Press Releases
Wyden Slams New Pentagon Press Restrictions Forcing Reporters to Obtain Government Approval of Coverage
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Department of Defense to rescind its outrageous new restrictions on independent reporters, after every major independent news organization walked out of the Pentagon and refused to sign on to unprecedented government censorship of their reporting. The new Pentagon press policy requires reporters to pledge not to publish information without the authorization of a department official, a flagrant violation of the First Amendment … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Bynum and Dexter Tell Trump Administration to Withdraw Agents Deployed to Portland Outside ICE Facility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today demanded the Trump administration withdraw the federal agents it’s deployed outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland in response to the agents’ excessive use of force that’s needlessly and dangerously inciting violence. “Your federal agents weren't invited, they aren't needed, and their presence has fomented the very violence … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Wyden Slams Surveillance Tech Company for Ineffective Protections for Oregonians Against Abuses by Federal Agencies and Out-of-State Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., slammed surveillance tech company Flock for failing to meet its pledge to protect Oregonians against immigration and abortion-related searches by out-of-state law enforcement agencies and for deceiving state and local law enforcement customers about its sharing of their data with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. After troubling press reports surfaced about law enforcement agencies accessing Flock’s data to crack … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Wyden Calls on Trump DEA to Crack Down on Fentanyl Middlemen
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called on the Trump administration to take swift action to crack down on foreign middlemen known as “chemical brokers” that play a growing role in procuring the materials necessary for illicit fentanyl production for drug cartels. “Through a complex web of illegitimate shell companies as well as legitimate chemical import-export businesses, chemical brokers are able to clandestinely supply drug cartels with the precursor chemicals that … Continue Reading
October 15, 2025
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Call Out Noem’s Blatant Violation of Federal Law with Partisan Airport Video
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today joined their colleagues to call out U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for potentially violating federal law by asking airports to play blatantly partisan videos at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The Senators demanded that DHS immediately remove the videos and provide information about the resources that were used to create and disseminate them. “Federal law … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore $8 Billion in Funding for Energy Projects It Illegally Canceled
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to demand the Trump administration restore funding for 223 energy projects in Democratic-led states that were unlawfully canceled even though Congress had approved and appropriated funding for them. “We write in strong opposition to the Trump administration unlawfully cancelling $8 billion in federal investments in 223 energy projects,” the senators wrote to U.S. Department of Energy … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Senate Republicans Block Merkley and Wyden’s Effort to Require Identification, Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement, Armed Forces
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today denounced Senate Republicans for voting down his amendment with his Oregon colleague, Senator Ron Wyden, to prevent unidentifiable federal law enforcement and armed forces from being deployed against Americans. “I led an amendment with Senator Wyden to require federal military and law enforcement agents to display their agency and name or badge number at protests. There is a name for unidentified security forces throwing protesters … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
As Trump Unconstitutionally Deploys Military into American Cities, Senators from Illinois, Oregon & California Oppose NDAA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Amid Donald Trump’s escalating deployments of troops to American cities, the six U.S. Senators representing states that Donald Trump is targeting with troop deployments over state and local officials’ strong objections—U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)—released the following statement announcing they will vote against the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about Portland ICE Facility
WASHINGTON DC - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) demanding that the Trump administration provide answers about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. The requests follow the lawmakers’ visit to the ICE facility on S. Macadam Avenue on September 25, when ICE officials failed to thoroughly respond to lawmakers’ questions, including questions about detainments and processing, tactics … Continue Reading
October 07, 2025
Illinois, Oregon, & California Senators Issue Warning About Trump’s Dangerous, Unconstitutional Deployments of National Guard Troops into Their States
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The six United States Senators representing states that Donald Trump has sought to force National Guard deployments to, against state and local officials’ objections, without any coordination and in the absence of adequate justification—U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)—today issued the following statement condemning the President’s threats against their … Continue Reading
