Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Oregon Newsletter for Sunday April 26, 2020 ( 85 items )  

Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Sens. Crapo, Wyden, Risch, Merkley, Colleagues Call for Financial Security for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan group of 22 other senators on a letter calling for the Senate to finally provide much-needed financial certainty during the COVID-19 crisis for rural communities to ensure long-term funding needed for essential services. In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K  more

Amid COVID-19 Sens. Crisis, Risch, Crapo, Wyden, Merkley, and Colleagues Call for Financial Security for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan group of 22 other senators on a letter calling for the Senate to finally provide much-needed financial certainty during the COVID-19 crisis for rural communities to ensure long-term funding needed for essential services. In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-  more

As Senate Passes Interim Relief Package, Merkley Calls for Further Aid to American Families
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on April 21 after the Senate passed an interim bill to provide additional emergency funding to small businesses, health care and coronavirus testing efforts: "This bill provides urgently needed stopgap funding for our national response to the coronavirus threat. Over the last several weeks, I've spoken with hundreds of small business owners and health care providers in Oregon who are hanging on by their fingerna  more

Chairs DeFazio and Titus Press GSA for Answers Amid Reports Trump's DC Hotel is Seeking Rent Relief From Federal Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- 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) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) demanded answers from General Services Administration (GSA) head Emily Murphy amid reports the Trump Organization is looking for rent reli  more

Energy & Commerce Committee Republican Leaders Issue Statement on Nuclear Energy Strategy
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement on April 23 with Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy, and Rep. John Shimkus, R-Illinois, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Climate Change, on President Trump's strategy to restore U.S. nuclear energy leadership: "Now more than ever, American leadership matters. Nuclear innovation is how we can ass  more

In Midst of COVID-19 Crisis, Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch, Colleagues Call for Financial Security for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and James Risch, R-Idaho, led a bipartisan group of 22 other senators on a letter calling for the Senate to finally provide much-needed financial certainty during the COVID-19 crisis for rural communities to ensure long-term funding needed for essential services. In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a  more

In Midst of COVID-19 Crisis, Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch, Colleagues Call for Financial Security for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and James Risch, R-Idaho, led a bipartisan group of 23 other senators on a letter calling for the Senate to finally provide much-needed financial certainty during the COVID-19 crisis for rural communities to ensure long-term funding needed for essential services. In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and   more

Rep. Bonamici Announces Oregon Will Receive More Than $12M to Support Older Adults, People With Disabilities
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 22: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Oregon programs supporting older adults and people with disabilities will receive more than $12 million from the Department of Health and Human Services to aid their coronavirus response. The grants, which were funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will provide additional financial support to progr  more

Rep. Bonamici Statement on Passage of Funding for Small Businesses, Health Care Systems
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on April 23: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) issued the following statement after the House passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to help small businesses and health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic: "In the wake of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Congress acted swiftly to pass the CARES Act to provide funding for our communities, including hospitals and   more

Rep. DeFazio Presses GSA for Answers Amid Reports Trump's DC Hotel is Seeking Rent Relief From Federal Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) demanded answers from General Services Administration (GSA) head Emily Murphy amid reports the Trump Organization is looking for rent relief for its lease of the taxpayer-owned Old Post Office Building in Washington, D.C., that houses the Trump International Hotel. The Committee, which has jurisdiction over GSA, has been   more

Rep. DeFazio Secures $37 Million in Transit Funding for Southwest Oregon in CARES Act
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) announced that he has secured $37 million for transit funding for southwest Oregon in the CARES ACT. "Reliable transit systems are more critical than ever before," said Rep. Peter DeFazio. "These funds will keep our rural communities' transit systems open and accessible, allowing our essential workers to commute to work and preserving access to health care. The one-two punch of r  more

Rep. DeFazio Slams FCC Approval of Ligado License Application
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- 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) slammed a Federal Communications Commission decision to approve Ligado's application to use a portion of the L-band spectrum, which is also used for GPS, for a 5G network. The FCC approval comes despite widespread opposition from other Federal agencies,  more

Rep. DeFazio Votes in Support of Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding for Small Businesses and Hospitals
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Rep. Peter DeFazio voted in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, legislation to provide additional COVID-19 relief funding to Oregon's small businesses as well as hospitals and health care providers. "The Paycheck Protection Program has provided Oregon's small businesses a critical lifeline as they deal with the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, but it was  more

