improve quality of life\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that eight rural communities throughout Oregon will be receiving $1.7 million in federal funding to create jobs, upgrade essential facilities, and improve quality of life.\r\nThe funding, which is being administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program, will support essential services for 24,091 Oregonians in Tillamook, Lane, Lincoln, Grant, Baker, and Douglas counties.\r\nEvery Oregonian in every part of our stateregardless of their zip code or their incomeshould have the facilities and infrastructure necessary to build community and stay safe from risks like wildfires and cyberattacks, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA and rural development. But major infrastructure investments, from firehouse upgrades to public pool maintenance, are especially expensive in our rural communities. These grants will help cover some of those steep upfront costs and put essential services within reach for nearly 25,000 Oregonians. Our state is strongest when families in every corner of Oregon can thrive, which is why I'll keep fighting for critical investments like these.\r\n\"EquippingOregonians with up-to-datefacilities andessential resourcesthey needto stay safe in the face of emergencies anddisaster is a must,\" Wyden said. \"This welcomeinvestment in our rural communities will mean moresecurity, more jobs and improved quality of life for Oregon families.\"\r\nGrant awardees are as follows:\r\n Oakridge High Schoolthe town of Oakridge's designated emergency shelterin Lane County will receive $600,000 to purchase an emergency generator and convert unused athletic facility space into an 8,500-square-foot multi-purpose room that can serve as a shelter during emergencies, while also providing space to host community meetings, after-school activities, and other events throughout the year. The investment will benefit 4,418 Oregonians. \r\n The City of Dayville in Grant County will receive two grants$300,000 in Community Facility Disaster Grants and $172,000 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grantsto renovate the community hall. The facility was built 100 years ago and has been deemed a historic site by the State Historic Preservation Office.\r\n The Mapleton School District in Lane County will receive two grants$200,190 in Community Facility Disaster Grants and $103,298 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grantsto renovate and re-open the aquatic center serving the rural communities of Mapleton and Florence. This investment will benefit 1,599 Oregonians.\r\n The City of Winston in Douglas County will receive $137,200 in Community Facilities Disaster Grants to update their police department facilities. The investment will benefit 5,379 Oregonians. \r\n The Eagle Valley Rural Fire Protection District in Baker County will receive two awards$44,000 in Economic Impact Initiative Grants and $36,000 in Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grantsto build a new fire station. The investment will benefit 1,924 Oregonians.\r\n Neighbors for Kids in Lincoln County will receive two Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants totaling $55,615 to improve the fire safety system at the nonprofit, and make critical kitchen and bathroom equipment upgrades and install a security gate at the nonprofit's facility, which offers after-school and educational activities for children in Depoe Bay. The investment will benefit 1,398 Oregonians.\r\n The City of Reedsport in Douglas County will receive $36,300 in Community Facilities Disaster Grants to purchase a police vehicle. The investment will benefit 4,154 Oregonians.\r\n The City of Wheeler in Tillamook County will receive $22,000 in Economic Impact Initiative Grants to improve cybersecurity, safety of equipment, and to improve security of remote parks and roads. The investment will benefit 414 Oregonians.\r\nThrough unprecedented winter storms, our high school has provided the community with emergency shelterbut has had to make due with limited resources. With this grant, we'll be able to provide our students and entire community with the safety and resources we need when we're in an emergency, and a valuable activity space when we're not. I thank Senators Merkley and Wyden for their support in securing this grant, said Reta Doland, Superintendent of the Oakridge School District.\r\nThe community of Dayville is beyond thrilled that our beloved, 100-year-old community hall will be receiving the much-needed restoration and renovations that it so desperately stands in need of. This old building is the heart of our community and throughout its 100 years has provided the space for dances, movies, high school basketball games, a box factory during WWII, a skating rink, plays, bazaars, memorials, reunions, weddings, plus so much more. Currently, the kitchen is nonfunctioning and the restrooms are barely usable. The hall itself is beginning to show its age and without these renovations, we would be jeopardy of losing the entire building in the near future. We are so grateful to the funding agencies who are making the restoration of this grand building happen, and we can't wait to fill our old building with 100 more years of memories, said Ruth Moore, City Recorder of the City of Dayville. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-27-million-for-wildfire-resiliency-conservation-efforts-in-the-umatilla-and-wallowa-whitman-national-forests", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.7 Million for Wildfire Resiliency, Conservation Efforts in the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests", "2020-10-14", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 14, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.7 Million for Wildfire Resiliency, Conservation Efforts in the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Merkley successfully led charge for five year extension of program administering these funds in 2018 Farm Bill\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $2.7 million in federal funding is headed to the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests to implement a cross-boundary restoration project that will improve forest resiliency, reduce long term costs of fire management, and improve watershed conditions. \r\nThis investment in the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will support the execution of a strategically located series of controlled fuel breaks and specialized efforts to protect cultural sites, municipal watersheds, and animals recognized by the Endangered Species Act. In 2018, Senator Merkley successfully led the chargewhich Senator Wyden joinedfor a five year extension of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is administering the funds.\r\nThis year's unprecedented wildfire season is a stark reminder of how important resilient forests areto protecting our communities,said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. This investment in the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will help restore forests in Eastern Oregonthat have made invaluable contributions to the spirit and economy of our state. I'm going to keep doing everything I can to support similar win-win projects throughout each of Oregon's forests.\r\nThese resources earned by everybody working hard for a collaborative success in the Umatilla and Wallowa Whitman National Forests provides a big vote of confidence in the Oregon Way' -- coming together to find common ground on science-based wildfire resiliency and restoration of our treasured public lands, Wyden said.And today's good news also provides a great foundation for bills I've introduced tocreate a 21stCentury Conservation Corpsand tohelp prevent wildfires with pre-fire season controlled burns.\r\nI am very pleased the Northern Blues CFLRP has been selected for funding for multiple reasons: getting much needed fuels reduction implemented, creating strategic fuel breaks, as well as employing businesses across our region, said Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes. While the CFLRP implementation funds go only to Federal lands - the goal of this CFLRP proposal is to promote an all-lands, cross-boundary forest restoration strategy that spans public, private, state and tribal lands, including municipal watersheds. There has been significant work done on the private and tribal side of the line and this proposal will provide funding to allow similar successes on FS lands. I would also like to recognize the large number of diverse individuals who wrote and commented throughout the entire process to complete the application.