WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to invite experts and stakeholders to participate in an annual Monarch Butterfly Meeting, which was held today at the U.S. Capitol. The participants reflected on last year's Monarch Summit and discussed future initiatives and projects to continue supporting the reestablishment of the iconic monarch butt  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: This week, the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), held a shadow hearing, "The State of Child Care in America: Addressing the Looming Funding Cliffs for Women and Families," chaired by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).Despite the steep impact the child care crisis and funding cliffs have on families, no House Republican-led Committee has held a hearing on child ca  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 21, 2023: Despite significant steps forward, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans around the country are facing an uptick in discrimination and dangerous state-sponsored legislation. To combat these hateful actions, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and New Jersey's U.S. Senator Cory Booker, today teamed up with U.S. Repres  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: To mark National Pollinators Week, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) today introduced legislation to protect America's bees, birds, bats, and other pollinators and secure vital agricultural food production. The Saving America's Pollinators Actuses scientifically backed research to address the harm caused by neonicotinoid pesticides and other toxins on p  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release and letter on June 22, 2023: Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Andrea Salinas, and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent a letter urging Providence and the Oregon Nurses Association to quickly resume the negotiation of new employment contracts for nurses and clinical staff at Providence Portland Medical Center, Providence Seaside Hospital, and Providence Home Health and Hospice.   more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following floor remarks on June 21, 2023: * * * Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) spoke on the House floor in support of H.R.3799, the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense (CHOICE) Arrangement Act, which passed the House today. The proposal seeks to expand options, increase flexibility, and improve affordability of small business health care coverage. This legislation will also reduce administrative burdens and em  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following statement on June 21, 2023: * * * Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) issues the following statement regarding her vote on H.Res.521: "It's clear that Congressman Schiff's irresponsible actions were motivated by partisan politics. I've always believed that he needs to be held accountable for those actions, but in a manner that doesn't reflect similar politically charged decisions. "It needs to be fair, reasonable, a  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on June 20, 2023: * * * On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bipartisan budget agreement to lift the debt ceiling: "Tonight, I voted to support the bipartisan budget agreement brokered by President Biden and Speaker McCarthy. "A default would have jeopardized the hard-earned benefits, livelihoods, and lifesavings of tens  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on June 20, 2023: * * * On Friday, June 9, 2023, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Tigard) issued the following statement after multiple reports confirmed that former President Trump has been indicted on multiple counts related to his mishandling of classified documents: "Protecting the American people from foreign and domestic threats is the paramount responsibility of any Commander in Chief. Former President   more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today he secured major investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities in the FY24 Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill, including more than $5 million in funding for Oregon community-initia  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) recently joined several of her colleagues to introduce the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act. The proposal creates a pathway to lawful permanent residence and citizenship for individuals who have been continuously present in the United States and were 18 or younger when they entered the country. To be eligible, the individual must have a clean c  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley successfully passed an amendment to the FY 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to protect veterans' ability to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical cannabis in states where it is legal. "Veterans face too many roadblocks in getting the care they need and deserve. The VA system is tasked with providing the best quali  more

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 23, 2023: Today, Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced new legislation that would create the "Pollinator-Friendly Plant Labeling Program," modeled after the Organic Foods Production Act, which created Organic Labeling. The program would require the Department of Agriculture to create a certification program for plant producers in order to certify that their plants are not treated with pesticides  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Vermont's U.S. Senator Peter Welch teamed up with U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) today to introduce the End Price Gouging for Medications Act. The high cost of drugs forces many Americans to face an impossible choice between managing their health or putting food on the table. This bicameral bill would ensure that Americans would not be payi  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding two Oregon workforce development and training centers a combined total of $2.5 million. The funding will be used to expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as create caree  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding two Oregon workforce development and training centers a combined total of $2.5 million. The funding will be used to expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as create ca  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding two Oregon workforce development and training centers a combined total of $2.5 million. The funding will be used to expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities, as well as creat  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release on June 23, 2023: This week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) in introducing new legislation to better protect winegrape growers in Washington, Oregon, and California--the top three states for wine production in the U.S.