Rep. DeFazio, Sen. Peters Urge Trump Administration to Waive Cost-Sharing Requirements for States Battling Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) called on President Trump to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive all cost-share requirements for states responding to the global Coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency related to the outbreak, a  more

Rep. DeFazio: Committee Leaders Demand Changes to EPA's Policy Relaxing Enforcement During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment Chairwoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler demanding transparency and additional c  more

Rep. Walden Floor Statement on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following floor remarks: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) spoke in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act on the House Floor. The legislation, which passed the Senate earlier this week, will refill the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which?ran out of funding last week.?The bill includes $310 billion for the PPP, $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, $10 billion  more

Rep. Walden Issues Floor Statement on Paycheck Protection Program & Health Care Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following floor statement: Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) expressed support for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in his remarks on the House floor. Click here (https://youtu.be/cRNFbAbzBtc) to watch the floor remarks. Remarks As Prepared For Delivery I rise in support of the Paycheck Protection Program an  more

Rep. Walden Issues Statement on House Passage of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement on April 23 after he voted in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266): "We can continue to go back and forth about the Democrat Leaders' political posturing and needless delays, but the message I want small businesses, their employees, and our nation's health care workers on the front lines to hear right now is this: We are with you. More help is on the way. And we wi  more

Rep. Walden Shares What Veterans Need to Know to Receive Stimulus Checks
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) praised cooperation between the Treasury Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will make it easier for VA beneficiaries to receive their automatic economic impact payments. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed at the end of March, included funding for individual eco  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 20, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: Update for Veterans on How to Get Economic Impact Payment Most Americans have begun to see their payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child arrive directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securit  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 21, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: How to Get Your Economic Impact Payment Most Americans have begun to see their payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child arrive directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. T  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 22, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: More Funding for Health Care Providers & Hospitals The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award over $40 billion to health care providers and hospitals. The funding comes as a result of HHS distributing over $40 billion of the $100 billion that the Coronavirus Aid, Rel  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 23: Ahead of the House vote on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, Walden shared his support for the bill on the House Floor. The legislation will refill the Paycheck Protect Program (PPP), which ran out of funding last week. The bill includes $310 billion for the PPP, $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, $10 billion for the EIDL advance/grant pr  more

Rep. Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 - April 24
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 24: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 24, 2020. The latest on the coronavirus: President Trump Signs the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act: Today, President Trump signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which the House passed yesterday. The legislation will refill the Paycheck Protec  more

Rep. Walden Statement on Expanding COVID-19 Testing Capacity
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) raised questions about ongoing efforts to expand COVID-19 testing capacity across the country. During a teleconference with officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Walden emphasized the importance of President Trump's plan to give states a science-based set of criteria for deciding when and where to start bringing the U.S. economy back onlin  more

Rep. Walden Statement on Funding Agreement for Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement: Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement after the House and Senate reached an agreement on a supplemental funding package that would refill the Paycheck Protect Program (PPP), which ran out of funding last week. "I'm glad an agreement has finally been reached to provided needed funds for the Paycheck Protection Program, and look forward to supporting it, but it didn't have to   more

Rep. Walden Statement on More Funding for Oregon Health Care Providers, Hospitals
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following news release: Representative Greg Walden announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award over $40 billion to health care providers and hospitals across the country. The funding comes as a result of HHS distributing over $40 billion of the $100 billion that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act designated for provider relief. In addition to this funding, HHS has already di  more

Rep. Walden Statement on Paycheck Protection Program Funding Agreement
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the bipartisan agreement to fund the Paycheck Protection Program: "I'm glad an agreement has finally been reached to provide needed funds for the PPP, and look forward to supporting it, but it didn't have to be this way. Democrat Leaders in the House and Senate have played partisan politics every step of the way, needlessly delaying passage   more

Rep. Walden Statement on President Trump Signing Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act into law: "I'm glad President Trump wasted no time in signing this relief funding into law. In addition, I commend the Administration for listening to the concerns of rural hospitals that are part of a health district to make them eligible for the PPP program, too. "As a member of President Trump's bipartisan task force  more

Rep. Walden: Bipartisan Members Introduce Bill to Promote Competitive, Secure 5G Equipment
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: Energy and Commerce Committee Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), introduced the bipartisan "Utilizing Strategic Allied (USA) Telecommunications Act of 2020" in the House of Representatives. The bill would aut  more

