Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Oregon Newsletter for Sunday August 02, 2020 ( 61 items )  

Chair DeFazio Applauds Passage of 'Sami's Law,' Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Ride-Share Safety
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on July 29: Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) managed debate as the U.S. House of Representatives considered Sami's Law (H.R. 4686). This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), would require transportation network companies (TNCs) suc  more

Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Lead 18 Members of Congress on Legislation Requiring Passengers to Wear Masks on Airplanes and in Airports
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: The Healthy Flights Act of 2020 protects passengers and also ensures pilots, flight attendants, and other airline employees are provided masks and other protective equipment, requires development of a national aviation pandemic preparedness plan, commissions a study on transmission of infectious diseases in airplane cabins, and more Even   more

Chairs DeFazio, Thompson Introduce Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in Protection of Federal Property Act
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the "Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in the Protection of Federal Property A  more

House Set to Rein in Trump's Officers at Protests With Amendments From Reps. Bonamici, Blumenauer, Castro, Garcia
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: The House advanced a plan from Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. (D-IL) to curtail the ability of federal law enforcement officers to intervene in constitutionally protected protests across the country. The House is set to consider legislative language led by the lawmakers that would ban unidentified Department of Justice and Department  more

Rep. Blumenauer Leads 100 Plus Bipartisan Members of Congress in Urging Relief for Independent Restaurants
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: A group of 106 bipartisan lawmakers, led by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), is urging House Leadership to include a $120 billion restaurant revitalization fund in the next coronavirus relief package for independent restaurants who have been impacted by the pandemic. Despite some restaurants and bars slowly reopening, data last month from the U.S. Department of Labor showed   more

Rep. Blumenauer, Power Call for Investigation Into Impact of Tear Gas, Pepper Spray
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 30: While leaders in Oregon are negotiating the departure of federal law enforcement agents from Portland, many residents remain concerned about the short- and long-term impacts that tear gas, pepper spray, and potentially other, unidentified gases may have on the environment and public health. Today, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Oregon State Representative Karin Power are calling for an im  more

Rep. Blumenauer: House Approves Legislation to Stop Trump Attack on Fair Housing
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 31: The U.S. House of Representatives strongly rebuked the Trump administration's effort to gut an Obama-era fair housing rule that was implemented to address the lasting impacts of housing discrimination and redlining across the country. On Friday, lawmakers passed an annual funding bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development that included a provision supported by U.S. Reps. Alexandria  more

Rep. Bonamici Introduces Bill to Provide Free School Meals to All Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced legislation to make all students eligible for free school meals during the 2020-2021 school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act would allow all children to access breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snack programs either in school or through "grab and go" and delivery options. The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevent  more

Rep. Bonamici: House Passes Bonamici-Backed Bill to Stabilize Child Care
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: The House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation backed by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to stabilize the child care system in response to challenges faced by parents, workers, and providers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Child Care is Essential Act would establish a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund to provide grants to child care providers who need support. The grants could   more

Rep. DeFazio Applauds Passage of 'Sami's Law,' Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Ride-Share Safety
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) managed debate as the U.S. House of Representatives considered Sami's Law (H.R. 4686). This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), would require transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft to establish and implement a system allowing passengers to verify the  more

Rep. DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Rein in Federal Protection Statute That Trump Administration Is Using as Cover for Civil Rights Abuses in Portland, Oregon
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced the "Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in the Protection of Federal Property Act," legislation to strengthen and clarify 40 U.S. Code Sec. 1315, the statute the Trump administration is abusing in order to deputize Federal employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including the Federal Protective   more

Rep. DeFazio Leads 18 Members of Congress on New Legislation Requiring Passengers to Wear Masks on Airplanes and in Airports
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Even though COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the U.S., the Trump administration refuses to issue commonsense requirements to mitigate the spread of the disease, including in air travel. So, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) led 18 Members of Congress in the introduction of the Healthy Flights Act of 2020, which will provide a set of uniform req  more

Rep. DeFazio: Committees Launch Investigation Into Waste, Abuse in Treasury's Payroll Support Program
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on July 29: Today, Rep. James E. Clyburn, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rep. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the Committee on Financial Services, launched an investigation into the disbursement of federal funds from the Payr  more

Rep. DeFazio: House Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Ranking Member Bruce Westerman   more

Rep. DeFazio: House Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) applauded House passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). WRDA 2020 provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out water resources development projects and studies; it also refo  more

Rep. Lee Statement Regarding Suggestion to Postpone November Election
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, issued the following statement: "No, we will not postpone the election. And no, voting by mail is not fraudulent. States like Oregon have voted safely and securely by mail for years. "Trump is terrified that Americans will hold him accountable for his catastrophic failures in November, and he should be. "He will say and do anything, no matter how damaging to our nation, to distract from the fact that his incompetence has led to an out-of-  more

