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U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Oregon Newsletter for Sunday April 12, 2020 ( 64 items )  

GAO Issues Report on FDA Drug Approval
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-301) is entitled "FDA Drug Approval: Application Review Times Largely Reflect FDA Goals". The report was sent to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, chairman, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. John Shimkus, R-Illinois, Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, and Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif  more

GAO Issues Report on Vessel Safety
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-459) is entitled "Vessel Safety: The Coast Guard Conducts Recurrent Inspections and Has Issued Guidance to Address Emergency Preparedness". The report was sent to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, chairman, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman, and Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, ranking member of t  more

Rep. Bonamici: Oregon Delegation Announces $291 Million in Funding to Boost Oregon Hospitals' Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, announced that 3,454 hospitals in Oregon will receive a total of $291 million in funding to enhance their coronavirus response efforts. The funds are being allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support (CARES) Act, whic  more

Rep. Bonamici: Oregon Delegation Urges Swift Distribution of Emergency COVID-19 Funds to Health Care Providers
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 9: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden urged federal officials to distribute emergency funds as soon as possible for health care providers in Oregon and nationwide to cover expenses and revenues lost due to COVID-19. In a bipartisan letter today to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, the   more

Rep. DeFazio Announces New Tool to Help Non-Filers Access COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) applauded the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department's response to calls for a free tool to help those who do not normally file a tax return receive their economic impact payments. "After the 2008 financial crisis, 3.5 million of our nation's most vulnerable did not receive a stimulus check because of bureaucratic red tape," said Rep. DeFazio. "We cannot allow the  more

Rep. DeFazio Pushes to Protect Integrity of Inspectors General From Trump Political Retaliation
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio joined twenty-two of his colleagues in condemning President Donald Trump's assault on independent oversight from Inspectors General (IGs) and requesting direct input from the Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), who is also the Department of Justice Inspector General, to strengthen the role of IGs and   more

Rep. DeFazio Warns of Financial Scams in Wake of COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Peter DeFazio warned of financial scams on the rise in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Multiple federal agencies have issued warnings to taxpayers cautioning them to be aware of potential scams related to coronavirus relief payments. IRS Commissioner Rettig has said that the IRS will NOT call to verify or have individuals provide financial information for economic impact payments. Scams can come  more

Rep. DeFazio: House Chairs Condemn President's Assault on IGs
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on April 10: Today, the chairs of multiple House Committees sent a lettercondemning President Donald Trump's assault on Inspectors General (IGs) and requesting direct input from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency on legislative and other proposals to increase the independence of IGs and protect them from reta  more

Rep. DeFazio: Oregon Delegation Announces $291 Million in Funding to Boost Oregon Hospitals' Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, announced that 3,454 hospitals in Oregon will receive a total of $291 million in funding to enhance their coronavirus response efforts. The funds are being allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support (CARES) Act, which w  more

Rep. Walden Announces Over $23 Million for Oregon Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement applauding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for awarding over $23 million to Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Oregon, including 11 centers in the Second District, to help with coronavirus response efforts. The funding comes as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Walden helped champion   more

Rep. Walden Discusses Oregon's Response to Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) appeared on Cheddar News to discuss Oregon's response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Walden started off the interview by discussing the need to stay at home and social distance. "I think to stop this virus, given we have no known treatment or vaccine, we have to go to basic public health protocols - isolation, staying at home. As painful as it is, especially those of  more

Rep. Walden Encourages Oregonians to Follow CDC Guidelines on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement: Representative Greg Walden released a video statement encouraging that everyone follows the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines. "I want to encourage everyone to follow the guidelines put out by the CDC. You can visit coronavirus.gov to find out the latest information. If you're young or otherwise healthy, you're at risk and your activities can increase the risk of others. It's critical that   more

Rep. Walden Issues Statement on Additional Paycheck Protection Program Funding
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the additional funding needed for the paycheck protection program: The Paycheck Protection Program was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. "The coronavirus has tested the limits of our health care system and shuttered main street. The Paycheck Protection Program - the SBA 7a loan program funded b  more