Rep. Walden: E&C Committee Members Hold Bipartisan Teleconference With FDA Commissioner Hahn on COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on April 22: Energy and Commerce Committee members held a bipartisan teleconference with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, M.D., today for a briefing and discussion on the agency's ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic. E&C Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) release  more

Rep. Walden: We Are With You
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after House passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act: "We can continue to go back and forth about the Democrat Leaders' political posturing and needless delays, but the message I want small businesses, their employees, and our nation's health care workers on the front lines to hear right now is this: We are wit  more

Reps. Blumenauer, Perlmutter Introduce Legislation to Make Cannabis Businesses Eligible for COVID-19 Relief
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) introduced legislation that would make cannabis businesses eligible for Small Businesses Administration (SBA) COVID-19 relief programs. Currently, state-legal cannabis businesses are being left out of relief that was established to help small businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, they are unable to access and participation in SBA's  more

Reps. DeFazio, Napolitano Issue Statements on Trump Administration Final Rule to on Clean Water Protections
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, D-California, chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, issued the following statements in response to the Trump administration's announcement that it has finalized its rule to roll back clean water protections over the rivers, streams and wetlands, affecting the safe drinking water of over a hundred million households:   more

Reps. DeFazio, Neal Urge Trump Administration to Support Motorcoach Industry Amid COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Oregon, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on April 24: Today, House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR) requested Department of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell consider providing at least $5 billion in loans to over-the-road bus carriers under a program  more

Reps. Walden, Burgess: Administration Keeping Their Commitment to Providers
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, issued the following joint statement on April 22 on the Health and Human Services Department's plans to disburse the second round of provider payments authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act: "We thank Secretary Azar and HHS officials for making good on their commi  more

Reps. Walden, McHenry, and Brady Ask Speaker Pelosi: Where are the Details on Your Select Committee?
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release: The Republican leaders of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, and Ways and Means sent Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) a letter opposing the establishment of her politically-driven and ill-equipped select committee to review the Administration's response to the coronavirus. The letter was signed by Republican Leader  more

Sen. Wyden Announces Plans to Re-Introduce Community Broadband Act in Wake of Coronavirus Emergency
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden announced he will reintroduce the Community Broadband Act to improve internet access in underserved communities as millions of students and families find themselves struggling to learn and work remotely during the coronavirus public health emergency. "Access to broadband is a must for communities to thrive in Oregon and nationwide. Oregon communities like Maupin and The Dalles have proven t  more

Sen. Wyden Calls for $3.6B to Expand Vote-By-Mail, Early Voting in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Chris Coons, D-Del., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged Congressional leadership to include $3.6 billion to help states expand vote-by-mail and early voting in the next COVID-19 relief package. "Officials in sixteen states have already postponed presidential primary elections or transitioned their elections to all mail-in voting. We must take action now to plan for upcoming electio  more

Sen. Wyden Calls on Trump Administration to Fully Use Defense Production Act & Protect Veterans From COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Trump administration to make full use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) in order to better protect veterans, health care professionals, Oregonians and all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The depletion of medical supplies nationally and a broken federal procurement and distribution process has left the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)--the nation's larg  more

Sen. Wyden Demands FEMA Address Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Disaster Response
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) make transparent its plans to address the existing racial and socioeconomic disparities in disaster response and ensure vulnerable communities hurt disproportionately by COVID-19 receive equitable aid and assistance in Oregon and across the nation. "Our nation has been gripped by COVID-19 and the impacts have been felt acro  more

Sen. Wyden Demands Release of Detained Children Amid COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined 15 of his Senate colleagues demanding the release of detained children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, the lawmakers stress the need to protect the health and safety of children in U.S. custody as the number of children in HHS   more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Social Security Trustees Report
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual outlook for the program: "In a little over a decade, Social Security benefits are going to be cut by a quarter unless action is taken to support this key lifeline for workers who paid into the program out of each paycheck. "Social Security has never missed a full payment to date, which is wel  more

Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Unemployment Assistance Affected by GOP Governors Reopening States
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding the effect of Republican governors reopening their states and workers' access to pandemic unemployment assistance: "Republican governors are casting public health aside and forcing their states to 'reopen'. "The effects of these reckless decisions will trickle down to vulnerable workers, making them ineligible for pandemic unemployment assistance  more