October 04, 2025
Wyden Response to Judge Immergut Ruling
Portland -- U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following statement today in response to U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut's ruling that grants a temporary restraining order blocking Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Portland: “Today’s victory clearly supports what Oregonians already know: we don’t need or want Donald Trump to provoke conflict by deploying federal troops in our state,” Wyden said. “I will keep working with local and state officials to ensure Trump does not … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Request Records from Trump Administration Abusing Mortgage Fraud Investigations to Target Political Opponents
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, today said he is joining colleagues to request records from the Trump administration on exploiting mortgage fraud investigations to target perceived political opponents. In a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Wyden and other ranking members of Senate committees wrote that perceived political opponents of Donald Trump - including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Senate Passes Wyden Bill to End Government Payments to Deceased Americans and Prevent Weaponization of SSA Data
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate this week unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would save Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous payments to individuals who have died. “This bipartisan bill fixes our federal government’s payment systems so that millions of taxpayer dollars are saved every year,” Wyden said. “As Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am committed to ensuring that Americans’ hard earned benefits … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Rep. Andrea Salinas, Oregon Delegation Condemn the Trump Administration for Canceling Nearly $500 Million in Grants for Oregon Energy Projects
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, alongside U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter, and Janelle Bynum issued the following statement denouncing the Trump Administration’s cancellation of nearly $500 million in Department of Energy (DOE) grants to support energy reliability, resilience, and efficiency projects in Oregon. “While Oregonians are already struggling with rising costs, Trump and his … Continue Reading
October 03, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Federal Employees During Shutdown
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would support federal employees experiencing financial hardship during a government shutdown. “This shutdown orchestrated by Donald Trump and congressional Republicans unfortunately leaves much pain to choose from when it comes to impact for Oregonians,” Wyden said. “The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would help tens of thousands of federal workers throughout rural, urban … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Wyden Urges DHS to Abandon Proposal to Further Restrict Visas of Foreign Journalists
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to abandon its proposed rule that would further restrict press freedom and expand government censorship by requiring foreign journalists to re-apply for permission to work in the United States every few months. While foreign journalists are currently granted visas to enter for up to five years, this rule would limit their stay to 240 days unless they apply for an extension and have it reviewed … Continue Reading
September 30, 2025
Merkley, Wyden Urge State Department to Resume Medical and Humanitarian Visas for Civilians in Gaza
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern and demanding an explanation for the State Department’s recent decision to suspend the issuance of temporary medical and humanitarian visas for civilians in Gaza in need of urgent medical care, including children with life-threatening injuries or conditions. The letter also questions the State Department’s recent decision to refuse … Continue Reading
September 27, 2025
Oregon Delegation Demands Trump Keep Federal Troops out Of Portland
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum today demanded the Trump administration keep federal agents and troops out of Portland, following Donald Trump’s declaration that he is directing the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security to deploy troops to the city and around the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility with orders to use full military … Continue Reading
September 26, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Demand Answers From TV Broadcasters After Pulling of Kimmel’s Show
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today joined his colleagues in pressing broadcasters Nexstar and Sinclair for answers on their decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air in markets across the country. The decision by Nexstar and Sinclair to stop broadcasting Kimmel’s show comes as both companies are pursuing business opportunities that require approval from the Trump administration. Nexstar, the nation’s largest owner of local television stations and owner of dozens of ABC … Continue Reading
September 26, 2025
Following Push by Wyden and Merkley, Watchdog Agency Opens Investigation into DOGE Accessing Sensitive Data on Student Loan Borrowers
Washington, D.C. — Following a push by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, a watchdog agency has agreed to open an investigation into DOGE accessing sensitive data on student loan borrowers by infiltrating the Department of Education’s internal systems. “Given the sensitive nature of the data [ED] holds, it is crucial that the Department ensures appropriate access to its data systems and maintains effective access controls for system security and privacy protection purposes,” wrote the … Continue Reading
