url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-condemns-gop-decision-postpone-votes-reopen-government,Bonamici Condemns GOP Decision to Postpone Votes to Reopen Government,2018-12-23,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/23/18] Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) issued the following statement in response to the decision of GOP Congressional leaders to postpone votes on government funding until at least Thursday. One of the most basic and important responsibilities of Congress is to keep the government funded. It is deeply troubling that GOP Congressional leaders and President Trump have put politics over the safety of our nation and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of federal employees who are now furloughed through the holidays with no relief in sight, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. The decision to postpone a vote to reopen the government guarantees a prolonged shutdown for significant portions of the federal government, leaving families scrambling without the certainty of knowing when their next paycheck will arrive. There is no excuse for quitting before the job is done, especially when both chambers of Congress and the White House are all controlled by leaders from the same political party. Oregonians and people across the country need certainty and stability. This dysfunction shows a total disregard for the families and communities who rely on Congress to keep our nation safe and stable. Speaker Ryan and House GOP leaders should stop governing by crisis and immediately re-open the government by allowing us to vote on the bipartisan funding plan that was already passed unanimously in the Senate. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/end-disastrous-era,The end of a (disastrous) era,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Let's face it: the House of Representatives has been a disaster for the last eight years. In the past two years alone, with Republicans in charge of Congress and White House, we've seen an alarming rise in hate crimes and ugly rhetoric, a ballooning deficit, and an unfair tax policy penalizing every day Americans. Even the minimal steps to we've taken to address the climate crisis have been under constant attack and Trump and his Republicans are spiraling us into our third government shutdown in one year. As their eight-year grip in the House comes to an end, Republicans have left a trail of failure and missed opportunities, and making a broken tax system worse. The Republican tax bill added $2 trillion to the deficit and put Medicare, Medicaid, and the middle class at risk. Most benefits flow to the largest corporations and the wealthiest 1 percentfurther widening the income gap. As Paul Ryan ends his tenure as Speaker of the House, it gave us an opportunity to reflect on his legacy which: Exploded the deficit with increased spending, especially for defense and nuclear weapons; Made a hash of the tax code while increasing income inequality; Pushed Trump's anti-immigrant agenda and separated desperate families; Continued the GOP assault the healthcare system; Made no meaningful steps to prevent the epidemic of gun violence; Rolled back Wall Street reform; and Refused to stand up to Trump and his reckless administration. No wonder Ryan led his party to the largest defeat in 42 years. When history is written, the story of Republican congressional rule will be one of heartless policies, spineless complicity, and thoughtless decision-making. There is a bright spot: their time in power is coming to an end. In 13 days, Democrats will take back control of the House, keep the liar-in-chief in check, and push for our vision of Americaone that does not include a wall. I'm focused on rebuilding and renewing America's crumbling infrastructure, advancing Medicare-for-all, and developing a Green New Deal to address the climate crisis. Perhaps most important, Congress will finally conduct much-needed oversight on Trump and his administration. With Democrats in control of the House and dozens of exciting new members, in 13 days, we all can get to work. Courage, Earl Blumenauer Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-passage-first-step-act,Blumenauer Statement on Passage of First Step Act,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC The House today passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill to reform the criminal justice system, after the Senate approved the bill earlier this week. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), leading advocate in Congress for drug policy reform, issued the following statement: This bill is called the First Step Act for a reason as it is merely the first step toward long overdue reform. After decades, it is time to finally address the worst aspects of this broken system like mandatory minimums, unreasonable sentences, and programs to reduce recidivism rates. Those who are actually looking to champion criminal justice reform should work with us on key elements surrounding our outdated federal marijuana policy, like federal decriminalization and expungement for non-violent drug offenses. Congress needs to do more to transform our justice system from punitive to rehabilitative. I'll support this bill, but again, this is just the first step. This has a relatively small impact on our nationwide issue of mass incarceration and we are long overdue to fix this unfair, expensive and ineffective system. We can't stop here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-third-trump-shutdown,Blumenauer Statement on Third Trump Shutdown,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Blumenauer Statement on Third Trump Shutdown Washington, DC Congressman Blumenauer (OR-03) released the following statement: This shutdown is entirely at the whim of one unstable person. Past shutdowns were driven by deep ideological differences but could be understood. This defies comprehension. The Senate is gone and even Republicans are shaking their heads. Democrats don't want a third shutdown. Republicans don't want a third shutdown. Donald Trump should stop holding the American people hostage and work with Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-applauds-first-step-act-calls-further-criminal-justice-reforms,"Bonamici Applauds First Step Act, Calls for Further Criminal Justice Reforms",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/20/18] Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) issued the following statement after the House and Senate passed S. 756, the First Step Act, to make reforms to the criminal justice system. For too long our criminal justice system has meted out punishment that outweighs the crimes.Too many nonviolent offenders have been locked away for lengthy periods of time, preventing them frombeing with their families andcontributing to their communities,said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.Thousands of individuals and families will benefit from the bipartisan First Step Act, which makes important reforms to reduce excessive prison sentences and increase resourcesfor evidence-based programming that prevents recidivism.I am proud to support a bill that ends federal juvenile solitary confinement, expands supervised release opportunities, ends many mandatory minimum sentences,and provides resources to help incarcerated individuals struggling with addiction.I applaud my colleague and incoming Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries for his leadership in advancing this important legislation. As the name of this legislation suggests, this is an important first step to fixing our criminal justice system - but more remains to be done. I will continue to push forfurthercriminal justice reformthat protects the public and provides incarcerated individuals with the programs they need to successfully reintegrate into their communities after they are released. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-applauds-updated-law-address-harmful-algal-blooms,Bonamici Applauds Updated Law to Address Harmful Algal Blooms,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/20/18] Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), lead Democrat of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Environment Subcommittee, applauded the House passage of S. 2200, which reauthorizes the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA). The legislation has already passed the Senate. Much of this legislation is the companion bill to Bonamici's H.R. 4417, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act. Harmful algal blooms, which are associated with climate change, harm fisheries and threaten public health. With the new law, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency will be able to continue to help communities prepare for, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs occur naturally but can be triggered by environmental stressors that are linked to climate change. As harmful algal blooms die and decompose, they consume oxygen, leaving oceans and waterways in a hypoxic state that can result in the formation of dead zones where marine life cannot survive. This,decimates fisheries and the economies and communities that rely on them. Harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources can produce toxins that threaten public health. Updating this program and investing in research on HABs and hypoxia will help Oregonians and people across the country who are facing the dangerous effects of exposure to harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources, oceans, and lakes, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.Recently we've seen harmful algal blooms cut off access to clean drinking water for residents of Salem, and they've stifled recreational activities on the Willamette River. Harmful algal blooms in the marine environment produce dangerous toxins that make Oregon's prized Dungeness crabs toxic and deprive fishing communities of income. As co-chair of both the House Oceans Caucus and House Estuary Caucus, I'm pleased to reauthorize the research programs that help us better predict and guard against harmful algal blooms in marine and freshwater systems. The bipartisan legislation will improve existing law by establishing a process for NOAA and the EPA to declare an Event of Significance to allow states and local governments to access disaster funds when hypoxia or HABs will likely have detrimental environmental, economic, subsistence use, or public health consequences. The bill also expands the Interagency Task Force to increase collaboration. In 2014, Bonamici and Representative Posey (R-FL), led the House in reauthorizing the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act. In 2017, Bonamici introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 4417) to reauthorize the NOAA programs and improve response to HABs. She also joined her colleagues in introducing H.R. 6645, another bill to reauthorize HABHRCA earlier this year, and called on House leadership to allow a vote on the bipartisan bill before authorization lapsed in September of 2018. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/merkley-bonamici-press-epa-alarming-reuters-asbestos-investigation,"Merkley, Bonamici Press EPA on Alarming Reuters Asbestos Investigation",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today pressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for answers following an alarming new Reuters report revealing that some everyday consumer products, including baby powders, may contain asbestosa highly toxic chemical. We write to express our deep concern about recent reporting from Reuters detailing the presence of asbestos in talcum powder products used in a variety of consumer goods, including baby powders commonly used on infants, wrote Merkley and Bonamici. Research shows that asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 15,000 deaths per year, causing mesothelioma; lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers; and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and one for which there is no controlled use or safe level of exposure, they continued. Fifty-five countries have already banned asbestos. Unfortunately, the United States still permits the use of asbestos, joining such countries as China, India, and Russia, the latter of which remains by far the largest exporter of asbestos. Without a ban, the United States also imports millions of dollars' worth of asbestos-contaminated consumer goods every year. Merkley and Bonamici have introduced the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, which would expedite a ban on asbestos imports and use in the United States. Following the Reuters report, Merkley and Bonamici plan to make a renewed push for this legislation in January in the next session of Congress. In today's letter to the EPA, Merkley and Bonamici asked the administration to respond to the following questions: What policies and guidance does EPA have in place or in development to reduce the presence of talcum powder or any other asbestos mixtures in household consumer goods? Asbestos is a known carcinogen. What steps is the EPA taking to educate and protect pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable populations and to help them minimize exposure to asbestos? The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, signed into law in 2016, amended and updated TSCA and explicitly addressed previous limitations on EPA authority that prevented the agency from regulating asbestos. Since that law was enacted, what populations has EPA identified as disproportionately at risk either because of greater exposure to asbestos or greater susceptibility to injury from asbestos? How has the identification of these populations affected EPA's decision to regulate or not to regulate asbestos? EPA has proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) under TSCA to prevent the introduction of new, potentially unsafe asbestos-containing products into commerce. When finalized, will the asbestos SNUR assure that EPA is notified of, and has the ability to restrict, all new consumer products contaminated with asbestos? If the SNUR will not accomplish this objective, please explain why. The full text of Merkley and Bonamici's letter to the EPA follows below. ### Dear Acting Administrator Wheeler and Deputy Assistant Administrator Beck: We write to express our deep concern about recent reporting from Reuters detailing the presence of asbestos in talcum powder products used in a variety of consumer goods, including baby powders commonly used on infants. Although baby powder is subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, other talc products sold to consumers would be within the purview of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and thus the responsibility of EPA. Ongoing efforts to reduce the health risks of asbestos exposure would be woefully incomplete if those efforts did not address TSCA-regulated talc products contaminated with asbestos. Research shows that asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 15,000 deaths per year, causing mesothelioma; lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers; and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and one for which there is no controlled use or safe level of exposure. Fifty-five countries have already banned asbestos. Unfortunately, the United States still permits the use of asbestos, joining such countries as China, India, and Russia, the latter of which remains by far the largest exporter of asbestos. Without a ban, the United States also imports millions of dollars' worth of asbestos-contaminated consumer goods every year. Independent testing as recently as 2018 found asbestos in children's toys, crayons, and cosmetics. Because of serious health concerns, as well as the disturbing details in the recent Reuters report, please respond to the following questions: What policies and guidance does EPA have in place or in development to reduce the presence of talcum powder or any other asbestos mixtures in household consumer goods? Asbestos is a known carcinogen. What steps is the EPA taking to educate and protect pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable populations and to help them minimize exposure to asbestos? The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, signed into law in 2016, amended and updated TSCA and explicitly addressed previous limitations on EPA authority that prevented the agency from regulating asbestos. Since that law was enacted, what populations has EPA identified as disproportionately at risk either because of greater exposure to asbestos or greater susceptibility to injury from asbestos? How has the identification of these populations affected EPA's decision to regulate or not to regulate asbestos? EPA has proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) under TSCA to prevent the introduction of new, potentially unsafe asbestos-containing products into commerce. When finalized, will the asbestos SNUR assure that EPA is notified of, and has the ability to restrict, all new consumer products contaminated with asbestos? If the SNUR will not accomplish this objective, please explain why. As public servants, it is incumbent on us to ensure the health and safety of all Americans, especially those who are most vulnerable and most likely to be harmed by the presence of undisclosed asbestos. We look forward to receiving your responses to our concerns. Respectfully,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-merkley-to-kick-off-2019-with-town-halls-across-oregon,Merkley to Kick Off 2019 with Town Halls Across Oregon,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley to Kick Off 2019 with Town Halls Across Oregon Thursday, December 20, 2018 Portland, OR Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Benton, Jefferson, Deschutes and Crook counties, Wednesday through Friday, January 2, 3, and 4. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.In our We the People' democracy, town hall meetings are an essential tool for me to hear from Oregonians and represent their interests back in D.C., Merkley said. I invite everyone in these counties to come and discuss what we need to do to strengthen our state and our nation.Since joining the Senate in 2009, Merkley has held a town hall in each of Oregon's 36 counties every year. These nine town halls will be his 361st, 362nd, 363rd, 364th, 365th, 366th, 367th, 368th and 369th as a U.S. Senator. Details are below. Media RSVP: Please RSVP to State Communications Director Sara Hottman by email at sara_hottman@merkley.senate.gov or by phone at 503-326-3386 if you are going to cover any of these events. She will provide details for media-only opportunities to media that RSVP. Wednesday What: Multnomah County Town Hall When: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 10:30 a.m. Where: East Portland Community Center 740 SE 106th Ave. Portland, OR, 97216 What: Washington County Town Hall When: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 2 p.m. Where: Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center 9985 SW 125th Ave. Beaverton, OR, 97008 What: Clackamas County Town Hall When: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 6 p.m. Where: Gladstone High School 18800 Portland Ave. Gladstone, OR, 97027 -- Thursday What: Lane County Town Hall When: Thursday, January 3, 2019 10:30 a.m. Where: Hamlin Middle School 326 Centennial Blvd. Springfield, OR, 97477 What: Benton County Town Hall When: Thursday, January 3, 2019 2:30 p.m. Where: Philomath High School 2054 Applegate St. Philomath, OR, 97370 What: Linn County Town Hall When: Thursday, January 3, 2019 5:30 p.m. Where: Timber Ridge School 373 Timber Ridge St. NE Albany, OR, 97322 -- Friday What: Jefferson County Town Hall When: Friday, January 4, 2019 11 a.m. Where: Madras Performing Arts Center 412 SE Buff St. Madras, OR, 97741 What: Deschutes County Town Hall When: Friday, January 4, 2019 3 p.m. Where: Mountain View High School 2755 NE 27th St. Bend, OR, 97701 What: Crook County Town Hall When: Friday, January 4, 2019 7 p.m. Where: Crook County High School 1100 SE Lynn Blvd. Prineville, OR, 97754 ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/after-returning-from-border-merkley-and-chu-introduce-legislation-to-shut-down-tornillo-child-prison,"After Returning from Border, Merkley and Chu Introduce Legislation to Shut Down Tornillo Child Prison",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"After Returning from Border, Merkley and Chu Introduce Legislation to Shut Down Tornillo Child Prison The Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act follows visit inside the site on December 15 and key Trump policy reversal earlier this week. Thursday, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Following their visit to the Tornillo child tent prison on Saturday, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) today announced they are introducing bicameral legislationthe Shut Down Child Prison Camps Actto shut down the facility and another similar temporary shelter in Florida immediately. After Merkley and Chu's delegation put pressure on the Administration over the weekend, the Trump Administration backed down earlier this week on a key policy that has kept thousands of children fleeing persecution abroad locked in prison camps like Tornillo. That policy change makes it possible to transfer thousands of children out of detention and into homes and schoolsmany placed with their own family membersmaking it inexcusable for the Administration to keep Tornillo open. It was absolutely chilling to see children locked up in a desolate, isolated tent prison in the desert, said Merkley. Children belong in homes, schools, and parksnot behind barbed wire. Our taxpayer dollars are being used to traumatize children by keeping them in a child prison camp instead of in the arms of their families. This is evil. We need to shut down Tornillo and end Trump's war on children. What I saw and learned in Tornillo was shocking and outrageous, said Chu. Thousands of children who fled horrors and endured a difficult journey are being housed in a tent city in the desert, watched over by staff who have not had to go through a background check, and forbidden from even walking from tent to tent without adult supervision. This makes children vulnerable to abuse, poses serious developmental challenges, and risks retraumatizing them, both of which will have long-term consequences. Worst of all, this is a choice that was made by this administration. Unaccompanied children have been and can be released to loved ones or family who will look after their safety and well-being. Instead, Trump is fomenting xenophobia and keeping them in the desert in the hands of people not trained to care for children. Children should not have to suffer a lifetime of damage because of a political choice Donald Trump is making. Simply put, this facility and the one in Homestead, Florida should not exist and must be shut down immediately. Currently, approximately 2,800 children are incarcerated at Tornillo. Of those, more than 2,000 have been in detention at Tornillo for longer than the 20 days required by the Flores settlement. The vast majority of the long-term child detainees have sponsors who have stepped forward to host them in the U.S.most of whom are family members of the childrenand approximately 1,300 of those sponsors have already cleared a background check. The Trump Administration had created a months-long administrative backlog by requiring every adult in a sponsor household to undergo a FBI fingerprint background check before a child could be transferred to their care. This week, following pressure created by the delegation over the weekend, the Trump Administration reversed course on the fingerprinting policy that has created long delays in the release of children. In June, the Administration similarly backed down from its child separation policy following the outcry created by Merkley's trips to the border on June 3 and Fathers' Day, June 17. At their visit to Tornillo on Saturday, Merkley and Chu, along with Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX-16), requested to speak with some of the children who have been living at Tornillo, to hear directly from them about their experiences of being incarcerated there. The request was denied by the Trump Administration Department of Health and Human Services. Despite the fact that the tent prison has now been in operation for more than six months, the Trump Administration has continued to designate it as a temporary emergency shelter, allowing the administration to evade regulations meant to protect children. Homestead, another temporary shelter in Florida, would also be shut down by the legislation. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-announces-introduction-of-bill-to-ban-usda-slaughter-of-kittens,Merkley Announces Introduction of Bill to Ban USDA Slaughter of Kittens,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Announces Introduction of Bill to Ban USDA Slaughter of Kittens The KITTEN Act would stop USDA practice of killing kittens Thursday, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced the introduction of theKittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act, orKITTEN Act, which would end the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) practice of killing kittens after they're used inagencytesting. In this testing, kittens arefed raw meat infected with parasites, which grow in the kittens and are later harvested for study. But instead of being treated after the study, thekittens are thenkilled. This is an archaic practice and horrific treatment, and we need to end it, Merkley said. TheKITTEN Actwill protect these innocent animals from being needlessly euthanized in government testing, and make sure that they can be adopted by loving families instead. Since 1970, the USDA has spent $650,000 each year to infect and later kill kittens in its Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, MD. The lab breeds up to 100 kittens per year. Once they're 2 months old, the kittens are fed parasite-infected raw meat. Their fecesare thencollected and parasitic eggs are harvested for use in other experiments. Once the eggs are collected, the 3-month-old kittens are killed and incineratedeven though the kittens couldeasilybe treated and adopted out. The Centers for Disease Control, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges say that these kittens are safe to have as pets. That's why Merkley secured language in the Senate Appropriations Committee agricultural bill that urges USDA to consider alternativetesting methods toinfecting and killing kittens. TheKITTEN Actwould fully protect these kittens by requiring that the Secretary of Agriculture end the use of kittens and cats in any USDA experiments thatunnecessarily hurts the animals. A House version of the bill (H.R. 5780) was introduced in June by Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI-08) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), and has 60 other bipartisan cosponsors46 Democrats and 15 Republicansincluding Oregon Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, and Peter DeFazio. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-bonamici-press-epa-on-alarming-reuters-asbestos-investigation,"Merkley, Bonamici Press EPA on Alarming Reuters Asbestos Investigation",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Bonamici Press EPA on Alarming Reuters Asbestos Investigation New reporting finds presence of asbestos in talcum powder, including baby powders marketed for use on infants Thursday, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today pressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for answers following an alarming new Reuters report revealing that some everyday consumer products, including baby powders, may contain asbestosa highly toxic chemical. We write to express our deep concern about recent reporting from Reuters detailing the presence of asbestos in talcum powder products used in a variety of consumer goods, including baby powders commonly used on infants, wrote Merkley and Bonamici. Research shows that asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 15,000 deaths per year, causing mesothelioma; lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers; and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and one for which there is no controlled use or safe level of exposure, they continued. Fifty-five countries have already banned asbestos. Unfortunately, the United States still permits the use of asbestos, joining such countries as China, India, and Russia, the latter of which remains by far the largest exporter of asbestos. Without a ban, the United States also imports millions of dollars' worth of asbestos-contaminated consumer goods every year. Merkley and Bonamici have introduced the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, which would expedite a ban on asbestos imports and use in the United States. Following the Reuters report, Merkley and Bonamici plan to make a renewed push for this legislation in January in the next session of Congress. In today's letter to the EPA, Merkley and Bonamici asked the administration to respond to the following questions: What policies and guidance does EPA have in place or in development to reduce the presence of talcum powder or any other asbestos mixtures in household consumer goods? Asbestos is a known carcinogen. What steps is the EPA taking to educate and protect pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable populations and to help them minimize exposure to asbestos? The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, signed into law in 2016, amended and updated TSCA and explicitly addressed previous limitations on EPA authority that prevented the agency from regulating asbestos. Since that law was enacted, what populations has EPA identified as disproportionately at risk either because of greater exposure to asbestos or greater susceptibility to injury from asbestos? How has the identification of these populations affected EPA's decision to regulate or not to regulate asbestos? EPA has proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) under TSCA to prevent the introduction of new, potentially unsafe asbestos-containing products into commerce. When finalized, will the asbestos SNUR assure that EPA is notified of, and has the ability to restrict, all new consumer products contaminated with asbestos? If the SNUR will not accomplish this objective, please explain why. The full text of Merkley and Bonamici's letter to the EPA follows below. ### Dear Acting Administrator Wheeler and Deputy Assistant Administrator Beck: We write to express our deep concern about recent reporting from Reuters detailing the presence of asbestos in talcum powder products used in a variety of consumer goods, including baby powders commonly used on infants. Although baby powder is subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, other talc products sold to consumers would be within the purview of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and thus the responsibility of EPA. Ongoing efforts to reduce the health risks of asbestos exposure would be woefully incomplete if those efforts did not address TSCA-regulated talc products contaminated with asbestos. Research shows that asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 15,000 deaths per year, causing mesothelioma; lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers; and respiratory diseases such as asbestosis. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and one for which there is no controlled use or safe level of exposure. Fifty-five countries have already banned asbestos. Unfortunately, the United States still permits the use of asbestos, joining such countries as China, India, and Russia, the latter of which remains by far the largest exporter of asbestos. Without a ban, the United States also imports millions of dollars' worth of asbestos-contaminated consumer goods every year. Independent testing as recently as 2018 found asbestos in children's toys, crayons, and cosmetics. Because of serious health concerns, as well as the disturbing details in the recent Reuters report, please respond to the following questions: What policies and guidance does EPA have in place or in development to reduce the presence of talcum powder or any other asbestos mixtures in household consumer goods? Asbestos is a known carcinogen. What steps is the EPA taking to educate and protect pregnant women, infants, and other vulnerable populations and to help them minimize exposure to asbestos? The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, signed into law in 2016, amended and updated TSCA and explicitly addressed previous limitations on EPA authority that prevented the agency from regulating asbestos. Since that law was enacted, what populations has EPA identified as disproportionately at risk either because of greater exposure to asbestos or greater susceptibility to injury from asbestos? How has the identification of these populations affected EPA's decision to regulate or not to regulate asbestos? EPA has proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) under TSCA to prevent the introduction of new, potentially unsafe asbestos-containing products into commerce. When finalized, will the asbestos SNUR assure that EPA is notified of, and has the ability to restrict, all new consumer products contaminated with asbestos? If the SNUR will not accomplish this objective, please explain why. As public servants, it is incumbent on us to ensure the health and safety of all Americans, especially those who are most vulnerable and most likely to be harmed by the presence of undisclosed asbestos. We look forward to receiving your responses to our concerns. Respectfully, Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391474,"Bipartisan Bill to Control Sea Lions, Save Salmon on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers Signed Into Law",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Kurt Schrader,S001180,schrader.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) giving tribal members and government fish managers the authority to lethally remove sea lions that are decimating endangered salmon and steelhead runs was signed into law. TheEndangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Actpassedthe U.S. House earlier this year, and companion legislation passed the U.S. Senate earlier this month. After 12 years of hard work by so many on this legislation, seeing it finally become law today represents a momentous step in the effort to protect our endangered salmon and steelhead runs. Today, we have reason to be optimistic that our fight to prevent the extinction of entire Northwest salmon runs, and the species that depend on them, can succeed,said Rep. Herrera Beutler. This has been an issue that I have worked on since first coming to Congress. I want to thank everyone Rep. Herrera Beutler, Senators Risch and Cantwell, and our states, tribes, and local communities for the exceptional work to get this bill over the finish line this year,said Rep. Schrader.In the last few years especially, we've seen a record number of sea lions in the Columbia River from Astoria to Bonneville Dam. Ratepayers and my constituents are paying hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards the largest mitigation program in the country for threatened and endangered salmon. These sea lions, whose population has become totally inconsistent with their historic range, have been undoing all of that work by feasting on the endangered species. Our law will provide a great step forward in eliminating this threat to our iconic Oregon salmon that are struggling to survive once and for all. This legislation affirms our collective determination to keep Columbia River salmon robust and abundant. The entire Northwest Congressional delegation really went to bat for these fish and we're grateful for that. We're eager to put this new law into action and provide better balance between these species,said Charles Hudson, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. We commend the tireless, bipartisan efforts of Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Kurt Schrader and Senators Maria Cantwell and Jim Risch to give Northwest states and tribes the authority to protect wild and endangered salmon and steelhead from excessive, unnatural sea lion predation in the Columbia River basin,said Gary Loomis, founder of G-Loomis, Edge Rods, and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) in the Pacific Northwest.The enactment of this science-based legislation is the culmination of a decade-long effort by Reps. Herrera Beutler and Schrader and a coalition of states, tribes, conservation organizations, and sportfishing advocates, including tens of thousands of citizens who voiced their support for this legislation that is so critical to the future of Columbia River salmon. We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Congresswoman Herrera Beutler, Congressman Schrader, Senators Cantwell and Risch on this effort. The legislation had the unanimous support of the Northwest delegation, and we applaud its passage and enactment into law. The increasing sea lion population in the Lower Columbia River in recent years has presented a greater threat to wild salmon and steelhead runs than ever before. The states and our tribal partners now have the tools to better protect our iconic and endangered fish populations from their predation,saidKelly Susewind, Director of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. How this new law will impact Northwest salmon and steelhead: Historic recovery efforts of endangered salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River have been compromised by exponentially increasing sea lion predation in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California sea lions have killed the largest proportion of spring Chinook salmon and steelhead this year than any year since 2011. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that at the current rate, the Willamette Winter Steelhead run faces a 90 percent chance of extinction if nothing changes. This bipartisan legislation authorizes states and tribal members to lethally remove sea lions that are predating on endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species. The new law is supported by a broad spectrum of Northwest residents and organizations that include recreational fishermen represented by the Coastal Conservation Association, Tribes and the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Fish and Wildlife.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/kaptur-joyce-bonamici-and-mast-lead-bipartisan-letter-trump-budget-office,"Kaptur, Joyce, Bonamici and Mast lead bipartisan letter to Trump budget office on harmful algal blooms",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) wrote a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney urging the Trump Administration to fully fund all programs related to addressing harmful algal blooms in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020 budget. We write to respectfully request that you allocate robust funding in the President's Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for programs that address a widespread and ever-increasing problem: toxic algal blooms, also called harmful algal blooms (HABs), the Members wrote. Toxic algae affect marine, coastal, estuarine, and freshwater systems in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. A strong investment in programs that address toxic algae will help protect economic activity, the health of millions of Americans, and our environment. The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 61 members. To make the necessary progress toward understanding and addressing the significant and expanding threats that toxic algae pose to human health and our national economy, we ask that you prioritize a strong and coordinated federal response in this year's budget request by including robust funding to support multi-investigator research programs for HAB-related work, the Members concluded. Read the entire letter here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-releases-report-detailing-alleged-opioid-dumping-rural,Greg Walden releases report detailing alleged opioid-dumping in rural communities,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden releases report detailing alleged opioid-dumping in rural communities WASHINGTON, D.C. --The Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), today released a report summarizing its findings after concluding its bipartisan investigation into allegations of opioid-dumping in West Virginia. Walden's Energy and Commerce Committee spent more than 18 months investigating large quantities of opioids sent to rural towns. The Energy and Commerce Committee spent more than 18 months investigating allegations of pill dumping in West Virginia -- the epicenter of the nation's opioid epidemic and the state with the highest drug overdose death rate in the country,"" said Chairman Greg Walden and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). ""Our bipartisan investigation revealed systemic failures by both distributors and the DEA that contributed to -- and failed to abate -- the opioid crisis in West Virginia. The Majority Staff Report released today identified several flaws limiting the effectiveness of the distributors' compliance programs and DEA's enforcement. While we've already been hard at work this Congress to combat the opioid crisis with the signing of H.R. 6 into law, more work remains. The report details numerous warning signs and red flags missed by wholesale drug distributors and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that contributed to the worsening of the opioid epidemic in West Virginia. The report concludes with a series of recommendations and suggested legislative solutions to help improve the effectiveness of the distributors' compliance programs and the DEA's enforcement. The recommendations include: Congress should consider enacting additional suspicious order requirements to clarify registrant responsibilities and to supplement the suspicious order requirements recently codified in Walden's SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; DEA should work to establish a data platform with third-party experts to provide more real-time data to registrants; DEA should establish guidance on delaying Immediate Suspension Orders or other administrative actions for the furtherance of parallel criminal investigations, including a limit on the amount of time the agency will delay action; As part of their prospective customer due diligence, and at regular intervals thereafter, distributors should require the production of dispensing data from a pharmacy, preferably in a manner that would enable the distributor to identify the pharmacy's prescribing physicians; When red flags are raised and documented regarding a pharmacy, that pharmacy should be subject to heightened monitoring. Distributors' policies should specify the frequency and type of any such heightened monitoring; and Distributors' policies should clearly require a proactive review of pharmacies that share common ownership with a pharmacy terminated for compliance reasons within a reasonable, and determined, amount of time, among other recommendations. The report concludes, Blame for the opioid epidemic is widespread and goes far beyond the bounds of this investigation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacists, physicians, drug traffickers, and others have contributed to this problem as well. This investigation has revealed that neither the DEA nor the distributors rose to the occasion to help mitigate the opioid epidemic. The committee will continue its bipartisan work to examine the causes and effects of the opioid epidemic. Click here to read the full report online. Background In May 2017, the committee opened a bipartisan investigation into the distribution of prescription opioids by wholesale drug distributors, with a specific focus on distribution practices in West Virginia, and enforcement practices by the DEA during the opioid epidemic. Bipartisan committee leaders sentletters to the top drug distributors (AmerisourceBergen Corporation, CardinalHealth, Inc., and McKesson Corporation) and the DEAin May 2017, regarding reports of extremely high amounts of opioids being distributed in the state. Cited in the letters was the example of Kermit, West Virginia, population 406, receiving nearly 9 million hydrocodone pills in a two-year period. Bipartisan committee leadersprobed a fourth distributor, Miami-Luken, Inc., in September 2017 and sent afollow up letter to the DEA in October 2017. During October 2017, the full committee held a hearing where Walden grilled the DEA on its lack of cooperation and response to the committee's investigation. In January 2018, bipartisan committee leaders sent a follow up letter to Miami-Luken and probed a fifth distributor, H.D. Smith Wholesale Drug Co. In February 2018, bipartisan committee leaders sent follow-upletterstoMcKesson,Cardinal Health, andAmerisourceBergen. In March 2018, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigationsheld ahearingexamining the DEA's role in combating the opioid crisis. In May 2018, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held ahearingwith the leadership of national and regional drug distributors to testify about their role in the opioid crisis. --",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-rubio-cardin-collins-and-merkley-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-atrocities-against-rohingya-in-burma,"Senators Markey, Rubio, Cardin, Collins, and Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Atrocities Against Rohingya in Burma",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Markey, Rubio, Cardin, Collins, and Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Atrocities Against Rohingya in Burma Resolution urges Trump administration to make a determination on whether crimes committed by the Burmese military amount to genocide, encourages sanctions against responsible senior Burmese military officials Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Washington (December 19, 2018) Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced a bipartisan resolution that highlights the horrific acts of violence against the Rohingya people in Burma. Underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis that followed the brutal crackdown by Burmese security elements in Rohingya communities in 2017, the resolution calls for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to make a determination on whether these crimes constitute genocide. Earlier this month, the Public International Law and Policy Group released a report detailing the atrocities and calling for tribunals for those responsible for the genocide. And an August United Nations report found that Myanmar's military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingyas with genocidal intent and made the case for prosecuting its commander-in-chief and five generals under international law. The Trump administration has yet to label the crimes against the Rohingya a genocide, instead calling it ethnic cleansing. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Genocide Convention, we must acknowledge that atrocitiescontinuing inBurmameets the definition of a genocide. However, the voice United States has been silent on this issue,said Senator Markey. This resolution demonstrates that the United States Senate is fully committed to upholding the rights and dignities of persecuted minorities, accountability for the Burmese military's actions, and the promotion of peace and democratic freedoms for the Burmese people. We cannot allow the United States to once again play global bystander as a genocide continues to happen. The United States cannot abandon its global leadership in upholding human rights, dignity, and accountability, said Senator Cardin. The atrocities committed against the Rohingya clearly amount to genocide, as documented by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and several other international human rights investigative agencies. We are urging this administration to thoroughly investigate and evaluate the crimes committed against the Rohingya to reach a genocide determination, and promote respect for human rights and accountability for the Rohingya people. The well documented campaign of atrocities committed against the Rohingya people in Rakhine State appears to have been premediated and coordinated by Burmese military and security forces, and should be condemned by the international community for what it was: genocide. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled to Bangladesh amidst horrendous acts of violence and threats of violence, and these refugees carry with them unimaginable stories of cruelty and depravity, said Senator Collins. Our bipartisan resolution, which urges the Administration to make a determination on whether these crimes constitute genocide, would help garner continued international pressure on the Burmese military and government. The Burmese military and security forces have perpetrated horrific crimes against the Rohingya people, said Senator Merkley. The stories I heard at the Rohingya refugee camps from survivors of this genocide will be seared into my mind for the rest of my life. We owe it to those survivors and the hundreds of thousands of other oppressed Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State to launch a robust international effort to hold those responsible fully accountable for their crimes. The United States should be leadingnot laggingin that effort. A copy of the resolution can be found HERE. This resolution also stresses the importance of imposing additional sanctions on senior Burmese officials complicit in carrying out the violence. It encourages Facebook and other social media platforms to counter hate speech that foments ethnic division in Burma. The resolution also encourages the administration to maintain the United States' leadership in contributing to the humanitarian response that has aided Bangladesh's efforts to absorb the 730,000 people who fled the violence last year. Finally, the resolution calls for the Burmese government to release Wa Lone and Kyaw Saw Oo, two Reuters journalists who were convicted earlier this year after reporting on the military's human rights abuses against the Rohingya. Introduction of the bipartisan resolution follows passage of similar legislation introduced by Representative Steve Chabot (OH-01) that passed last week in the House of Representatives by a vote of 394 to 1. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-on-latest-facebook-privacy-scandal-when-companies-repeatedly-lie-to-the-public-and-congress-congress-must-act-to-protect-americans-privacy,"Wyden on Latest Facebook Privacy Scandal: When Companies Repeatedly Lie To the Public And Congress, Congress Must Act to Protect Americans’ Privacy",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 19, 2018 Wyden on Latest Facebook Privacy Scandal: When Companies Repeatedly Lie To the Public And Congress, Congress Must Act to Protect Americans' Privacy Wyden's Privacy Bill Would Create Strict Penalties for Companies That Misuse Americans' Data Washington, D.C. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for Congress to pass strong privacy legislation in response to the latest privacy scandal at Facebook, revealed in today's New York Times. Mark Zuckerberg had a lot of chutzpah telling Congress that Americans could control their data, when seemingly every other week Facebook faces a new privacy scandal for abusing our personal information. Sheryl Sandberg told me that personal privacy is a matter of national security, while we now know that Facebook shared vast amounts of data with Russian and Chinese telecom companies with strong links to their governments. When foreign governments have ready access to Americans' data, it makes it even easier for them to microtarget us with divisive messages and false content designed to undermine our democracy. When companies repeatedly lie to Congress and the American people about what they do with our messages, location, likes and everything else, Congress has a duty to do something about it. I wrote a tough new consumer privacy bill to punish companies - and even put CEOs in jail if they lie about protecting your privacy. Clearly these people need some skin in the game before they will take Americans' privacy seriously. Wyden pressed Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg about the company's partnerships with foreign corporations earlier this year. His review of privacy audits by the Federal Trade Commission revealed that Facebook failed to police how its partner companies handled user data. In response to failures at Facebook and other major corporations, last month Wyden introduced a consumer privacy bill to give Americans control over their personal data. The bill includes tough fines and possible jail time for CEOs who lie to the government about protecting consumers' privacy. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-secures-improved-wildfire-resiliency-and-protections-for-oregon-wildlands-and-rivers-in-bipartisan-public-lands-legislation,Wyden Secures Improved Wildfire Resiliency and Protections for Oregon Wildlands and Rivers in Bipartisan Public Lands Legislation,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 19, 2018 Wyden Secures Improved Wildfire Resiliency and Protections for Oregon Wildlands and Rivers in Bipartisan Public Lands Legislation Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden announced tonight that he secured several critical measures for Oregonincluding improved flexibility for hazardous fuels reduction efforts and protections for wilderness and wild and scenic riversin a bipartisan package of public lands legislation that U.S. Senate leadership guarantees will be voted on by the full Senate in January. The management of our public lands is nothing to mess around with it impacts public safety, our local and regional economies, and the clean water and clean air so important to Oregonians and Americans,said Wyden.Today the Senate is one step closer to protecting special places and ensuring Oregon's recreation economy can continue to thrive, all while tackling the growing risk of wildfires facing Oregon communities. Improved Wildfire Resiliency Efforts The bipartisan lands package includes a provision to improve the efforts of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to protect Crooked River Ranch, a community in central Oregon, from the catastrophic effects of wildfire. The provision would release a small number of acres near Crooked River Ranch from a wilderness study area, and includes an amendment secured by Wyden to ensure those lands are managed for forest health and wildfire resiliency. Public Land and River Protections The bipartisan public lands package includes provisions of Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley's Oregon Wildlands Act that will: Create the Devil's Staircase Wilderness by designating roughly 30,000 acres of remote lands in the Oregon Coast Range. Permanently protect the Chetco Rivera critical source of drinking water and habitat for endangered salmon in southwest Oregonfrom mining and mineral extraction. Designate 250 miles of prime Oregon salmon- and steelhead-producing rivers and streams as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including: about 120 miles of Rogue River tributaries; a 21-mile stretch of the Molalla River; 18 miles of Jenny Creek, which flows through the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument; 21 miles of Wasson Creek and Franklin Creek in the Siuslaw National Forest; and several important tributaries of the Elk River. Protect an additional 40 miles of Rogue River tributaries from mining and future dam installations. Honor Oregon Couple's Conservation Legacy with Steelhead Sanctuary Wyden also was successful in including legislation honoring Frank and Jeanne Moore, an Oregon couple with a distinguished legacy of conservation and habitat preservation. The Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area Designation Actintroduced by Wyden, Merkley, and Rep. Peter DeFaziodesignates nearly 100,000 acres of Forest Service land north of the North Umpqua River as the Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Special Management Area and ensures the river, and the surrounding area, will protect steelhead habitat and preserve recreation opportunities for generations to come.Frank Moore returned to the North Umpqua after serving in the European theatre during World War II and settled there, with Jeanne, guiding generations of fishers on the river. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391473,Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Kurt Schrader,S001180,schrader.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), along with Senators Ron Wyden, and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), announced the designation of Oregon's Van Duzer Corridor as an American Viticulture Area (AVA) this month. Receiving the AVA designation is huge for our Oregon wineries and vineyards in their ability to grow in and beyond the region, said Schrader. This kind of recognition helps solidify the Corridor's place on the map. I'd like to congratulate our communities and small businesses across the Van Duzer Corridor and express my appreciation to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for moving this process along this year. This great news for our state's wineries and vineyards will allow them to build on their well-deserved national and international renown, Wyden said. Willamette Valley communities throughout the Van Duzer Corridor can share a celebratory toast this holiday season to earning an AVA designation that will help to create jobs and economic activity in one of Oregon's signature industries. This designation is a huge step forward for businesses and communities in the Van Duzer Corridor region of Oregon's beautiful, productive wine country, Merkley said. Our delicious pinots, Rieslings and more create jobs and fuel our tourist economy, and tools that make their business stronger should never be held up by bureaucracy. I will continue to work to be a strong federal partner to Oregon's small businesses. Oregon's winegrowers and winemakers have truly transformed this region and have demonstrated an incredible ethic and understanding of the land, said Blumenauer. This designation recognizes the unique qualities of the Van Duzer Corridor and its importance to Oregon's wine industry, whichis distinctive, delicious, and world-renowned. I'm proud to support the Van Duzer area in finally receiving this important recognition, a critical addition to one of our state's most exciting industries. Oregon winemakers produce world-class wines and are a vital part of our economy, said Bonamici. I'm thrilled that the Van Duzer Corridor will be one of Oregon's recognized American Viticulture Areas, further establishing our reputation as a producer of fine wines. This designation will help winemakers in the area get the recognition they deserve. The Members sent a letter earlier this year to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on behalf of several vineyard and winery owners that expressed the value AVA designation brings to an area writing thatan AVA designation bestows tremendous advantage to the small businesses established in that area. Operating under the AVA umbrella confers a certain amount of stature that enables businesses to better promote their products at the marketplace and stabilize the financial longevity of their wine endeavors. The success that flows is good for businesses and the economic health of the state.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-trump-and-devos-do-your-job-protect-all-students-and-make-our-schools,Bonamici to Trump and DeVos: Do Your Job to Protect All Students and Make Our Schools Safe,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/18/18] Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Vice Ranking Member on the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump and Secretary DeVos' Federal Commission on School Safety announced its intention to arm teachers and roll back civil rights protections for students. The Federal Commission on School Safety's recommendations prove once again that the Trump Administration is not acting in the best interest of students, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. The Commission completely fails to address gun violence in our schools and takes the dangerous step of encouraging schools to arm teachers. This would endanger the lives of students and make our schools less safe. Further, these recommendations would also reignite a civil rights crisis by again subjecting students of color to disproportionate discipline in schools. According to a recent GAO report, African American students are disciplined at disproportionately high rates and are subject to harsher discipline than their white counterparts. The Obama-era school discipline guidance was a critical resource to help schools address racial disparities in school discipline. The Department of Education is charged with promoting equal educational opportunities, and must not roll back civil rights protections for vulnerable students. Rescinding this guidance would set students of color up for academic failure and perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline. I call on Secretary DeVos to protect students from discrimination and provide schools with resources to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments. I will be questioning her directly about this report in hearings next year, and will work to make our schools safe for all students. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/oregon-members-announce-ava-designation-van-duzer-corridor,Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), along with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), announced the designation of Oregon's Van Duzer Corridor as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) this month. Receiving the AVA designation is huge for our Oregon wineries and vineyards in their ability to grow in and beyond the region, said Schrader. This kind of recognition helps solidify the Corridor's place on the map. I'd like to congratulate our communities and small businesses across the Van Duzer Corridor and express my appreciation to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for moving this process along this year. This great news for our state's wineries and vineyards will allow them to build on their well-deserved national and international renown, Wyden said. Willamette Valley communities throughout the Van Duzer Corridor can share a celebratory toast this holiday season to earning an AVA designation that will help to create jobs and economic activity in one of Oregon's signature industries. This designation is a huge step forward for businesses and communities in the Van Duzer Corridor region of Oregon's beautiful, productive wine country, Merkley said. Our delicious pinots, Rieslings and more create jobs and fuel our tourist economy, and tools that make their business stronger should never be held up by bureaucracy. I will continue to work to be a strong federal partner to Oregon's small businesses. Oregon's winegrowers and winemakers have truly transformed this region and have demonstrated an incredible ethic and understanding of the land, said Blumenauer. This designation recognizes the unique qualities of the Van Duzer Corridor and its importance to Oregon's wine industry, whichis distinctive, delicious, and world-renowned. I'm proud to support the Van Duzer area in finally receiving this important recognition, a critical addition to one of our state's most exciting industries. Oregon winemakers produce world-class wines and are a vital part of our economy, said Bonamici. I'm thrilled that the Van Duzer Corridor will be one of Oregon's recognized American Viticultural Areas, further establishing our reputation as a producer of fine wines. This designation will help winemakers in the area get the recognition they deserve. The Members sent a letter earlier this year to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on behalf of several vineyard and winery owners that expressed the value AVA designation brings to an area writing thatan AVA designation bestows tremendous advantage to the small businesses established in that area. Operating under the AVA umbrella confers a certain amount of stature that enables businesses to better promote their products at the marketplace and stabilize the financial longevity of their wine endeavors. The success that flows is good for businesses and the economic health of the state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-introduces-legislation-requiring-congressional-oversight-and-transparency-for-funding-transfers,Merkley Introduces Legislation Requiring Congressional Oversight and Transparency for Funding Transfers,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Introduces Legislation Requiring Congressional Oversight and Transparency for Funding Transfers Merkley bill follows scandal of FEMA funds diverted to ICE; comes as Trump Administration claims it will find border wall money through different funding sources' Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced the Transparency in Federal Spending Act, legislation that would require full transparency and congressional oversight of funding transfers within federal agencies. Merkley's legislation follows the revelations this fall that the Trump Administration diverted nearly half a billion dollars in funding from other programs to fund family detention centers and child prisons. It also comes as White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Tuesday that there are a number of different funding sources that we've identified that we can use to fund President Trump's border wall. The Transparency in Federal Spending Act would require public transparency, including an online public database, of all funding transfers made within and between agencies. The American people deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to how their taxpayer dollars are being spent, said Merkley. President Trump should not be able to make secret decisions to move vast sums of money to fund projects Congress has not authorized and even projects that Congress has explicitly rejected. Since the summer, the Trump Administration has aggressively pursued a strategy of forcing families fleeing persecution abroad to wait in internment camps for their asylum hearings. In recent months, Trump officials have doubled down on this strategy, proposing a new regulation that would allow children to be detained indefinitely alongside their parents. Over the weekend, Merkley went back to the border to inspect facilities where families and children are being held. At Tornillo, a tent prison camp currently holding 2,800 children, he learned that more than 2,000 of those children have been there for over 20 days. Additionally, 1,300 of the Tornillochildren have sponsors in the United Statesmostly family memberswho have already passed background checks, but the children's release has been postponed by bureaucratic delays put in place by the Trump Administration. Merkley's actions this week follow his work to expose how the Trump Administration has diverted nearly half a billion dollars from other critical programs in order to fund detention of immigrants as part of its zero-humanity, zero tolerance policy. This fall, he revealed that the Trump Administration took over $200 million from other programsincluding $10 million from FEMA as Hurricane Florence was bearing down on the Carolinasto jail asylum-seekers. Further documents also showed that the Trump Administration diverted $266 million from programs including HIV/AIDS treatment, cancer research, and meals for seniors in order to fund an unprecedented surge in detention of child immigrants, including expansion of Tornillowhich costs approximately $1 million per day to operate. The Transparency in Federal Spending Act would require that: If an executive agency requests a reprogramming of funds or uses authority available to reprogram or transfer funds, that agency is required to concurrently post such information on their website. If the request, reprogramming, or transfer is $5,000,000 or above, the agency is required to concurrently notify each member of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/oregon-members-announce-ava-designation-for-van-duzer-corridor,Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor Tuesday, December 18, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), along with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), announced the designation of Oregon's Van Duzer Corridor as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) this month. Receiving the AVA designation is huge for our Oregon wineries and vineyards in their ability to grow in and beyond the region, said Schrader. This kind of recognition helps solidify the Corridor's place on the map. I'd like to congratulate our communities and small businesses across the Van Duzer Corridor and express my appreciation to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for moving this process along this year. This great news for our state's wineries and vineyards will allow them to build on their well-deserved national and international renown, Wyden said. Willamette Valley communities throughout the Van Duzer Corridor can share a celebratory toast this holiday season to earning an AVA designation that will help to create jobs and economic activity in one of Oregon's signature industries. This designation is a huge step forward for businesses and communities in the Van Duzer Corridor region of Oregon's beautiful, productive wine country, Merkley said. Our delicious pinots, Rieslings and more create jobs and fuel our tourist economy, and tools that make their business stronger should never be held up by bureaucracy. I will continue to work to be a strong federal partner to Oregon's small businesses. Oregon's winegrowers and winemakers have truly transformed this region and have demonstrated an incredible ethic and understanding of the land, said Blumenauer. This designation recognizes the unique qualities of the Van Duzer Corridor and its importance to Oregon's wine industry, whichis distinctive, delicious, and world-renowned. I'm proud to support the Van Duzer area in finally receiving this important recognition, a critical addition to one of our state's most exciting industries. Oregon winemakers produce world-class wines and are a vital part of our economy, said Bonamici. I'm thrilled that the Van Duzer Corridor will be one of Oregon's recognized American Viticultural Areas, further establishing our reputation as a producer of fine wines. This designation will help winemakers in the area get the recognition they deserve. The Members sent a letter earlier this year to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on behalf of several vineyard and winery owners that expressed the value AVA designation brings to an area writing thatan AVA designation bestows tremendous advantage to the small businesses established in that area. Operating under the AVA umbrella confers a certain amount of stature that enables businesses to better promote their products at the marketplace and stabilize the financial longevity of their wine endeavors. The success that flows is good for businesses and the economic health of the state. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/oregon-members-announce-ava-designation-for-van-duzer-corridor,Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor,2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2018 Oregon Members Announce AVA Designation for Van Duzer Corridor WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05), along with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), announced the designation of Oregon's Van Duzer Corridor as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) this month. Receiving the AVA designation is huge for our Oregon wineries and vineyards in their ability to grow in and beyond the region, said Schrader. This kind of recognition helps solidify the Corridor's place on the map. I'd like to congratulate our communities and small businesses across the Van Duzer Corridor and express my appreciation to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for moving this process along this year. This great news for our state's wineries and vineyards will allow them to build on their well-deserved national and international renown, Wyden said. Willamette Valley communities throughout the Van Duzer Corridor can share a celebratory toast this holiday season to earning an AVA designation that will help to create jobs and economic activity in one of Oregon's signature industries. This designation is a huge step forward for businesses and communities in the Van Duzer Corridor region of Oregon's beautiful, productive wine country, Merkley said. Our delicious pinots, Rieslings and more create jobs and fuel our tourist economy, and tools that make their business stronger should never be held up by bureaucracy. I will continue to work to be a strong federal partner to Oregon's small businesses. Oregon's winegrowers and winemakers have truly transformed this region and have demonstrated an incredible ethic and understanding of the land, said Blumenauer. This designation recognizes the unique qualities of the Van Duzer Corridor and its importance to Oregon's wine industry, whichis distinctive, delicious, and world-renowned. I'm proud to support the Van Duzer area in finally receiving this important recognition, a critical addition to one of our state's most exciting industries. Oregon winemakers produce world-class wines and are a vital part of our economy, said Bonamici. I'm thrilled that the Van Duzer Corridor will be one of Oregon's recognized American Viticultural Areas, further establishing our reputation as a producer of fine wines. This designation will help winemakers in the area get the recognition they deserve. The Members sent a letter earlier this year to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on behalf of several vineyard and winery owners that expressed the value AVA designation brings to an area writing thatan AVA designation bestows tremendous advantage to the small businesses established in that area. Operating under the AVA umbrella confers a certain amount of stature that enables businesses to better promote their products at the marketplace and stabilize the financial longevity of their wine endeavors. The success that flows is good for businesses and the economic health of the state. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-asks-fcc-to-adopt-new-three-digit-number-for-mental-health-and-suicide-support,Wyden Asks FCC to Adopt New Three-Digit Number for Mental Health and Suicide Support,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 17, 2018 Wyden Asks FCC to Adopt New Three-Digit Number for Mental Health and Suicide Support Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt a new three-digit phone number for those needing mental health and suicide support. Wyden noted in his letter to the FCC that suicide rates are rising nationally with the Centers for Disease Control reporting more than 40,000 Americans died by suicide last year. And unfortunately, according to Mental Health America, Oregon ranks poorly among states for prevalence of mental illness for youth, and 49th for prevalence of mental illness for adults. More needs to be done to help those in need, and to increase resources and improve access to mental health professionals to help those thinking of suicide, Wyden wrote the FCC. I believe that a 3-digit code number, similar to 9-1-1 for emergencies, would most easily come to mind for those in need of intervention services, Wyden wrote. A new designated 3 digit code, such as 6-1-1, which has been recommended by my friends from Oregon Lines for Life, would be best because we need a dedicated hotline for only this issue. We all know that for fire, or rescue, or physical injury, we call 911. Well, we need a 911 for the brain -- and that's what a three-digit lifeline will deliver, said Lines for Life CEO Dwight Holton. We all struggle from time to time. It's time we make it easy for folks in crisis to get connected with folks who can help. And we very much appreciate Senator Wyden's leadership on this issue. A copy of the letter is here. Related Files Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/nice-try-not-enough,"Nice try, but not enough",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"After months of jockeying, hand wringing, and horse trading largely behind closed doors, this week Congress passed another disappointing Farm Bill agreement that does more of the same. It unfortunately is a missed opportunity to provide American families with desperately needed reforms that impact health care, climate change, economic development, and the food we eat. Instead of developing more ambitious, equitable, and cost-effective legislation like our proposed Food and Farm Act, their agreement continues to fail family farmers and ranchers, vulnerable communities, and the environment. I spent three years listening to the needs of farmers around the country and this bill does not address those needs. This bill cuts an important conservation programand provides subsidies to non-farming cousins, nieces and nephews. Every day that we continue the status quo, we delay improving and enriching communities, and helping families live healthier lives. We can and must do better to help increase access to healthy food for all families. This final bill fundamentally misses the mark on addressing critical reforms that communities across the country desperately need. Americans deserve a Farm Bill that works for them and their familiesnot corporate mega farms. I will continue to lead the opposition to the current Farm Bill structure, fighting instead for a better outcome for all Americans. Courage, Earl Blumenauer Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-and-colleagues-file-amicus-brief,"Wyden, Merkley & Colleagues File Amicus Brief",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wyden, Merkley & Colleagues File Amicus Brief As Part Of Litigation Against Trump's Illegal Asylum Ban Friday, December 14, 2018 Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit filed by six asylum seekers in the D.C. District Court challenging the legality of Donald Trump's Presidential Proclamation and rule effectively barring all asylum claims outside of ports of entry. The Oregon senators on Thursday joined Sens. Patrick Leahy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris to argue in their court filing as part of O.A. v. Trump that Trump's executive action contravenes unambiguously clear provisions in statute protecting the right of migrants to apply for asylum anywhere along U.S. borders. They describe in the brief that the Proclamation is an unlawful attempt to override overwhelmingly bipartisan congressional intent reaffirmed repeatedly, over decades by executive fiat, and that it abandons the historic role of the United States as a refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution in the face of humanitarian crises in the Northern Triangle of Central America. My parents fled the horrors of Nazi Germany for the safety and promise of the United States, said Wyden. Providing refuge for huddled masses yearning to breathe free' is America's legacy, and Donald Trump's illegal asylum ban cannot wipe it away. The Trump Administration's efforts to deter asylum seekers from our borderby putting them in child or family prisons and blocking them from declaring asylumis un-American and inhumane, said Merkley. Many of these people are fleeing deadly violence in their home countries, and have the international right to seek asylum. Yet the president is making every effort to throw roadblocks in front of them. We cannot let this administration undermine our American values as a nation of freedom and hope. The full text of the court filing can be found here. A web version of this release is available here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/video/senator-jeff-merkley-on-new-day,Senator Jeff Merkley on New Day,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-and-colleagues-file-amicus-brief_as-part-of-litigation-against-trumps-illegal-asylum-ban,"Wyden, Merkley & Colleagues File Amicus Brief As Part Of Litigation Against Trump’s Illegal Asylum Ban",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 14, 2018 Wyden, Merkley & Colleagues File Amicus Brief As Part Of Litigation Against Trump's Illegal Asylum Ban Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit filed by six asylum seekers in the D.C. District Court challenging the legality of Donald Trump's Presidential Proclamation and rule effectively barring all asylum claims outside of ports of entry. The Oregon senators on Thursday joined Sens. Patrick Leahy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris to argue in their court filing as part of O.A. v. Trump that Trump's executive action contravenes unambiguously clear provisions in statute protecting the right of migrants to apply for asylum anywhere along U.S. borders. They describe in the brief that the Proclamation is an unlawful attempt to override overwhelmingly bipartisan congressional intent reaffirmed repeatedly, over decades by executive fiat, and that it abandons the historic role of the United States as a refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution in the face of humanitarian crises in the Northern Triangle of Central America. My parents fled the horrors of Nazi Germany for the safety and promise of the United States, said Wyden. Providing refuge for huddled masses yearning to breathe free' is America's legacy, and Donald Trump's illegal asylum ban cannot wipe it away. The Trump Administration's efforts to deter asylum seekers from our borderby putting them in child or family prisons and blocking them from declaring asylumis un-American and inhumane, said Merkley. Many of these people are fleeing deadly violence in their home countries, and have the international right to seek asylum. Yet the president is making every effort to throw roadblocks in front of them. We cannot let this administration undermine our American values as a nation of freedom and hope. The full text of the court filing can be found here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-beyer-lead-96-members-calling-trump-act-climate-change-defend-findings,"Bonamici, Beyer Lead 96 Members in Calling on Trump to Act on Climate Change, Defend the Findings of the National Climate Assessment",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/13/18] Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Environment Subcommittee,and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), Vice Ranking Member of the Committee,led 96 members in urging President Trump to heed the dire warnings in the second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) and act on climate change. The NCA is the most comprehensive science-based evaluation of the consequences of climate change, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies for the United States to date. In a recent Washington Post interview, the President dismissed the NCA's findings. The Members call on President Trump to reverse his Administration's attacks on the environment and take climate change seriously. We write to convey our grave concern that time is running out for the United States to work to reverse and mitigate the worst effects of a warming climate, the Members write. We ask that you heed the dire warning of the Fourth National Climate Assessment and work with us to protect the health of our planet. The NCA adds to the overwhelming research indicating that the consequences of inaction on climate change will be serious and swift. According to the NCA, without intervention, we will see record heat waves, more acidic oceans, raging wildfires, rising sea levels, and a surge in extreme weather events all in our lifetime. The National Climate Assessment makes clear that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are the only explanation for the observed global warming over the last six decades. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are now higher than at any time in the last three million years, and we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than ignoring the important findings of the NCA, we request that you reconsider maintaining the nation's commitment to the Paris Agreement and fully implement and enforce the Clean Power Plan, fuel economy standards, methane emission controls, and safeguards for clean air and clean water. We urge you to recognize the value of the NCA as a collaborative, peer-reviewed effort across federal agencies compiled by the nation's top scientists, and take seriously the grave warnings of the NCA by immediately enacting meaningful policies to protect the environment. You can read a full copy of the Members' letter here and below. In addition to Bonamici and Beyer, the letter was signed by: Ral M. Grijalva, Peter DeFazio, Zoe Lofgren, Paul D. Tonko, Gerald E. Connolly, Doris Matsui, Anna G. Eshoo, Jerry McNerney, Kathy Castor, Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter, Bill Foster, Charlie Crist, Eliot L. Engel, Bobby L. Rush, Jan Schakowsky, Peter Welch, Ben Ray Lujn, Yvette D. Clarke, Scott H. Peters, Debbie Dingell, Matthew Cartwright, Alan Lowenthal, Mike Quigley, Chellie Pingree, A. Donald McEachin, Earl Blumenauer, Daniel W. Lipinski, Marcy Kaptur, Jerrold Nadler, Frederica S. Wilson, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ted Deutch, Nanette Diaz Barragn, Derek Kilmer, John Garamendi, Alcee L. Hastings, Rosa L. DeLauro, Salud Carbajal, Adam Smith, Barbara Lee, Jared Huffman, Grace F. Napolitano, Emanuel Cleaver II, Daniel T. Kildee, Jamie Raskin, Bennie G. Thompson, Mark Pocan, Sean Patrick Maloney, Dina Titus, Ted W. Lieu, Henry C. ""Hank"" Johnson, Jr., Seth Moulton, Darren Soto, Betty McCollum, Jimmy Panetta, Adam B. Schiff, Rick Larsen, James A. Himes, Susan Wild, John Yarmuth, James P. McGovern, Albio Sires, Gwen Moore, Nydia M. Velzquez, Adriano Espaillat, Brian Higgins, Terri A. Sewell, Mike Thompson, Tim Ryan, Denny Heck, Joe Courtney, Eric Swalwell, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Stephen F. Lynch, Eleanor Holmes Norton, David N. Cicilline, Mark DeSaulnier, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Ruben Gallego, David Price, Gregory W. Meeks, J. Luis Correa, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Jos E. Serrano, Brenda L. Lawrence, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Wm. Lacy Clay, Jim Langevin, Steve Cohen, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Judy Chu, Linda T. Snchez, Joseph Kennedy III, Thomas R. Suozzi, and Susan A. Davis. The U.S. Global Change Research Program released the second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment on a holiday weekend as part of a thinly-veiled attempt by the Administration to minimize the findings.Every day until Democrats are in the Majority in the House in January and can take meaningful action on climate change, Bonamici is sharing findings from the National Climate Assessment on Twitter.Youcanfollow alonghere. As leaders on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Bonamici and Beyer continue to provide oversight over the Trump Administration's dismissal and disrespect of science. Earlier this year, they led 97 of their colleagues in opposing ActingAdministratorWheeler's plans to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of the Science Advisor, the Agency's independent office for scientific analysis. Letter Text: December 13, 2018 The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We write to convey our grave concern that time is running out for the United States to work to reverse and mitigate the worst effects of a warming climate. We ask that you heed the dire warning of the Fourth National Climate Assessment and work with us to protect the health of our planet. The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) released the second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA) on a holiday weekend, which appeared to be in an effort to minimize the findings. It is the most comprehensive science-based evaluation of the consequences of climate change, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies for the United States to date. The NCA adds to the overwhelming research indicating that the consequences of inaction on climate change will be serious and swift. According to the NCA, without intervention, we will see record heat waves, more acidic oceans, raging wildfires, rising sea levels, and a surge in extreme weather events all in our lifetime.[1] The United States has the ability and the obligation to lead the world's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, but in June of 2017 you announced plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord.[2] As a result, the United States has fallen far behind the pledges made in the Paris Agreement and is unlikely to meet the targets set by 2025.[3] Air and water pollution do not recognize international borders. This decision weakens our standing with international allies and further endangers our planet. According to new research from the Global Carbon Project, global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to increase by 2.7 percent in 2018 alone.[4] As negotiations continue at the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United States must show leadership and take meaningful steps to sharply reduce emissions. We should be encouraging states to meet carbon emission reduction standards based on energy consumption, and we should incentivize investment in renewable energy. Fossil fuel-fired power plants, which would continue to pollute under the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule, would exacerbate and accelerate the effects of climate change. Even the Agency's own analysis found that the proposed rule will have negative effects on public health, leading to as many as 1,400 additional premature deaths per year.[5] Proposals that increase emissions of dangerous pollutants and harm public health should be resoundingly rejected. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation have proposed regulations to roll back our greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles. Transportation is a significant source of greenhouse gas pollution in the country, and fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards are effective policies to combat climate change and avoid adverse public health risks. Climate change and hazardous air pollutants disproportionately affect our most vulnerable communities, and these rules are particularly concerning for those communities. Also, methane has the potential to warm the planet by up to 86 times as much as carbon dioxide.[6] Alarmingly, methane accounts for nearly 10 percent of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.[7] Yet recently, the EPA and the Bureau of Land Management proposed rules to weaken methane leak monitoring and repair requirements for oil and gas operations and eviscerate measures designed to reduce methane venting, flaring, and leaks from oil and gas operations on public lands. These proposals once again demonstrate that the Administration is putting special interests ahead of safeguarding public health and access to clean air and clean water. Finally, the National Climate Assessment makes clear that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are the only explanation for the observed global warming over the last six decades. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are now higher than at any time in the last three million years, and we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[8] Climate change will harm air quality by increasing ground-level ozone and particulate matter, and it will threaten water supplies.[9] Unfortunately, the EPA is also trying to weaken permitting safeguards and eliminate limits on hazardous pollutants, undermine landmark mercury and air toxic standards for power plants, and weaken a clean water rule that protects water bodies that supply drinking water to tens of millions of people. Rather than ignoring the important findings of the NCA, we request that you reconsider maintaining the nation's commitment to the Paris Agreement and fully implement and enforce the Clean Power Plan, fuel economy standards, methane emission controls, and safeguards for clean air and clean water. We urge you to recognize the value of the NCA as a collaborative, peer-reviewed effort across federal agencies compiled by the nation's top scientists, and take seriously the grave warnings of the NCA by immediately enacting meaningful policies to protect the environment. Sincerely, [1] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment Summary Findings. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/ [1] ""Statement by President Trump on the Paris Climate Accord."" June 1, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-trump-paris-climate-accord/ [1] ""Emissions Gap Report 2018."" United Nations Environment Programme, November 2018. http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/26895/EGR2018_FullReport_EN.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 [1] Global Carbon Budget 2018 December 5, 2018. https://www.earth-syst-sci-data.net/10/2141/2018/essd-10-2141-2018.pdf [1] ""Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Proposed Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guideline Implementing Regulations; Revisions to New Source Review Program"" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), August 2018. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-08/documents/utilities_ria_proposed_ace_2018-08.pdf [1] How Bad of a Greenhouse Gas Is Methane? Scientific American, December 22, 2015. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-bad-of-a-greenhouse-gas-is-methane/ [1] ""Overview of Greenhouse Gases - Methane Emissions."" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases [1] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment - Chapter 2: Our Changing Climate. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/ [1] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment - Chapter 1: Overview. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/1/ ### [1] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment Summary Findings. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/ [2] ""Statement by President Trump on the Paris Climate Accord."" June 1, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-trump-paris-climate-accord/ [3] ""Emissions Gap Report 2018."" United Nations Environment Programme, November 2018. http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/26895/EGR2018_FullReport_EN.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 [4] Global Carbon Budget 2018 December 5, 2018. https://www.earth-syst-sci-data.net/10/2141/2018/essd-10-2141-2018.pdf [5] ""Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Proposed Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guideline Implementing Regulations; Revisions to New Source Review Program"" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), August 2018. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-08/documents/utilities_ria_proposed_ace_2018-08.pdf [6] How Bad of a Greenhouse Gas Is Methane? Scientific American, December 22, 2015. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-bad-of-a-greenhouse-gas-is-methane/ [7] ""Overview of Greenhouse Gases - Methane Emissions."" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases [8] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment - Chapter 2: Our Changing Climate. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/2/ [9] ""Fourth National Climate Assessment - Chapter 1: Overview. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/1/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-announces-launch-of-a-new-rural-broadband-program,Merkley Announces Launch of a New Rural Broadband Program,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Announces Launch of a New Rural Broadband Program The pilot will provide critical connections for rural America Thursday, December 13, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today announced that after securing a $600 million investment in rural broadband in the 2018 spending bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a pilot program that will provide loans and grants to build broadband infrastructure across Americaimproving rural communities' economies, health care, and quality of life. In today's connected world, we need high-speed broadband in every rural community across Oregon and across America. Everyone needs it; rural health care providers, businesses, schools, small businesses, and farmers and ranchers, said Merkley, who fought for the creation of the program as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Oregonians in some of the most remote parts of my state said that high-speed internet would be a game-changer for them, and so I used my position to fight for a massive increase in rural broadband. I am pleased that in addition to important traditional agriculture programs, we are investing in the future of our rural communities. Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. Through the pilot program, the USDA will make available $200 million for grants, $200 million for loan and grant combinations, and $200 million for low-interest loans. Projects funded through the pilot will serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people that currently have no broadband service, or have service that is extremely slow. Approved projects will improve access upload and download speeds by at least three-fold. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-to-return-to-texas-lead-delegation-investigating-trump-administrations-ongoing-mistreatment-of-migrant-children,"Merkley to Return to Texas, Lead Delegation Investigating Trump Administration’s Ongoing Mistreatment of Migrant Children",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley to Return to Texas, Lead Delegation Investigating Trump Administration's Ongoing Mistreatment of Migrant Children On oversight trip, Sens. Merkley, Hirono, and Smith and Rep. Chu will inspect family internment centers and child prisons in Texas Thursday, December 13, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Six months after his Father's Day tripexposing the child imprisonment and family separation crisis on the Texas border, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley will lead a congressional oversight trip investigating the Trump Administration's treatment of children who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border fleeing persecution and danger abroad. Merkley will be joined on the delegation this Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15, by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA-27). RepresentativeBeto O'Rourke (D-TX-16) will also join the delegation on Saturday at Tornillo. The delegation will look at how children have been treated in two different settings: family internment centers and child prisonseach of which have been called out by experts for their traumatizing effects on children. Specifically, the delegation will inspect family internment centers in Karnes City and Dilley, Texas; and the child prison in Tornillo, Texas. The Tornillo child prison is currently incarcerating more than 2,000 children in a tent encampment in the desert. WHO: Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) RepresentativeBeto O'Rourke (D-TX-16)* *Saturday only WHAT: Congressional delegation investigating the Trump Administration's mistreatment of child asylum seekers WHERE: South Texas Family Residential Center, Dilley, TX (Friday) Karnes Residential Center, Karnes City, TX (Friday) Tornillo Children's Detention Camp, Tornillo Port of Entry (Saturday) WHEN: Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15, 2018 Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/risch-merkley-join-sponsorship-of-wyden-crapo-secure-rural-schools-legislation,"RISCH, MERKLEY JOIN SPONSORSHIP OF Wyden, Crapo secure Rural Schools LEGISLATION",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"RISCH, MERKLEY JOIN SPONSORSHIP OF Wyden, Crapo secure Rural Schools LEGISLATION Thursday, December 13, 2018 Washington, D.C. Senate leaders from Oregon and Idaho are joining together in a long-term reform of the Secure Rural Schools Program. The legislation, introduced today by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and co-sponsored by U.S Senators Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, provides certainty for rural counties to ensure they have the long-term funding needed for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement and other essential services. The bipartisan Forest Management for Rural Stability Act makes the Secure Rural Schools programwhich expired at the end of FY 2018permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services. Rural communities in Idaho rely on SRS payments, and our schools and counties shoulder the greatest burden when active forest management isn't made a priority, said Senator Risch. We owe our communities the certainty of a long-term solution. This bipartisan legislation provides that stability and also makes strides to expand the program's contribution to timber management and local economies. With our county funds stretched thin, this stable funding would provide a much-needed lifeline for critical services in Oregon counties, Senator Merkley said. This bipartisan bill provides reliable funding that is crucial to keeping schools and libraries open, maintaining roads, ensuring there are police officers to keep communities safe, managing our forests, and providing mental health resources in rural counties. Establishing a growing endowment for the Secure Rural Schools program will end the need for short-term or retroactive reauthorizations of this program. said Senator Crapo. The Secure Rural Schools program has become vital in budgeting for essential services in Idaho's forested counties with large tracts of tax-exempt federal lands. This endowment will stabilize the program for generations and maintain the important link between economic growth and forest management in our forested counties, while ending the perpetual temporary band-aids that create instability and uncertainty. In the coming year, I will work with Senator Wyden to advance and refine today's proposal by gathering the input of other stakeholders and our Senate colleagues. The Secure Rural Schools program is important to dozens of states and this proposal should receive strong, bipartisan support. Without a permanent fiscal solution, forested counties in Oregon and across the country will continue to slide into financial uncertainty. Oregonians will continue to be left with fewer teachers and law enforcement officers, forced to close libraries, and unable to repair broken bridges and roads, said Senator Wyden. This bipartisan, bold approach will finally end the financial roller coaster and provide Oregonians living and working in rural counties the security they need and deserve. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS)originally co-authored by Wydenwas enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. Since then, Wyden, Crapo, Risch and Merkley have all worked to give SRS a more permanent role in assisting rural counties with large tracts of federal lands. Critical services at the county level have historically been funded in part with a 25 percent share of timber receipts from federal U.S. Forest Service lands, and a 50 percent share of timber receipts from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.As those revenues have fallen or fluctuated due to reduced timber harvest and market forces, SRS payments helped bridge the gap to keep rural schools open, provide road maintenance, support search and rescue efforts and other essential county services. In recent years, however, Congress has allowed SRS funding to lapse and decrease, creating massive uncertainty for counties as they budget for basic county services. Wyden and Crapo's Forest Management for Rural Stability Act ends the uncertainty and provides rural counties financial security. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/video/join-me,Join Me,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-crapo-introduce-legislation-to-provide-much-needed-certainty-for-secure-rural-schools-program,"Wyden, Crapo Introduce Legislation to Provide Much-Needed Certainty for Secure Rural Schools Program",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 13, 2018 Wyden, Crapo Introduce Legislation to Provide Much-Needed Certainty for Secure Rural Schools Program Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today introduced legislation to provide much-needed financial certainty for rural counties to ensure they have the long-term funding needed for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement and other essential services. The bipartisan Forest Management for Rural Stability Act makes the Secure Rural Schools programwhich expired at the end of FY 2018permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services. Without a permanent fiscal solution, forested counties in Oregon and across the country will continue to slide into financial uncertainty. Oregonians will continue to be left with fewer teachers and law enforcement officers, forced to close libraries, and unable to repair broken bridges and roads, said Wyden. This bipartisan, bold approach will finally end the financial roller coaster and provide Oregonians living and working in rural counties the security they need and deserve. Establishing a growing endowment for the Secure Rural Schools program will end the need for short-term or retroactive reauthorizations of this program. said Crapo. The Secure Rural Schools program has become vital in budgeting for essential services in Idaho's forested counties with large tracts of tax-exempt federal lands. This endowment will stabilize the program for generations and maintain the important link between economic growth and forest management in our forested counties, while ending the perpetual temporary band-aids that create instability and uncertainty. In the coming year, I will work with Senator Wyden to advance and refine today's proposal by gathering the input of other stakeholders and our Senate colleagues. The Secure Rural Schools program is important to dozens of states and this proposal should receive strong, bipartisan support. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS)originally co-authored by Wydenwas enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. Critical services at the county level have historically been funded in part with a 25 percent share of timber receipts from federal U.S. Forest Service lands, and a 50 percent share of timber receipts from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.As those revenues have fallen or fluctuated due to reduced timber harvest and market forces, SRS payments helped bridge the gap to keep rural schools open, provide road maintenance, support search and rescue efforts and other essential county services. In recent years, however, Congress has allowed SRS funding to lapse and decrease, creating massive uncertainty for counties as they budget for basic county services. Wyden and Crapo's Forest Management for Rural Stability Act ends the uncertainty and provides rural counties financial security. Legislative text can be found here. A one-page summary of the bill can be found here and a longer summary of the bill can be found here. Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader, President, Association of Oregon Counties: This is an important bill for all of Oregon's counties, especially our rural communities. Senators Wyden and Crapo have been working diligently on this bill for over a year with input from many interest groups, including AOC. The result is a well thought out bill that will help stabilize funding for counties and schools. Valley County Commissioner Gordon Cruickshank: For years Idaho's forest counties have faced economic uncertainty due to changing federal land management practices and declining forest payments to counties and schools. Senator Crapo's efforts will help stabilize funding for rural highways and schools. We applaud the Senator for his efforts to ensure stable forest payments to counties and schools. Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, President, Association of Oregon and California Counties: This is a big step forward. We are grateful to Senator Wyden for taking the lead and proposing this important measure"" Custer County Commissioner and Idaho Association of Counties Public Lands Committee Chairman Wayne Butts: Ninety-three percent of land in Custer County is under federal managed and exempt from property taxation. Counties and schools like ours can't operate without federal forest payments. Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens, Co-Chair, Association of Oregon Counties Natural Resources Steering Committee: Counties need some certainty when we do our budgeting. The bill would give us more certainty and would also give us a broader latitude in how to spend the money we receive. For counties with National Forests, 85% of the payments would be used for traditional purposes of funding for roads and schools; 15% would be chosen from a list broad enough that every county would have local needs that could be addressed with those funds. Congress should move quickly to make Senator Wyden's vision a reality. Idaho County Commissioner Skip Brandt: While this bill isn't a substitute for improving the management of neglected forest lands in Idaho, it is a necessary step in stabilizing federal forest payments to Idaho counties and schools. Federal forest payments fund vital local services including safe roads, search and rescue, and public education. We are grateful to Senator Crapo for taking the lead in working on this important issue. Marc Brinkmeyer, Chairman and CEO, Idaho Forest Group: I appreciate the efforts of both Senator Crapo and Senator Wyden to provide increased certainty to counties that rely on Secure Rural Schools funding. In addition to providing stability to county payments, the bill recognizes the need to maintain a link to active forest management, which is critical to providing both economic and ecologic vitality to rural communities in the West. Travis Joseph, President and CEO, American Forest Resource Council: We are passionate about and committed to the health and safety of the rural communities in which we live and work. We share the goal of Senators Wyden and Crapo to generate permanent, reliable financial support to forested counties in order to provide essential services to all community members - a goal the forest products industry contributes to every day. We appreciate the opportunity to continue working on the bipartisan concept - an endangered species in the Congress - while preserving the critical link between sustainable forest management, jobs, timber volume, and robust local economies. Matthew Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties: Counties appreciate the efforts of Senators Crapo and Wyden to ensure stable payments to local governments and support robust economies in rural areas. For years, forest counties have faced fiscal uncertainty due to federal regulations that reduce timber harvests on federal lands and the unpredictable annual appropriations process. The Forest Management for Rural Stability Act will create greater revenue stability for counties and new tools for forest management. Counties urge Congress to act on this legislation as soon as possible. Marc Egan, Director of Government Relations, National Education Association: We need an all of the above approach to securing the future of rural schools and communities. We urge Congress to extend funding for Secure Rural Schools before the end of the year. In addition, NEA supports bipartisan approaches that offer fresh ways of looking at how to help schools and communities near federal forests have the financial security they have long been promised.