\r\nThis is an exciting opportunity to increase the pace and scale of restoration in our area as well as provide economic benefits to our local communities. I look forward to working with the Forest Service and using this funding to invest in our national forests by developing projects that are truly beneficial and that meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of both our forests and the communities that depend on them, said Lindsay Warness, Forest Policy and Environmental Manger, Woodgrain. \r\nCongratulations to the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative and a note of appreciation to Senators Merkley and Wyden for securing funding for the Northern Blues CFLRP project. This effort will conduct scientifically sound restoration treatments to reduce wildfire risk to communities, protect old growth forests and wildlife habitat, support local jobs, and bring together public, private, and tribal partners to create healthier forests for years to come. Northeast Oregon is in desperate need of increased forest management and investment to deliver values and services that all Oregonians appreciate, and the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative is the right group to get the job done, said Dylan Kruse, Director of Government Affairs & Strategy, Sustainable Northwest.\r\nThis award will be an enormous benefit to both the forest and the community that depends on it, said Pam Hardy of the Western Environmental Law Center. WELC has been a member of the local public lands forest collaborative that helped advocate for this award since its founding. It will help us improve conditions for old growth forests, and the native wildlife that depend on them, as well as enhance our ability to work collaboratively together to make sure the community continues to benefit from sustainable forest management.\r\nThe Northern Blues Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) will implement active treatment on 223,800 acres of National Forest land, along with an anticipated 300,000 acres of passive treatment in the form of controlled fire. Additional 297,000 acres of active treatments and 800,000 acres of passive treatments on private and tribal lands completed by project partners will bring the total number of treated acres to 900,000.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-defazio-coos-bay-rail-line-secures-99-million-federal-grant-for-improvements", "Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio: Coos Bay Rail Line Secures $9.9 Million Federal Grant for Improvements", "2020-10-13", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 13, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio: Coos Bay Rail Line Secures $9.9 Million Federal Grant for Improvements \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio today announced the Coos Bay Rail Line has secured a $9.9 million federal grant to rehabilitate and replace ties and resurface track along the 121 miles of track from Coos Bay to Eugene.\r\nThe Coos Bay Rail Line plays a crucial role in supporting a robust economy that generates jobs on the South Coast and southern Oregon, Wyden said. I'm glad the rail line has earned this key investment to make needed improvements. And I'll keep fighting for similar investments throughout Oregon in infrastructure, which takes on magnified importance when Oregonians are working hard to weather the economic fallout of this public health crisis.\r\nNow more than ever, between the blazes and hazardous smoke of this year's wildfires and the massive impacts of the coronavirus, our communities need a strong economic foundation for the future, said Merkley. And as we build that foundation, transportation infrastructure that puts goods within reach for more Oregonians and helps our small businesses get their products where they need to go must be a priority. This investment in the Coos Bay Rail Line will create jobs, support local businesses, and reconnect our communities after this pandemic is overand I'll keep working to secure similar resources for every corner of our state.\r\nThe Coos Bay Rail Line is a vital connection between Oregon's natural resource economy and the world market, which is why I have fought to bring more than $40 million in infrastructure investments to this line, said DeFazio. Federal investment in critical local infrastructure like the CBRL is essential to preserving and promoting Southwest Oregon's economic viability, and I'm proud to have secured this funding to help keep this vital rail line moving. \r\nThe $9.9 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant would go toward replacing 67,000 crossties and resurfacing main line, sidings, an industrial lead, rail yard and spur tracks with ballast along the line.\r\nThe support of our delegation in Washington through Senators Wyden and Merkley and Representative DeFazio was critical to the Port receiving the PIDP grant, said John Burns, Port of Coos Bay CEO. Their continued efforts, support, and advocacy have been paramount to the CBRL's improvement and success.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-co-sponsors-legislation-to-make-payroll-tax-deferral-optional-including-for-military-members-and-federal-employees", "Wyden Co-sponsors Legislation to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional, including for Military Members and Federal Employees", "2020-10-09", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 09, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Co-sponsors Legislation to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional, including for Military Members and Federal Employees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said today he is co-sponsoring legislation that would make Donald Trump's payroll tax deferral scheme optional for any worker whose employer chooses to participate, including federal employees and service members.\r\nDonald Trump's phony payroll tax cut is the worst kind of election-time gimmickry  deceiving American workers for a few weeks with a sham executive order and then saddling them with a post-election double tax in 2021, said Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. This legislation is a must to restore working Americans' ability to choose for themselves what works best financially for them and their families.\r\nIn addition to Wyden, other co-sponsors of the Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act introduced by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) are U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Patty Murray (Wash.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).\r\nAmong the organizations supporting the legislation are the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, the Senior Executives Association, the Federal Managers Association, the Professional Managers Association, National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, United Power Trades Organization, Antilles Consolidated Education Association, National Weather Service Employees Organization, Patent Office Professional Association, National Association of Government Employees, National Education Association, Social Security Works, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Americans for Tax Fairness, and National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/senate-democrats-release-new-report-detailing-the-assault-on-our-democracy-by-republican-appointed-judges", "Senate Democrats Release New Report Detailing the Assault on Our Democracy by Republican-appointed Judges", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 08, 2020\n\t\t\t Senate Democrats Release New Report Detailing the Assault on Our Democracy by Republican-appointed Judges \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The issue-based report released as part of Senate Democrats' Captured Courts project\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \"DonaldTrump's judicial nominees, as well as judges nominated by previous Republican presidents, are responsible for the vast majority of the decisions that have resulted in voter suppression and made it nearly impossible to regulate political spending\"\r\nWashington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Tom Udall, D-N.M., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., andDebbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today led Senate Democrats inreleasinga new report outlining theways campaign finance lawsand theright to votehave been gradually dismantled by conservative Supreme Court justices, withDonald Trump's latestSupreme Court nomineeposingfurther threatsto American democracy.