Sen. Wyden Presses Trump Administration on the Health and Safety of Incarcerated People, Employees at Sheridan Prison
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) demanded answers on steps the bureau is taking to protect federal prison facilities, and specifically the federal correctional institution in Sheridan, Oregon (FCI Sheridan). "My office has received numerous alarming reports from employees and family members of inmates at FCI Sheridan, alleging that proper precautions to prevent  more

Sen. Wyden Pushes for New Employment Program to Help Workers and Businesses Recover From COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for a new federal employment program that will help workers and businesses recover from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 crisis. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Wyden joined with four other senators to propose a national subsidized employment program to provide unemployed and underem  more

Sen. Wyden Pushes to Ensure College Students Have Food on Table Amid COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., pushed to help college students in Oregon and nationwide have access to critical nutrition assistance by allowing Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to be triggered during a pandemic. "College students across the nation are facing unprecedented challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, shuttered campuses have exacerbated their food insecurity. I  more

Sen. Wyden Pushes to Ensure Families Receive Promised COVID-19 Stimulus Payments for Their Children as Quickly as Possible
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Trump administration to ensure that families who are not required to file taxes, like families who receive Social Security benefits, do not need to wait until next year to receive the additional $500 payment per dependent child they were promised. "We write to express our concern that without additional action from your agencies, many families who receive Social Se  more

Sen. Wyden Pushes Trump Administration to Ensure Americans Without Broadband Can Receive Stimulus Payments
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged the Trump administration to increase efforts to make stimulus payments available to the most vulnerable populations--including those without access to the internet who cannot file a tax return electronically. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Wyden and 22 other senators highlighted that at least 21 million Americans are without high-speed internet access an  more

Sen. Wyden Requests Answers on Trump Signature on Checks
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- 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., requested Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin provide information about the decision-making process that led to Donald Trump's name being printed on Economic Impact Payment checks intended to assist Americans with the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. The letter follows an interview where Secretary Mnuch  more

Sen. Wyden Statement on Senate Passage of Interim Emergency Package
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on April 21 regarding Senate passage of the interim emergency package: "My phone has been ringing off the hook in the last several weeks with small business people in Oregon needing federal relief, and health care providers and hospitals desperate for more PPE, testing, and other support to protect themselves and Oregonians in their care. The interim agreement passed by the Senate today provides essential funding t  more

Sen. Wyden Urges Congress to Provide Housing Support for Domestic Violence Survivors During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged Senate leadership to include resources to meet domestic and sexual violence survivors' urgent housing needs, which have been exacerbated by stay-at-home orders, social distancing and the ongoing economic upheaval caused by COVID-19 in any future relief package. "Communities need a surge of resources to meet survivors' diverse housing needs, increase the capacity of local p  more

Sen. Wyden, Colleagues Push for Access to Digital Resources for State and Local Governments Managing COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden led a letter with 15 of his colleagues urging Congressional leadership to provide additional digital resources for state and local governments managing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on local communities. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Minority Leader Kevin  more

Sen. Wyden: Labor Department Makes Clear Workers Congress Intended to Cover Will Receive Unemployment Benefits
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- 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., announced that the Department of Labor has made clear, after a confusing start, that workers Congress intended to be covered by the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will receive the benefits they deserve. "Workers have been hit by an economic wrecking ball, with 22 million filing for unemploym  more

Sens. Merkley, Blumenthal Lead Colleagues in Push for Urgent Workforce Development Investment
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), led a group of 22 of their colleagues in pressing Senate leadership to include critical workforce development and career and technical education (CTE) funding in the next coronavirus relief bill. In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators echoed the concerns of 38 labor an  more

Sens. Merkley, Brown, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Plan to Boost Contact Tracing, Testing Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are leading nine of their Senate colleagues in pushing the Trump administration to immediately craft, release, and implement a plan that includes robust testing for the coronavirus and expanded contact tracing. Contract tracing is a decades-old process used to limit the transmission of infectious diseases by identifying and contacting indiv  more