Rep. Walden Issues Statement on Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on April 9: Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) reacts to the Senate failing to pass needed funding to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) playing partisan games, delaying much-needed aid to Americans during a global   more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 8, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: Mitigating the Spread: CDC is advising the use of simple cloth masks to slow the spread of the virus. Surgical and N95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Learn more here. Hospitals and PPE: Oregon sent 140 of their ventilators to New York. Read the story here. Presiden  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release April 9: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 9, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: We Are In This Together: We are seeing many individuals and companies lend a helping hand during this pandemic. In Hood River, a windsurfing company has started making medical face shields. Read more here (https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=OR02GW  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 - April 6
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 6, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: Application Now Open for Paycheck Protection Program: Businesses can now apply through their local lender for the Paycheck Protection Loan Program that will provide businesses with up to eight weeks of funding to keep employees on the payroll. The Treasury Department released useful inf  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 April 7th
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 7, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: Mitigating the Spread: CDC is advising the use of simple cloth masks to slow the spread of the virus. Surgical and N95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Learn more here (https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=OR02GW&crop=0000.0000.0000.0000&repo  more

Rep. Walden Statement for National Public Health Week
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a video statement for National Public Health Week. "On behalf of the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, I want to thank our health care providers during National Public Health Week. You're on the front lines every day, but certainly these days fighting the coronavirus. We all say thank you to you and your families for what you're doing to help al  more

Rep. Walden: 'Shameful'
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement in reaction to the Senate failing to pass needed funding to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) playing partisan games, delaying much-needed aid to Americans during a global pandemic. "Shameful. Absolutely shameful. After needlessly delaying passage of   more

Rep. Walden: Oregon Delegation Announces $291 Million in Funding to Boost Oregon Health Care Providers Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Representatives Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden along with announced that 3,454 hospitals in Oregon will receive a total of $291 million in funding to enhance their coronavirus response efforts. The funds are being allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support (CARES) Act, which was passed  more

Reps. Bonamici, Dingell, Tlaib Lead 75 Colleagues; Advocate for Funding to Help Low-Income Families Pay for Utilities
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) led 75 of their colleagues in calling for increased federal funding to help low-income families pay for heating, cooling, and water bills during the coronavirus pandemic. The Members requested a minimum of $4.3 billion in supplemental funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next C  more

Reps. Bonamici, Levin Lead 49 Colleagues in Call for $15.1B in Workforce Funding for COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Andy Levin (D-MI), members of the House Education and Labor Committee, led 49 of their colleagues in calling on House Leadership to provide no less than $15.1 billion in workforce funding in the next response package to the coronavirus pandemic. Last month nearly ten million workers filed unemployment claims in a two-week period. According to the Economic Poli  more

Sen. Merkley Calls for DHS OIG Investigation of Children Held in Long-Term Detention in Family Internment Camps
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following statement after legal advocates revealed that dozens of children are illegally being detained indefinitely at a family internment camp in Dilley, Texas: "The fact that these children are being held for months on end in an internment camp is outrageous and unconscionable. We know that even a short time spent in detention settings can bring about lifelong trauma. Children belong in homes, parks, and neighborhoods, not locked  more

Sen. Merkley Demands Fixes to Botched Paycheck Protection Program Roll-Out
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley pressed the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to immediately fix a number of specific problems that have emerged in its botched implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), designed to help small businesses stay afloat and keep employees on payroll. Merkley also separately urged Senate leaders to require the changes before adding more money to the program.  more

Sen. Merkley, Colleagues Demand DHS Watchdog Launch Investigation Into Reported Mistreatment of Pregnant Detainees by CBP Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with twelve of his Senate colleagues, are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) to immediately investigate continued disturbing reports that pregnant detainees are severely mistreated while in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. In their letter to DHS OIG Joseph Cu  more

Sen. Merkley, Colleagues Push for HHS to Prioritize Rural Hospitals in Coronavirus Emergency Response Funding
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with a bipartisan group of 18 of his Senate colleagues, pushed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider the needs of rural hospitals and hospitals with high percentages of Medicaid and Medicare patients as HHS distributes the $100 billion healthcare fund included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator Mer  more