\r\nThis is thefourthin a series of Captured Reports by Senate Democrats. In the report,Captured Courts:The Judicial Assault on Democracy,the senators highlighted ways the conservative justices on the Court havemade it harder and harder for Americans to have their voices heard in our democracy by sanctioning unlimited political spending and undercutting voting rights. The senators also documentthe dark-money groups behind this effort and howa number of them areworking to undermine access to the ballot in the 2020 election.\r\nWyden, Udall, Whitehouse and Stabenow were joined by Sens.Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.,Ben Cardin, D-Md.,Chris Coons, D-Del.,Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.,Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, andRichard Blumenthal, D-Conn. in releasing the report.\r\nWe ought to be making it easier for folks to vote, not harder. Yet, theSupreme Court  an institution that should be protecting this most fundamental right  has been undermining it.The Roberts' Court has advanced an anti-voting agenda, making it harder for people to cast a ballot, Wyden said.And with DonaldTrump and Mitch McConnellworking to jam through another right-wing nominee to the Supreme Court, I fear the Court's rulings with regard to voting rights are only going to get worse.This country needs a justice like Ruth Bader Ginsburg who championed this fundamental right, not someone who will work to keep Americans' voices from being heard.\r\nI am inspired by the American voters who are even now navigating a pandemic to make their voices heard,said Udall, lead author of the For The People Act.But the fact is, thanks to years of extreme decisions from far-right judicial nominees, it's too hard to vote and the voices of the American people are too often drowned out by big money. Unfortunately, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court has hacked away at our voting rights and campaign finance protections for years. And now Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are focused on pushing another radical Republican justice on the bench before the election to further stack the deck in favor of the wealthy and well-connected, and against the American voter. The American people are waking up to the unpopular agenda of the Republicans' captured courtsthey're ready to restore our democratic checks and balances and protect their voices and their right to vote.\r\nOver decades, corporations and right-wing ideologues led a dark-money campaign to capture our courts and drown out the voices of everyday Americans. That campaign led to hugely destructive Supreme Court decisions, like Citizens United and Shelby County. Now, the big donors are stampeding Republicans to install another Supreme Court Justice whom they expect will rule in favor of the big donors' interests every time,said Whitehouse.This report shines an important light on that scheme, so the American people can stand up and say enough'.\r\nKey Takeaways from the Captured Courts: The Judicial Assault on Democracy:\r\n \r\nRecent Republican-appointed Justices' Supreme Court rulings have opened the door for unlimited political spending by special interests, making it harder for the voices of Americans to be heard.\r\nThese decisions have undercut free and fair elections and led to voter suppression.\r\nOutside conservative groups, many of which are not required to disclose their donors, have spent millions of dollars to advance their policy agendas before the courts. A number of these same groups are now working to undermine access to the ballot in the 2020 election.\r\nPresident Trump's judicial nominees, as well as judges nominated by previous Republican presidents, are responsible for the vast majority of the decisions that have resulted in voter suppression and made it nearly impossible to regulate political spending.\r\n \r\nThe full report is availablehere.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-will-hold-virtual-eastern-oregon-town-hall-on-october-14", "Wyden Will Hold Virtual Eastern Oregon Town Hall on October 14", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 08, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Will Hold Virtual Eastern Oregon Town Hall on October 14 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Live on-line town hall hosted by Town Hall Project will be for residents of Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he will have a live on-line town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 14 hosted by Town Hall Project for residents of Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties.\r\nAnybody wanting to watch Wyden's virtual regional town hall beginning at 11:30 am on Wednesday, Oct. 14 can go to this Facebook link. Video at that link is available as well to people who don't have a Facebook account. Residents of Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties who would like to participate by asking Wyden a question can fill out this form for consideration by Town Hall Project.\r\nA two-time winner of Town Hall Project's MVP Award, 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.\r\nWyden has postponed in-person town halls until there are clear-cut public health guidelines that a large, indoor open-to-all public meeting poses no unusual health risk for Oregonians. The virtual regional Oct. 14 town hall hosted by Town Hall Project is Wyden's second for Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties this year.\r\nWhile the pandemic forces Oregon and the country to hold off on big indoor public gatherings until they're safe to resume, I want to make sure Oregonians still have every opportunity to ask me questions directly and voice their views, said Wyden, who will be in Pendleton for the virtual town hall. I'm grateful that Town Hall Project is helping to continue these essential conversations and I very much look forward to hearing from Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties.\r\n\"Town Hall Project was founded on the conviction that in-person town halls are essential to our democracy, said Nathan Williams, Executive Director of Town Hall Project. But during this global pandemic, we strongly encourage all lawmakers to prioritize the health of their constituents and to suspend indoor in-person gatherings, \r\nIt's more important than ever that elected leaders stay connected to their constituents, so we urgelawmakers to hold virtualtown halls that are open dialogues with the people they represent, Williams said. Town Hall Project is proud to be hosting another open, substantive virtual forum between Senator Wyden and his fellow Oregonians.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-baker-technical-institute-earns-federal-health-care-training-grant-for-students-in-eastern-oregon", "Wyden, Merkley: Baker Technical Institute Earns Federal Health Care Training Grant for Students in Eastern Oregon", "2020-10-07", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 07, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley: Baker Technical Institute Earns Federal Health Care Training Grant for Students in Eastern Oregon \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators say $147,203 USDA distance learning grant will enable students to participate in health care classes from John Day, Burns, Heppner and Enterprise\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Baker Technical Institute has secured a $147,203 federal grant to increase access to health care training for rural students in remote and frontier areas of eastern Oregon.\r\nThe rural development investment in the Baker facility will allow it to establish a state-of-the-art distance learning system that lets students participate in health care classes remotely at the Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, Harney District Hospital in Burns, Morrow County Health District in Heppner, and Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise.\r\nEastern Oregon benefits in a big way from this good news that taps into technology to educate the health care providers of tomorrow in rural communities, Wyden said. The importance of telemedicine and distance learning has been magnified during the coronavirus pandemic, and I'm gratified that Eastern Oregon has earned these federal resources to support a robust health care system and a strong quality of life.\r\nHigh quality, reliable broadband internet service has never been more important than it is right nowespecially for our students who are learning remotely, and for our health care providers who are working around the clock to provide exceptional care and essential services to their communities, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I'm pleased that this funding is headed to our state, where it will make Baker Technical Institute's remote health classes accessible for more students, and help us keep communities in Eastern Oregonian safe.