Sens. Merkley, Gardner, Reed, Moran Make Bipartisan Push to Increase Critical Funds for Suicide Prevention Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), along with 10 of their colleagues, are making a bipartisan push to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) with $80 million to support critical suicide prevention activities amid a public health crisis that is upending the social and financial stability of countless Americans. The l  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce $8 Million in Additional CDC Funding for Oregon
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced an additional $8 million in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding to support Oregon in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding supplements earlier awards of $10 million, bringing the total funding amount to $18 million. The funding will be available to assist with activities including testing, contact tracing, data collection, an  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce $8 Million in Additional CDC Funding for Oregon
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced an additional $8 million in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding to support Oregon in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding supplements earlier awards of $10 million, bringing the total funding amount to $18 million. The funding will be available to assist with activities including testing, contact tracing, data collection, and c  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Application is Live
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that funding is now available for accredited public and nonprofit private higher education institutions throughout Oregon, to help schools mitigate tuition losses and upfront costs of adopting remote learning technology amid the coronavirus crisis. The funding will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Education, and was allocated by the Coronav  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Application is Live
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that funding is now available for accredited public and nonprofit private higher education institutions throughout Oregon, to help schools mitigate tuition losses and upfront costs of adopting remote learning technology amid the coronavirus crisis. The funding will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Education, and was allocated by the Coronaviru  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Resources for K-12, Higher Education Institutions in Oregon
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that $153.5 million in funding will be distributed to schools throughout Oregon, as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was approved by Congress last month. "Every student--regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or their parents' income--deserves a shot at a great education," said Merkley. "  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Resources for K-12, Higher Education Institutions in Oregon
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that $153.5 million in funding will be distributed to schools throughout Oregon, as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was approved by Congress last month. "Every student--regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or their parents' income--deserves a shot at a great education," said Merkley. "We   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $430,000 in Nutrition and Supportive Services Grants for Tribes
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that tribal communities in Oregon will receive over $430,000 to support the needs of elders and in an effort to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. The funding is being allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress approved last month. "The coronavirus poses unique risks and challenges to elders in   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $430,000 in Nutrition and Supportive Services Grants for Tribes
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that tribal communities in Oregon will receive over $430,000 to support the needs of elders and in an effort to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. The funding is being allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress approved last month. "The coronavirus poses unique risks and challenges to elders in com  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $7.3 Million in Funding for Corvallis Transit System
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the City of Corvallis will receive over $7.3 million in funding to support its public transportation operations and projects--including coronavirus response efforts. The funding will be allocated to the Corvallis Transit System through theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress approved last month. "Public t  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $7.3 Million in Funding for Corvallis Transit System
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the City of Corvallis will receive over $7.3 million in funding to support its public transportation operations and projects--including coronavirus response efforts. The funding will be allocated to the Corvallis Transit System through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress approved last month. "Public tra  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden Push for Urgent Workforce Development Investment
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with 22 of their colleagues, are pressing Senate leadership to include critical workforce development and career and technical education (CTE) funding in the next coronavirus relief bill. In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators echoed the concerns of 38 labor and education advocacy groups   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Advocate for Dedicated and Flexible Emergency Funding for Tribal, State, Local Governments
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with 31 of their colleagues, are advocating for state, local, and tribal governments to receive dedicated, flexible funding in the next COVID-19 emergency funding package. Their letter comes amid uncertainty among tribal, state, and local government officials in Oregon--and across America--regarding their financial stability as they work to respond to th  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Advocate for Dedicated, Flexible Emergency Funding for Tribal, State, Local Governments
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with 31 of their colleagues, are advocating for state, local, and tribal governments to receive dedicated, flexible funding in the next COVID-19 emergency funding package. Their letter comes amid uncertainty among tribal, state, and local government officials in Oregon--and across America--regarding their financial stability as they work to respond to  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Reps. Bonamici, DeFazio Push for FEMA Disaster Plans Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on April 21: As the 2020 wildfire season rapidly approaches, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and 78 of their congressional colleagues, are demanding that the Trump administration outline disaster preparation and recovery plans for a variety of potential disasters that may occur while the nation simultaneously   more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Reps. Bonamici, DeFazio Push for FEMA Disaster Plans Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: As the 2020 wildfire season rapidly approaches, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and 78 of their congressional colleagues, are demanding that the Trump administration outline disaster preparation and recovery plans for a variety of potential disasters that may occur while the nation simultaneously addresses the co  more

