WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced that his guest to the 2023 State of the Union Address will be Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. In the annual address to Congress, President Biden is expected to lay out his priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Merkley and Shuler fought together to include strong, high-qua  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02) announced that he has been named Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. "It is an honor to be selected as Chairman of the Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee, and I thank Chairman Westerman for this opportunity. This subcommittee is tasked with the immensely important responsibility of overseeing and   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced that the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is receiving a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve safety on 122nd Avenue. The funding, which comes from the Safe Streets for All program, will improve 5.5 miles of the 122nd Avenue corridor from SE Foster Road to NE Sandy Boulevard. The avenue is in the top 5% of the Portland metropol  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following floor statement: * * * Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Restoring Equal and Accountable Legislators in the House (REAL House) Act. This legislation would expand the number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives to restore the chamber's direct link to the public and foster greater diversity among Representatives and the Electoral College. Members of the House of Representatives are their constituent's most d  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on Feb. 3, 2023: * * * "I am pleased to introduce the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act. With serious comorbidities and complications associated with it, diabetes has a significant impact on the health of our country. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in the United States. Research shows that approximately 50 percent of people with diabetes will develop at least s  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: House Education and the Workforce Democrats elected Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to serve as Ranking Member on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee. Bonamici will also serve on the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee. "The pandemic put an enormous strain on public schools and child care providers, and highlighted longstanding inequities in our   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Susan Wild (D-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to mental health resources for educators and school staff. The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act will help address mental health challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, growing teacher shortages, increasingly unfavorabl  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release and letter on Jan. 30, 2023: Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) led nearly 70 Members in calling on the Biden administration to make affordable, high quality child care and early childhood education a top priority in the President's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget by providing no less than $390 billion, matching the level in the House-passed Build Back Better Act. The amount includ  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 31, 2023: Today Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), and Susan Wild (D-PA) introduced legislation to ease the transition back into repayment for student loan borrowers. The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act would safeguard student loan borrowers when the Department of Education's three-year-long COVID-19 Loan Payment Pause ends, which is expected to take place no later than  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2023: As a new member of the Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC), Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) joined Co-Chairmen Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) at a press conference earlier today to kick off the 118th Congress. The press conference focused on welcoming new members and CHC objectives. "From Florida to Oregon, the Congressional Hispanic Conference is representing   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 2, 2023: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) joined Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (NC-07), and over 150 of her colleagues in introducing a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on the Biden administration's burdensome "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2023. This legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. The CFLR program has a proven track record of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk,  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) delivered her first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Her introductory remarks focused on key issues that Oregonians want Congress to address, including drug overdoses, border security, crime, the economy, and homelessness. A full transcript of Chavez-DeRemer's introductory floor speech follows: "Thank you Mister Speaker. "I want to discuss the  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Mike Crapo (R-ID) today teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2023. This legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. The CFLR program has a proven track record of improving forest health, redu  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Virginia's U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Dianne Feinstein, today introduced the Protect our Citizens from Reckless Extortion of our Debt and Irresponsible Tactics (Protect Our CREDIT) Act of 2023--legislation aimed at ending Congress' abuse of the debt ceiling as a political hostage. The Protect our CREDIT Act would chang  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding the City of Portland $20 million to employ low-cost, high-benefit safety improvements on 5.5 miles of 122nd Avenue, and is awarding Metro $2.4 million to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for communities to improve pedestrian safety in the Greater Portland area. "For many people across   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 2, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding the City of Portland $20 million to employ low-cost, high-benefit safety improvements on 5.5 miles of 122nd Avenue, and is awarding Metro $2.4 million to develop a comprehensive safety action plan for communities to improve pedestrian safety in the Greater Portland area. "For many p  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 31, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams, and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregon families rely on. The legislation is also  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 31, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams, and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries that many Oregon families rely on. The legislation is also co  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and colleagues in introducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to ensure that all Americans have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that meets their needs and preferences, and the vast majority of Americans prefer to receive such care and support at home.  