Rep. Schrader: House Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Kurt Schrader (OR-05) applauds the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). WRDA 2020 grants authority to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to carry out water resource development projects. This bill is critical for our Nation's ports, dams, locks and flood protection. "This bipartisan legislation will have major impact on our coastal Oregon communities," said R  more

Rep. Walden Announces Funding to Help Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement applauding the Bureau of Reclamation decision to invest $1.2 million towards new science for the Klamath Project. This announcement comes less than a month after Walden brought Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt and Commissioner of Reclamation Brenda Burman to meet with key stakeholders in the Klamath Basin. "The Klamath Basin will benefit grea  more

Rep. Walden Issues Remarks at Health Subcommittee Hearing on Critical Public Health Bills
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks at a Health Subcommittee legislative hearing entitled "Improving Access to Care: Legislation to Reauthorize Key Public Health Programs" on July 29: Madam Chairwoman, I am glad we are convening this hearing to discuss the reauthorization of several important public health programs, many of which face uncertainty as their authorizations have either   more

Rep. Walden: Facts and Science Matter
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following remarks at an Environment Subcommittee hearing entitled "There's Something in the Water: Reforming Our Nation's Drinking Water Standards" on July 28: Almost two years ago, Congress capped off-for the first time in 25 years-the comprehensive reauthorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Driven by this Committee, the Act had overwhelming bipartisan  more

Reps. Castro, Blumenauer, Bonamici, Garcia Unveil Appropriations Amendments to Defund Trump's Secret Police
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: In response to the Trump administration's continued occupation of Portland, Oregon and the president's threat to expand such operations to other cities, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and member of the House Intelligence   more

Reps. Walden, Burgess Call Out House Democrats Attempt to Undermine Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, on what they called the House Democrats' attempt to undermine the Supreme Court by blocking funding to enforce the Health and Human Services Department's rule on religious and moral objections to contraceptive coverage: * * * "House Democrats are, once again, trying to   more

Reps. Walden, Pallone, Foxx, Scott, Sens. Alexander, Murray Issue Joint Statement on White House Surprise Medical Billing Report
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), House Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) today   more

Reps. Walden, Rodgers Question Apple, Google App Store Vetting Practices
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking several questions related to the companies' app stores and processes undertaken to vet applications, particularly   more

Sen. Alexander Issues Joint Statement on White House Surprise Medical Billing Report
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following joint statement on the White House call for Congress to pass legislation ending the practice of surprise medical billing: The statement was co-issued by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-New Jersey, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, and Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina. * * * "Patients have demanded protection from surprise medical bills for years. They need it   more

Sen. Bennet: Senators Express Concern About Multiple Press Revelations Regarding Domestic Surveillance Conducted by DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and his fellow Democrats on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee sent a letter to Acting Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy demanding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide information to the Committee about the role its Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has played in responding to the protests in  more

Sen. Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bill to Promote Transparency With Federal Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: In response to the recent actions of federal law enforcement at protests in Portland, Oregon, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in cosponsoring the Preventing Authoritarian Tactics in America's Streets Act, which would block the executive branch from deploying unidentified, unmarked federal forces against Americans. Specifi  more

Sen. Heinrich Demands Answers on DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis Role in Tracking, Suppressing Portland Protests
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, joined fellow Democratic committee members in a letter demanding that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide information to the committee about the role that its Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has played in responding to the protests in Portland, Oregon. "We have grown increasingly concerned  more

Sen. Merkley Welcomes Announcement of Withdrawal of Federal Forces From Portland
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following statement after Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced that federal forces from the Homeland Department Security would be withdrawing from their occupation of downtown Portland: "This announcement is an important step in ending the deployment of Trump's secret police on the streets of America. "These forces--with no agency or unique identification--have attacked peaceful protestors night after night and swept a number into unm  more

Sen. Merkley, Rep. Tlaib Continue to Lead Charge to Protect Consumers From Dangerous Utility Shut-Offs
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) partnered with Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) to introduce legislation, along with five of their Senate colleagues, that would protect Americans' access to the water and power necessary for households to safely maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many   more

Sen. Wyden Demands Answers From Homeland Security Intelligence on Role in Tracking and Suppressing Portland Protests
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and his fellow Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee today demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) provide information to the Committee about the role it has played in responding to the protests in Portland. "We have grown increasingly concerned about the role and operations of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement at Finance Committee Hearing on Reliability of the U.S. Medical Supply Chain During COVID-19
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement at a hearing on the reliability of the U.S. medical supply chain during COVID-19: The Finance Committee is focusing this week on issues dealing with the lack of high-quality PPE and other equipment during the pandemic. I know that the other side would like this to be all about China, China, China, and I agree that counterfeiting is a problem. But if you're   more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Republican Plan to Fast-Track Cuts to Social Security, Medicare in COVID-19 Relief Legislation
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans released the text of their COVID-19 relief legislation, which includes a provision that would set up privileged special committees with authority to make sweeping changes to Social Security and Medicare: "Instead of helping Americans who are struggling to pay rent and keep food on the table, Republicans want to put cuts to Social Sec  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Republican Plan to Slash Unemployment Benefits, Sabotage State Unemployment Offices
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to a report on Republicans' plan to slash unemployment benefits and sabotage state unemployment offices: "Republicans had four months to come up with a plan, but are just now rolling out an unworkable proposal that would slash benefits. 30 million Americans have relied on these benefits to pay rent and buy groceries, and Republicans are absolute  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Republican Plan to Slash Unemployment Benefits, Sabotage State Unemployment Offices
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to key provisions of Republicans' plan to slash unemployment benefits and sabotage state unemployment offices: "Having fully reviewed the details of Republicans' unworkable plan to slash unemployment benefits, there are a number of problematic provisions to make it harder for workers to access benefits. "The first provision would kick unemplo  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Treasury Department Carried Interest Regulations
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the Treasury Department's regulations on carried interest: "Donald Trump vowed to end the carried interest loophole, saying hedge funds were 'getting away with murder.' But when the time came to act, the lobbyists swooped in and Trump caved to his rich buddies. "Trump's tax scam did next to nothing to close this loophole, and his Treasury Department has   more

Sen. Wyden Opposes Trump Nominee to National Counterterrorism Center
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on July 30: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., opposed the nomination of Christopher Miller to be director of the National Counterterrorism Center, after Miller failed to meaningfully respond to concerns about the federal occupation of downtown Portland that has caused escalating chaos and violation of Oregonians' constitutional rights. Wyden, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following s  more

Sen. Wyden Solicits Stories From Frontline Health Care Workers Struggling to Get Personal Protective Equipment
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news on July 30: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today asked for health care workers to submit their experiences trying to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Finance Committee heard today that the supply crunch on PPE is far from over," Wyden said. "I want to hear the stories of the people being af  more

Sen. Wyden Statement on DOD Nomination of Tata
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Anthony Tata to serve in a senior policy making position at the Department of Defense: "Anthony Tata's long history of rampant Islamophobia, conspiratorial claims and hyper-partisanship make him entirely unfit to serve as the Pentagon's policy chief. He has shown such atrocious judgment that retired generals have publicly withdrawn their support for this nomination. "In addition to Tata  more

Sen. Wyden Statement on Republican Plan to Fast-Track Cuts to Social Security, Medicare in COVID-19 Relief Legislation
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a statement after Senate Republicans released the text of their COVID-19 relief legislation, which includes a provision that would set up privileged special committees with authority to make sweeping changes to Social Security and Medicare. * * * "Instead of helping Americans who are struggling to pay rent and keep food on the table, Republicans   more

Sen. Wyden, Colleagues Urge Senate Leadership to Prioritize Direct Relief for Small Farmers in Response to Ongoing Economic Crisis
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., are calling for direct relief for small farmers who have been hit hard by months of closed restaurants, schools, and farmers markets. In a letter sent to Senate leadership, the senators urged the Senate to include the Relief for America's Small Farmers Act in the next coronavirus response package. The compre  more

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Advances Sens. Wyden, Merkley Bills to Support Oregon Tribes
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 29: The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed the Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2019, legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to improve water quality and services for tribal communities in Oregon. The Committee also advanced legislation sponsored by Merkley and Wyden that seeks to correct an error made in a 1994 piece of legislation to correct an old survey  more