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391471,"Schrader, Welch Legislation to Close Billion Dollar Medicaid Drug Rebate Loophole Passes the House",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Kurt Schrader,S001180,schrader.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation introduced by Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Congressman Peter Welch (VT-At Large) to close a loophole in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program thatis reported to have cost the Medicaid program as much as $1 billion passed in the House this week as part of the IMPROVE Act. Reps. Schrader and Welch introduced theMedicaid Drug Rebate Accountability Actearlier this yearfollowing the release ofan Inspector General report,and followed up by introducing the House version of theRight Rebate Actlast week. I'm pleased that our legislation was included in the IMPROVE Act and passed out of the House today,said Rep. Schrader.It's ridiculous that these blatant abuses of the system have resulted in a billion dollar loss for taxpayers. Our legislation gives CMS the proper authority to deal with these inaccuracies, preventing bad actors from taking advantage of the system and honest mistakes from costing us even more money. VIDEO: Rep. Schrader Urges Colleagues to Close Billion Dollar Loophole in Medicaid Drug Rebate Program For too long, drug companies have been ripping off the Medicaid program by misclassifying their products to limit required price discounts, said Rep. Welch. This commonsense legislation puts a stop to this unethical practice and ensures that all drugs covered by Medicaid are correctly classified. Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, drug manufacturers who wish to have their drugs covered by Medicaid must pay a rebate to federal and state governments, and the rebate rate is different for brand drugs, at 23.1 percent of the Average Manufacturer Price (AMP) per unit, and generic drugs, at 13 percent of AMP per unit. When applying for the rebate, the manufacturer must indicate whether their drug is brand or generic. According to an HHS Inspector General Report published in December of last year, however, hundreds of drugs in the rebate program that should be considered brand were marked in their applications as generic. That same report found that this may have cost the rebate program upwards of $1 billion. Under theSchrader-Welch legislation, if a drug company knowingly misclassifies their brand drug as a generic, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will have the power to fine the drug company double the normal rebate they would have had to pay the government. The bill strengthens CMS and congressional oversight of the program to close the loophole.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-supports-nutrition-programs-hemp-farmers-bipartisan-farm-bill,"Bonamici Supports Nutrition Programs, Hemp, Farmers in Bipartisan Farm Bill",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC [12/12/18] Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) supported a five-yearFarm Bill reauthorization that will provide a safety net for hardworking farmers,legalize hemp production, protect nutrition assistance programs for millions of people facing food insecurity,and strengthen programs to conserve our natural resources. Federal agriculture and food programs have not kept pace with the new challenges facing many small farms and our most vulnerable populations, and it is past time that we act to provide a meaningful safety net, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. ""This is a new and improved bipartisan Farm Bill, and although it is not perfect, I am pleased that it will protect the food assistance programs for the nearly41 million Americans still facing food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is vital for low-income families in Oregon and across the country who benefit from access to affordable food and free school meals for their children."" Bonamici has long been a champion for legalizing industrial hemp and allowing it to be defined as an agricultural commodity. The Farm Bill, which included a provision to accomplish that goal, passed the House today. I have been fighting to legalize industrial hemp since my days in the Oregon Legislature, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. Legalizing hemp will be a boon to Oregon's economy by allowing farmers to expand their markets while continuing to research and cultivate their crops. We have already seen how hemp can be used in thousands of products, including food and beverages, beauty products, rope, and clothing. I look forward to accelerated growth and innovation in this industry. The Farm Bill is the result of bipartisan negotiations and does not include many of the harmful provisions in H.R. 2, the House Republican's Agriculture and Nutrition Act,which Bonamici opposed earlier this year. In addition to the SNAP and hemp provisions, the new Farm Bill: Eliminates harmful cuts and work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries; Increases funding for food banks and providesan additional $201 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); Eliminateslanguage that would make it easier to use harmful pesticides and does not include riders that would jeopardizeprotections for clean drinking water; Preserves theEnvironmental Quality Incentive and Conservation Stewardship programs, which helpfarmers with conservation and land management to protect our natural resources; Provides permanent funding for organic research; and Protects trade programs to help farmers navigate market uncertainty. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/warren-bonamici-colleagues-call-devos-rescind-acics-reinstatement,"Warren, Bonamici, Colleagues Call on DeVos to Rescind ACICS Reinstatement",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), along with four of their Senate colleagues and five of their House colleagues, sent a letter urging Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and officials at the Department of Education to immediately rescind the decision to fully reinstate federal recognition of the controversial for-profit college accreditor, the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). In the letter, the lawmakers also released new evidence confirming reports that the Department ignored major red flags and premised its decision on false, misleading evidence about support for ACICS among other federally recognized college accreditors. The letter comes in the wake of news that Education Corporation of America, the largest remaining college chain accredited by ACICS, has abruptly gone out of business. ACICS now has the unique distinction of being the sole accrediting agency that has overseen the three largest collapses of institutions of higher education in American history. In every case, ACICS disregarded clear warning signs and failed to act quickly enough to protect students and taxpayers. In the letter sent yesterday, Warren and her colleagues released new evidence confirming initial reports that that the Department misrepresented evidence about peer support for ACICS. In a memo explaining its final decision, the Department claimed that five agencies had written letters in support of ACICS's reinstatement. But in response to Warren and her colleagues' earlier inquiry, four out of five agencies denied having issued explicit statements of support. ""These deeply troubling findings confirm the initial reporting that [Education Department officials] - either knowingly or unknowingly - cited or relied on false and misleading information to reach the conclusion that ACICS's federal recognition should be restored. These major and ongoing falsehoods raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the entire reinstatement process and critically taint your decision,"" lawmakers wrote in the letter. They also noted, ""In light of the latest abrupt closure of Education Corporation of America - and the lack of clear oversight and protection from ACICS on behalf of over 20,000 students at 70 campuses nationwide - it is clear you made this decision improperly."" Senator Warren and colleagues requested that the Department immediately rescind its decision to re-recognize ACICS and release the following documents to Congress in a timely manner: 1. All ACICS documents submitted to the Department as part of the evaluation process for restoring recognition, including the Part II documents, application for initial recognition in 2017, and 2018 Supplement. 2. An explanation regarding whether the Department found that ACICS was in compliance with federal requirements for accreditation as of December 12, 2016. If not, an explanation of what legal authority provides the Department the ability to disregard ACICS' noncompliance with recognition standards over the past two years. 3. A full and complete accounting of the ""editorial error"" that resulted in the initial Department citation of false information from accrediting agencies regarding their endorsement of ACICS. 4.Copies of any draft recommendations prepared prior to publication of the SDO recommendation with the ""editorial error."" 5. Any emails or other communications to or from Department personnel, including any communications between Department personnel and ACICS, regarding endorsement by ACICS's peer accreditors or this error in the initial SDO recommendation. 6. Any communications to or from Department personnel, including any communications between Department personnel and ACICS, regarding endorsement by ACICS' peer accreditors or this corrected recommendation. 7. An updated list of all remaining schools accredited by ACICS, as of December 11, 2018. 8. Descriptions and copies of any communications with career staff regarding the Department's decision to re-recognize ACICS. If career staff were not consulted, why not? 9. Any additional data and evidence ACICS submitted after it's submission of the Part II documents and the 2018 Supplement. 10. An explanation of whether ACICS submitted any evidence or documents, including indicating the number of pages, that are the same as those submitted for the draft staff analysis in the initial recognition application. If yes, did the Department consider the staff analysis of those exhibits? If not, why not? In addition to Senator Warren and Representative Bonamici, Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Pa.) all signed the letter. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-applauds-2018-farm-bill-calls-greater-action-forest,"Greg Walden applauds 2018 Farm Bill, calls for greater action on forest management reform",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden applauds 2018 Farm Bill, calls for greater action on forest management reform Click here or on the image above to view Walden's remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden today applauded H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill), but said that more work remains to improve forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfires in Oregon. Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Walden said that while he intends to vote in support of the 2018 Farm Bill, he is disappointed that the legislation did not include the sweeping improvements to federal forest policy that he helped secure in the House-passed version of the bill. These fires are monsters when they light up. They kill. It's unfortunate that the provisions that the House passed as part of the Farm Bill were rejected by the Democrats in the Senate. It's unfortunate because after these catastrophic fires, we should be able to get in and remove the fuel load so the next fire does not burn even more intensely, which is what happens, said Walden. But Senate Democrats rejected that. And while we're expanding categorical exclusion authorities in some forests, the House provisions said that we should expand the authority to all forests so that we can begin to catch up and remove the excess fuel load from our forests. Unfortunately, again, Senate Democrats rejected that. Walden applauded the 2018 Farm Bill's inclusion of provisions that will help improve the management of federal forests by extending expedited management tools for insect and disease projects in eastern Oregon and expanding it to hazardous fuels reduction to reduce the threat of fire and smoke. The legislation also allows more local involvement from counties in forest management projects and extended funding for collaborative forest projects. However, Walden said that Senate Democrats removed important provisions such as requiring cleanup projects after a fire and the replanting of a new healthy forest. And Democratic senators opposed providing tools that would help improve management of forests in western and southern Oregon, which have suffered the worst fires in the state in recent years. So we're left with a bill that is pretty good, but when we're losing towns, and people, and firefighters, and our communities are choked with smoke, we can do better, said Walden. Walden concluded by sharing the testimony of a father from southern Oregon, who detailed the impact wildfire smoke had on his family this summer at a public hearing on wildfires that took place before the Jackson County Board of Commissioners yesterday. Last night, in Medford, Oregon, the Jackson County Commissioners held a public meeting to talk about this fire situation we face. A dad from Jackson County recounted how his daughter with cystic fibrosis had to move away saying it's been devastating for us a family. We wish our daughter could live with us.' But, as he went on to say, When you can't breathe, nothing else matters.' So you want to talk about life, and health, and safety issues in America, we should have done better in the Senate, said Walden. But we're doing okay with this bill and I intend to support it. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-urge-faa-to-implement-and-improve-airport-contract-tower-program,"Merkley, Wyden Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Wyden Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program The program would benefit the eight contract towers across Oregon Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Washington, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year's FAA spending bill that would allow airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund. In a bipartisan letter to FAA Acting Administrator Daniel K. Ewells, Merkley, Wyden and 33 other senators stressed that this provision will enhance air traffic safety at small, rural airportssuch as Oregon's contract towers in Pendleton, Redmond, Klamath Falls, Aurora, Troutdale Salem, North Bend, and Medford. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner, the Senators wrote. It is Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. In addition to Senators Merkley and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Cortez Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) Jerry Moran (R-Kan), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (R-Ala.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Steve Daines (Mont.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The full letter can be found below. Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: As you begin implementing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, we would like to draw your attention to section 152 of that Act. Section 152 authorizes you to make AIP grants from the small airport fund to an airport participating in the contract tower program for the purpose of constructing or improving its air traffic control tower and for the acquisition and installation of related equipment. The contract tower program has been in place for over 30 years. Now there are 256 airports in 46 states that participate in this program. The program consistently receives high marks for customer service from aviation users (pilots, airlines, FBOs, flight schools and corporate flight departments). Without it, people living and traveling to our small communities and rural areas would be without the important safety benefits that air traffic control provides. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner. This is demonstrated by the fact that contract towers handle approximately 29 percent of all U.S. air traffic control tower operations, but account for just 11 percent of FAA's overall budget allotted to such operations. This means that the contract tower program saves the FAA and tax payers approximately $200 million per year and $2 billion over 10 years. In addition to the safety and financial benefits, the contract tower program plays a key role in connecting rural communities to the national air transportation system, helps airports retain and develop commercial air service, promotes economic development and job creation, provides significant support for military readiness and training as well as for disaster relief, homeland security, and law enforcement operations. For all these reasons, the contract tower program enjoys widespread support in the Congress. That is why Congress included section 152, as well as other provisions to boost the contract tower program, in the FAA Reauthorization Act. It is important to note that this provision authorizing small airport funds for tower construction and improvement was placed in subsection (d) of section 47116 of the United States Code. Subsection (d) is entitled Priority Consideration for Certain Projects. This provision could have been placed in section 47124 but it was placed in subsection 47116(d) instead precisely because Congress wanted air traffic control tower construction and improvement projects to receive priority consideration for grants from the small airport fund. It is therefore Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. Priority consideration for these projects is fully justified in light of the safety, financial, and other benefits that these towers provide at small airports and in rural areas. We expect FAA to follow congressional intent in implementing this important provision that will enhance air traffic safety at smaller and rural airports throughout the country, including utilizing the benefit/cost ratios for new airport applicants/candidates that FAA submitted to Congress in April, 2018. In this connection, we would like you to explain to us how the FAA will revise its National Priority Ranking and related order to ensure that funding for air traffic control tower construction, improvements, and related equipment receive the priority intended in the law. In addition, we request that, after the end of this fiscal year, you provide us with a list of the airports that requested money from the small airport fund for tower construction, improvement, or related equipment, a list of those airports that received such funds for that purpose, and a statement explaining why airports did not receive such funding even though they requested it. We appreciate your timely attention to this matter and look forward to continuing to work with you in a constructive manner on this important issue. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-urge-faa-to-implement-and-improve-airport-contract-tower-program,"Merkley, Wyden Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 12, 2018 Merkley, Wyden Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program The program would benefit the eight contract towers across Oregon Washington, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year's FAA spending bill that would allow airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund. In a bipartisan letter to FAA Acting Administrator Daniel K. Ewells, Merkley, Wyden and 33 other senators stressed that this provision will enhance air traffic safety at small, rural airportssuch as Oregon's contract towers in Pendleton, Redmond, Klamath Falls, Aurora, Troutdale Salem, North Bend, and Medford. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner, the Senators wrote. It is Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. In addition to Senators Merkley and Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Cortez Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) Jerry Moran (R-Kan), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (R-Ala.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Steve Daines (Mont.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The full letter can be found below. Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: As you begin implementing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, we would like to draw your attention to section 152 of that Act. Section 152 authorizes you to make AIP grants from the small airport fund to an airport participating in the contract tower program for the purpose of constructing or improving its air traffic control tower and for the acquisition and installation of related equipment. The contract tower program has been in place for over 30 years. Now there are 256 airports in 46 states that participate in this program. The program consistently receives high marks for customer service from aviation users (pilots, airlines, FBOs, flight schools and corporate flight departments). Without it, people living and traveling to our small communities and rural areas would be without the important safety benefits that air traffic control provides. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner. This is demonstrated by the fact that contract towers handle approximately 29 percent of all U.S. air traffic control tower operations, but account for just 11 percent of FAA's overall budget allotted to such operations. This means that the contract tower program saves the FAA and tax payers approximately $200 million per year and $2 billion over 10 years. In addition to the safety and financial benefits, the contract tower program plays a key role in connecting rural communities to the national air transportation system, helps airports retain and develop commercial air service, promotes economic development and job creation, provides significant support for military readiness and training as well as for disaster relief, homeland security, and law enforcement operations. For all these reasons, the contract tower program enjoys widespread support in the Congress. That is why Congress included section 152, as well as other provisions to boost the contract tower program, in the FAA Reauthorization Act. It is important to note that this provision authorizing small airport funds for tower construction and improvement was placed in subsection (d) of section 47116 of the United States Code. Subsection (d) is entitled Priority Consideration for Certain Projects. This provision could have been placed in section 47124 but it was placed in subsection 47116(d) instead precisely because Congress wanted air traffic control tower construction and improvement projects to receive priority consideration for grants from the small airport fund. It is therefore Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. Priority consideration for these projects is fully justified in light of the safety, financial, and other benefits that these towers provide at small airports and in rural areas. We expect FAA to follow congressional intent in implementing this important provision that will enhance air traffic safety at smaller and rural airports throughout the country, including utilizing the benefit/cost ratios for new airport applicants/candidates that FAA submitted to Congress in April, 2018. In this connection, we would like you to explain to us how the FAA will revise its National Priority Ranking and related order to ensure that funding for air traffic control tower construction, improvements, and related equipment receive the priority intended in the law. In addition, we request that, after the end of this fiscal year, you provide us with a list of the airports that requested money from the small airport fund for tower construction, improvement, or related equipment, a list of those airports that received such funds for that purpose, and a statement explaining why airports did not receive such funding even though they requested it. We appreciate your timely attention to this matter and look forward to continuing to work with you in a constructive manner on this important issue.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-tester-lead-charge-to-overturn-administrations-controversial-dark-money-rule,"Wyden, Tester Lead Charge to Overturn Administration’s Controversial Dark Money Rule",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 12, 2018 Wyden, Tester Lead Charge to Overturn Administration's Controversial Dark Money Rule Bipartisan Senate Vote Sheds More Light on Dark Money Washington, D.C. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) led the charge today to repeal a controversial new rule allowing dark money groups to hide the identities of their donors. After the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced in July that they would no longer require certain tax-exempt organizations to report the names of their major donors to the IRS, Wyden and Tester introduced a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the controversial decision and bring more transparency and accountability to our democracy. That resolution passed the Senate 50-49. Today the Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to throw out Trump's dark money rule and bring transparency back to our elections, Wyden said. This is a huge first step in America's fight against anonymous political insiders looking to tighten their grip on Washington. I urge Paul Ryan to act swiftly on this issue of great importance and lead the House in reversing course on the Trump administration's reckless decision. These dark money forces are a threat to our democracy and they must be reined in, Tester said. Today's action sheds more light on the wealthy few who are trying to buy our elections and drown out the voices of regular folks. We must wrestle our country back and continue to bring transparency and accountability back to political campaigns. More than 30 other Senators signed on to Wyden and Tester's resolution, forcing today's vote on the Senate Floor. Under the Congressional Review Act, members of Congress must introduce a disapproval resolution within 60 calendar days from when the final rule was issued. After 20 calendar days, the resolution can be discharged from Finance Committee without a Committee vote. At that point, a motion to proceed to the resolution may be made on the Senate floor, so long as it is supported, in writing, by at least 30 Senators. You can read the Senators' Congressional Review Act Resolutionhere. A copy of Wyden's prepared floor remarks today on this topic is available here. Video of those remarks is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391470,Bipartisan Bill to Save Salmon On the Columbia and Willamette Rivers Headed to the Presidents Desk,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Kurt Schrader,S001180,schrader.house.gov,,,legacy,"The bipartisan Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, led by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) in the House, passed out of Congress today and is headed to the President's desk to become law. The legislation gives tribal members and government fish managers the authority to remove sea lions from specific areas of the Columbia River system and its tributaries where they are posing the most harm to endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish runs. This has been an issue that I have worked on since first coming to Congress. I want to thank everyone Rep. Herrera Beutler, Senators Risch and Cantwell, and our states, tribes, and local communities for the exceptional work to get this bill over the finish line this year, said Rep. Schrader. In the last few years especially, we've seen a record number of sea lions in the Columbia River from Astoria to Bonneville Dam. Ratepayers and my constituents are paying hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards the largest mitigation program in the country for threatened and endangered salmon. These sea lions, whose population has become totally inconsistent with their historic range, have been undoing all of that work by feasting on the endangered species. Our legislation will provide a great step forward in eliminating this threat to our iconic Oregon salmon that are struggling to survive once and for all. Today's passage of our bill to control sea lions was a hard-fought victory it's a personal victory for each of us who treasure our Northwest salmon runs and want to see them preserved for generations to come, said Rep. Herrera Beutler. I'm grateful for the partnership of my colleague Kurt Schrader, and for Senators Risch and Cantwell for shepherding this through the Senate. I'm so pleased we are able to give Northwest fish managers this critical tool to help save our salmon and steelhead runs. Historic recovery efforts of endangered salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River have been compromised by exponentially increasing sea lion predation in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California sea lions have killed the largest proportion of spring Chinook salmon and steelhead this year than any year since 2011. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that at the current rate, the Willamette Winter Steelhead run faces a 90 percent chance of extinction if nothing changes. This bipartisan legislation authorizes states and tribal members to lethally remove sea lions that are predating on endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species. The Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act is supported by a broad spectrum of Northwest residents and organizations that include recreational fishermen represented by the Coastal Conservation Association, Tribes and the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Fish and Wildlife.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-blumenauer-statement-latest-farm-bill-agreement,Congressman Blumenauer Statement on Latest Farm Bill Agreement,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC CongressmanEarl Blumenauer (OR-03) today released the following statement in opposition of the newest Farm Bill expected to be considered in the House this week: Congress is bringing up yet another bad Farm Bill that pays too much to the wrong people to grow the wrong foods in the wrong places.After more American people spoke up in opposition,this is a missedopportunity to make real improvements for farmers, the climate, and the food we eat every single day,said Congressman Blumenauer. While the agriculture committees have been drafting this disappointing proposal behind closed doors,I spent three years listening to the needs of farmers around the country and this bill does not address those needs. This bill cuts an important conservation programand expands subsidies paid to non-farming cousins, nieces and nephews. My Food and Farm Act is an example of how it could be done right. We can and must do better. Last year, Blumenauer introduced an alternative bill that comprehensively advances reforms on four principles: 1) focusing resources on those who need it most; (2) fostering innovation; (3) encouraging investments in people and the planet; (4) ensuring access to healthy foods. Blumenauer's legislation is the result of his Sing YourOwn Farm Bill project, a multi-year effort to engage a wide variety of stakeholders. As part of this project, Blumenauer met with agricultural researchers, farmworkers, nutritionists, small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers, conservationists and advocates committed tocreating a more visionary, equitable, and cost-effective Farm Bill Click here to learn more about Blumenauer'sFood and Farm Act. Click here to read Blumenauer's report, Growing Opportunities: Reforming the Farm Bill for Every American. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-napolitano-slam-the-trump-administration-s-proposal-to-rollback,"DeFazio, Napolitano Slam the Trump Administrations Proposal to Rollback Clean Water Rule",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Peter DeFazio,D000191,defazio.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment Grace Napolitano (D-CA) released the following statements after the Trump administration released a proposal to significantly limit which of our Nation's waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act. Today, too many Americans are uncertain whether their drinking water is safe for themselves and their families. Now is not the time to cut back on the protections of our nation's clean water, the Members said. Clean and safe water is a basic human need. Unfortunately, this Administration has made it a priority to dismantle the Clean Water Act, regardless of the science or the law. The President's #DirtyWaterRule puts our water and health at risk, and must be stopped.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-wyden-merkley-announce-major-development-on-hemp-legalization,"Wyden, Merkley Announce Major Development on Hemp Legalization",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wyden, Merkley Announce Major Development on Hemp Legalization Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced their legislation to legalize industrial hemp is included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which was passed by the full Senate today. The Farm Bill now advances U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Wyden and Merkley worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to ensure the bipartisan Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was included in the final Farm Bill.The Hemp Farming Act clearly defines hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes it from the list of controlled substances. It also gives states the opportunity to become the primary regulators of hemp production, allows hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and makes hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance. Wyden, Merkley, McConnell, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.,introduced the billearlier this year. For too long, the outrageous and outdated ban on growing hemp has hamstrung farmers in Oregon and across the country,Wyden said.Hemp products are made in America, sold in America, and consumed in America. Now, hemp will be able to be legallygrownin America, to the economic benefit of consumers and farmers in Oregon and nationwide. Finally we are recognizing industrial hemp for the agricultural product it is,Merkley said.This is a cash crop that hasn't been allowed to meet its full economic potential because of outdated restrictions. When I visited a hemp farm mid-harvest, I saw firsthand the enormous potential of this diverse crop under the limited 2014 farm bill. This full legalization provides economic opportunity for farmers across rural Oregon and rural Americagood for jobs, good for our communities, and just good common sense. The legislation builds on the past successful bipartisan efforts by Wyden and Merkley, who in 2014 helped legalize hemp pilot programs. In 2016, Wyden secured clarification for farmers after three federal agencies issued new guidance that conflicted with current laws governing the growing and selling of industrial hemp. And Merkley has used his position on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to secure key, bipartisan victories for Oregon's hemp farmerswinning one provision that prevents the Drug Enforcement Agency from going after hemp farmers in states where hemp is legal, and another that allows hemp farmers to transport legal industrial hemp between states. The Hemp Farming Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Vote Hemp, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NSCL). Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-stop-predatory-unsolicited-loans,Merkley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans Bill ends practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of live checks Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Washington, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Doug Jones (D-AL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would halt the predatory practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of live checks. When consumers receive these loan checks, many unknowingly believe they have received money from their bank or financial institution, not realizing that the check is often a high-interest loan. The Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 would prohibit this practice and ensure that consumers access loans only when they proactively apply for them. This legislation mirrors the decades-old prohibition on the mailing of live credit cards. When you receive a check in the mail, it's natural to assume that depositing it will helpnot hurtyour bottom line. But these checks don't pad consumers' pocketbooks; instead, they send them into a vortex of debt. The practice of mailing high-interest loans disguised as checks is unconscionable and clearly predatory. Today, we're sending a bipartisan message that this unacceptable practice must end, said Senator Merkley. As working Americans look to make ends meet, lenders will often target cash-strapped families with these mailings. It is unconscionable that someone would take advantage of another person's dire financial situation to make a quick buck for themselves. We need to end this predatory lending tactic and pass this legislation to protect consumers and their pocketbooks, said Senator Jones. People should understand clearly when they are taking on debt. But because live' checks mailed directly to consumers don't require an application or any previous relationship with the consumer, many individuals don't realize that these checks are actually high-interest loans until it's too late. Just like Congress ended the practice of mailing live' credit cards nearly 50 years ago, Congress should pass our bill now to stop this underhanded practice, said Senator Cotton. Background on the Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 It has been long recognized by Congress that consumer loans should require an application by a customer. In fact, Congress banned the mailing of unsolicited live credit cards nearly 50 years ago. In modern lending, a formal loan application can often take just minutes, and the bill does not prohibit the direct marketing or mailing of a loan application. This legislation would provide common-sense consumer protections without limiting access to credit for consumers who willingly apply and seek lending products. The bill would also ensure that companies cannot shift from the mailing of live checks to other forms of transfer, such as a gift card or an e-check. In addition, it would ensure that customers are not liable for debt incurred from an illegal, unsolicited live check loan. The National Consumer Law Center has endorsed this legislation on behalf of its low-income clients. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-expanded-collaborative-forest-investment-included-in-2018-farm-bill,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Expanded Collaborative Forest Investment Included in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Expanded Collaborative Forest Investment Included in 2018 Farm Bill Final Farm Bill doubles the program's funding to $80 million per year, with a five-year authorization Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the 2018 Farm Bill doubles the size of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) and extends it through 2023. This critical program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management, has a proven track record of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting rural communities. In May, Merkley and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the legislation to continue the collaborative forest program, and to expand its reach by doubling the authorized funding. The legislation was cosponsored by Sens. Wyden, Jim Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jon Tester (D-MT). Collaborative forest management strategies have proven successful on many levels: thinning overgrown forests and creating better timber stands, improving ecosystems, building better fire resistance, and creating more jobs and more saw logs, Merkley said. I've visited the Deschutes National Forest and been a witness to the valuable progress that is made when communities work together to manage our forests. Doubling the size of this program will double its positive impacts. Collaboration at the local, state, and federal level is essential to responsible and effective forest management, Wyden said. As the West continues to be devastated by massive wildfires, this win provides rural communities across Oregon the additional support they need to improve the health of our forests and protect local jobs. Since its enactment in 2009, CFLRP has a proven track record of success in managing forests to increase forest health, mitigate wildfires, and support rural economies and local voices. CFLRP requires various local stakeholders to collaborate, resulting in stronger relationships on the ground, better projects, and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation. To date, 23 CFLRP projects in 14 states have sold more than 2.5 billion board feet of timber; created $1.4 billion in local labor income; and improved 760 miles of trails for sports enthusiasts and recreation. On average, CFLRP creates or maintains 5,400 jobs each year at 2014 funding levels a number that will likely increase with newly expanded funding. In addition, CFLRP has reduced the risk of megafires on more than 2.9 million acres. The funding expansion, from $40 million to $80 million per year, is supported by a broad cross-section of the timber industry, rural economic development entities, and environmental organizations, including Sustainable Northwest, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, Collins Pine Company, Ochoco Lumber, Vaagen Bros Lumber, Avista, The Wilderness Society, American Forests, Society of American Foresters, Pinchot Institute, Forest Business Network, Blue Mountains Forest Partners, Lake County Resources Initiative, The Forest Stewards Guild, Siuslaw Institute, Wallowa Resources, Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition, The Lands Council, Western Environmental Law Center, Grand Canyon Trust, Mt. Adams Resource Stewards, The Watershed Center, Salmon Valley Stewardship, Western Landowners Alliance, The Coalition for the Upper South Platte, Choose Outdoors, Western Slope Conservation Center, and Western Colorado Progress. The next step for the conferenced bill is to be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives, and then be signed into law by the president. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-mass-wood-products-provisions-included-in-2018-farm-bill,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Mass Wood Products Provisions Included in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Mass Wood Products Provisions Included in 2018 Farm Bill The bipartisan Timber Innovation Act is included in the 2018 Farm Bill, supporting both rural and urban Oregon economies Tuesday, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that provisions of the Timber Innovation Act areincluded in the 2018 Farm Bill, supporting the development of mass timber products for building construction. In May, Merkley co-led a letter with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) which urged the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to include the Timber Innovation Act in the 2018 Farm Bill. Other cosigners included Sens. Wyden, James Risch (R-ID), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Steven Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angus King (I-ME) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). We have been working to establish Oregon as a hub for mass timber products, using local timber and bolstering our forest products economy, Merkley said. The Timber Innovation Act supports innovative manufacturing that helps to create jobs in the rural part of the state, and lays the groundwork for future sustainable tall wood building construction across America. This is an exciting advancement for Oregon's wood products industry. Today's good news for mass timber products in Oregon adds to our state's well-deserved reputation for trailblazing fresh paths that succeed in creating jobs using innovative technologies, Wyden said. This bill provides essential resources to allow the state's world-renowned timber industry to build on its strengths and creativity in rural Oregon. Oregon has been at the forefront of developing mass timber products, including cross-laminated timber, mass plywood products, nail laminated timber, glue laminated timber, laminated strand lumber, and laminated veneer lumber. However, U.S. building codes do not currently recognize mass timber products as official construction materials, leaving the products without a standard rating system for quality, fire resistance, earthquake resistance, and more. The Timber Innovation Act will establish a new research and development program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that focuses on developing the application of mass timber products for building construction; analyzing the safety of tall wood buildings; identifying building code modification for wooden buildings; and calculating the environmental footprint of wood buildings. The bill also creates a grant program that provides funding to accelerate the adoption of emerging wood technology for building construction. The next step for the conferenced bill is to be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives, and then be signed into law by the president. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-merkley-call-for-immediate-and-indefinite-suspension-of-any-nuclear-cooperation-agreement-with-saudi-arabia,Senators Markey and Merkley Call for Immediate and Indefinite Suspension of Any Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Saudi Arabia,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Markey and Merkley Call for Immediate and Indefinite Suspension of Any Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Saudi Arabia Request a briefing on status of recent negotiations with Energy Secretary Perry, reiterate call for any agreement to include highest nonproliferation standards Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Washington (December 11, 2018) Senators Edward J. Markey and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today called on Energy Secretary Rick Perry to brief Congress on any discussions he has had with Saudi Arabia on a potential civil nuclear cooperation agreement, or 123 agreement, on his recent trip to the region. For months, there have been reports of negotiations between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia on a potential 123 agreement, but members of Congress have yet to be briefed, despite the legal obligation by the Administration to do so. In their letter, the Senators reiterate their belief that any 123 agreement with Saudi Arabia include the highest nonproliferation standards, including forgoing any enrichment or reprocessing activities within the Kingdom's territory. Additionally, in light of Saudi Arabia's flagrant disregard for international rule of law, including the murder of U.S. journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Senators Markey and Merkley call for the immediate and indefinite suspension of any negotiations for a 123 agreement. Unfortunately, Mr. Khashoggi's murder if just the latest and most blatant demonstration by Saudi Arabia that it will do as it pleases with little regard or respect for human rights for the international rule of law, write the Senators in their letter to Secretary Perry. It is imperative that you brief us and all other interested members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on any and all of your discussions regarding civil nuclear cooperation during your recent trip to the region, as well as the Trump administration's rationale for continuing these sensitive discussions at all. A copy of the Senators' letter to Secretary Perry can be found HERE. Both Senators Markey and Merkley have expressed concerns with Saudi Arabia's longstanding unwillingness to commit to the gold standard for civil nuclear cooperation agreements, raising concerns that the Kingdom's commitment to use nuclear energy isn't solely for peaceful purposes. In March 2018 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman stated in an interview that his country would develop nuclear weapons without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb. Just a few months later, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir echoed these disturbing comments. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/video/senator-jeff-merkley-on-cnn-out-front,Senator Jeff Merkley on CNN Out Front,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-expanded-collaborative-forest-investment-included-in-2018-farm-bill,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Expanded Collaborative Forest Investment Included in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2018 Merkley, Wyden Announce Expanded Collaborative Forest Investment Included in 2018 Farm Bill Final Farm Bill doubles the program's funding to $80 million per year, with a five-year authorization WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the 2018 Farm Bill doubles the size of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) and extends it through 2023. This critical program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management, has a proven track record of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting rural communities. In May, Merkley and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the legislation to continue the collaborative forest program, and to expand its reach by doubling the authorized funding. The legislation was cosponsored by Sens. Wyden, Jim Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jon Tester (D-MT). Collaborative forest management strategies have proven successful on many levels: thinning overgrown forests and creating better timber stands, improving ecosystems, building better fire resistance, and creating more jobs and more saw logs, Merkley said. I've visited the Deschutes National Forest and been a witness to the valuable progress that is made when communities work together to manage our forests. Doubling the size of this program will double its positive impacts. Collaboration at the local, state, and federal level is essential to responsible and effective forest management, Wyden said. As the West continues to be devastated by massive wildfires, this win provides rural communities across Oregon the additional support they need to improve the health of our forests and protect local jobs. Since its enactment in 2009, CFLRP has a proven track record of success in managing forests to increase forest health, mitigate wildfires, and support rural economies and local voices. CFLRP requires various local stakeholders to collaborate, resulting in stronger relationships on the ground, better projects, and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation. To date, 23 CFLRP projects in 14 states have sold more than 2.5 billion board feet of timber; created $1.4 billion in local labor income; and improved 760 miles of trails for sports enthusiasts and recreation. On average, CFLRP creates or maintains 5,400 jobs each year at 2014 funding levels a number that will likely increase with newly expanded funding. In addition, CFLRP has reduced the risk of megafires on more than 2.9 million acres. The funding expansion, from $40 million to $80 million per year, is supported by a broad cross-section of the timber industry, rural economic development entities, and environmental organizations, including Sustainable Northwest, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, Collins Pine Company, Ochoco Lumber, Vaagen Bros Lumber, Avista, The Wilderness Society, American Forests, Society of American Foresters, Pinchot Institute, Forest Business Network, Blue Mountains Forest Partners, Lake County Resources Initiative, The Forest Stewards Guild, Siuslaw Institute, Wallowa Resources, Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition, The Lands Council, Western Environmental Law Center, Grand Canyon Trust, Mt. Adams Resource Stewards, The Watershed Center, Salmon Valley Stewardship, Western Landowners Alliance, The Coalition for the Upper South Platte, Choose Outdoors, Western Slope Conservation Center, and Western Colorado Progress. The next step for the conferenced bill is to be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives, and then be signed into law by the president.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-mass-wood-products-provisions-included-in-2018-farm-bill,"Merkley, Wyden Announce Mass Wood Products Provisions Included in 2018 Farm Bill",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2018 Merkley, Wyden Announce Mass Wood Products Provisions Included in 2018 Farm Bill The bipartisan Timber Innovation Act is included in the 2018 Farm Bill, supporting both rural and urban Oregon economies WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that provisions of the Timber Innovation Act areincluded in the 2018 Farm Bill, supporting the development of mass timber products for building construction. In May, Merkley co-led a letter with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) which urged the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to include the Timber Innovation Act in the 2018 Farm Bill. Other cosigners included Sens. Wyden, James Risch (R-ID), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Steven Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angus King (I-ME) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). We have been working to establish Oregon as a hub for mass timber products, using local timber and bolstering our forest products economy, Merkley said. The Timber Innovation Act supports innovative manufacturing that helps to create jobs in the rural part of the state, and lays the groundwork for future sustainable tall wood building construction across America. This is an exciting advancement for Oregon's wood products industry. Today's good news for mass timber products in Oregon adds to our state's well-deserved reputation for trailblazing fresh paths that succeed in creating jobs using innovative technologies, Wyden said. This bill provides essential resources to allow the state's world-renowned timber industry to build on its strengths and creativity in rural Oregon."" Oregon has been at the forefront of developing mass timber products, including cross-laminated timber, mass plywood products, nail laminated timber, glue laminated timber, laminated strand lumber, and laminated veneer lumber. However, U.S. building codes do not currently recognize mass timber products as official construction materials, leaving the products without a standard rating system for quality, fire resistance, earthquake resistance, and more. The Timber Innovation Act will establish a new research and development program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that focuses on developing the application of mass timber products for building construction; analyzing the safety of tall wood buildings; identifying building code modification for wooden buildings; and calculating the environmental footprint of wood buildings. The bill also creates a grant program that provides funding to accelerate the adoption of emerging wood technology for building construction. The next step for the conferenced bill is to be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives, and then be signed into law by the president. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-cheers-passage-of-bill-to-boost-maternal-health-care,Wyden cheers passage of bill to boost maternal health care,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2018 Wyden cheers passage of bill to boost maternal health care Senate Clears Wyden-Sponsored Legislation That Helps Bring Maternity Care Providers to Underserved Areas Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today celebrated passage of a bill he co-sponsored that would encourage more maternity health care providers to work in rural or underserved areas where lack of access to this key health care puts expecting mothers at risk. It's a national disgrace that more women die from pregnancy-related complications here than anywhere else in the developed world,Wyden said.Too often, I hear from Oregonians in rural and underserved areas about the long wait times and long distances they must travel to access maternal care. I'm proud that this legislation is becoming law it is a start to ensure resources can be sent to areas where they will have the biggest impact in giving women access to timely maternity care. The bill, called the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, would require the federal government to identify areas that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals. Areas with this designation would receive additional resources to encourage providers to serve them, including improved student loan repayment. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-secures-critical-provisions-in-farm-bill,Wyden Secures Critical Provisions in Farm Bill,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2018 Wyden Secures Critical Provisions in Farm Bill Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that he secured several critical measures in the 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions to legalize industrial hemp, help hop growers and provide drought relief to Oregon farmers. The Farm Bill was passed by the full Senate today and now advances U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Rural Oregon communities can grow stronger with this bill's big wins for hemp, hops and innovative opportunities in timber and agriculture, Wyden said. I am gratified that the fight for legislation that provides so many seeds for job growth has emerged with this bill helping Oregonians throughout our state. Hemp Legalization Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to ensure the bipartisan Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was included in the final Farm Bill. The Hemp Farming Act clearly defines hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes it from the list of controlled substances. It also gives states the opportunity to become the primary regulators of hemp production, allows hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and makes hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance. Wyden, Merkley, McConnell, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.,introduced the billearlier this year. For Hop Growers Wyden secured a provision to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fight the two costliest diseases that affect hop plants, ensuring that Oregon State University can continue its work to address these threats. The provision was cosponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and supported by the Brewers Association. Soil Health Wyden also secured a win for climate with a provision to establish a pilot project for farmers across the country to implement advanced farming practices to capture carbon in soil. These farming practices have been shown to improve soil health and crop resilience while lowering the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The soil health provision is supported by the American Coalition for Ethanol, Environmental Entrepreneurs, the National Corn Growers Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Drought Assistance Wyden and other western senators included a provision to ensure long-standing Farm Bill programs will be easily accessible to states, counties and communities to combat drought. The provision streamlines USDA's ability to get funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP) on the ground to help western farmers with water conservation projects. Energy Efficient Farms Wyden included a measure that he sponsored with Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., to improve the energy efficiency of farms. The provision would allow federal funding from the Rural Energy Assistance Program (REAP) to be used to buy energy efficient farm equipment, which will help farmers reduce their operating costs. It will also encourage the expansion of energy and water efficient vertical farming. Collaborative Forest Restoration Wyden and Merkley secured a provision to increase funding for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) to empower rural communities across Oregon to restore effective forest management and improve forest health. The provision was also cosponsored by Jim Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jon Tester (D-MT). Mass Wood Products Wyden and Merkley secured several provisions in the Timber Innovation Act, supporting the development of mass timber products for building construction and promoting the growth of Oregon's cross-laminated timber industry. Fencing Assistance Wyden and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, sponsored a bipartisan amendment to provide farmers with up-front federal funding through conservation programs for fence repairs that is included in the final Farm Bill. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-hemp-legalization,Wyden Statement on Hemp Legalization,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 11, 2018 Wyden Statement on Hemp Legalization Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced his legislation to legalize industrial hemp is included in the final Farm Bill legislation released last night. The Farm Bill now must be voted on by both the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Wyden worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to ensure their bipartisan Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was included in the final Farm Bill. The Hemp Farming Act clearly defines hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes it from the list of controlled substances. It also gives states the opportunity to become the primary regulators of hemp production, allows hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and makes hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance. Wyden, McConnell, and Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced the bill earlier this year. For too long, the outrageous and outdated ban on growing hemp has hamstrung farmers in Oregon and across the country, Wyden said. Hemp products are made in America, sold in America, and consumed in America. Now, hemp will be able to be legally grown in America, to the economic benefit of consumers and farmers in Oregon and nationwide. The legislation builds on the past successful bipartisan efforts by Wyden, who in 2014 helped legalize hemp pilot programs and in 2016, secured clarification for farmers after three federal agencies issued new guidance that conflicted with current laws governing the growing and selling of industrial hemp. The Hemp Farming Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Vote Hemp, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NSCL). ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-leads-oregon-delegation-effort-urging-department-homeland,Blumenauer Leads Oregon Delegation Effort Urging Department of Homeland Security to Withdraw Proposed Public Charge Rule,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) led five of his colleagues in the Oregon Congressional delegation in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to rescind her proposed changes to the definition of public charge, a longstanding component of federal immigration law. After sending the letter,Blumenauer released the following statement: This is a transparent attempt by the Trump administration toreduce legal immigration by further complicating the process for those who decide to immigrate legally to the United States.As if separating children at the border wasn't enough,people will now be penalized forapplying to programs that support their basic needs. Secretary Nielsen must withdraw this proposal. Under current immigration law, the federal government can deny entry or adjust legal permanent resident status to any individual if he or she is determined to likely become a public charge, or receive benefits considered to be cash assistance, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Under the proposed new rule, immigration officials would also consider benefits that are not cash assistance, including programs like Medicaid and SNAP.If implemented, this rule would impact nearly 300,000 people in Oregon, including more than 113,000 children, and result in worse health outcomes, increased rates of poverty and housing instability, and higher levels of food instability. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-oregon-delegation-effort-urging-department-homeland,Blumenauer Leads Oregon Delegation Effort Urging Department of Homeland Security to Withdraw Proposed Public Charge Rule,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-oregon-on-hemp-latest-farm-bill,Congressman Blumenauer Statement on Hemp Provision in Latest Farm Bill,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-blumenauer-statement-hemp-provision-latest-farm-bill,Congressman Blumenauer Statement on Hemp Provision in Latest Farm Bill,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) led five of his colleagues in the Oregon Congressional delegation in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to rescind her proposed changes to the definition of public charge, a longstanding component of federal immigration law. After sending the letter,Blumenauer released the following statement: This is a transparent attempt by the Trump administration toreduce legal immigration by further complicating the process for those who decide to immigrate legally to the United States.As if separating children at the border wasn't enough,people will now be penalized forapplying to programs that support their basic needs. Secretary Nielsen must withdraw this proposal. Under current immigration law, the federal government can deny entry or adjust legal permanent resident status to any individual if he or she is determined to likely become a public charge, or receive benefits considered to be cash assistance, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Under the proposed new rule, immigration officials would also consider benefits that are not cash assistance, including programs like Medicaid and SNAP.If implemented, this rule would impact nearly 300,000 people in Oregon, including more than 113,000 children, and result in worse health outcomes, increased rates of poverty and housing instability, and higher levels of food instability. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-to-protect-endangered-salmon-and-steelhead-passes-senate-without-objection,Bipartisan Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon and Steelhead Passes Senate Without Objection,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon and Steelhead Passes Senate Without Objection Passage of the legislation underscores the bipartisan urgency to protect ESA-listed salmon and steelhead from predatory sea lions threatening their existence Monday, December 10, 2018 Washington, D.C. Critical, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to protectEndangered Species Act (ESA) listedsalmon and steelhead from extinction has passed the Senate without objection. The entire Northwest Senate delegation, including U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR),Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID)have cosponsored S.3119, the Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, emphasizing how critical this legislation is to the existence of salmon and steelhead inthe interconnected Northwest waterways. The House is expected to consider the bill before the end of the year. Idaho's efforts to restore populations of endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River has been significantly compromised by predatory sea lions, said Senator Risch.Passage of this legislation will help ensure vibrant, healthy populations for years to come. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill expeditiously. Wild salmon play a critical role in the economy, culture, and tribal treaty rights of the Pacific Northwest,"" Senator Cantwell said. ""As endangered salmon face extinction, we must take steps to protect them. Science-based predation management will allow state and tribal wildlife officials to protect vulnerable salmon populations and the orcas that feed on them."" Salmon are critical to Oregon's economy, culture and heritage, and it's clear that sea lions are creating a serious threat to the very survival of endangered salmon, Senator Merkley said.I'm glad we could finda bipartisan path forward to address this problem in a targeted way that enables equitable tribal management and does not materially impact sea lion populations. For too long, predatory sea lions have been taking an unhealthy chomp out of Oregon's salmon and steelhead stocks. This bill applies a reasoned, collaborative approach to address, in a permanent manner, sea lion predation on endangered salmon and steelhead, said Senator Wyden. This bill took a long time to negotiate. There were a lot of interests with stakes in this process, including multiple states and many tribal nations. This bipartisan compromise shows that Congress can still function, in a bipartisan way. Predatory sea lions on the Lower Columbia River have had a dramatic impact on the steelhead and salmon populations across the northwest, said Senator Crapo. This bipartisan legislation is the result of significant collaboration across multiple stakeholders to protect our native fish populations for generations to come. Salmon are a big part of the Pacific Northwest way of life, but without action, we could see runs continue to decline to a point of no return, Senator Murraysaid. This bipartisan legislation represents a balanced, sensible approach to this threat. I urge my House colleagues to pick the bill up and get it across the finish line as soon as possible. There are ESA threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead being significantly harmed by the increasing sea lion population.Sea lion populations have increased significantly along the West Coast over the past 40 years; today, there are roughly 300,000. These sea lions have entered into habitat where they had never been before, including areas around the Bonneville Dam in Washington and Willamette Falls in Oregon.This predation of ESA-listed fish is negating the large investments being spent on salmon recovery associated with habitat, harvest, and hatcheries. If enacted, this bill would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to provide for better management of these invasive, non-listed sea lions. A recent study by Oregon State University found that increasing predation from sea lions has decreased the fishery harvest of adult Chinook salmon in the Pacific Northwest. According to the study, if sea lions continue their current consumption habits, there is an 89 percent chance that a population of wild steelhead could go extinct. The study also noted that future long-term salmon management plans will need to address the increased salmon predation throughout the Pacific Northwest. The declining salmon populations have also impacted other threatened animals in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, a Washington state task force on southern resident orcas recommendedauthorizing the removal of pinnipeds in the Columbia River to improve orca survival. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-announces-19-million-grant-port-morrow,Greg Walden announces $19 million grant for Port of Morrow,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden announces $19 million grant for Port of Morrow $19,414,875 grant provided by the Department of Transportation for Port of Morrow Columbia River Barge Terminal Rail Access Project WASHINGTON, D.C. --Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that the Port of Morrow will receive $19,414,875 from the Department of Transportation through the department's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Representative Walden worked with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to secure the grant, which will be used for the Port of Morrow's Columbia River Barge Terminal Rail Access Project. I spoke with Secretary Chao this morning, and am pleased to announce that the Port of Morrow has been awarded this incredibly important grant to help expand the Port's rail network to enable rail-to-barge transloading at four marine terminals along the Columbia River. The enhancement to the Port's rail-to-barge system will enable the transloading of commodities directly between barge ships and rail cars to create cost-effective shipping options for new and existing industries at the Port. This grant is vital for the completion of a project that will help reduce transportation costs, relieve rail congestion, create jobs, and facilitate the movement of U.S. exports. I am proud to have worked with Secretary Chao and the Port of Morrow team to secure this grant funding, and look forward to the Port's successful completion to this project that will boost job growth and the local economy in our district and state. This grant is a huge boost to the Port of Morrow and the economic development of the region, said Port of Morrow General Manager Gary Neal. Greg went above and beyond advocating for us at the Department of Transportation with letters of support and working closely with Secretary Chao. I'd like to thank Greg for his help, and I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition. The Port of Morrow is Oregon's second largest port, and contributes to the economic competitiveness of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and the United States by serving as the primary point for freight distribution, export, and value-added production of agriculture products in the region. The Port is strategically located in northeast Oregon at the confluence of primary trucking routes and is served by Union Pacific Railroad, the Columbia River (barge transport), and a Port-owned airport near Boardman. Along with the Department of Transportation grant funding, the Port plans to provide design and engineering work while leveraging a $6,550,000 grant secured from the State of Oregon for construction. The proposed rail expansions will capitalize on previous rail investments made by the Port and investments from the State of Oregon, a cooperative of grain growers, and private barge shipping lines to expand a Morrow County Grain Growers' grain terminal facility at the port. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-protect-small-businesses-from-burdensome-internet-sales-tax-collection-requirement,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses From Burdensome Internet Sales Tax Collection Requirement",2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses From Burdensome Internet Sales Tax Collection Requirement Friday, December 7, 2018 Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced a bill that would prevent new red tape from being imposed as soon as Jan. 1, 2019 on small businesses as a result of the Supreme Court ruling inSouth Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. That Supreme Court ruling in June overturned precedent, letting states collect sales tax from out-of-state businesses. This new burden will hurt small businesses, which lack the resources to navigate collecting sales taxes for more than 10,000 taxing jurisdictions across the country. Small businesses in Oregon should be focused on making this holiday season their most successful one yet. Instead, owners are living in fear,Wyden said. They're thinking about what jobs they might have to cut because of compliance costs and financial burdens that await their online business in the New Year. This bill protects small businesses from cash grabs by out-of-state politicians, bans retroactive tax bills and delays outrageous collection requirements. Action by Congress is the only way to give small businesses more time to prepare for this new and disastrous internet sales tax regime. Small business owners in Oregon should be able to focus on making their businesses a success, not forced to collect a thousand different taxes for other states, said Merkley. We need to respect the will of Oregonians, and make sure our small businesses aren't ringing in the New Year by juggling burdensome new requirements. TheOnline Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Actintroduced this week would ban retroactive taxation, preventing states from imposing sales tax collection responsibilities on sellers for any sale that occurred prior to theWayfairdecision.The bill would also create an exemption for small businesses that see less than $10 million a year in total sales. Additionally, the legislation would also establish an orderly phase-in of compliance obligations, preventing states from imposing remote sales tax collection duties before Jan. 1, 2020. Joining Wyden and Merkley in introducing the bill are New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan. Last month, the four senatorssent a letterurging Senate Leadership to take action before the end of the year to protect small businesses from red tape resulting from theSouth Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc.case. Text of the Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act is availablehere. A web version of this release is available here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-to-protect-endangered-salmon-and-steelhead-passes-senate-without-objection,Bipartisan Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon and Steelhead Passes Senate Without Objection,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2018 Bipartisan Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon and Steelhead Passes Senate Without Objection Washington, D.C. Critical, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to protectEndangered Species Act (ESA) listedsalmon and steelhead from extinction has passed the Senate without objection. The entire Northwest Senate delegation, including U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR),Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID)have cosponsored S.3119, the Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, emphasizing how critical this legislation is to the existence of salmon and steelhead inthe interconnected Northwest waterways. The House is expected to consider the bill before the end of the year. Idaho's efforts to restore populations of endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River has been significantly compromised by predatory sea lions, said Senator Risch.Passage of this legislation will help ensure vibrant, healthy populations for years to come. I encourage my colleagues in the House to pass this bill expeditiously. Wild salmon play a critical role in the economy, culture, and tribal treaty rights of the Pacific Northwest,"" Senator Cantwell said. ""As endangered salmon face extinction, we must take steps to protect them. Science-based predation management will allow state and tribal wildlife officials to protect vulnerable salmon populations and the orcas that feed on them."" Salmon are critical to Oregon's economy, culture and heritage, and it's clear that sea lions are creating a serious threat to the very survival of endangered salmon, Senator Merkley said.I'm glad we could finda bipartisan path forward to address this problem in a targeted way that enables equitable tribal management and does not materially impact sea lion populations. For too long, predatory sea lions have been taking an unhealthy chomp out of Oregon's salmon and steelhead stocks. This bill applies a reasoned, collaborative approach to address, in a permanent manner, sea lion predation on endangered salmon and steelhead, said Senator Wyden. This bill took a long time to negotiate. There were a lot of interests with stakes in this process, including multiple states and many tribal nations. This bipartisan compromise shows that Congress can still function, in a bipartisan way. Predatory sea lions on the Lower Columbia River have had a dramatic impact on the steelhead and salmon populations across the northwest, said Senator Crapo. This bipartisan legislation is the result of significant collaboration across multiple stakeholders to protect our native fish populations for generations to come. Salmon are a big part of the Pacific Northwest way of life, but without action, we could see runs continue to decline to a point of no return, Senator Murraysaid. This bipartisan legislation represents a balanced, sensible approach to this threat. I urge my House colleagues to pick the bill up and get it across the finish line as soon as possible. There are ESA threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead being significantly harmed by the increasing sea lion population.Sea lion populations have increased significantly along the West Coast over the past 40 years; today, there are roughly 300,000. These sea lions have entered into habitat where they had never been before, including areas around the Bonneville Dam in Washington and Willamette Falls in Oregon.This predation of ESA-listed fish is negating the large investments being spent on salmon recovery associated with habitat, harvest, and hatcheries. If enacted, this bill would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to provide for better management of these invasive, non-listed sea lions. A recent study by Oregon State University found that increasing predation from sea lions has decreased the fishery harvest of adult Chinook salmon in the Pacific Northwest. According to the study, if sea lions continue their current consumption habits, there is an 89 percent chance that a population of wild steelhead could go extinct. The study also noted that future long-term salmon management plans will need to address the increased salmon predation throughout the Pacific Northwest. The declining salmon populations have also impacted other threatened animals in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, a Washington state task force on southern resident orcas recommendedauthorizing the removal of pinnipeds in the Columbia River to improve orca survival. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-protect-small-businesses-from-burdensome-internet-sales-tax-collection-requirement,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses From Burdensome Internet Sales Tax Collection Requirement",2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2018 Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses From Burdensome Internet Sales Tax Collection Requirement Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced a bill that would prevent new red tape from being imposed as soon as Jan. 1, 2019 on small businesses as a result of the Supreme Court ruling inSouth Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. That Supreme Court ruling in June overturned precedent, letting states collect sales tax from out-of-state businesses. This new burden will hurt small businesses, which lack the resources to navigate collecting sales taxes for more than 10,000 taxing jurisdictions across the country. Small businesses in Oregon should be focused on making this holiday season their most successful one yet. Instead, owners are living in fear,Wyden said. They're thinking about what jobs they might have to cut because of compliance costs and financial burdens that await their online business in the New Year. This bill protects small businesses from cash grabs by out-of-state politicians, bans retroactive tax bills and delays outrageous collection requirements. Action by Congress is the only way to give small businesses more time to prepare for this new and disastrous internet sales tax regime. Small business owners in Oregon should be able to focus on making their businesses a success, not forced to collect a thousand different taxes for other states, said Merkley. We need to respect the will of Oregonians, and make sure our small businesses aren't ringing in the New Year by juggling burdensome new requirements. TheOnline Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Actintroduced this week would ban retroactive taxation, preventing states from imposing sales tax collection responsibilities on sellers for any sale that occurred prior to theWayfairdecision.The bill would also create an exemption for small businesses that see less than $10 million a year in total sales. Additionally, the legislation would also establish an orderly phase-in of compliance obligations, preventing states from imposing remote sales tax collection duties before Jan. 1, 2020. Joining Wyden and Merkley in introducing the bill are New Hampshire Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan. Last month, the four senatorssent a letterurging Senate Leadership to take action before the end of the year to protect small businesses from red tape resulting from theSouth Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc.case. Text of the Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act is availablehere. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-praises-senate-vote-on-compact-migrants,Wyden Praises Senate Vote on “Compact Migrants”,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2018 Wyden Praises Senate Vote on Compact Migrants Bipartisan bill would help Pacific Island residents in Oregon and the country to get driver's licenses Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden praised yesterday's Senate passage of a bipartisan bill clarifying that citizens of three former U.S. territories now living in the United States can qualify for important identification documents such as driver's licenses. The bill, H.R, 3398, covers more than 30,000 citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau -- including an estimated several thousand living in Oregon. The affected residents of these Pacific Island nations are often referred to as compact migrants because their nations are in a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Although compact migrants are not U.S. citizens, they are considered legal non-immigrants and don't need a visa to live and work in the United States. The Real ID Modification for FreelyAssociated States Act passed yesterday by the Senate makes a fix to the REAL ID Act of 2005 setting identification standards so that compact migrants are among those able to get state identification cards and drivers' licenses. Compact migrants contribute much to Oregon and our country, and access to driver's licenses is essential to their ability to work and raise a family, said Wyden, who wrote the original legislation in 2014. Fixing this oversight to the Real ID Act has been a longstanding interest of mine, and I'm gratified it's done at long last. The Senate's unanimous passage of the House bill introduced by U.S. Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) now sends the legislation to the White House. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-expected-nomination-of-william-barr-for-attorney-general,Wyden Statement On Expected Nomination of William Barr for Attorney General,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2018 Wyden Statement On Expected Nomination of William Barr for Attorney General Washington, D.C.Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on Donald Trump's announcement he will nominate William Barr to serve as Attorney General: Donald Trump is nominating a man whose writings endorse the antidemocratic notion that the president is effectively royalty, unaccountable to laws, the Constitution, or constraint by Congress. William Barr has defended the firing of FBI Director James Comey, backed Trump's calls for investigations of political rivals, supported unconstitutional surveillance of Americans, opposed Roe vs. Wade, and advocated for the use of torture. As Attorney General, he rubber-stamped pardons for key figures involved the secret, illegal sale of weapons to Iran. These views would be unacceptable under normal circumstances; when combined with Donald Trump's constant attempts to end-run the law, they are potentially disastrous. On top of his troubling history, Barr must answer questions about whether Donald Trump demanded his loyalty, or extracted promises about constraining Robert Mueller's investigation as a condition of being nominated. A failure to fully answer those questions will be disqualifying. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-urges-protection-of-text-messages-from-unreasonable-blocking-and-discrimination,Wyden Urges Protection of Text Messages from Unreasonable Blocking and Discrimination,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2018 Wyden Urges Protection of Text Messages from Unreasonable Blocking and Discrimination FCC will vote next week on a proposed ruling permitting carriers to block and discriminate against lawful text messages Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to classify text messaging as a telecommunications service. During its open meeting on Dec. 12, the FCC will vote on a proposed declaratory ruling classifying text messaging as an information service, which would permit telephone carriers to block text messages to favor their own texting services and stifle free speech. In 2007, Verizon Wireless blocked mass text messages from Naral Pro-Choice America, an advocacy group supporting women's reproductive rights. Verizon argued it had the right to censor this content, deeming the messages controversial and unsavory. In recent years, several petitioners have submitted filings to the FCC detailing a series of incidents in which carriers try to force texters to pay for more expensive short code system or enterprise text messaging to reach their audience, rather than by traditional text messages. In the 21st century, text messaging is as essential as telephone service, facilitating trillions of messages between senders and receivers each year from businesses and customers, from organizations and supporters, from parents and teachers, and from doctors and patients, Wyden and nine other senators wrote in today's letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Should text messaging be classified as an information service, telephone carriers would be free to block any text message they wish, they wrote.We urge you to right this wrong and classify text messaging as a telecommunications service, affording this vital means of communications protections that promote innovation and support freedom of speech. Joining Wyden in signing the letter are Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). A copy of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-merkley-wyden-announce-major-federal-grants-for-oregon,"DeFazio, Merkley, Wyden, Announce Major Federal Grants for Oregon Infrastructure",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Peter DeFazio,D000191,defazio.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Peter DeFazio, expected incoming Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 116th Congress, along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today announced that the federal Department of Transportation is awarding two major grants to Oregon ports. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants will go to the Port of Morrow and the Port of Coos Bay. The Port of Morrow in Boardman, OR, will receive $19.4 million, while the Port of Coos Bay will receive $20 million, both for rail investments. This is great news for Southwest Oregon, said DeFazio, expected Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 116th Congress. These funds will be used to improve the rail line and help major employers in the Coos Bay area get their goods to market. This is exactly the type of federal investment we need to improve our long-term economic viability and put Americans back to work rebuilding our vital infrastructure. This is huge news for Oregon's rural infrastructure, said Merkley, who has used his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for federal investments in Oregon's communities. These grants are a huge boost to developing the rail infrastructure we need to make Oregon's economy even more competitive in the 21st Century. This big-time investment in Oregon's ports and rail infrastructure will have a tremendous impact on the Oregonians living and working in Morrow County, as well as for Oregonians in communities along the Coos Bay Rail line from Coquille to Eugene, Wyden said. You can't have a big-league economy without big-league infrastructure, and I am gratified to have worked with the delegation to achieve these significant wins for jobs and the economy in rural Oregon. The Port of Morrow will use its funds to extend its existing rail network from the Union Pacific mainline to reach four marine terminals on the Columbia River. These enhancements would enable the transloading of commodities directly between barge ships and railcars to create cost-effective shipping options for new and existing industries at the Port. These resources provide a huge shot in the arm for the Port of Morrow and the local economy throughout northeastern Oregon, said Ryan Neal, Executive Director of the Port of Morrow. As Oregon's second largest port, this expansion of our rail and marine terminal network carries benefits for our entire state. We are very thankful for the strong support shown by Oregon's congressional delegation of our project. The Port of Coos Bay will use its funds to replace or upgrade three swing-span bridges along the 134-mile Coos Bay Rail Line between Eugene and Coquille in order to meet Federal Railroad Administration-mandated load rating requirements. Additionally, the Port will use funds to upgrade steel structures between Coos Bay and Eugene to increase train load capacities and speed targets necessary to maintain continued traffic growth on the line. These will increase overall safety and reliability of the line, and extend the life of the upgraded structures for 20 years or more of continuous operations. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support we received from the Oregon Delegation, which was key in our receipt of the BUILD grant, said John Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Coos Bay. This project will make improvements to critical infrastructure on the Coos Bay Rail Line, ensuring sustainable freight rail transportation for southwestern Oregon businesses into the future. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-brown-introduce-legislation-to-stop-government-officials-from-profiting-off-of-their-positions,"Merkley, Brown Introduce Legislation to Stop Government Officials From Profiting Off of Their Positions",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Brown Introduce Legislation to Stop Government Officials From Profiting Off of Their Positions The Ban Conflicted Trading Act would put a stop to inappropriate trading activities in Congress Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced the Ban Conflicted Trading Act, new legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from abusing their public positions for personal financial gain. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act responds to multiple scandals in recent years in which members of Congress have been found buying and selling stocks in certain industries while at the same time crafting legislation that affects those industries. It's way past time to end conflicted trading, in which legislators and top staff trade in stocks while making decisions affecting their value. This is scandalous, said Merkley. It undermines both the integrity of governance and the perception of integrity. Let's end this corruption now! Members of Congress serve the American people, not their stock portfolios, said Brown. Elected officials have access to nonpublic information that can affect individual companies and entire industries. There must be more accountability and transparency to prevent members from using this information and abusing their positions for personal gain. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act follows two major congressional trading scandals in recent years. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Representative Chris Collins (R-NY) bought nearly $1 million in discounted shares from the Australian pharmaceutical company Innate Immunotherapeutics. Chris Collins sat on the company's board, while he and his family members owned about 20%with a personal investment worth $720,000of the company. He sat on the Health Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Commerce during that time. On August 8, 2018 Collins was arrested by the FBI, along with his son and son's father-in-law, for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and lying to the FBI in connection with his activities related to Innate Immuno. Representatives Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Billy Long (R-MO), Mike Conaway (R-TX) and John Culberson (R-TX) also bought shares in Innate Immuno. Meanwhile, in January 2017, it became apparent that then-Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary nominee Tom Price (R-GA), who sat on the Ways and Means Committee and Health Subcommittee during his time in Congress, had made dozens of stock trades in the health industry over a multi-year period while also acting as a top health care policymaker. While legislating, he advocated for the interests of a company he was invested in, Amgen, without disclosing the conflict of interest. And less than a week after purchasing shares in Zimmer Biomet, a medical devices company, Price introduced legislation to delay a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid regulation until 2018a move that would protect the company's finances. After introducing the act, Price's reelection campaign received a donation from Zimmer Biomet's PAC. In total, Price held stock in more than 40 companies that created conflicts of interest for his position as Secretary of HHS. The Ban Conflicted Trading Act would prohibit members of Congress and senior congressional staff from buying or selling individual stocks and other investments while in office. New members would be allowed to sell individual holdings within six months of being elected, and sitting members of Congress would be allowed to sell individual holdings within six months after enactment of the bill. Alternatively, members of Congress can choose to hold existing investments while in officewith no option for trading until they leave officeor transfer them to a blind trust. Members of Congress would still be allowed to hold widely-held investments, such as diversified mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. In addition, the legislation would prohibit members of Congress from serving on any corporate boards while in office. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-senators-introduce-bill-to-make-public-transit-cleaner-healthier-more-affordable,"Merkley, Senators Introduce Bill to Make Public Transit Cleaner, Healthier, More Affordable",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Senators Introduce Bill to Make Public Transit Cleaner, Healthier, More Affordable The bill would provide zero-interest loans to purchase electric buses, reducing both emissions and maintenance costs Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kamala Harris (D-CA), today introduced a bill that would provide transit authorities with zero-interest loans to purchase electric busescurbing emissions among the top source of greenhouse gas pollution in the United States, and cutting fleet maintenance costs by tens of thousands of dollars. Climate chaos is threatening our future, and we need to act boldly and quickly to stop it, Merkley said. Electric buses mean lower operating costs as well as better health and less pollution, but they cost more to buy. A little up-front help from the federal government turns regular transit updates into opportunities to cut down on emissions and save money. It's common sense and will help build the foundation for a greener future. Combatting climate change isn't just important; it also is good for our economy. Smith said. Beyond a smaller carbon footprint, electric buses are quieter, more efficient, produce far fewer health harming emissions, and have dramatically lower fuel costs than petroleum diesel buses. Quieter buses and no petroleum diesel smoke make our roads more pleasant for those sharing them, like bikers and pedestrians. With this bill, we're helping our cities make an upfront investment in the health of their communities. Nevada is a leader in clean energy. And I'm doing all I can to ensure that we continue to strengthen that leadership and support opportunities to create good-paying green jobs, improve the quality of the air we breathe, and help curb climate change, said Cortez Masto. This legislation will empower our local transit agencies to combat carbon emissions, improve residents' quality of life, and save money in the long term. I'll continue working to identify innovative, clean energy solutions that help America thrive. Climate change is a clear and present threat to our communities and our future. We should be exploring every opportunity to mitigate its effects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Booker. Making public transportation cleaner and more environmentally-friendly is one such opportunity. Our bill is a common-sense way to incentivize local governments to transition their bus fleets to all electric-vehicles, a move that will drastically reduce carbon pollution, improve air quality, and lower maintenance costs. It is beyond time to take action to combat the continuing rise in greenhouse gas emissions and secure the American people's right to clean air and clean water for future generations, said Harris. I'm proud to cosponsor this bill that would go a long way towards eliminating a major source of air pollution and would give communities across the country the funding they need to invest in new, green transportation infrastructure. The transportation sector is the number one source of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S., and 44 percent of U.S. carbon pollution comes from oil. More than 1,000 transit districts operate buses that have traveled over two billion vehicle miles. Electrifying all of the nation's diesel-powered transit buses could save more than two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, while eliminating tons of nitrogen oxides and hundreds of pounds of diesel particulate matter containing dozens of toxic air contaminants. Transitioning to cleaner buses will drastically help cut down on carbon pollution and improve communities' air quality. Additionally, transit authorities could save roughly $40,000 a year on fuel and maintenance. Currently, however, switching to electric buses can be cost prohibitive. That's why the Community Health and Clean Transit Act builds on the success of the Department of Transportation's Low and No Emission grant program and creates an innovative financing tool to offset the upfront capital cost of electric buses, and help communities choose clean and efficient transit fleets. The Community Health and Clean Transit Act provides zero-interest loans to qualified transit districts for the additional upfront costs of electric buses over conventional diesel buses, as well as the associated charging infrastructure, and technical assistance. The bill would authorize $15 million to cover the default risk of the loan, leveraging critical federal dollars and allowing communities to choose the best bus for their needs and communities. The bill also encourages innovative partnerships between fleet operators and utilities to facilitate vehicle-to-grid technologies, provide energy storage, and enhance grid resiliency. And, with strong Buy America provisions, the bill ensures that electric buses will help create U.S. jobs. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-defazio-announce-major-federal-grants-for-oregon-infrastructure,"Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Announce Major Federal Grants for Oregon Infrastructure",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Announce Major Federal Grants for Oregon Infrastructure BUILD grants will be awarded to Port of Morrow and Port of Coos Bay Thursday, December 6, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congressman Peter DeFazio, today announced that the federal Department of Transportation is awarding two major grants to Oregon ports. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants will go to the Port of Morrow and the Port of Coos Bay. The Port of Morrow in Boardman, OR, will receive $19.4 million, while the Port of Coos Bay will receive $20 million, both for rail investments. This is huge news for Oregon's rural infrastructure, said Merkley, who has used his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for federal investments in Oregon's communities. These grants are a huge boost to developing the rail infrastructure we need to make Oregon's economy even more competitive in the 21st Century. This big-time investment in Oregon's ports and rail infrastructure will have a tremendous impact on the Oregonians living and working in Morrow County, as well as for Oregonians in communities along the Coos Bay Rail line from Coquille to Eugene, Wyden said. You can't have a big-league economy without big-league infrastructure, and I am gratified to have worked with the delegation to achieve these significant wins for jobs and the economy in rural Oregon. This is great news for Southwest Oregon, said DeFazio, expected Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 116th Congress. These funds will be used to improve the rail line and help major employers in the Coos Bay area get their goods to market. This is exactly the type of federal investment we need to improve our long-term economic viability and put Americans back to work rebuilding our vital infrastructure. The Port of Morrow will use its funds to extend its existing rail network from the Union Pacific mainline to reach four marine terminals on the Columbia River. These enhancements would enable the transloading of commodities directly between barge ships and railcars to create cost-effective shipping options for new and existing industries at the Port. These resources provide a huge shot in the arm for the Port of Morrow and the local economy throughout northeastern Oregon, said Ryan Neal, Executive Director of the Port of Morrow. As Oregon's second largest port, this expansion of our rail and marine terminal network carries benefits for our entire state. We are very thankful for the strong support shown by Oregon's congressional delegation of our project. The Port of Coos Bay will use its funds to replace or upgrade three swing-span bridges along the 134-mile Coos Bay Rail Line between Eugene and Coquille in order to meet Federal Railroad Administration-mandated load rating requirements. Additionally, the Port will use funds to upgrade steel structures between Coos Bay and Eugene to increase train load capacities and speed targets necessary to maintain continued traffic growth on the line. These will increase overall safety and reliability of the line, and extend the life of the upgraded structures for 20 years or more of continuous operations. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support we received from the Oregon Delegation, which was key in our receipt of the BUILD grant, said John Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Coos Bay. This project will make improvements to critical infrastructure on the Coos Bay Rail Line, ensuring sustainable freight rail transportation for southwestern Oregon businesses into the future. Merkley has used his seat on the Appropriations Committee to triple national funding in 2018 for the BUILD grant programformerly known as TIGER grantsfrom $500 million to $1.5 billion. With more overall funding available, Oregon now has a greater chance of winning funding for multiple projects each year. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/-,"Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Announce Major Federal Grants for Oregon Infrastructure",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 06, 2018 Merkley, Wyden, DeFazio Announce Major Federal Grants for Oregon Infrastructure BUILD grants will be awarded to Port of Morrow and Port of Coos Bay WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congressman Peter DeFazio, today announced that the federal Department of Transportation is awarding two major grants to Oregon ports. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants will go to the Port of Morrow and the Port of Coos Bay. The Port of Morrow in Boardman, OR, will receive $19.4 million, while the Port of Coos Bay will receive $20 million, both for rail investments. This is huge news for Oregon's rural infrastructure, said Merkley, who has used his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for federal investments in Oregon's communities. These grants are a huge boost to developing the rail infrastructure we need to make Oregon's economy even more competitive in the 21st Century. This big-time investment in Oregon's ports and rail infrastructure will have a tremendous impact on the Oregonians living and working in Morrow County, as well as for Oregonians in communities along the Coos Bay Rail line from Coquille to Eugene, Wyden said. You can't have a big-league economy without big-league infrastructure, and I am gratified to have worked with the delegation to achieve these significant wins for jobs and the economy in rural Oregon. This is great news for Southwest Oregon, said DeFazio, expected Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 116th Congress. These funds will be used to improve the rail line and help major employers in the Coos Bay area get their goods to market. This is exactly the type of federal investment we need to improve our long-term economic viability and put Americans back to work rebuilding our vital infrastructure. The Port of Morrow will use its funds to extend its existing rail network from the Union Pacific mainline to reach four marine terminals on the Columbia River. These enhancements would enable the transloading of commodities directly between barge ships and railcars to create cost-effective shipping options for new and existing industries at the Port. These resources provide a huge shot in the arm for the Port of Morrow and the local economy throughout northeastern Oregon, said Ryan Neal, Executive Director of the Port of Morrow. As Oregon's second largest port, this expansion of our rail and marine terminal network carries benefits for our entire state. We are very thankful for the strong support shown by Oregon's congressional delegation of our project. The Port of Coos Bay will use its funds to replace or upgrade three swing-span bridges along the 134-mile Coos Bay Rail Line between Eugene and Coquille in order to meet Federal Railroad Administration-mandated load rating requirements. Additionally, the Port will use funds to upgrade steel structures between Coos Bay and Eugene to increase train load capacities and speed targets necessary to maintain continued traffic growth on the line. These will increase overall safety and reliability of the line, and extend the life of the upgraded structures for 20 years or more of continuous operations. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support we received from the Oregon Delegation, which was key in our receipt of the BUILD grant, said John Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Coos Bay. This project will make improvements to critical infrastructure on the Coos Bay Rail Line, ensuring sustainable freight rail transportation for southwestern Oregon businesses into the future. Merkley has used his seat on the Appropriations Committee to triple national funding in 2018 for the BUILD grant programformerly known as TIGER grantsfrom $500 million to $1.5 billion. With more overall funding available, Oregon now has a greater chance of winning funding for multiple projects each year. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-fda-to-go-further-in-combatting-youth-tobacco-use-,"Wyden, Merkley Urge FDA to Go Further In Combatting Youth Tobacco Use",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 06, 2018 Wyden, Merkley Urge FDA to Go Further In Combatting Youth Tobacco Use Oregon senators say recent study showing spike in youth e-cigarette use requires swift action Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act quickly to implement plans to ban flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes. In a letter sent this week by Wyden, Merkley and 19 other senators to FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the lawmakers also ask Gottlieb to follow the FDA's recent efforts to address rising youth e-cigarette use with additional steps. The lawmakers call for ending the marketing of all tobacco products to youth and removing from market all flavored tobacco products that have not undergone a thorough FDA review that shows they benefit public health. It is well past time to end the marketing of products that so clearly impact the health of our youth, and we urge the agency to act quickly to make good on its commitment to take them off the market once and for all, the senators wrote. It is clear flavored tobacco products are leading to a new generation of youth becoming addicted to nicotine, and we have repeatedly urged the FDA to act swiftly and strongly to end the scourge of youth tobacco use. ""While the agency's planned actions on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would generate substantial public health improvements, we remain concerned the new steps do not go far enough, especially with regard to e-cigarettes, they wrote. We therefore urge FDA to move quickly to not only ban flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes, but also to end the marketing of all tobacco products to youth and remove all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from the market until or unless they have undergone a thorough FDA review that shows they are of benefit to the public health. The letter comes after the FDA's recent announcement of new steps to fight rising youth tobacco use and new data showing the urgency of the problem. According to data from the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), e-cigarette use increased sharply among high school students in recent years, jumping from 1.5 percent in 2011 to 20.8 percent in 2018. As of 2018, one-in-five high school students and one-in-20 middle school students use e-cigarettes. The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tom Udall (NM), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The text of the letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/us-lawmakers-challenge-rwanda-government-over-diane-rwigara,US lawmakers challenge Rwanda government over Diane Rwigara,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Rwandan opposition politician Diane Rwigara faces up to 22 years in prison on charges of inciting insurrection and forgery. She is due to be back in court on Thursday. She denies the charges, saying they are politically motivated after she decided to run against Paul Kagame in presidential elections. Now congressional lawmakers in the US are urging the Rwandan government to reconsider her case. One of those is congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici who says that the eyes of the world are on Mr Kagame's government. the ey Now congressional lawmakers in the US are urging the Rwandan government to reconsider her case. One of those is congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici who says that the eyes of the world are on Mr Kagame's government.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-introduces-bill-for-opioid-treatment-surge,Merkley Introduces Bill for Opioid Treatment Surge,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Introduces Bill for Opioid Treatment Surge Bill levies fees on companies that flooded the market and fueled the crisis to pay for a dramatic increase in treatment Wednesday, December 5, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. In the wake of new data showing record number of opioid overdose deaths, Oregon's U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today introduced the Opioid Treatment Surge Act to fund a big increase in treatment capacity funded by imposing fees on the drug companies that created the opioid crisis. Drug companies flooded the streets with massive quantities of opioids to enrich themselves while a generation of Americans got hooked, Merkley said. It is time for those companies to commit a portion of those profits to dramatically increase treatment capacity to address this crisis. I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction, Merkley continued. This addiction is tough enough to kick in the best of circumstances, but too often when people are looking for treatment it's not available. An enormous spike in addictions requires an enormous spike in treatment capacity, and it's only right that the companies that profited creating the problem help pay for the solutions. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drug overdoses killed more than 70,000 Americans in 2017. That record-setting number was largely due to a staggering 45 percent increase in deaths involving opioids. In 2013, about 3,000 deaths were associated with opioids. In 2017, about 28,000 people died because of an opioid overdose. Drug companies irresponsibly fueled the opioid epidemic with overprescribing and aggressive marketing tactics. Merkley's Opioid Treatment Surge Act would require those same drug companies to pay for additional treatment to address this crisis. The bill would establish a $2 billion per year treatment surge for the next ten years, paid for by a fee on opioid manufacturers. The companies would pay each year's assessment in proportion to their portion of overall opioid sales since 1999the year the opioid crisis slowly began to build. The companies that manufactured the most opioids would pay the highest portion of the annual fee. The bill provides exceptions to the fee for opioids used exclusively for the treatment of opioid addictionas part of a medically assisted treatment effortor for those used by cancer or hospice patients. Revenue from the $2 billion fee will go to the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, which is distributed to states to pay for with addiction treatment. Information about how the Opioid Treatment Surge Act would increase funding on a state-by-state basis follows below. State FY18 Funding Under Merkley Bill Alabama $23,356,917 $49,253,224 Alaska $6,154,694 $12,978,533 Arizona $40,644,307 $85,707,509 Arkansas $13,790,921 $29,081,207 California $254,706,548 $537,105,080 Colorado $29,045,376 $61,248,598 Connecticut $18,479,143 $38,967,359 Delaware $7,233,530 $15,253,498 Florida $111,656,028 $235,451,426 Georgia $57,423,236 $121,089,591 Hawaii $8,848,122 $18,658,222 Idaho $8,801,737 $18,560,409 Illinois $67,917,901 $143,219,913 Indiana $32,514,482 $68,563,975 Iowa $13,359,727 $28,171,939 Kansas $12,165,916 $25,654,524 Kentucky $20,645,520 $43,535,644 Louisiana $25,294,067 $53,338,134 Maine $7,233,530 $15,253,498 Maryland $34,348,574 $72,431,564 Massachusetts $40,114,281 $84,589,832 Michigan $56,323,757 $118,771,097 Minnesota $24,988,666 $52,694,128 Mississippi $14,070,016 $29,669,740 Missouri $26,816,271 $56,548,037 Montana $7,233,530 $15,253,498 Nebraska $7,907,045 $16,673,753 Nevada $17,270,184 $36,418,002 New Hampshire $7,233,530 $15,253,498 New Jersey $48,334,255 $101,923,465 New Mexico $9,831,121 $20,731,093 New York $112,106,839 $236,402,060 North Carolina $45,261,647 $95,444,192 North Dakota $6,799,236 $14,337,693 Ohio $64,807,533 $136,661,014 Oklahoma $17,416,147 $36,725,797 Oregon $20,845,513 $43,957,374 Pennsylvania $59,371,425 $125,197,779 Rhode Island $7,864,276 $16,583,565 South Carolina $23,985,271 $50,578,248 South Dakota $6,307,347 $13,300,436 Tennessee $32,246,615 $67,999,118 Texas $144,988,914 $305,741,187 Utah $16,855,328 $35,543,186 Vermont $6,725,555 $14,182,320 Virginia $42,249,325 $89,092,044 Washington $75,842,286 $159,930,231 West Virginia $8,698,568 $18,342,854 Wisconsin $27,465,848 $57,917,814 Wyoming $4,463,001 $9,411,225 American Samoa $369,188 $778,515 Guam $1,049,684 $2,213,491 Fed. Micronesia $284,243 $599,389 N. Marianas Isle. $356,527 $751,816 Marshal Islands $202,872 $427,800 Rep. Palau $77,395 $163,204 Puerto Rico $22,815,599 $48,111,736 Virgin Islands $680,998 $1,436,035 $1,803,880,112 $3,803,880,112 Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-calls-on-senate-colleagues-to-oppose-ferc-nominee,Wyden Calls on Senate Colleagues to Oppose FERC Nominee,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2018 Wyden Calls on Senate Colleagues to Oppose FERC Nominee Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today on the Senate floor urged his colleagues to oppose the nomination of Bernard L. McNamee to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the FERC or the Commission). Video of the floor speech is available here. In his speech, Wyden expressed serious concerns over McNamee's role in developing the U.S. Department of Energy policy that would have reached into American household budgets to pad the pockets of coal and nuclear corporationsa policy so outrageous that it was rejected outright by the FERC. If Mr. McNamee takes a seat on the commission, it means that Christmas is coming early for the executives who want big, dirty energy bailouts, Wyden said. Mr. McNamee has had for some time a plan to build out and bail out some of the oldest, dirtiest plants in America, and he wants typical Americans to pay for it with higher utility rates. . . . You shouldn't sugarcoat the McNamee's plan. It's a ripoffplain and simple. Wyden announced his opposition to McNamee's nomination in November during a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing. Wyden pressed McNamee on his concerns during that hearing. He also called on McNamee to recuse himself from any matters regarding specific rates and subsidies for coal and nuclear energy that would come before FERC if confirmed. Even if confirmed, Wyden will continue to pressure McNamee to recuse himself from these clearly conflicted issues. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-presses-justice-department-on-whitaker-benczkowski-conflicts-of-interest,"Wyden Presses Justice Department on Whitaker, Benczkowski Conflicts of Interest",2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 05, 2018 Wyden Presses Justice Department on Whitaker, Benczkowski Conflicts of Interest Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden is asking the Department of Justice to detail its handling of the serious financial, professional, and political conflicts of interest of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, Brian Benczkowski. In a letter this week signed by 10 other senators, Wyden noted that the two officials' activities before arriving at the Justice Department present ethical concerns that agency ethics officials have not yet fully resolved and memorialized. Despite repeated requests for ethics records by members of Congress, and growing concern with the influence Whitaker and Benczkowski have over highly sensitive Justice Department work like Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, the Justice Department has not been forthcoming. To maintain the public's trust in an impartial DOJ, we urge you to provide prompt, complete, and public responses to the issues we raise, the senators wrote to the Justice Department's Assistant Attorney General for Administration and Designated Agency Ethics Official and Professional Responsibility Advisory Office. The impartiality and credibility of DOJ's leadership are of national importance. According to financial disclosures, Whitaker has accepted more than $1.2 million in compensation as executive director of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), an organization that filed at least 14 complaints in recent years against Democratic politicians, and has spent thousands of dollars on contracts with conservative political attack groups. FACT has received at least $2.45 million from the secretive DonorsTrust, which has been described as the dark-money ATM for the right. Whitaker also allegedly accepted campaign donations this year while serving as a senior Justice Department official to a campaign committee he used for a 2014 run for U.S. Senate. In response to complaints by Senator Whitehouse and others, the United States Office of Special Counsel has opened an independent investigation into whether this conduct violated the Hatch Act. Benczkowski, while serving in private legal practice, represented Alfa Bank, a Russian bank implicated in possible coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government during the 2016 presidential campaign. As head of the Criminal Division, Benczkowski is in position to learn details about numerous highly sensitive Justice Department investigations and prosecutions access that is particularly troubling given his political connections in the Trump administration. The Justice Department has written to senators that Benczkowski is recused from matters involving previous clients, but has not provided details of his recusals. In addition to Wyden, the letter was signed by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) The entire letter is available here. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-congratulates-local-students-who-won-district-s-congressional-app,Bonamici Congratulates Local Students Who Won Districts Congressional App Challenge,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Suzanne Bonamici,B001278,bonamici.house.gov,,,legacy,"BEAVERTON, OR [12/03/18] Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), a member of the House Education and Science Committees, announced that Layton Rosenfeld, Natalie Dodson, and Audrey Daniels all students at Portland's Catlin Gabel School won the Congressional App Challenge for Oregon's First Congressional District. The students' mobile phone application, JonApp, is a task management app for employees with disabilities. It was developed in partnership with a teaching assistant who has developmental disabilities and works at Catlin Gabel. The app helps users with disabilities independently transition between tasks using dictation, images, positive reinforcement, and an intuitive interface. You can watch a video of the students describing their app here. Creativity and innovation are key to our economy and essential to future economic growth, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. This year's Congressional App Challenge brought in thoughtful submissions from an impressive group of students. I congratulate Layton, Natalie and Audrey and their teammates for creating the JonApp. These insightful students have identified a significant need in our communities and developed a useful tool that could benefit people with disabilities in their daily lives. A panel of expert judges from Northwest Oregon selected the winning app. The judges evaluated the submissions for creativity, originality, user experience, and design. What's so great about this application is that the developers specifically indicate that no other applications have the functionality people with developmental and cognitive disabilities can use, said Melissa Smith, a judge and software engineer at New Relic. Ilana Davis, a judge and Director of Technology at PDXWIT, said that the JonApp is incredibly simple yet highly valuable and well executed. We designed the JonApp to help Jon, an employee of our school with cognitive disabilities, said Natalie Dodson. The JonApp helps Jon become more efficient and independent by providing the same support his job coach does. We think that app has wonderful potential and hope that it will help more people in our community in the future. ""It has been incredibly empowering to see the impact of the app on Jon's independence and efficiency, said Layton Rosenfeld. We are excited to continue working on it and hopefully help others like Jon."" Bonamici recognized Layton, Natalie, and Audrey in an informal ceremony at her office. The winning app will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website. You can download photos of the students with Bonamici here. Bonamici is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts and design into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the growing importance of technology development. Students across the country competed in the Congressional App Challenge by creating and demonstrating a software application, or app, for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-demand-trump-revoke-illegal-proclamation-targeting-asylum-seekers,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Revoke Illegal Proclamation Targeting Asylum Seekers",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Revoke Illegal Proclamation Targeting Asylum Seekers Letter: This cruel policy will undermine law and order in our immigration system, needlessly cause death and suffering to refugees seeking safety, and imperil our national security. Monday, December 3, 2018 Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined their colleagues in calling on Donald Trump to immediately revoke an illegal Presidential Proclamation that would drastically limit the ability of refugees to claim asylum. U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar recently granted a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of the Proclamation, which directly contradicts existing statute. There is overwhelming evidence that this Proclamation is plainly illegal. Our immigration statutes are clear that any individual who arrives in the United States whether or not at a designated port of arrival' may apply for asylum. Our courts have long recognized this principle, repeatedly emphasizing that asylum seekers cannot have their claims denied solely because of how they entered the country, the senators wrote in a letter to Trump on Friday. The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). A full copy of the letter can be found here. A web version of this release is available here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-demand-trump-revoke-illegal-proclamation-targeting-asylum-seekers,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Revoke Illegal Proclamation Targeting Asylum Seekers",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 03, 2018 Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Revoke Illegal Proclamation Targeting Asylum Seekers Letter: This cruel policy will undermine law and order in our immigration system, needlessly cause death and suffering to refugees seeking safety, and imperil our national security. Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined their colleagues in calling on Donald Trump to immediately revoke an illegal Presidential Proclamation that would drastically limit the ability of refugees to claim asylum. U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar recently granted a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of the Proclamation, which directly contradicts existing statute. There is overwhelming evidence that this Proclamation is plainly illegal. Our immigration statutes are clear that any individual who arrives in the United States whether or not at a designated port of arrival' may apply for asylum. Our courts have long recognized this principle, repeatedly emphasizing that asylum seekers cannot have their claims denied solely because of how they entered the country, the senators wrote in a letter to Trump on Friday. The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). A full copy of the letter can be found here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-elected-top-republican-energy-and-commerce-committee,Greg Walden elected as top Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,OR,Greg Walden,W000791,walden.house.gov,,,legacy,"Greg Walden elected as top Republican on Energy and Commerce Committee WASHINGTON, D.C. --The House Republican Steering Committee has elected Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) to serve as the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the upcoming session of Congress. Walden today released the following statement: I thank my colleagues and am honored to have earned their support to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the next session of Congress. The Energy and Commerce Committee has broad jurisdiction over many of the issues we face in Oregon and across the West. Under my leadership, the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner to advance key legislation for our district. ""We've made historic strides in the fight against the opioid crisis, which takes the lives of more Oregonians than traffic accidents. We've modernized the Food and Drug Administration, to help patients in Oregon get access to the best cures and treatments available. Legislation we advanced to bridge the digital divide will help bring high-speed Internet to our district so rural communities can tap into the 21st Century economy. And we've passed into law measures that will help Oregon boost hydropower production, put old industrial sites back into active use through the EPA's Brownfields Program, and ensure people across our state have safe water to drink by upgrading our drinking water infrastructure. There is much more work to be done, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to ensure that bipartisan success continues for Oregonians. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-calls-for-assistance-for-winegrape-growers-threatened-by-wildfire-smoke-related-losses,Wyden Calls for Assistance for Winegrape Growers Threatened by Wildfire Smoke Related Losses,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 30, 2018 Wyden Calls for Assistance for Winegrape Growers Threatened by Wildfire Smoke Related Losses Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged colleagues to provide additional federal assistance for winegrape growers facing serious losses from wildfire smoke damage. In a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, Wyden requested that any year-end funding bill include an extension of the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to provide a measure of compensation for winegrape growers and other producers affected by natural disasters. Wyden also requested additional funding to support research on the effects of smoke exposure to winegrapes to help limit future losses associated with smoke exposure. Like 2017, the 2018 wildfire season subjected winegrapes to persistent exposure to heavy smoke. Many purchasers have informed growers that their smoke-tainted grapes are not acceptable for winemaking, forcing growers to leave their grapes on the vine or sell them for vastly reduced prices, Wyden wrote. Additionally, the effects of smoke exposure on winegrapes is relatively unknown, which further exacerbates the economic damage inflicted on producers during bad smoke years. Congress established the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program in the FY 2018 spending bill to assist producers, including winegrape growers affected by wildfire smoke, following a historic year for natural disasters in 2017. A full copy of the letter can be found here. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-from-rep-peter-defazio-ahead-of-planned-nafta-20-signing,Statement from Rep. Peter DeFazio Ahead of Planned NAFTA 2.0 Signing,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Peter DeFazio,D000191,defazio.house.gov,,,legacy,"Tomorrow, President Trump will sign the text of NAFTA 2.0 along with Mexico and Canada. Although the president has repeatedly and emphatically stated that he would get rid of the disastrous trade policies of the last twenty-five years, this agreement promotes many of the same damaging provisions as its predecessor. As currently written, this agreement does not truly protect American jobs, American workers, or our environment. While I'm pleased the deal addresses some long-standing issues I have fought against, including threats to U.S. highway safety, the agreement remains incomplete. The agreement contains new labor standards and protections for workers, but lacks the proper mechanisms to enforce them. Without robust enforcement of these standards, American workers will continue to suffer from the same job outsourcing inflicted upon working families by the original agreement. Furthermore, the new agreement does not address climate change and fails to require participating countries to adopt and enforce environmental protections. I remain committed to working on much-needed improvements to the agreement in order to create a trade deal that works for all Americans, not just the wealthiest.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-proposes-bill-to-slash-drug-prices,Merkley Proposes Bill to Slash Drug Prices,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Proposes Bill to Slash Drug Prices Bill prohibits drug companies from charging more than they do in other countries Thursday, November 29, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today introduced a bill that would ensure Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than people do in other developed countrieshelping to address a top concern among Oregonians and Americans who time and time again are facing the impossible choice between affording prescription drugs or other necessities. Americans have been ripped off by pharmaceutical companies for too long, Merkley said.The only people in this country who think drug prices aren't way too high are getting rich from drug company profits.It's time to stand up to the drug companies' lobbyists, and stand up for the Americans who right now are choosing between life-saving medicines and basic necessities.My plan is simple: drug companies sell to Americans at the same price they sell to other developed countries, or they get shut out of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. Nearly a quarter of Americans who take prescription medications say they or a family member has not filled a prescription, has cut pills in half, or has skipped doses simply because of the cost. Of the 6 in 10 Americans who report taking at least one prescription medicine, 80 percent say the cost of their prescription drugs is unreasonable. And prices keep increasing: From January to July of 2018, there were price increases on 4,412 drugs and decreases on just 46. For every decrease in price, 96 other drugs become more expensive. Merkley's Low Drug Prices Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than the median price per drug in11 other countries: Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Swedenthe developed countries that,among others, sell the same prescription drugs Americans take, but often for a fraction of the cost. The legislation would require drug companies, as a condition of their participation in federal health programsincluding Medicare, Medicaid, and all Affordable Care Act exchange plansto offer prescription drugs at the established reference price to all individuals in the U.S. market. That includes individuals who are uninsured, individuals who are covered under a group health plan, or individuals who have purchased their own individual health insurance coverage. We must break the monopoly pricing power of the drug corporations, said David Mitchell, cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs NOW. Bringing U.S. drug prices in line with the rest of the world would save patients from the heartbreaking choice of skipping groceries or filling a prescription. High drug prices are killing people and causing millions more to suffer, said Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works. American families are squeezed between paying for their drugs or other needs. The only thing driving these prices is greed, out of control pharmaceutical corporate greed. Sen. Merkley's Low Drug Prices Act will help Americans afford their prescription drugs by lowering drug prices across the board. Prescription drug corporations abuse their monopoly pricing power to charge our sick and loved ones more than we can reasonably pay, driving up healthcare costs for all. The Low Drug Prices Act puts in place fair limitations on this currently unrestricted monopoly pricing power, so that we can begin to make medicines affordable, said Peter Maybarduk, Access to Medicines Director at Public Citizen. The reference pricing mechanism establishes a much-needed ceiling on prices, based on the already-exceptionally profitable prices that Big Pharma charges in other wealthy countries. The core problem in prescription drug costs is the lack of a strong federal mechanism to control prices, said Eliot Fishman, Senior Director of Policy, Families USA. Senator Merkley's bill is an important and courageous step in focusing on this problem and it reflects a reasonable goal: let's bring our costs in line with those of other advanced countries. We are proud to support this legislation. Lives are at stake, and the time to move forward on meaningful national prescription drug pricing reform is now. The Low Drug Prices Act is endorsed by Patients For Affordable Drugs NOW, Social Security Works, Public Citizen, CREDO, and Families USA. Find the full text of the bill here. Watch a brief video explainer on the Low Drug Prices Act here (Twitter) or here (Facebook). Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-statement-ahead-of-nafta-20-signing,Merkley Statement Ahead of NAFTA 2.0 Signing,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Statement Ahead of NAFTA 2.0 Signing Thursday, November 29, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement ahead of the planned NAFTA 2.0 signing at the G20 summit tomorrow: For decades, NAFTA has been a disaster for American jobs and American wages. If we want to have a middle class in America, we have to make things in America. We need a fresh start and a new direction. Unfortunately, what we're getting is not so much a new direction as a NAFTA 2.0. The text that will be signed tomorrow contains some improvements, but still falls far short of a deal that will stop NAFTA's ongoing job outsourcing, environmental damage, and downward pressure on wages. We need a transformation that will put American workers back on fair footingnot a tweak and a rebranding. Without swift and meaningful enforcement provisions for labor and environmental standards, this is a raw deal for American workers. We must set our sights much higher than simply continuing the global race to the bottom at a slightly slower pace. We should be pursuing a truly fair and level playing field in trade, one with clear and enforceable labor and environmental standards, that will finally reverse outsourcing and create good jobs here in America. I'm going to keep fighting for improvements to this deal, and for the trade policies American workers need. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-warren-gillibrand-markey-senators-introduce-bill-to-prevent-nuclear-arms-race-,"Merkley, Warren, Gillibrand, Markey, Senators Introduce Bill to Prevent Nuclear Arms Race",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Warren, Gillibrand, Markey, Senators Introduce Bill to Prevent Nuclear Arms Race Thursday, November 29, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), today announced the introduction of the Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2018, new legislation that would stop the United States from entering into a 21stCentury nuclear arms race. Merkley and Markey are members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Warren and Gillibrand serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. President Trump's reckless decision to pull the U.S. out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty alienates us from our allies and risks returning us to the Cold War postures of yesterday, said Merkley. A new nuclear arms race would be costly to our treasury and dangerous for the world. Today, we are coming together to send a message: Congress must not fund new ground-launched or ballistic missiles that will fuel a dangerous arms race across the globe. Instead, President Trump should convene U.S. allies at the G-20 Summit later this week to develop a unified approach to resolve Russia's violation of the Treaty. Instead of scrapping a nuclear arms control treaty negotiated by President Reagan that makes America safer, the Trump Administration should listen to our European allies and stick to this agreement while working to get Russia back into compliance, said Warren. Withdrawing from the INF Treaty is yet another example of the Trump Administration's dangerous and costly embrace of nuclear weapons, and the Prevention of Arms Race Act would help reverse this misguided policy. An arms race would endanger the entire world and threaten every single person in our country, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure that President Trump does not start one. Now that President Trump has announced his intent to unilaterally withdraw from a bipartisan weapons treaty with Russia, without consulting Congress or our allies, the Prevention of Arms Race Act is more important than ever, said Gillibrand. If the President proceeds with withdrawal, it would further damage our relationships with our allies, and Russia would not be legally constrained from deploying larger numbers of their previously illegal missiles. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to prevent a new arms race, and I will continue to do everything I can to keep New Yorkers and all Americans safe. Pulling out of the INF Treaty plays squarely into Russia's hands while undermining America's security and betraying our NATO allies, said Markey. Without question, Russia is violating the INF Treaty. But threatening American withdrawal will not increase our negotiating leverage; it only falls hook, line, and sinker for Putin's predictable attempts to goad the United States into justifying Russian noncompliance. The Trump administration needs to work more closely with our NATO allies to force Russia back into compliance. And as the chance of a confrontation between American and Chinese forces rises the Indo-Pacific, it makes little sense to add further ambiguity over whether U.S. missiles stationed around the region are nuclear-armed. This legislation will help ensure that we don't match two major adversaries missile-for-missile, trigger a new nuclear arms race, and incur unacceptable amounts of risk in an already tenuous security environment. On October 20, 2018, President Trump announced his intention to unilaterally withdraw the United States from the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia. The INF was originally signed by President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987. The United States first declared Russia to be in violation of the Treaty in 2014; experts agree it is critical that the United States continue to work to bring Russia back into compliance and hold it accountable for its violation. However, the Trump Administration's move puts the possibility of bringing Russia back into compliance with the treaty further out of reach. The unilateral U.S. withdrawal of the INF Treaty also fails to achieve the President's first objective of eliminating Russia's violating missile; instead, it frees Russia to deploy greater quantities of nuclear weapons to both America's and Europe's detriment. And withdrawal will not achieve the second stated objective of eliminating China's expansive arsenal of intermediate-range missiles; rather, it will end any hopes of expanding the Treaty to China and to other countries. The INF Treaty permanently led to the elimination of entire classes of U.S. and Russian nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles 2,692 in total supported by on-site inspections that allowed both sides to trust but verify compliance with the Treaty. President Trump made the decision to pull out without proper consultation with Congress a co-equal branch of government and over the objections of U.S. NATO allies who had, just months earlier, declared that the INF Treaty has been crucial to Euro-Atlantic security. The Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2018 prohibits funding for a U.S. ground-launched or ballistic missile with a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers until the Trump Administration provides a report that meets five specific conditions. That report would be required to: 1)Identify a U.S. ally formally willing to host such a system; 2)Detail recent diplomatic efforts to bring Russia back into compliance with the Treaty; 3)Assess the risk to U.S. national security and that of our allies stemming from Russia being able to deploy greater numbers of intermediate range missiles; 4)Identify what programs the United States would need to pursue to offset additional Russian capabilities and at what cost; 5)Detail the costs to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the ability to maintain consensus within the NATO Alliance should the INF Treaty collapse. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed Senator Merkley's bipartisan resolution,S.Res. 562, Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) continues to make an invaluable contribution to United States and international security. This resolution is cosponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and passed out of the Committee with unanimous support. S.Res. 562, which now goes to the Senate floor, calls upon the Trump administration to avert a potential arms race with Russia by working to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) until 2026 and urges diplomatic means to resolve Russia's violation of the INF Treaty. Click here for the full text of the bill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/video/low-drug-prices-act,Low Drug Prices Act,2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Americans are being ripped off by the cost of prescription drugs. We pay the highest prices of any nation in the world, even though our taxpayers do more than any other nation's to fund groundbreaking research. Let's work to take on the pharmaceutical industry and say it's time to put PEOPLE before corporate PROFITS.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-gop-release-unexpected-tax-bill-0,Blumenauer Statement on GOP Release of New Tax Bill,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Yesterday, House Republicans unexpectedly released a 297 page, end of the year tax bill they hope to move forward during the lame-duck session of Congress. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement: You would think after losing a national election, creating a blue wave, and exploding the budget deficit, Republicans would have learned that tax cuts for the wealthy and powerful are not popular. Not so. They just dropped another tax bill that does more of the same. Voters elected Democrats to actually listen to the needs of our families, especially those who struggle to pay for healthcare and their children's education. We must reject the latest Republican attempt to make the tax system worse without helping those who need help the most. It's time Congress commit to working with Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/congress-sends-wyden-merkley-earthquake-resilience-act-to-presidents-desk,"Congress Sends Wyden, Merkley Earthquake Resilience Act to President’s Desk",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress Sends Wyden, Merkley Earthquake Resilience Act to President's Desk Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to improve earthquake preparedness in Oregon and nationwide. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act modernizes earthquake-safety programs that help states prepare for and respond to earthquakes. Being as prepared as we can be for natural disasters is the name of the game. When the West Coast is struck by a large earthquake it is absolutely crucial that communities be prepared, Wyden said. This legislation will help make sure communities in Oregon have the resources to be ready to protect families, businesses and infrastructure for when the big one hits. Oregonians, especially people living on the coast, know that it's just a question of time before a big earthquake hits our state, Merkley said. We've been working to prepare for that day, and this bipartisan bill helps our state take important steps forward. We can't stop an earthquake, but we have to make the smart investments now to make sure our communities get through it as safely as possible. First authorized in 1977, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) has led to significant improvements in earthquake early warning, monitoring and research. The most recent reauthorization expired in 2009. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the program for five years, enabling earthquake-prone communities to better prepare and protect themselves by minimizing losses through infrastructure improvements and hazard and risk assessments. The full text of the legislation can be viewed here. In September, the Senate unanimously passed the bill introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). It was cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). The bill is supported by the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of American State Geologists, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Geological Society of America, the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, the National Emergency Management Association, and the Seismological Society of America. A web version of this release is available here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-applauds-major-senate-action-to-end-americas-support-for-saudi-strikes-on-yemen,Merkley Applauds Major Senate Action to End America’s Support for Saudi Strikes on Yemen,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley Applauds Major Senate Action to End America's Support for Saudi Strikes on Yemen Merkley has been a leading voice in the Senate opposing American complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Yemen Wednesday, November 28, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted 63-37 to advance a resolution that would force the Trump Administration to withdraw U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen: It is long past time we stopped supporting Saudi Arabia in the atrocities taking place in Yemen. Already, 85,000 children have starved to death and millions more are at risk of starvation if we don't act. Today's vote sends a strong bipartisan message to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. Senate will no longer stand by and tolerate this horrifying humanitarian crisis. I hope today's vote marks a major turning point in Yemen's humanitarian catastropheone that has already cost far too many civilian lives, and one we must work urgently with the global community to end. As we pursue accountability for Jamal Khashoggi's murder and other human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, today's vote also sends an important signal that the Senate will no longer turn a blind eye to the Saudi leadership's misdeeds. Merkley has been a leading voice in the Senate opposing American munitions sales and refueling missions in support of the Saudi war efforts. He has led colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to change course, and introduced an amendment to the Pentagon's annual authorization bill calling for an end to refueling support. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-whitehouse-introduce-bold-new-legislation-to-transition-the-us-to-100-zero-emission-vehicles,"Merkley, Whitehouse Introduce Bold New Legislation to Transition the U.S. to 100% Zero-Emission Vehicles",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Whitehouse Introduce Bold New Legislation to Transition the U.S. to 100% Zero-Emission Vehicles Wednesday, November 28, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)both senior members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committeetoday unveiled ambitious new legislation that would put the U.S. on the path to achieving 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the coming decades. The Merkley-Whitehouse legislation, the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, builds on the movements of 10 states, including California, Oregon, Maine and New York, that have enacted state-level ZEV standards. Much like renewable energy standards, these ZEV standards require a certain percentage of new vehicles sold in the state to be vehicles that emit no carbon pollution, such as fully battery-powered electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act would, for the first time, set a comprehensive federal ZEV standard, requiring that of all new car sales in America, at least 50% be zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and ultimately, 100% by 2040. A bold national ZEV standard would put the U.S. at the forefront of the emerging electric vehicles market, positioning the U.S. to lead in innovation and manufacturing. As the National Climate Assessment spelled out in stark, disastrous detail, we have no time to waste in taking on climate chaos, said Merkley. To save our economy and our way of life, we have to aggressively reduce carbon pollution. Since transportation is currently the largest source of carbon emissions in America, we must address that challenge head-on and drive the transition to zero-emission vehicles. This will also make America a leader in clean energy vehicle innovation, positioning us to create great manufacturing jobs right here at home. The writing is on the wall: to avoid the worst of climate change, we need to transition away from fossil fuels across our economy, said Whitehouse.Our auto industry is already making some of the most exciting electric vehicles on the market. This standard would lead to a nationwide transition away from polluting cars and trucks and help cement the United States as a global leader in electric vehicles. Transitioning to zero-emission vehicles benefits both the economy and public health. According to a 2016 report issued by the American Lung Association, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles would deliver $33 billion in total health and climate savings by 2050. The 90% reduction in the pollution that causes smog and soot would translate to 195,000 fewer lost work days, 96,000 fewer asthma attacks, and 2,200 fewer premature deaths. Ten states currently require that a certain percentage of new vehicles sold within the state must be zero-emission vehicles. While state commitments like these play a vital role in the transition to electric and zero-emission vehicles, a federal policy is needed to ensure the entire country experiences the benefits of ZEVs. How the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act Works The Zero-Emission Vehicles Act would set a Federal Zero-Emissions Vehicle standard to boost the market for battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The standard would require that 50% of all new passenger vehicles sold in 2030 are ZEVs, and ramp up 5% each year to 100% by 2040. The ZEV standard is only applied to the sale of new cars. By reaching 100% of new car sales in 2040, the vast majority of used cars would be ZEVs by 2050. Like the existing state ZEV standards, the Federal ZEV standard would include a crediting system. Each ZEV would receive one ZEV credit per vehicle. Plug-in hybrids and hybrids receive partial credits based on the estimated average portion of mileage traveled on the battery instead of fossil fuels. Fuel efficient vehicles can receive partial credits based on EPA's estimated fuel savings. ZEV credits would be allocated to auto-manufacturers, and can be sold or banked for up to 5 years, until 2040. Revenues from the sales of ZEV credits will help support public infrastructure through the Highway Trust Fund. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-call-on-senate-leadership-to-protect-small-businesses-from-burdensome-sales-tax-collection-requirement,"Merkley, Wyden Call on Senate Leadership to Protect Small Businesses from Burdensome Sales Tax Collection Requirement",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Merkley, Wyden Call on Senate Leadership to Protect Small Businesses from Burdensome Sales Tax Collection Requirement The senators joined their colleagues in calling for a ban on retroactive sales tax collection and a moratorium on collection requirements until Congress acts to protect small businesses Wednesday, November 28, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden in a letter call on Senate Leadership to take action before the end of the year to protect small businesses from red tape resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. In the wake of the ruling, many states have passed laws requiring out-of-state small businesses to start collecting sales taxes as soon as January 1, 2019. The letter, cosigned by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), requests a delay to allow more time for Congress to enact protections for small businesses and urges a ban on retroactive collection requirements. While we disagree with the decision and believe it should be overturned, we hope to work with you to, at a minimum, enact robust protections for small businesses, the senators wrote. Some states have established implementation dates as soon as January 1, 2019. As the Government Accountability Office has noted, integrating sales tax collection will require significant time and labor intensive' start-up costs for small businesses. We do not believe it is realistic to ask small businesses to have these new systems set up shortly after the holiday season, which is the busiest time of year for retailers. This is especially true in states where firms have no experience collecting sales taxes. Under South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., and without action from Congress, some small businesses in Oregon, New Hampshire, and other states without sales taxes will be forced to collect sales tax for other states. In their letter, the senators also urge Senate leadership to enact a moratorium on collection requirements and a prohibition on retroactive authority to provide necessary time for small businesses to adjust and comply with new regulations and requirements. A moratorium would provide much-needed time for small businesses. Previous Congressional consideration of remote sales tax legislation shows that there is bipartisan support for a runway, or phase-in period, for small businesses to comply with any new collection requirements, the senators continued. We must also ensure that small businesses are not subject to retroactive sales tax collection requirements. While the Court's decision pointed to the South Dakota's lack of retroactivity, there is no guarantee that states will not take action against defenseless out-of-state small businesses. We believe a statutory ban on retroactive state sales tax collection is necessary to ensure that small businesses are not punished by cash-strapped states they have no relation to. The letter can be read in full here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/video/senator-merkley-on-cnn-new-day,Senator Merkley on CNN New Day,2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/congress-sends-wyden-merkley-earthquake-resilience-act-to-presidents-desk,"Congress Sends Wyden, Merkley Earthquake Resilience Act to President’s Desk",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 28, 2018 Congress Sends Wyden, Merkley Earthquake Resilience Act to President's Desk Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to improve earthquake preparedness in Oregon and nationwide. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act modernizes earthquake-safety programs that help states prepare for and respond to earthquakes. Being as prepared as we can be for natural disasters is the name of the game. When the West Coast is struck by a large earthquake it is absolutely crucial that communities be prepared, Wyden said. This legislation will help make sure communities in Oregon have the resources to be ready to protect families, businesses and infrastructure for when the big one hits. Oregonians, especially people living on the coast, know that it's just a question of time before a big earthquake hits our state, Merkley said. We've been working to prepare for that day, and this bipartisan bill helps our state take important steps forward. We can't stop an earthquake, but we have to make the smart investments now to make sure our communities get through it as safely as possible. First authorized in 1977, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) has led to significant improvements in earthquake early warning, monitoring and research. The most recent reauthorization expired in 2009. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the program for five years, enabling earthquake-prone communities to better prepare and protect themselves by minimizing losses through infrastructure improvements and hazard and risk assessments. The full text of the legislation can be viewed here. In September, the Senate unanimously passed the bill introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). It was cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). The bill is supported by the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Association of American State Geologists, the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Geological Society of America, the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, the National Emergency Management Association, and the Seismological Society of America. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-crapo-lead-bipartisan-call-to-reauthorize-secure-rural-schools-funding-in-year-end-legislation,"Wyden, Crapo Lead Bipartisan call to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Funding in Year-end Legislation",2018-11-28,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 28, 2018 Wyden, Crapo Lead Bipartisan call to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Funding in Year-end Legislation WASHINGTON Citing the importance of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today led a bipartisan call with 23 of their Senate colleagues calling for a one-year reauthorization of the program in any year-end funding measures. Over the last nearly two decades, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations, the Senators wrote in their letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-New York), adding, Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with swaths of tax-exempt forestlands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was first introduced in 2000 to assist counties containing tracts of federally-owned land that is tax-exempt. Earlier this month, Crapo and Wyden introduced stand-alone legislation to extend SRS by one year. It is hoped that Senate leadership will include that measure in its year-end funding proposal. The senators added, As we work to establish a permanent county payments solution, diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies, a short-term reauthorization of at least one year is critical to provide fiscal certainty for forested counties. The letter is also signed by Idaho Senator Jim Risch and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, along with senators Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) Bennett (D-Colorado), Booker (D-New Jersey), Boozman (R-Arkansas), Cantwell (D-Washington), Capito (R-West Virginia), Daines (R-Montana), Feinstein (D-California), Gardner (R-Colorado), Harris (D-California), Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Manchin (D-West Virginia), Murray (D-Washington), Peters (D-Michigan), Rounds (R-South Dakota), Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tester (D-Montana), and Wicker (R-Mississippi). The full text of the letter is available here online. Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bill-to-save-newport-air-station,House Passes Bill to Save Newport Air Station,2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Peter DeFazio,D000191,defazio.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the United States House of Representatives passed S. 140, the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which includes language from Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) that should keep the Newport air facility open permanently. S.140 also authorizes funding for the Coast Guard, one of the nation's five armed services, through fiscal year 2019 and supports the service's plans to recapitalize and modernize its assets to carry out its critical missions. It is impossible to overstate how critical having search and rescue helicopters nearby is to Oregon's fishing industry, coastal visitors and residents. The Newport air station handles half the emergency calls on the Central Oregon Coast and without it, people in imminent danger will have to wait for a helicopter from North Bend or Astoria to rescue them. It is imperative that the Newport air facility stay open, and I will continue to do everything I can here in Washington DC to ensure that the Newport AIRFAC continues to provide lifesaving services for future generations,said DeFazio, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and lead Democratic sponsor and negotiator in the House of Representatives on the Coast Guard Authorization Act. With today's passage of the Coast Guard reauthorization, we have been able to ensure that the air facility in Newport will continue to serve its critical mission protecting our fishing industry and visitors on the central Oregon Coast. Protecting this asset is paramount and has been a top priority of those of us in the Oregon delegation. I have been proud to partner with our coastal community back home and thank them for their tireless efforts to help make this happen, said Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05). Due to budget cuts, the Coast Guard threatened in 2014 to close the Newport air facility, which handles half of the emergency response calls on the Central Oregon Coast. S. 140 includes a provision to guarantee that the Newport air facility will stay open and serve Oregon's coastal communities into the future. DeFazio was a key negotiator and co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, which includes several bipartisan bills previously approved by the House or the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier this Congress. Newport is home to one of Oregon's three deep draft ports, the state's largest grossing commercial fishing fleet, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Operations Center, Oregon State University research personnel and vessels, and a robust recreational and sport fishing industry that is critical to the local economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-national-climate-assessment-merkley-and-colleagues-introduce-senate-resolution-endorsing-findings-of-recent-climate-change-reports-and-urging-immediate-action,"Following National Climate Assessment, Merkley and Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution Endorsing Findings of Recent Climate Change Reports & Urging Immediate Action",2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Following National Climate Assessment, Merkley and Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution Endorsing Findings of Recent Climate Change Reports & Urging Immediate Action 25 senators sign Merkley resolution backing IPCC report and National Climate Assessment on the consequences of climate change Tuesday, November 27, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced a Senate resolution outlining key findings of the recent Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) report and last week's National Climate Assessment. The resolution affirms the signing members' recognition and acceptance of these findings, and calls for bold action to combat climate change. Merkley was joined on the resolution by 24 of his Senate colleagues. On Oct. 8, the IPCC released a report outlining the consequences of rising global temperatures and the ways in which climate chaos will become substantially worse as the planet continues to experience pre-industrial levels of warming. The report showed that the difference between warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius is substantial, and limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is affordable, feasible, and necessary to protect people from the worst impacts of climate change. The report concludes that unless the current path of climate change is slowed, massive impactssuch as limited water supply availability, sea-ice free Arctic summers, mass die-offs of coral reefs, and intense and unprecedented heat waveswill become reality as soon as 2040. On Friday, the Trump Administration released the National Climate Assessment, a congressionally mandated report from American climate experts throughout the federal government. Despite the Trump Administration's attempts to bury the report on Black Friday, the report has gained widespread attention for its alarming findingswhich include evidence that the U.S. is already feeling the effects of climate change, and conclusions that our nation will suffer thousands of deaths and over $500 billion per year in crop damage, lost labor, and extreme weather damages by 2100. The Trump Administration clearly wants to bury the findings of this new report, just like they want to bury their heads in the sand rather than acknowledge the truth about our climate. But we won't let them, said Merkley. Climate chaos is already wreaking havoc on the US, most prominently from massive forest fires and more powerful hurricanes. We need to act boldly to save our economy and our environment. We are paying for our inaction, and the catastrophic events we're experiencing are just a sliver of what's to come if we don't dramatically reduce carbon pollution. Specifically, the IPCC report found that: The last 50-year period in the Northern Hemisphere has the warmest average temperature of any 50-year period in 500 years; At current rates of greenhouse gas emissions, by 2040, Earth will warm by 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. At a 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise, the global population exposed to water stress could be 50 percent lower than if the global temperature rises 2 degrees Celsius; At warming at or above 2 degrees Celsius, the world could experience loss of greater than 99 percent of all coral reefs on Earth and mass migration from regions most affected by atmospheric changes. For U.S.-specific impacts, the National Climate Assessment found that: The U.S. is already experiencing impacts from the changing climate, including threats from rising seas and increased flooding; 2 degrees Celsius or higher warming would cost the U.S. a 15% drop in corn and soybean yields; The U.S. economy will lose over $500 billion annually from lost labor, crop failure, and damages related to extreme weather if we continue on our current course; By 2100, climate change could cost the U.S. up to a tenth of GDP, more than double the losses of the Great Recession. A similar resolution was introduced in the House last month by U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) and 85 Democratic Members, following the release of the IPCC report. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with IPCC recommendations is vital in avoiding the worst climate impacts of our generation and generations to come, said Rep. Quigley. With the new majority in the 116th Congress, House Democrats will ensure that common-sense climate policy is a cornerstone of our legislative agenda as this chamber finally steps up to protect our environment, our economy, and our public health in accordance with science and facts, which illustrate the devastating consequences of a warming world. I'm proud to join Senator Merkley in introducing this bicameral resolution to meet the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions head on. The Senate resolution is cosponsored by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). A copy of the full resolution can be found here. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/murray-merkley-and-blumenauer-announce-new-step-forward-for-tribal-housing-plan-along-columbia-river,"Murray, Merkley, and Blumenauer Announce New Step Forward for Tribal Housing Plan Along Columbia River",2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Murray, Merkley, and Blumenauer Announce New Step Forward for Tribal Housing Plan Along Columbia River After lawmakers' urging, federal agencies green light funding to complete plan to address housing needs decades after construction of dam took out tribes' homes and villages on Columbia River Tuesday, November 27, 2018 (Washington, D.C.) Today, Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), joined by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) has allocated $1.8 million to complete The Dalles Dam Tribal Housing Village Development Plan, following the lawmakers' request in October 2018 to complete this critical plan. Congress already provided additional funding for the Army Corps, but needed agencies to allocate the funding to The Dalles Dam Tribal Housing Village Development Plan to allow the Army Corps to move forward. The plan is necessary to address the loss of tribal homes and villages in the 1950s due to construction of The Dalles Dam. This represents another welcome step in fulfilling the federal government's long overdue obligation to restore tribal housing and access to the Columbia River, said Sen. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Now that the latest investment is in place, we will continue holding federal agency officials accountable to ensure that the plan is not only completed, but also carried out so tribal members get the facilities and river access they were promised more than 65 years ago. This is a critical step in righting a decades-long wrong, said Sen. Merkley. Displacing tribal nations and leaving them without safe, reliable housing is simply wrong. Ever since the construction of the Columbia River dams, the federal government has owed it to these tribes to provide the housing and infrastructure that was promised. This funding is one step closer to making good on our commitments. Moving this process forward under the Trump administration has been like pulling teeth, said Rep. Blumenauer. I'm pleased we finally made progress on this fundamental step, but I won't let up the pressure until the United States' promises to the tribes have been fulfilled. Background: Beginning in the 1930s, the construction of federal dams, including the The Dalles Dam, displaced ancestors of the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes: Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, inundating tribal communities, houses, villages, and traditional hunting and fishing sites along the Columbia River. These tribes have a treaty-protected right to fish along the Columbia River in their usual and accustomed places. Lawmakers representing Oregon and Washington have been fighting to address the urgent need for adequate housing and infrastructure at tribal fishing access sites constructed by the Army Corps and the federal government's failure to replace the tribal homes and villages lost due to construction of The Dalles Dam. When Congress originally authorized construction of The Dalles Dam in 1950, it also authorized the construction of a new Indian village, which to date has not been built. The Senators and Representatives have worked with the Army Corps and other federal agencies for several years to right this wrong, beginning with The Dalles Dam Tribal Housing Village Development Plan. The $1.8 million in new funding will allow the Army Corps to complete this critical plan. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.wyden.senate.gov//news/press-releases/wyden-heinrich-reed-introduce-bill-requiring-public-report-on-khashoggi-murder-by-saudi-arabia,"Wyden, Heinrich, Reed Introduce Bill Requiring Public Report on Khashoggi Murder by Saudi Arabia",2018-11-27,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 27, 2018 Wyden, Heinrich, Reed Introduce Bill Requiring Public Report on Khashoggi Murder by Saudi Arabia Following Conflicting Statements by Trump and Silence from IC Leaders, Wyden Bill Requires Public Assessment of Killing of Washington Post Columnist Washington, D.C. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., introduced legislation today requiring a public report on the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, following Donald Trump's announcement that his administration will not respond to Khashoggi's killing by Saudi officials. Bowing to the Saudi government over the murder of a Washington Post columnist is unacceptable for any American president, let alone one who claims to put America first, said Senator Wyden. Donald Trump claims that we may never know' who is responsible for ordering the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. I disagree. Today I'm introducing legislation requiring a public assessment from our intelligence leaders about who is responsible for planning and executing Mr. Khashoggi's brutal murder. The United States must remain the world's voice for human rights. But right now, in the case of the brutal murder of journalist and American resident Jamal Khashoggi, this White House is attempting to cover up a murder, said Senator Heinrich. The American people deserve nothing less than the truth and transparency about any role the Saudi government played in this shameful act. That starts with ensuring the public hears directly from the intelligence community identifying who carried out or ordered Mr. Khashoggi's death. ""Mr. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident and a Washington Post columnist when he was lured to his murder, and the American people deserve to know the truth. But Saudi leaders lied about his killing, and continue to engage in a cover up,"" said Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and an ex officio member of the Intelligence Committee. ""Instead of standing up for American values and basic human rights, President Trump has largely ignored this brutal murder. It is inconceivable that such an operation would be conducted without the awareness of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. So we are calling for an unclassified, public assessment of who ordered the killing and why. We must ensure all individuals who played a role in directing, planning, and carrying out the murder are held accountable."" The full bill text is available here. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-us-border-patrol-agents-firing-tear-gas-asylum,Blumenauer Statement on U.S. Border Patrol Agents Firing Tear Gas at Asylum-Seeking Migrants,2018-11-26,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,OR,Earl Blumenauer,B000574,blumenauer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) today released the following statement on reports that the Trump administration ordered United States Border Patrol agents to fire tear gas at a group of migrants seeking asylum at the southern border: In the last six months, Donald Trump has defended murder, befriended dictators, and put children in cages.Add the tear-gassing of migrants seeking asylum to the despicable human rights record of this administration.It's reprehensible. This is another unnecessary crisis' entirely of Trump's making. We should be treating desperate people fleeing violence with dignity and respect.It's just another black eye for Trump and sadly, the United States.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z