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and colleagues in introducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to ensure that all Americans have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that meets their needs and preferences, and the vast majority of Americans prefer to receive such care and support at home. Th  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon lawmakers announced that the U.S. Treasury is awarding new rental assistance funding to both the State of Oregon and City of Portland. Oregon Housing and Community Services will receive $2,034,948.16 and the City of Portland will receive $1,107,256.77. The funding comes in the wake of Governor Tina Kotek declaring a "Homelessness State of Emergency" earlier this month and unveiling her $130 million  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release and letter: Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked the Biden administration to share key information with the public about the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act's drug pricing provisions, specifically the price gouging penalties on drug companies known as inflation rebates, which apply to Medicare Parts B and D. "I write today to inquire about  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would help students in Oregon and nationwide use federal Pell Grants to afford high-quality, shorter-term job training programs. "I'm all in to help working students in Oregon and nationwide afford high-quality job training that helps ensure they can count on a supply of local good-paying jobs," Wyden said. "That's why I'm proud  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement in support of Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission. "Between her years working on behalf of regular Americans who lack affordable, reliable access to the internet and her experience inside the government, Gigi Sohn is the epitome of what an FCC commissioner should be," Wyden said. "No amount of astroturfed attacks on behalf   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week joined colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would to exempt civil damages or restitution given to human trafficking survivors from federal income taxes. The bill would also codify current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance that makes restitution payments made to survivors in criminal cases free from federal income taxes. "Human trafficking survivors have been   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 2, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined Senate colleagues from both parties to introduce legislation that would combat the rise in catalytic converter thefts in Oregon and nationwide. "The theft of catalytic converters has soared in Oregon and across the nation, costing working families and small business owners valuable time and money," said Wyden. "This bill will bring us one step closer to solving  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release and letter: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues this week asked top federal officials to answer questions arising from troubling reports of students forced to join the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program. "The actions by schools to make JROTC mandatory are also not consistent with Pentagon guidelines. JROTC instructors told the Times they are 'creat(ing) problems with discipline and m  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 3, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined U.S. Senators Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Jon Tester, D-Mont. to introduce the bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023. The legislation would restore transparency and accountability in the cattle market by establishing regional cash minimums and equipping producers with more market information, including p  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 1, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined colleagues to reintroduce legislation that would prohibit airlines from charging unreasonable fees - including bag, seating, cancellation, and change fees - that are not proportional to the costs of the service actually provided. "Airlines are charging folks unreasonable fees for basic services - it's ridiculous," Wyden said. "That's why I'm proud t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-9 to advance to the full Senate Oregon Supreme Court Associate Justice Adrienne Nelson's nomination to U.S. District Court. "There is no doubt that with a wealth of knowledge and commitment to justice for all, Justice Nelson will be an excellent addition to the U.S. District Court," W  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 30, 2023: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer today announced the proposed relocation of the Mt. Hood Summit Rest Area on Highway 26 east of Government Camp has secured $715,000 in federal funds to study the move. The resources from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) follows a Oct. 7, 2021 letter that Wyden, Merkley and Blumenauer wrote to U.S. Transportation Secr  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 30, 2023: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer today announced the proposed relocation of the Mt. Hood Summit Rest Area on Highway 26 east of Government Camp has secured $715,000 in federal funds to study the move. The resources from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) follows a Oct. 7, 2021 letter (https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/mt-hood-rest-stop-letter) that W  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 3, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to reintroduce Ethan's Law, legislation that would require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. "Reducing access to unsupervised firearms with safe and proper gun storage will save lives in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "Congress must urgently pass Ethan's Law to protect our schools,  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 3, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to reintroduce Ethan's Law, legislation that would require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. "Reducing access to unsupervised firearms with safe and proper gun storage will save lives in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "Congress must urgently pass Ethan's Law to protect our schools, co  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 2, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that a federal investment totaling more than $1.7 million has been secured for the cities of Hermiston and Ontario as well as Jefferson, Douglas and Lane counties to improve street safety in their communities. "The ability for all Oregonians to travel safely on the streets and roads they rely on every day plays a big part in quality of l  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Feb. 2, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that a federal investment totaling more than $1.7 million has been secured for the cities of Hermiston and Ontario as well as Jefferson, Douglas and Lane counties to improve street safety in their communities. "The ability for all Oregonians to travel safely on the streets and roads they rely on every day plays a big part in quality of life  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 31, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperative will receive a nearly $90 million federal loan to expand and improve the electric grid in Northeastern Oregon. "Oregon's severe weather events--from windstorms that down power lines and spark catastrophic infernos to ice and hail storms that cause losses in power as well as property damage--prove t  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on Jan. 31, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperative will receive a nearly $90 million federal loan to expand and improve the electric grid in Northeastern Oregon. "Oregon's severe weather events--from windstorms that down power lines and spark catastrophic infernos to ice and hail storms that cause losses in power as well as property damage--prove that  more