July 21, 2025 3:30 p.m. 

On Friday, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said they have joined Senate colleagues in introducing legislation that would implement federal enforceable workplace heat stress protections in Oregon and nationwide.

Wyden said, “As evidenced by this week’s high temperatures in Oregon, record-hot weather is here to stay, thanks to the growing climate crisis”. Wyden said, “I applaud this legislation that takes common-sense steps to protect workers from preventable hazards like heatstroke. With the ongoing climate crisis driving up temperatures, I will keep battling for more protections for the hard-working Oregonians most exposed to dangerous heat conditions”.

Merkley said, “Climate chaos is creating hotter, longer summers, putting many workers at risk of heat-related health issues on the job. Many Oregonians work outdoors -in our fields, in our forests, and off our shores and protecting them from the dangers of extreme heat is critical”. Merkley said the Asuncion Valdivia Heat Stress Injury, Illness and Fatality Prevention Act will provide essential safeguards in the workplace and help save the lives of working Americans.

The legislation is named in honor of Asuncion Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes in California for 10 hours straight in 105-degree temperatures. Mr. Valdivia fell unconscious, but instead of calling an ambulance, his employer told the man’s son to drive him home. On his way home, he died of heat stroke at age 53.

The release said the legislation has the support of a broad coalition of more than 250 groups.

A web version of this release is linked: Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Announce Legislation to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon