Sens. Merkley, Wyden recent COVID-19 news releases
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Here are some the most recent COVID-19-related news releases from Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden:
MERKLEY, WYDEN ANNOUNCE $5 MILLION FOR OREGON’S RURAL HEALTH CLINICS TO INCREASE CORONAVIRUS TESTING
Friday, May 22, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $5 million in federal funding will be distributed to 102 rural health clinics throughout Oregon to help boost their coronavirus testing capacity.
The funding was part of a $25 billion fund for increased testing that Congressional Democrats insisted on in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which Congress passed last month.
“The high-quality treatment and care that Oregon’s rural clinics and dedicated health care professionals provide to families across our state are more invaluable than ever as we continue to grapple with this public health emergency,” said Merkley. “It’s our responsibility to make sure these heroes have the resources and support they need to stay safe and do their jobs. I’m pleased that this funding will help provide that support, and I will continue to fight for every available resource they need to continue treating our rural communities.”
“Testing is crucial to combat coronavirus, and rural clinics throughout our state are essential to perform those tests for Oregonians counting on them for care during this public health crisis,” Wyden said. “These health care superstars in every nook and cranny of Oregon must have full federal support to continue their heroic work, and I am glad these needed funds are heading their way. There’s lots more that must be done for rural Oregon during COVID-19, and I’ll keep battling to provide our state every possible federal resource.”
Health experts have continued to emphasize that increasing testing is an essential cornerstone to understanding and responding to the full scope of the coronavirus crisis, and to reopening communities.
Merkley recently led his 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, and has been outspoken in laying out a vision for adequate testing and contact tracing efforts in Oregon and across the country. Throughout the crisis, Merkley has stayed in regular contact with rural and frontier health care providers, and was part of a bipartisan effort to push HHS to consider the needs of rural hospitals and hospitals with high percentages of Medicaid and Medicare patients as the agency distributed the $100 billion healthcare fund included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
MERKLEY, WYDEN, COLLEAGUES URGE FCC TO ENSURE RURAL TRIBAL COMMUNITIES HAVE EQUAL INTERNET ACCESS
Senators calling on FCC Chairman Pai to increased mobile coverage in Indian Country in light of coronavirus
Friday, May 22, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with 16 of their Senate colleagues, are calling on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window by 180 days to August 3, 2020. Extending this deadline would allow tribal governments additional time to secure access to unassigned spectrum over tribal lands suitable for both mobile coverage and broadband services, as Indian Country continues to be ravaged by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact in Indian Country, highlighting the need for broadband and other wireless services. Because tribes have historically lacked access to spectrum to deploy broadband networks on tribal lands, 1.5 million people living in Indian Country have been left without basic access to online health, public safety, and educational services.
As communities across the nation continue to face public health response and connectivity issues, the lawmakers in a letter urged the FCC to understand that “these same challenges are also impacting the ability of Tribal governments to participate in FCC proceedings. Additionally, rural tribal communities represent some of the least connected people in America. For example, according to the FCC's most recent Broadband Progress Report, more than 60 percent of residents on New Mexico's tribal lands lack access to high-speed broadband. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the broadband data collected by the FCC overstates service in tribal communities, meaning the number of residents without access is higher than what was reported by the FCC. All of this underscores the need for more comprehensive assistance and engagement on tribal lands.”
The lawmakers continued, “As you know, this spectrum can deliver significant benefits to rural tribal communities. Tribal governments should not be precluded from having an opportunity to apply for spectrum as a result of this public health emergency. An extension of the 2.5 GHz priority window will help ensure that tribes have adequate time to make the most of this first-of-its-kind opportunity. Accordingly, we urge the FCC to extend the Rural Tribal Priority Window by 180 days and commit to ensuring every rural tribal community has an equitable opportunity to receive spectrum licenses.”
The letter is supported by the National Congress of American Indians.
“This pandemic lays bare the fact that many American Indian and Alaska Native communities lack essential services. Extending the tribal priority filing window and the start date for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund would allow tribal nations to prioritize response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic without having to risk missing a historic opportunity to bridge the digital divide,” said National Congress of American Indians CEO Kevin Allis.
In recognition that some of the health and economic challenges caused by the coronavirus fell hardest on tribal communities, Senators Merkley and Wyden have kept the pressure on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to immediately disburse the critical relief funds that Congress appropriated to assist tribal governments.
Additionally, Senators Merkley and Wyden have consistently advocated for expanded access to broadband service. Previously, the senators introduced the Emergency Educational Connections Act, which would help ensure all K-12 students have adequate home internet connectivity and devices during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the Continuing Online Networking, Negating Economic Conditions on Technology (CONNECT) At Home Act, which would put a moratorium on internet shut-offs during the pandemic.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators were joined in sending the letter by U.S Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tom Udall (D-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
The full text of the letter is available here and follows below.
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Dear Chairman Pai:
In light of the continuing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to ensure Indian tribes in rural areas enjoy the same access to the Internet as the rest of the United States, we respectfully request that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window opened on February 3, 2020, by 180 days.