Sens. Merkley, Wyden, Reps. Bonamici, DeFazio Push for FEMA Disaster Plans Amid Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: As the 2020 wildfire season rapidly approaches, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and 78 of their congressional colleagues, are demanding that the Trump administration outline disaster preparation and recovery plans for a variety of potential disasters that may occur while the nation simultaneously addresses the coron  more

Sens. Rosen, Wyden Lead Call on Congressional Leaders to Ensure Cannabis Small Businesses Can Access Emergency SBA Loan
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), led 8 of their Senate colleagues, including Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), in a letter to Congressional leadership calling for forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislative packages to allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and indirect cannabis small businesses to access loan and emergency grant programs administered by the U.S. Smal  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for Broad Investigations of Trump Administration's COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called for investigations into the Trump Administration's COVID-19 response, including whether political expediency rather than urgent public health needs has driven the distribution of life-saving medical supplies and equipment and other key public health and economic decisions. The letter from Wyden, Merkley and eight other senators to the Inspectors General for the D  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Call for Broad Investigations of Trump Administration's COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley called for investigations into the Trump Administration's COVID-19 response, including whether political expediency rather than urgent public health needs has driven the distribution of life-saving medical supplies and equipment and other key public health and economic decisions. The letter from Wyden, Merkley and eight other senators to the Inspectors General for the Depa  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Urge Trump Administration to Protect Food Supply, Essential Workers During COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged Vice President Mike Pence and other members of the Trump Administration to take action that would help ensure the safety of the nation's food supply and protect essential workers in the food supply chain. "It is vital that we do everything we can to protect food supply workers," Wyden and Merkley wrote in a letter along with more than 30 Senate colleagues. "Breakd  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley Urge Trump Administration to Protect Food Supply, Essential Workers During COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged Vice President Mike Pence and other members of the Trump Administration to take action that would help ensure the safety of the nation's food supply and protect essential workers in the food supply chain. "It is vital that we do everything we can to protect food supply workers," Wyden and Merkley wrote in a letter along with more than 30 Senate colleagues. "Breakdown  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council to Receive More Than $3.8 Million for Transit
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council will receive more than $3.8 million in federal transit aid through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. "The economic impact of this public health crisis has hit transit systems hard and the Oregonians who work for them to get people to their jobs, the grocery store, the doctor's office   more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: OHSU, Mosaic Medical to Receive More Than $6 Million in COVID-19 Aid
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Mosaic Medical in central Oregon and OHSU will receive more than $6 million to help both health care facilities continue to provide quality care during the COVID-19 crisis. "Our state's health care heroes caring for Oregonians need all possible federal resources to keep themselves and their patients safe in the middle of this public health crisis," Wyden sai  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: Oregon to Get $7.5 Million FEMA Reimbursement Grant for COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Oregon will receive a $7.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as reimbursement for personal protective equipment bought in response to COVID-19. "Essential workers in Oregon are regularly risking their health during this public health crisis and cannot be sent into this daily battle without protection," Wyden said. "I am glad thes  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: Oregon to Get $7.5 Million FEMA Reimbursement Grant for COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Oregon will receive a $7.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as reimbursement for personal protective equipment bought in response to COVID-19. "Essential workers in Oregon are regularly risking their health during this public health crisis and cannot be sent into this daily battle without protection," Wyden said. "I am glad these re  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: Three Natural Resources Projects in Oregon Earn $7.3 Million in Federal Support
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said that the federal Agriculture Department will invest a combined $7.3 million in three natural resources projects in Oregon. The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds from the department's Natural Resources Service will go in Oregon to the Lower John Day Canyons Restoration Initiative, South Fork John Day Watershed Restoration and Polk County Oak Hab  more

Sens. Wyden, Merkley: Three Natural Resources Projects in Oregon Earn $7.3 Million in Federal Support
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said that the federal Agriculture Department will invest a combined $7.3 million in three natural resources projects in Oregon. The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds from the department's Natural Resources Service will go in Oregon to the Lower John Day Canyons Restoration Initiative, South Fork John Day Watershed Restoration and Polk County Oak Habita  more

Trump Administration Responds to Wyden's, Casey's Call to Publicly Release Names of Nursing Homes With COVID-19 Cases
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, secured a commitment by the Trump Administration to publicly release the names of nursing homes across the country that have cases of COVID-19. This decision follows a letter sent earlier this month from the Senators urging the Centers for Me  more