Press Releases

Wyden, Merkley, Warren, Schumer, Democrats Publish Report Revealing Trump, Republicans Stripped Health Care Access, Raised Costs for Americans With “Defund” Planned Parenthood Provision

In six months since Trump and Republicans “defunded” Planned Parenthood, breast exam visits fell by 25% compared to the same period in a previous year, delaying detection and life-saving preventive care Text of Report (PDF) Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Elizabeth

Merkley, Padilla Lead Senate Colleagues to Urge Education Department’s Timely Execution of Federal Education Programs for Agricultural Farmworker Students

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla today led a group of Senators in urging U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to ensure the timely delivery of federal funds for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), which

Merkley Celebrates 500th Town Hall

Portland, OR – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today celebrated his 500th town hall in Oregon since joining the U.S. Senate. He reached the milestone today while hosting a virtual town hall in Lincoln County. “I hold a town hall in every Oregon county, every year because they enable me to

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on Department of Education, DOJ to Follow Through on Pledge to Improve Handling of Student Debt Bankruptcy Claims

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have joined colleagues in asking the federal Departments of Education and Justice for an update on efforts to improve how the agencies handle undue hardship claims by student borrowers in bankruptcy proceedings.  “The undue hardship exception (11 U.S.C. 523(a)(8)) currently

Wyden, Merkley Co-sponsor Bill to Extend Summer Meal Flexibilities to Feed Children

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would extend federal school meal flexibilities for children in Oregon and nationwide from June 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023. These flexibilities have been crucial to feeding children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wyden, Merkley: More than $30 Million to Oregon for Home Weatherization to Reduce Energy Costs and Increase Resilience

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon will receive $30.6 million in federal funds for home weatherization to help reduce energy expenses for low-income families. “Due to climate change, Oregon is suffering more instances of extreme weather—from heat islands to ice storms—and the costly weatherization and high energy bills

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