\r\nThis distance learning grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture also will provide access to a Certified Nursing Assistant program and courses in phlebotomy, medical assistant training, emergency medicine, and medical terminology.\r\nAt a time when health care is under a spotlight for its critical importance, Baker Technical Institute is excited to be able to offer top-notch health care training programs for students in our rural communities, said Baker Technical Institute President Doug Dalton.This grant allows us to provide state-of-the-art equipment so rural students can learn and even meet clinical practice requirements through distance learning. We appreciate the support of Senators Wyden and Merkley as well as all our rural hospital partners who are working hard to grow their own workforce.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-will-hold-virtual-central-oregon-town-hall-on-october-12", "Wyden Will Hold Virtual Central Oregon Town Hall on October 12", "2020-10-07", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 07, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden Will Hold Virtual Central Oregon Town Hall on October 12 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Live on-line town hall hosted by Town Hall Project will be for residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today announced he will have a live on-line town hall on Monday, Oct. 12 hosted by Town Hall Project for residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.\r\nAnybody wanting to watch Wyden's virtual regional town hall beginning at 11:30 am on Monday, Oct. 12 can go to this Facebook link. Video at that link is available as well to people who don't have a Facebook account. Residents of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties who would like to participate by asking Wyden a question can fill out this form for consideration by Town Hall Project.\r\nA two-time winner of Town Hall Project's MVP Award, 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.\r\nWyden has postponed in-person town halls until there are clear-cut public health guidelines that a large, indoor open-to-all public meeting poses no unusual health risk for Oregonians. The virtual regional Oct. 12 town hall hosted by Town Hall Project is Wyden's second for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties this year. He also held an in-person town hall in Jefferson County in February before COVID-19 halted in-person meetings.\r\nWhile the pandemic forces Oregon and the country to hold off on big indoor public gatherings until they're safe to resume, I want to make sure Oregonians still have every opportunity to ask me questions directly and voice their views, said Wyden, who will be in Bend for the virtual town hall. I'm grateful that Town Hall Project is helping to continue these essential conversations and I very much look forward to hearing from Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.\r\n\"Town Hall Project was founded on the conviction that in-person town halls are essential to our democracy, said Nathan Williams, Executive Director of Town Hall Project. But during this global pandemic, we strongly encourage all lawmakers to prioritize the health of their constituents and to suspend indoor in-person gatherings, \r\nIt's more important than ever that elected leaders stay connected to their constituents, so we urgelawmakers to hold virtualtown halls that are open dialogues with the people they represent, Williams said. Town Hall Project is proud to be hosting another open, substantive virtual forum between Senator Wyden and his fellow Oregonians.\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-call-for-investigation-into-political-interference-with-coronavirus-information", "Wyden, Merkley Call for Investigation into Political Interference with Coronavirus Information", "2020-10-06", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 06, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Call for Investigation into Political Interference with Coronavirus Information \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators: In the midst of a pandemic that has now claimed over 200,000 lives in the United States alone, the American people rely on the expertise of our federal agencies to keep them safe\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today called for an immediate investigation into allegations of political interference with public health information at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). \r\nThe letter from Wyden, Merkley and 28 colleagues to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General follows alarming reports of widespread and ongoing political interference in the agencies' COVID-19 response. Those include reports that the White House pressured the CDC into downplaying risks associated with children returning to in-person learning at schools, Secretary Alex Azar revoked the FDA's ability to regulate lab-developed diagnostic tests, and HHS political appointees reviewed and may have altered or delayed weekly scientific reports issued by CDC about the pandemic.\r\nIn the midst of a pandemic that has now claimed over 200,000 lives in the United States alone, the American people rely on the expertise of our federal agencies to keep them safe, the senators wrote. Our communities, schools, health care providers, businesses, and families turn to agencies like the CDC and FDA for guidance on how to make important decisions: when people should get tested, how to protect children at home or in the classroom and workers on the job, and which treatments to use to save a life. \r\nThe consistent pattern running through these reports of political interference is the ongoing effort to minimize the seriousness of the virus, they wrote. This message directly harms millions of Americans and jeopardizes public trust in science and our COVID-19 response. To safeguard the health and well-being of all Americans during this ongoing pandemic, we ask that you immediately open an investigation into political interference with the scientific work done by experts at HHS.\r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter led by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also was signed by U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tom Udall (D-NM), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ed Markey (D-MA); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tina Smith (D-MN). \r\nFull text of the letter is here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-approve-direct-housing-assistance-wildfire", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Approve Direct Housing Assistance for Wildfire Victims", "2020-10-05", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Peter DeFazio today led the Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Greg Walden (OR-02), Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Oregon's request for direct housing assistance utilizing a full range of options for wildfire victims.\n\nThe housing assistance, known as a Temporary Housing Mission, will allow FEMA to avail itself of a wide range of temporary housing options including travel trailers, manufactured housing units, direct lease, and multi-family lease and repair. Housing assistance for qualified individuals and households may be available for up to 18 months.\n\nIn a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, the lawmakers write, \"In times of disaster, people seek comfort and safety in their homes. However, with no homes to return to, thousands of Oregonians lack the opportunity to find that same solace and are instead temporarily housed in hotel rooms...While still a far cry from a return to home, temporary solutions provide people certainty, privacy, and the ability to resume some aspects of their normal daily routine as they recover.\"\n\nDeFazio and Senators Wyden and Merkley hand-delivered the letter to Administrator Gaynor in Salem on Sunday during his multi-day visit to Oregon to tour areas impacted by the wildfires.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-delegation-welcomes-new-fema-wildfire-assistance", "Oregon Delegation Welcomes New FEMA Wildfire Assistance", "2020-10-05", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici said today that federal officials have notified them that eight Oregon counties will get assistance for removing and disposing hazardous materials and solid waste debris as part of response and recovery to the wildfires.\n\nThe news that Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties would receive what's known as Category A assistance follows a Sept. 24 letter making that request to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor from the Oregon lawmakers, led by Wyden and DeFazio.