Sen. Merkley, Colleagues to HHS: Reopen ACA Marketplace, Allow More Americans to Get Health Insurance During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with 28 of his Senate colleagues, is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reopen the Affordable Care Act's online health care marketplace to allow more uninsured and underinsured Americans to get health insurance as they face potential health issues related to COVID-19. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the senators urged HHS to all  more

Sen. Merkley: Oregon Delegation Announces $291 Million in Funding to Boost Oregon Hospitals' Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, announced that 3,454 hospitals and providers in Oregon will receive a total of $291 million in funding to enhance their coronavirus response efforts. The funds are being allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support (CARES)  more

Sen. Merkley: Oregon Delegation Urges Swift Distribution of Emergency COVID-19 Funds to Health Care Providers
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 8: * * * - Lawmakers write in bipartisan letter to feds that expediency in payment is critical for Oregon health care providers * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden urged federal officials to distribute emergency funds as soon as possible for health care providers in Oregon and nationwide to cover  more

Sen. Tester, Grassley, Romney, Others Lead Call to Protect Independence of Inspectors General After Trump's Abrupt Removal of Top Intelligence Watchdog
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan effort comes on the heels of President's decision to also remove Chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on President Trump to explain his decision to abruptly remove the top watchdog for the intelligence community. Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Colli  more

Sen. Wyden Calls for Cash Assistance for Small Businesses in Next COVID-19 Stimulus
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for cash assistance for small businesses to be included in the next coronavirus (COVID-19) response legislation. Wyden previously introduced legislation that would provide small businesses with $1 million or less in gross receipts and 50 or fewer employees with a check equal to 30 perce  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Labor Department Guidance on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the Labor Department's guidance to states to implement the pandemic unemployment assistance program: "I'm deeply concerned that the Trump administration's guidance to states on administering expanded unemployment insurance weakens the program in several areas. "Most importantly, the guidance forces workers to wade through significant red tape to prove t  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on President Trump Removal of Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Chair
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the removal of Acting Inspector General Glenn Fine as chair of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee: "Donald Trump will stop at nothing to obstruct oversight and install his yes-men in these key positions. "Donald Trump is clearly executing a systematic purge of inspectors general who have done their jobs and refused to bend to political pressu  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on President Trump's IG Nominee for Pandemic Recovery
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Brian Miller to be special inspector general for pandemic recovery: "The special inspector general needs to be independent above all. "Someone who currently works in the White House counsel's office, serving a president who has tried to silence other inspector generals and announced his intention to silence this one, is not independen  more

Sen. Wyden Releases New GAO Report Underscoring Need to Address Maternal Mortality Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - While the maternal mortality ratio decreased globally from 2000 to 2015, the ratio in the U.S. increased by three percent * * * U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined a group of his colleagues to release a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on maternal mortality describing how maternal deaths are tracked, trends and disparities in mortality data, and how federal funding is bein  more

Sen. Wyden Statement on IG Report on Treasury's Handling of Request for Trump's Taxes
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the Inspector General's report on the Treasury Department's handling of the request by Rep. Richard Neal, D-Massachusetts, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, for President Trump's tax returns under Sec. 6103 of the tax code: "The Inspector General's review falls far short, taking the word of Treasury Department officials that they did nothi  more

Sen. Wyden Urges Funding to Support Local Journalism and Media in Any Future COVID-19 Relief Package
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said he will support funding to help local journalism and media in any future COVID-19 relief package. In a letter to Senate leadership, Wyden joined with 18 senators to warn that the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - including plummeting advertising revenue - could decimate regional and local news outlets even as communities have become increasingly reliant on their reporting   more

Sen. Wyden Urges Justice Department to Investigate Intuit Purchase of Credit Karma
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news on April 7: * * * - Potential purchase has serious implications for consumer choice, data privacy * * * Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged the Justice Department to investigate Intuit's purchase of Credit Karma, which has serious implications for both consumer choice and data privacy. "Intuit's highly-profitable tax preparation b  more

Sen. Wyden Urges Trump Administration to Help Americans Experiencing Homelessness Access Coronavirus Relief Payments
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden pressed the Trump Administration to ensure that people experiencing homelessness in Oregon and nationwide receive access to coronavirus relief payments. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Wyden joined with 27 colleagues to point out the steep obstacles faced by people experiencing homelessness when trying to have access to the direct stimulus payments in the latest COVID-19  more

Sen. Wyden, Colleagues Call on SBA to Issue Economic Emergency Loans, Grants to Small Businesses ASAP
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., along with 18 colleagues, called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure small businesses receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) associated with the COVID-19 crisis and the new Emergency Economic Injury Grants (EEIGs) within three days of application as mandated by Congress. The senators' letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza follows reports that small bu  more

Sen. Wyden, Colleagues Request COVID-19 Testing Data From CDC to Ensure Effective Response to Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Members ask CDC for comprehensive demographic data about testing availability, health care access and more amid ongoing limited access to tests * * * U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with 16 colleagues, asked the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to publicly report all available information about who is able to access COVID-19 tests, which continue to be scarce. The members of Congress requested data bro  more

Sen. Wyden: Administration Should Increase Number of Doctors in Rural and Other Medically Underserved Areas
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced he is urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume premium processing for physicians seeking employment-based visas. Doctors on these visas increase access to health care, especially rural areas, through the Conrad 30 program, which allows foreign medical school graduates who have been trained in the United States to stay in the country as long as they serve u  more

Sen. Wyden: Oregon Delegation Announces $291 Million in Funding to Boost Oregon Hospitals' Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, and Suzanne Bonamici, announced that 3,454 hospitals and providers in Oregon will receive a total of $291 million in funding to enhance their coronavirus response efforts. The funds are being allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support (CARES) Ac  more

Sen. Wyden: Oregon Delegation Urges Swift Distribution of Emergency COVID-19 Funds to Health Care Providers
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Lawmakers write in bipartisan letter to feds that expediency in payment is critical for Oregon health care providers * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden urged federal officials to distribute emergency funds as soon as possible for health care providers in Oregon and nationwide to cover expenses and   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $14 Million in HHS Grants for Oregon Health Facilities
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that over $14 million in grant funding will be distributed among 15 health facilities in Oregon to help with response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have a responsibility to make sure that the Oregonians working on the front lines of this public health crisis have the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively," said Merkley. "These  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $14 Million in HHS Grants for Oregon Health Facilities
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Funds will bring critical resources to coronavirus response efforts in Northwest, Central, Southern Oregon * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that over $14 million in grant funding will be distributed among 15 health facilities in Oregon to help with response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have a responsibility to make sure that the Oregonians working on the front lines  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $116 Million in Aid for College Students
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that over $116 million will be distributed among 73 colleges, universities, and community colleges throughout Oregon to provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The funding will be allocated to colleges and universities who will then determine which students wil  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $116 Million in Aid for College Students
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that over $116 million will be distributed among 73 colleges, universities, and community colleges throughout Oregon to provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The funding will be allocated to colleges and universities who will then determine which students   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $450,000 in Grants for Critical Earthquake Research
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced over $450,000 in earthquake research grant funding for Oregon. The grants will be administered by the U.S. Geological Survey, and will be allotted to Oregon State University, Portland State University, and the University of Oregon. The schools will receive $84,964, $87,243, and $282,262, respectively. "The best way to handle a crisis--from a pandemic   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Administration to Ensure Continuity of Food Supply by Supporting Farmers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan letter urges adequate and equitable access to credit during period of market uncertainty * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with a bipartisan group of 30 of their Senate colleagues, have sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to urge the administration to provide urgent relief to America's farmers during the coronavirus crisis. Agricultural bu  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Administration to Ensure Continuity of Food Supply by Supporting Farmers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan letter urges adequate and equitable access to credit during period of market uncertainty * * * Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with a bipartisan group of 30 of their Senate colleagues, have sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to urge the administration to provide urgent relief to America's farmers during the coronavirus crisis. Agricultural busin  more

