Oregon lawmakers, Bend mayor, others press Senate for new relief package

Oregon Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, joined more than 80 Oregonians, including Bend Mayor Sally Russell, in a virtual event Tuesday calling for the Senate to finally act on a fourth coronavirus relief package.

The coronavirus has killed over 163,000 Americans and cost more than 40 million their jobs, but despite the fact that the House passed an additional relief package nearly three months ago, the Senate's leadership has refused to vote since March on any substantial relief effort for Americans who are suffering, the lawmakers and local officials said.