\n\n\"The wildfires that raged through Oregon caused great devastation, and we must continue doing all we can to help our communities recover as quickly as possible,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"I'm grateful FEMA is acting quickly in response to our requests for assistance in removing and disposing harmful waste and debris.\"\n\n\"I heard consistently from Oregonians this past weekend while touring fire-devastated communities with Administrator Gaynor how worried they are about growing mountains of hazardous materials left by these blazes that ripped through their communities,\" Wyden said. \"I'm glad FEMA has recognized the urgency of this situation as fall rains comes and the risks grow of dangerous debris leeching into waterways for these eight counties, and I'll continue working to get this Category A assistance into all Oregon communities needing to dispose of any hazardous materials from these horrific wildfires.\"\n\n\"I've driven over 1,000 miles around our state to see up close the unfathomable damage this unprecedented wildfire season has caused\u2014and what I've seen is truly heartbreaking,\" said Merkley. \"On behalf of all Oregonians, I thank the firefighters and first responders, as well as all who are working around the clock to clean up hazardous materials left behind in the wake of the blazes. This support to help safely clean up toxic debris is absolutely critical to many of our communities, and I will continue to do everything I can to secure the resources we need to recover and build back stronger.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/oregon-delegation-welcomes-new-fema-wildfire-assistance", "Oregon Delegation Welcomes New FEMA Wildfire Assistance", "2020-10-05", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 05, 2020\n\t\t\t Oregon Delegation Welcomes New FEMA Wildfire Assistance \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Hazardous Waste/Solid Waste Debris Disposal Assistance for Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties follows delegation letter led by Wyden and DeFazio\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici said today that federal officials have notified them that eight Oregon counties will get assistance for removing and disposing hazardous materials and solid waste debris as part of response and recovery to the wildfires.\r\nThe news that Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties would receive what's known as Category A assistance follows a Sept. 24 letter making that request to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor from the Oregon lawmakers, led by Wyden and DeFazio.\r\nI heard consistently from Oregonians this past weekend while touring fire-devastated communities with Administrator Gaynor how worried they are about growing mountains of hazardous materials left by these blazes that ripped through their communities, Wyden said. I'm glad FEMA has recognized the urgency of this situation as fall rains comes and the risks grow of dangerous debris leeching into waterways for these eight counties, and I'll continue working to get this Category A assistance into all Oregon communities needing to dispose of any hazardous materials from these horrific wildfires.\r\nI've driven over 1,000 miles around our state to see up close the unfathomable damage this unprecedented wildfire season has causedand what I've seen is truly heartbreaking, said Merkley. On behalf of all Oregonians, I thank the firefighters and first responders, as well as all who are working around the clock to clean up hazardous materials left behind in the wake of the blazes. This support to help safely clean up toxic debris is absolutely critical to many of our communities, and I will continue to do everything I can to secure the resources we need to recover and build back stronger.\r\nAs we work to rebuild our community, safe removal of the hazardous materials and debris left behind by the fire is one of our top priorities, said Rep. DeFazio. It's critical to expedite the removal of this dangerous waste before it can leech into critical watersheds, including the McKenzie River. I'm grateful to FEMA for their quick response and will continue to work closely with federal agencies to ensure Oregon receives the assistance we need to recover from this disaster.\r\nThe wildfires that raged through Oregon caused great devastation, and we mustcontinue doingall we can to help our communities recover as quickly as possible, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. I'm grateful FEMAis acting quickly in response to our requestsfor assistanceinremoving and disposing harmful wasteand debris.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-to-approve-direct-housing-assistance-for-wildfire-victims", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Approve Direct Housing Assistance for Wildfire Victims", "2020-10-04", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 04, 2020\n\t\t\t Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Approve Direct Housing Assistance for Wildfire Victims \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONRep. Peter DeFazio today led the Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Greg Walden (OR-02), Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Oregon's request for direct housing assistance utilizing a full range of options for wildfire victims.\r\nThe housing assistance, known as a Temporary Housing Mission, will allow FEMA to avail itself of a wide range of temporary housing options including travel trailers, manufactured housing units, direct lease, and multi-family lease and repair. Housing assistance for qualified individuals and households may be available for up to 18 months.\r\nIn a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, the lawmakers write, In times of disaster, people seek comfort and safety in their homes. However, with no homes to return to, thousands of Oregonians lack the opportunity to find that same solace and are instead temporarily housed in hotel rooms...While still a far cry from a return to home, temporary solutions provide people certainty, privacy, and the ability to resume some aspects of their normal daily routine as they recover.\r\nDeFazio and Senators Wyden and Merkley hand-delivered the letter to Administrator Gaynor in Salem on Sunday during his multi-day visit to Oregon to tour areas impacted by the wildfires.\r\nFor a PDF version of the letter to Administrator Gaynor, click here.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/transportation-and-infrastructure-chair-defazio-leads-oregon-delegation-urging", "Transportation and Infrastructure Chair DeFazio Leads Oregon Delegation in Urging FEMA to Increase Federal Cost Share for Wildfire Disaster Costs", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today led Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase the Federal cost share for debris removal costs related to the recent wildfires in Oregon to 100 percent.\n\nTypically, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments pick up 25 percent of the costs of FEMA assistance. However, given the scope and severity of the damage caused by September's wildfires\u2014combined with the financial stress state and local governments are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic\u2014the lawmakers are urging FEMA to cover all the costs associated with debris removal for the disaster. FEMA has previously authorized limited 100 percent Federal share adjustments in 22 disasters under the Trump Administration.\n\nIn the letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, the lawmakers write,\n\n\"We ask you to take into account the size and scale of this disaster as well as the backdrop upon which this disaster fell. In the span of a few short days, fires burned an area the size of the State of Rhode Island. As a result, thousands of our fellow Oregonians have been displaced, and countless businesses have been lost. Furthermore, the State and local governments continue to respond to and recover from four additional Presidentially-declared disasters since May 2019, including three counties which are covered under both Major Disaster Declarations from floods and the wildfire disaster last month\u2026Oregon and her citizens are suffering under the strain of enormous calamity.\"\n\nLast week, Rep. DeFazio introduced the FEMA Assistance Relief Act, which would adjust the federal cost share of certain disaster assistance provided by FEMA under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to not less than 90 percent Federal for disasters declared in calendar year 2020 and to 100 percent for all COVID-19 related Emergency and Major Disaster declarations. Senator Merkley has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. DeFazio, considered the bill this week and similar language was also included in the recent COVID relief package introduced this week.