--against wildfire smoke damage. Bipartisan companion legislation was also introduced in the House by   more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced two pieces of legislation to better protect winegrape growers in California, Washington, and Oregon, the top three states for wine production in the U.S., against wildfire smoke damage. The Smoke Exposure Research Act, co-led by Senator Merkley (D-Ore.), and the Crop Insurance for Wine Grapes Act, co-led by Senator Murray (D-Wash.), w  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, which is led by Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The bipartisan proposal authorizes several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction projects, including for Portland VA Medical Center to build a new specialty care facility a  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, which is led by Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The bipartisan proposal authorizes several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction projects, including for Portland VA Medical Center to build a new specialty care facilit  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on June 17, 2023: * * * Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the future USS IOWA (SSN 797) christening ceremony at Electric Boat in Groton. Congress authorized funding for the construction of the future IOWA in the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act. Courtney serves as the Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, which authorizes submari  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on cattle supply chains and Amazon deforestation, on June 22, 2023: * * * The Finance Committee has broad jurisdiction over trade, a keen interest in fighting for strong environmental protections, and a commitment to leveling the playing field for American workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses. Today's hearing is focused on a multinational meat producer turning a blin  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on June 21, 2023: * * * Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued a statement after the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) filed a lawsuit against provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act written to lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and taxpayers: "It's no surprise that Big Pharma wants to stop Medicare from n  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), today introduced legislation to remove a Social Security work disincentive for Americans with disabilities. The Work Without Worry Act would allow Americans with disabilities to work to their full potential without causing them to lose out on higher Social Security benef  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement at a hearing on June 14, 2024, entitled "Anti-Poverty and Family Support Provisions in the Tax Code": * * * The Finance Committee meets this morning to talk about tax policy tools for helping children and families climb the economic ladder. There are a lot of policy issues involved here, but in my view, it all comes down to one basic question. Congress has a proven strateg  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on June 21, 2023, and a letter: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) today called for President Biden to push India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate major barriers to U.S. trade and investment during the upcoming state visit this week. "The United States and India share a close partnership, gro  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on June 21, 2023, and a letter: Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today called for President Biden to push India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate major barriers to U.S. trade and investment, during the upcoming state visit this week. "The United States and India share a close partnership, grounded in sha  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Mike Thompson, D-California, issued the following news release on June 22, 2023: Today, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation for winegrape crop loss coverage. The bill requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to carry out research and implement a crop insurance product that covers losses due to smoke exposure. "Winegrapes are essential to   more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 23, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., this week reintroduced his bill to improve the resilience and health of the nation's watersheds - the land leading into streams, rivers or lakes - as Oregon and the entire American West continue to suffer from severe drought. "Watersheds play an essential role in the health and economic livelihood of local communities, supporting safe drinking water for communiti  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 21, 2023: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect reporters and journalists against unnecessary government surveillance that makes it harder to hold the government accountable and harms reporters' First Amendment rights. The senators introduced the Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying (  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two organizations have earned $50 million in federal loans and grants for high-speed rural internet projects in Grant County and beyond. "Oregonians need broadband access so all communities can have modern access to jobs, education and telehealth opportunities that depend on high-speed internet," Wyden said, who has long championed e  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 20, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that two organizations have earned $50 million in federal loans and grants for high-speed rural internet projects in Grant County and beyond. "Oregonians need broadband access so all communities can have modern access to jobs, education and telehealth opportunities that depend on high-speed internet," Wyden said, who has long champione  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on June 21, 2023: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today reintroduced the Water for Conservation and Farming Act to help communities in Oregon and across the West suffering from ongoing drought. Their bill will improve water access for agriculture and conservation by funding projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds and benefit agricultural and urban water users.  more

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Senate colleagues today reintroduced legislation that would ensure victims of gun violence in Oregon and nationwide have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety. The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms A  more