Sens. Merkley, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Struggling Ports Stay Afloat Amid Coronavirus Crisis
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), who serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce's Subcommittee on Security, teamed up today to introduce legislation to help ports weather the coronavirus pandemic and future disasters. The bipartisan Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA) would establish a first-of-its-kind comprehensive maritime emergen  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce $25 Million in CARES Act Business Support Grants Headed to Oregon
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $25 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants are being distributed among thirteen organizations across Oregon, which will use the funds to offer loans to businesses to help them mitigate the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis. The grants, which total $25,268,000, were authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Econ  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce $25 Million in CARES Act Business Support Grants Headed to Oregon
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $25 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants are being distributed among thirteen organizations across Oregon, which will use the funds to offer loans to businesses to help them mitigate the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis. The grants, which total $25,268,000, were authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and E  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.5 Million in Grants to Support Pollinator Research
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will award $3.5 million in federal funding to support ten Pollinator Health Research grants across the nation. One of those grants, for $454,939, will be awarded to Oregon State University. The USDA estimates that approximately 35 percent of the world's  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $15 Million in Federal Funding for Oregon Department of Forestry Following Garner Complex Fire
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Oregon Department of Forestry will receive nearly $15 million in federal reimbursements for costs associated with fighting the Garner Complex Fire, freeing up critical resources for future firefighting needs. The Garner Complex fire began in July 2018, when a lightning storm near Grants Pass set off a total of 12 fires that cumulatively burned  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $15 Million in Federal Funding for Oregon Department of Forestry Following Garner Complex Fire
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Oregon Department of Forestry will receive nearly $15 million in federal reimbursements for costs associated with fighting the Garner Complex Fire, freeing up critical resources for future firefighting needs. The Garner Complex fire began in July 2018, when a lightning storm near Grants Pass set off a total of 12 fires that cumulatively bur  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $350,000 in EPA Grants for Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission will receive $227,028 and $125,000 in federal grant funding, respectively, for environmental programs and studies. Both grants are being administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Now is the time to not only make sure each of us  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $350,000 in EPA Grants for Tribal Communities
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission will receive $227,028 and $125,000 in federal grant funding, respectively, for environmental programs and studies. Both grants are being administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Now is the time to not only make sure each of  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Push to Support School Meal Programs Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue critical flexibility that has allowed students to access much-needed meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If extended throughout the 2020-2021 school year, children would maintain access regardless of school opening status, and struggling school nutrition programs would benefit from ad  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Push to Support School Meal Programs Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue critical flexibility that has allowed students to access much-needed meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If extended throughout the 2020-2021 school year, children would maintain access regardless of school opening status, and struggling school nutrition programs would benefit from addit  more

Sens. Wyden, Brown, Cortez Masto, MomsRising, Workers Call for $600 Weekly Boost to Unemployment Benefits to Be Reinstated
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news: With the $600 per week federal boost to unemployment benefits expiring, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., hosted a press conference call with MomsRising and workers to call for the $600 to be reinstated and highlight the devastating effects on workers and their fam  more

Sens. Wyden, Cassidy and Bicameral Coalition Request FTC Investigate Advertisers Tracking Americans at Places of Worship and Protests
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., led a bipartisan group of 10 members calling for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the online ad economy, particularly the tracking of Americans at places of worship and protests and then selling that information to advertisers, hedge funds and the government. Wyden, Cassidy and other members asked the FTC to investigate how personal d  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Announce $4.3 Million Grant to Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airport
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that the Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airport will receive nearly $4.3 million in federal grants to improve taxiways, storm drains, guidance systems and more. "Airports serving rural communities are critical in order to keep local economies running," Wyden said. "This multi-million dollar federal investment in the Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airport   more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Announce $4.3 Million Grant to Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airport
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that the Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airport will receive nearly $4.3 million in federal grants to improve taxiways, storm drains, guidance systems and more. "Airports serving rural communities are critical in order to keep local economies running," Wyden said. "This multi-million dollar federal investment in the Crater Lake - Klamath Regional Airpo  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Press Feds to Improve Hemp Farming Rules
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley asked federal officials to change costly and confusing rules for farmers in Oregon and nationwide that cover the growing and testing of hemp. "We fear that without these changes, our past work and efforts to support hemp farmers and the industry across the country may be for naught and we will not be able to achieve the growth and success we all know is possible with the ri  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Press Feds to Improve Hemp Farming Rules
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley asked federal officials to change costly and confusing rules for farmers in Oregon and nationwide that cover the growing and testing of hemp. "We fear that without these changes, our past work and efforts to support hemp farmers and the industry across the country may be for naught and we will not be able to achieve the growth and success we all know is possible with the  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues to McConnell: Immigrants Are Essential and Deserve Support in Coronavirus Relief Legislation
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged Majority Leader McConnell to support tax-paying immigrant families who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) in Oregon and across the nation by ensuring they have access to economic relief payments from the CARES Act and any future coronavirus relief package. An estimated 20 million immigrants work in essential industries. These immigrants, particu  more

Statement From Rep. DeFazio on Ongoing Clashes Between Protesters and Law Enforcement Officers Across Oregon
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following statement clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers across Oregon: "The actions of federal agents in Oregon over the past few weeks--made at the direction of President Trump--are those of an authoritarian regime, not an open democracy. "By defying the demands of state and local officials to leave, policing with unmarked federal agents, neglecting to read people their rights, detaining Americans without caus  more

Walden Applauds E&C Republican Leadership on Nuclear Energy Bills
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on July 29: Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Republican members continued their efforts to create innovative policies and promote clean energy by introducing two bills to strengthen domestic nuclear fuel supply and accelerate nuclear reactor licensing. "Nuclear energy powers our everyday lives with emissions-free electricity and is vital  more