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-press-for-answers-regarding-beachie-creek-fire-and-the-potential-role-of-power-lines", "Wyden, Merkley Press For Answers Regarding Beachie Creek Fire and the Potential Role of Power Lines", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 02, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Merkley Press For Answers Regarding Beachie Creek Fire and the Potential Role of Power Lines \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today askedthe role power lines may have playedin the cause or spread of the Beachie Creek fire.\r\nIn a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen and Oregon Department of Forestry State Forester Peter Daugherty, Wyden and Merkley wrote,We write to ask for an analysis of the role of power lines in the cause and/or spread of the Beachie Creek fire. In a recent visit to the North Santiam Canyon, in which a number of Oregonians have lost their homes, vehicles, documents, and family mementos to the Beachie Creek fire, we were questioned repeatedly about the cause of the fire and how it could have been prevented.\r\nWyden and Merkley also acknowledged the possible role of lightning, severe drought and historic windstorms had in the beginning and spread of this fire.\r\nWyden and Merkley continued,We are grateful to the first responders and the firefighters, and the support coming to these communities. We understand that hundreds of our emergency managers and state and federal workers put their own lives on hold to respond to this disaster. These actions are a part of the Oregon Way' where people work together in uncommon efforts to deal with overwhelming and complex problems.\r\nA copy of today's letter is availablehere. \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-statement-updated-covid-19-relief-package", "Bonamici Statement on Updated COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [10/1/20] \u2013 Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici helped the House pass an update to the Heroes Act to provide important relief and assistance during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"As the coronavirus death toll tragically surpasses 200,000 and the pandemic continues to devastate our communities and economy, the American people need relief,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \"The House passed critical legislation several months ago to stem the loss of life and blunt the worst effects of the pandemic, but the Senate failed to act. This update to the Heroes Act reflects what our country needs now \u2014 aid for schools, workers, businesses, child care, testing and treatment, and more.\n\n\"Oregonians are struggling with record levels of unemployment and financial hardship. Importantly, this update to the Heroes Act includes a second round of $1,200 direct payments and an extension of enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits to put money in the pockets of families and individuals. It also includes funding I fought for to help working families pay for electricity bills and housing, support for our seniors, enhanced testing and tracing resources, and improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program to aid small businesses. Saving our child care system and making it more accessible is also essential to our recovery. I'm grateful this update includes the strong investment I advocated for that will help working families and early childhood educators. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to immediately pass this relief package. Our communities cannot wait any longer.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bipartisan-bicameral-bill-clean-marine-debris", "House Passes Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Marine Debris", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC [10/01/20] \u2013Today the House passed bipartisan legislation led by House Oceans Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Don Young (R-AK) along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to strengthen the federal response to marine debris.\n\nSave Our Seas 2.0, S. 1982, builds on the original Save Our Seas Act to improve the domestic response to marine debris, incentivize international engagement on marine debris, and strengthen domestic waste management infrastructure to prevent the creation of new marine debris.\n\n\"We need to fundamentally change our reliance on plastics,\" said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, who spoke in support of the legislation on the House floor. \"A problem this pervasive - a global problem of this magnitude - cannot be solved with a single bill. We cannot limit our action to removing existing plastic from the ocean, and we also cannot recycle our way out of plastic waste that ends up on our shores. We need comprehensive action. Save Our Seas 2.0 is a meaningful bill that builds on our foundation of bipartisan, bicameral efforts to strengthen the NOAA Marine Debris Program. We have significant work ahead of us to prevent marine debris, and I look forward to continuing to work with my House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Don Young, and our Senate Oceans Caucus colleagues to protect the health of our ocean.\"\n\n\"Alaska is home to more coastline than any other state in the Union, and healthy oceans are essential to Alaska's economy and way of life,\" said Congressman Don Young. \"Serving as House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair has given me the opportunity to stand up and fight for Alaska's waters, and I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish today. Save Our Seas 2.0 builds on our successes combating marine debris through bolstering plastics research and funding needed for infrastructure improvements. Countless Alaskan families earn a living on the water; clean oceans are not just an environmental issue, but an economic one as well. I am sincerely grateful to my friend and Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici for fighting alongside me on behalf of marine life. Our Senator Dan Sullivan has been a strong leader on this issue, and I am confident that he will help shepherd this bill through the Senate so that we can send it to the President to be signed into law. I will continue fighting to ensure that our marine ecosystems stay healthy and productive for future generations to experience.\"\n\n\"Save Our Seas 2.0, the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever to pass the U.S. Senate, is now also the most comprehensive bill on the challenge to ever pass Congress,\" said Senator Sullivan. \"Our legislation will improve our nation's ability to respond to marine debris events, lead to greater international cooperation on preventing trash from reaching the oceans, and spark innovation to manage and possibly even reuse plastic waste\u2014all with the goal of protecting our pristine environment, fisheries, and coastal communities across our country and, particularly, in Alaska, which has more coastline than the rest of the Lower 48 combined. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are coming together to address a very important environmental challenge. I look forward to SOS 2.0 passing the Senate and moving onto the President's desk for his signature, and continuing work on this important issue.\"\n\n\"We're one significant step closer to stemming the rising tide of harmful plastic pollution that washes up on beaches and in fishing nets along every coast,\" said Senator Whitehouse, who co-founded the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus to find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts. \"I'm grateful to our oceans allies in the House who approved the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act with strong bipartisan support. With the success of the original Save Our Seas bill, and now this step for SOS 2.0, we will keep building on our success with 3.0 and other bills, until we have truly addressed the scourge of ocean plastic waste.\"\n\n\"As marine debris and plastic waste continue to threaten public health and the economic prosperity of coastal communities, I'm so pleased to see our legislation take this giant step forward today,\" said Senator Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. \"Save Our Seas Act 2.0 will bolster U.S. capacities and leadership in the global effort against plastic pollution and I am committed to continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it over the finish line and signed into law.