Sens. Wyden, Cardin Urge SBA to Ensure Equal Access to Paycheck Protection Program for ESOP-owned Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ben Cardin, D-Md., called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to resolve uncertainty regarding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and make clear to banks and other lenders that ESOP-owned small businesses qualify for the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The senators' letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza follows reports of eligible ESOP-owned small busine  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $12 Million in COVID-19 Grants for Oregon Health Centers
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Key resources headed to clinics in Fossil, Hillsboro, Wheeler, Portland, Boardman, Bandon, Klamath Falls, Enterprise, Roseburg, Salem and Medford and to programs run by Lincoln County, Multnomah County, Tillamook County, and Benton County * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that more than $12 million in federal grants will be available for health centers statewide to support their  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $12 Million in COVID-19 Grants for Oregon Health Centers
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Key resources headed to clinics in Fossil, Hillsboro, Wheeler, Portland, Boardman, Bandon, Klamath Falls, Enterprise, Roseburg, Salem and Medford and to programs run by Lincoln County, Multnomah County, Tillamook County, and Benton County * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that more than $12 million in federal grants will be available for health centers statewide to support their wo  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for All Tribal Small Businesses to Receive Equal Access to Relief
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Treasury to provide immediate clarification on tribal eligibility for the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Economic Injury Grants (EEIGs). Wyden and Merkley's letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin follows concerns that recently issued inte  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for All Tribal Small Businesses to Receive Equal Access to Relief
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Treasury to provide immediate clarification on tribal eligibility for the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Emergency Economic Injury Grants (EEIGs). Wyden and Merkley's letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin follows concerns that recently issued i  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for SBA to Accept Loan Applications From Cannabis Businesses in Cannabis-legal States
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced they are requesting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) be prohibited from denying loan applications to cannabis small businesses in states like Oregon that have legalized cannabis use. In the Oregon lawmakers' letter to Senate colleagues overseeing SBA appropriations, they urged language prohibiting the SBA loan denials to cannabis businesses by notin  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for SBA to Accept Loan Applications From Cannabis Businesses in Cannabis-legal States
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced they are requesting that the Small Business Administration (SBA) be prohibited from denying loan applications to cannabis small businesses in states like Oregon that have legalized cannabis use. In the Oregon lawmakers' letter to Senate colleagues overseeing SBA appropriations, they urged language prohibiting the SBA loan denials to cannabis businesses by noting t  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley to Introduce Legislation Helping Immigrant Families During COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * - Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act Would Suspend Policies that Discourage Immigrant Families from Using Essential Services * * * U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said they will introduce legislation that would ensure everyone in the United States can have access to health care and other critical resources that are needed to survive the coronavirus pandemic. "This global pandemic has t  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Make Farmers and Agricultural Businesses Eligible for COVID-19 Economic Injury Grants
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make farmers and agricultural businesses in Oregon and nationwide eligible for economic injury grants included in the latest COVID-19 emergency relief package. Wyden and Merkley wrote in their letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza that expanding the Emergency Economic Injury Grant Program (EIDL) included in the Cor  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Make Farmers, Agricultural Businesses Eligible for COVID-19 Economic Injury Grants
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make farmers and agricultural businesses in Oregon and nationwide eligible for economic injury grants included in the latest COVID-19 emergency relief package. Wyden and Merkley wrote in their letter to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza that expanding the Emergency Economic Injury Grant Program (EIDL) included in the   more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on SBA to Issue Economic Emergency Loans, Grants to Small Businesses ASAP
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure small businesses receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) associated with the COVID-19 crisis and the new Emergency Economic Injury Grants (EEIGs) within three days of application as mandated by Congress. The letter led by Wyden to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza follows reports that small businesses ac  more

Sens. Wyden, Schumer, Democratic Colleagues Press Trump Administration On Unemployment Insurance Benefits
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and 35 Democratic colleagues pressed the Trump administration to take additional action to ensure workers receive unemployment insurance as quickly as possible. The senators outline a number of actions the administration should take to help states disburse  more