As you know, on July 10, 2019, the FCC adopted new rules to bring 2.5 GHz spectrum to auction. The agency established a “priority window” to serve rural tribal lands. In addition, the FCC committed to keeping that window open for 180 days to give tribes time to apply.
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. continues to rise and more and more Americans are told to stay home, the true extent of the crisis is becoming more apparent daily. For most Americans, the immediate focus is on the health and safety of our families, our neighbors, and the nation as a whole. To that end, we are pleased to see that the FCC has extended the time for the public to prepare for and participate in some of its upcoming auctions, such as the 3.5 GHz band and the FM broadcast service. This will help ensure that the public has adequate time to participate as we get through this crisis.
These same challenges are also impacting the ability of Tribal governments to participate in FCC proceedings. Additionally, rural tribal communities represent some of the least connected people in America. For example, according to the FCC's most recent Broadband Progress Report, more than 60 percent of residents on New Mexico's tribal lands lack access to high-speed broadband. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the broadband data collected by the FCC overstates service in tribal communities, meaning the number of residents without access is higher than what was reported by the FCC. All of this underscores the need for more comprehensive assistance and engagement on tribal lands.
As you know, this spectrum can deliver significant benefits to rural tribal communities. Tribal governments should not be precluded from having an opportunity to apply for spectrum as a result of this public health emergency. An extension of the 2.5 GHz priority window will help ensure that tribes have adequate time to make the most of this first-of-its-kind opportunity. Accordingly, we urge the FCC to extend the Rural Tribal Priority Window by 180 days and commit to ensuring every rural tribal community has an equitable opportunity to receive spectrum licenses.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Wyden, Merkley Seek COVID-19 Relief for Live Venues
Oregon senators join bipartisan letter seeking funding, tax relief and assistance for live venues to manage mortgage, rent, and other debt burdens
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged Senate leadership to include economic relief for live venue operators in Oregon and nationwide as part of any additional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter from the Oregon senators and 41 of their colleagues to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, they noted that live event venues were among the first to close as COVID-19 spread and are likely to be among the last to reopen.
“Concerts and live events may not be possible until a vaccine is readily available to the public, which could be many months away, if not longer,” the senators wrote. “Until that time, live event venues will remain shuttered, leaving employees without jobs and businesses without revenue. The continued closures will also impact the numerous contractors, suppliers, and business partners that support the live entertainment industry in our states.”
The lawmakers wrote that these entertainment hubs are important economic multipliers, generating millions in tax revenue and providing jobs as well as supporting neighboring businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail.
“We are concerned that even if these entertainment venues are able to withstand the shutdowns, they will not be economically viable operating at 25 or 50 percent occupancy,” they wrote. “Congress has taken swift action to support the economy, but the programs we have enacted provide little relief to independent venues. Short-term disruption assistance has provided a lifeline for millions of Americans, but businesses that face prolonged closure also need help.
“Without assistance targeted to their unique situation, venues, artists, and our local communities face an unprecedented crisis,” they wrote. “We support providing government funding, tax relief measures, and assistance to manage mortgage, rent, and other debt burdens for mom and pop venues across the country.”
In addition to Wyden and Merkley, 41 other senators from both parties signed the bipartisan letter led by U.S. Sens. Thomas Carper (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX).
A copy of the entire letter is here.
Wyden Introduces Bill to Make Sure National Guard Troops Responding to COVID-19 Receive Full Benefits Throughout Public Health Crisis
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he has joined combat veteran U.S. Sen Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., to introduce a bill to ensure that all National Guard troops activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic receive additional benefits and provide states with greater certainty.
“The brave members of the National Guard risking their lives on the frontlines of the COVID-19 health crisis deserve the utmost support from the federal government,” Wyden said. “This bill would grant the Oregon Guard the predictability it's asking for and prevent the Trump administration from nickel-and-diming Guard members out of hard-earned benefits.”
The National Guard COVID-19 Response Stability Act would extend Title 32 authority for all Guardsmen activated in response to the crisis until the end of the declared public health emergency. By doing so, the federal government would continue covering 100 percent of the costs of this activation. As it currently stands, states must continue requesting support to make sure there isn’t a lapse in authorities or federal funding for the troops on the frontline of this crisis. While the Trump administration gave an extension, it chose a date that results in a hard deployment stop at 89 days for thousands of National Guard members—one day short of the 90-day threshold to receive additional federal benefits, like access to Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Specifically, this bill would amend federal law to authorize state governors to order members of the National Guard to active duty in connection with COVID-19 response with full federal benefits. This enhanced authority would be in place through the end of the Trump administration’s declared public health emergency for COVID-19, plus an additional 30 days to allow the Guard to shift away from Title 32 operations. Most recently, the public health emergency declaration was renewed on April 26, 2020 for a period of 90 days.
Along with Wyden and Duckworth, this bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