\"\n\nGroups that support Save Our Seas 2.0 include: Ocean Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, National Audubon Society, Conservation International, Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Keep America Beautiful, The Marine Mammal Center, New England Aquarium, and Georgia Aquarium.\n\nBonamici and Young co-chair the House Oceans Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members committed to taking action to protect the health of our ocean. This Congress, the Caucus is focused on environmental stressors (including ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia); marine debris; ocean data and monitoring; coastal resiliency; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-nearly-15-million-safety-investment-in-mcminnville-airport", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million Safety Investment in McMinnville Airport", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million Safety Investment in McMinnville Airport \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $1,467,000 in federal grant funding is headed to the McMinnville Municipal Airport to support the reconstruction of 10,500 square yards of existing apron.\r\nAirport aprons are terminal-adjacent areas where aircraft are parked, boarded, unloaded, and refueled.\r\nThe McMinnville Municipal Airport plays a critical role in helping Yamhill county residents and businesses stay connected with other communities in Oregon and beyond, said Merkley. I'm pleased that this funding will help maintain the airport so that it will continue to serve Oregonians for years to comeand will keep fighting for the transportation investments we need to resume travel and rebuild our economy after this pandemic is over.\r\nAirports providing service to Oregonians living and working in smaller communities like Yamhill County are essential to quality of life and keeping the local economy robust despite the economic consequences of COVID-19, Wyden said. I'm glad the McMinnville Municipal Airport has earned these federal resources, and will keep working for all parts of Oregon to secure investments that similarly support jobs and strengthen transportation infrastructure.\r\nThe funding is being distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-develop-vaccine-strategy-that-addresses-coronavirus-disproportionate-impacts-on-communities-of-color", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Develop Vaccine Strategy That Addresses Coronavirus\u2019 Disproportionate Impacts on Communities of Color", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Develop Vaccine Strategy That Addresses Coronavirus' Disproportionate Impacts on Communities of Color \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Recent 57-page U.S. Department of Health and Human Services vaccine plan barely acknowledges serious health inequities\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led 19 of his colleaguesincluding Senator Ron Wydentoday in demanding that the Trump administration develop a national vaccine distribution strategy that both recognizes and addresses the alarming racial disparities in rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.\r\nThe senators' letter follows the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) long-overdue guide to state, territorial, and local public health programs on how to plan for the distribution of a future coronavirus vaccine or vaccinesa 57-page document that only mentions communities of color in three sentences.\r\nThe alarming disparities in rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are not coincidental. The divergent outcomes are directly linked to existing inequities and discriminatory federal, state, and local policies. Overrepresentation in frontline, essential jobs in which social distancing is more difficult, a disproportionate prevalence of preexisting health conditions, policies that lead to overcrowded and segregated housing, and reliance on public transportation, have placed communities of color at greater risk of COVID-19, the senators wrote in their letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.\r\nLatinx, Black, and Asian patients are more than twice as likely to test positive for the coronavirus when compared to white patients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 75 percent of coronavirus deaths among people under the age of 21 have been Black, Latinx, and Indigenous youth. Overall, Black and Latinx individuals are more than three times as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white peers when age is taken into account.\r\nWe urge you to thoughtfully engage with communities of color to swiftly produce and publicly release supplemental guidance to the September 16 national vaccine distribution document that illustrates the agency's efforts to address racial disparities during the distribution and monitoring of a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, the senators continued. The CDC must explicitly involve Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populationsas well as other communities of colorin the formation of robust public plans to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, we request further details on how the Trump administration intends to build trust, combat misinformation, and promote vaccinations within communities of color.\r\nCommunities of color in the United States deserve more than three sentences in your document. They deserve an equitable vaccine distribution plan that sufficiently responds to the unique health disparities withinand authentically builds trust withtheir communities, the letter concluded.\r\nIn addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).\r\nThe full text of the senators' letter is available here and follows below.\r\n\r\n###\r\n   Dear Secretary Azar,\r\n\r\nWe urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a comprehensive, national vaccines strategy that goes far beyond the scope of the recently released COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy. In addition to significantly expanding the scope of the strategy to address research, development, manufacturing, and much more, we urge you to update vaccine distribution guidance to include a robust and detailed strategy to inform, collaborate, and engage with communities of color to equitably distribute a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to these communities once it is licensed or authorized for use.\r\n\r\nAs of September 30, 2020, COVID-19 has caused the deaths of over 200,000 Americans. More than seven million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus, and thousands of individuals are currently hospitalized with severe symptoms. The coronavirus has devastated communities across the country. However, the virus has not affected every community the same.\r\n\r\nCommunities of colorparticularly Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populationshave been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, Latinx, Black, and Asian patients are more than twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19 as white patients[1]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data that found more than 75 percent of coronavirus deaths among people under the age of 21 have been Black, Latinx and Indigenous youth[2]. Overall, Black and Latinx individuals are more than three times as likely to die from COVID-19 when age is taken into account.\r\n\r\nOn September 16, the CDC released COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook for Jurisdiction Operations, a long-overdue document to guide state, territorial, and local public health programs on how to plan for the distribution of a future COVID-19 vaccine or vaccines. However, the guidance woefully lacks focused attention on addressing racial disparities during the coronavirus pandemic.\r\n\r\nIn the 57-page document, communities of color are mentioned in only three sentences. If we are to effectively confront existing racial disparities, our policies and guidelines must explicitly identify the ways we plan to do so. For too long, officials have touted addressing racial disparities as a priority, only to forget or ignore communities of color during the implementation and execution of government plans, or to mention them as an afterthought.\r\n\r\nThe alarming disparities in rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are not coincidental. The divergent outcomes are directly linked to existing inequities and discriminatory federal, state, and local policies. Overrepresentation in frontline, essential jobs in which social distancing is more difficult, a disproportionate prevalence of preexisting health conditions, policies that lead to overcrowded and segregated housing, and reliance on public transportation, have placed communities of color at greater risk of COVID-19.\r\n\r\nWe urge you to thoughtfully engage with communities of color to swiftly produce and publicly release supplemental guidance to the September 16 national vaccine distribution document that illustrates the agency's efforts to address racial disparities during the distribution and monitoring of a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC must explicitly involve Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populationsas well as other communities of colorin the formation of robust public plans to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, we request further details on how the Trump administration intends to build trust, combat misinformation, and promote vaccinations within communities of color.\r\n\r\nCommunities of color in the United States deserve more than three sentences in your document. They deserve an equitable vaccine distribution plan that sufficiently responds to the unique health disparities withinand authentically builds trust withtheir communities.\r\n\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n[1] https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/covid-19-racial-disparities-testing-infection-hospitalization-death-analysis-epic-patient-data/\r\n\r\n\r\n[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/09/15/covid-deaths-hispanic-black-children/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-walden-announce-house-passage-of-critical-fix-to-help-klamath-irrigators", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce House Passage of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2020\n\t\t\t Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce House Passage of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation gives Basin irrigators access to up to $10 million in emergency drought relief\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Greg Walden, today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a critically needed fix to the 2018Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)that will provide relief to Klamath Basin irrigators who have been hard-hit by drought. The legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate in July of this year, and is now headed to the president's desk to be signed into law.\r\nIn 2018, WRDA included language that was essential for irrigators in the Klamath Basin to effectively use $10 million in drought relief funds that the lawmakers had previously secured. The new bill provides clear flexibility in how the relief may be used, enabling irrigators to access the funding when there is a severe shortage of water.\r\nThrough drought, the global pandemic, and most recently these unprecedented wildfires, Klamath Basin irrigators have shown they're committed to working collaboratively with the many water stakeholders in the region, and it is critical that the federal government steps up to be a strong partner to their efforts,said Merkley, who worked with the Bureau of Reclamation to develop the legislation.To ensure that farming and ranching have a strong future in the Basin, we need to get through this drought and work on long-term solutions to our water supply challenges. This fix will help us do that.\r\nThis legislation frees up urgently needed resources for farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin to help survive a 2020 that's proven incredibly difficult with a brutal combination of drought, wildfires and COVID-19's economic fallout, Wyden said. This bipartisan and collaborative solution takes a solid step forward for the Basin this year that can be built upon in the years ahead to reach a resolution to longstanding water supply challenges.\r\nIrrigators in the Klamath Basin are enduring another challenging, drought-stricken year, and we need to ensure they have the tools to get through it. We also need to be prepared if our farmers get hit with severe drought conditions in the years ahead, said Walden. The Bureau of Reclamation needs the authority to use the funds we already secured to implement measures such as groundwater pumping and other priorities for our irrigators. This bill will ensure the Bureau of Reclamation has that authority for the next four years to help farmers, ranchers, and water users navigate the current water year and survive the difficult water years we may face in the near future. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress, the Trump Administration, local officials, and community members to find lasting solutions to water issues in the Klamath Basin.\r\nMerkley used his seat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to include the language in the Senate's Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization. With WRDA stalled, Merkley pivoted and introduced the language with Wyden as a stand-alone bill. Walden introduced the companion legislation in the House. \r\nThe original language authorized up to $10 million a year for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to work with the farming and ranching community to develop and implement strategies to align water demand with available supply. This technical correction clarifies the authority for irrigators to access the funds for strategies such as land idling and groundwater pumping in times of drought.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-peters-warner-klobuchar-and-schumer-dhs-must-release-document-showing-trumps-attacks-on-us-election-are-consistent-with-foreign-influence-campaign", "Wyden, Peters, Warner, Klobuchar and Schumer: DHS Must Release Document Showing Trump\u2019s Attacks on U.S. Election Are Consistent With Foreign Influence Campaign", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 01, 2020\n\t\t\t Wyden, Peters, Warner, Klobuchar and Schumer: DHS Must Release Document Showing Trump's Attacks on U.S. Election Are Consistent With Foreign Influence Campaign \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. Senior Senate Democrats today requested Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf release a document that shows President Donald Trump's attacks on American Elections are consistent with a foreign influence campaign.\r\nSenate Intelligence Committee member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Intelligence Committee Vice-Chair Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., Rules Committee Ranking Member Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sent the request today.\r\nWe write to urge you to immediately release to the public a September 3, 2020, analysis produced by the Department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis.This document demonstrates that a foreign actor is attempting to undermine faith in the US electoral system, particularly vote-by-mail systems, in a manner that is consistent with the rhetoric being used by President Trump, Attorney General Barr, and others, the senators wrote.\r\nThe document has been marked Unclassified/For Official Use Only,' meaning that its release would not pose a risk to sources and methods and that it has already been widely distributed around the country through unclassified channels.It is now critical and urgent that the American people have access to this document so that they can understand the context of Trump's statements and actions.\r\nView a PDF of the letter here.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1537, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "OR", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 1357, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 180, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1537, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=OR&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "OR", "label": "OR", "count": 1537, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 1537, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-10-01,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ewyden~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fwyden-peters-warner-klobuchar-and-schumer-dhs-must-release-document-showing-trumps-attacks-on-us-election-are-consistent-with-foreign-influence-campaign", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=OR&year=2020&_next=2020-10-01%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ewyden~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fwyden-peters-warner-klobuchar-and-schumer-dhs-must-release-document-showing-trumps-attacks-on-us-election-are-consistent-with-foreign-influence-campaign&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 247.2953200340271, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}