Press Releases
Wyden, Casar Demand GAO Investigation Into Federal Law Enforcement’s Use of Hacking and Spyware on Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Ranking Member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Greg Casar, D-Tex., requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of federal law enforcement agencies’ hacking of Americans’ electronic devices. In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the need for transparency from federal law enforcement regarding its use of hacking and spyware, which it has used for more than 25 … Continue Reading
August 21, 2026
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors from Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they have joined their Senate and House colleagues in introducing legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows domestic abusers to legally obtain firearms. “Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers is common sense,” Wyden said. “It's past time to help end the cycle of gun violence and provide domestic violence survivors with bare minimum protection against their abusers, and our bill is the way … Continue Reading
August 18, 2026
Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the personal health information of the tens of millions of people who rely on Medicaid is protected … Continue Reading
August 18, 2026
Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways
Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways. The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (also known as the Roadside Pollinator Program), will allow native seed mixes and adjusted mowing practices to … Continue Reading
August 17, 2026
Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $15 Million in Federal Grants to Support Oregon Wood Product Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs
Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $15,091,037 in 20 wood innovations projects in Oregon that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and support rural economic prosperity and jobs. This federal funding is critical to ensuring the state’s leadership in the wood products … Continue Reading
August 14, 2026
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Press Trump Administration on Proposed Forest Research and Development Facility Closures, Demand Transparency
Portland, OR - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to provide Congress with a full breakdown of the Service’s decision to potentially close up to 57 U.S. Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) Facilities, including the Portland-based Pacific Northwest Research Station. This lab provides critical data for air quality and forest management, including forest products, tree inventory, and … Continue Reading
August 13, 2026
Wyden, Colleagues Demand State Department Process Student Visas Without Delays
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to express concern about the lack of student and exchange visitor visa appointments in time for the start of the academic year in Oregon and nationwide. Wyden and his fellow senators demanded the Trump administration answer questions about delays processing these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates. “We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange … Continue Reading
August 10, 2026
Wyden, Davidson, Jayapal and Biggs Call for GAO Investigation into Warrantless Federal Surveillance of Americans’ Bank Records
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) launch a new investigation into federal law enforcement's widespread surveillance of Americans' personal bank accounts and financial records. In a letter to Acting Comptroller General Orice W. Brown, the bipartisan members of Congress highlighted severe gaps in judicial oversight, transparency, and … Continue Reading
August 10, 2026
Wyden Hosting Online Hearing to Take Testimony from Rural Oregonians About Health Care
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will host a virtual health care field hearing on Sunday, August 16 to hear from rural Oregonians about their concerns and experiences as patients, consumers of long-term care, family caregivers, nurses, doctors and pharmacists. Wyden’s live online “Reimagining Health Care for America” field hearing will begin at 1:30 pm PT (2:30 pm MT) and can be watched here on YouTube. Oregonians living and working in rural communities can submit … Continue Reading
August 07, 2026
Wyden Passes Bill to Deliver Financial Relief to Wildfire Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today passed legislation that would deliver immediate tax relief to Americans who lose their home from a federally declared natural disaster, including Oregonians who lose their homes in wildfires. The bill’s passage in the Senate comes after Wyden convinced opponents to drop an earlier procedural roadblock. “Common sense prevailed today and that’s great news for Oregonians who shouldn’t have to worry about getting slammed with a huge tax … Continue Reading
August 07, 2026
Wyden, Murkowski Lead Colleagues Calling on Trump Administration to Approve Fisheries Disaster Relief
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, were joined today by Senators Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska in calling on the Trump administration to release long-delayed disaster relief funds for Oregon and Alaska fisheries. “Commercial fisheries are imperative to Oregon and Alaska’s coastal economy, a critical ecological resource, and especially important to indigenous tribes,” the Senators wrote in their letter to Office of Management and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Support Coast Guard Installations and Allow Cost-Saving Community Partnerships
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would allow the U.S. Coast Guard to collaborate with state and local governments through intergovernmental support agreements. “Oregon’s Coast Guard works tirelessly every day to keep our coastal communities and fishermen safe, and they deserve the same tools as the rest of our military branches to operate efficiently,” Wyden said. “This common-sense legislation cuts red tape, … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Drop Effort to Weaken Health Protections for Millions of Americans
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight said today they have joined colleagues to demand the Trump administration withdraw its proposal to roll back drinking water protections, which would remove federal public health limits on the amount of certain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) or “forever chemicals” in our … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Wyden Seeks Passage of Bill to Deliver Financial Relief to Wildfire Victims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sought passage today on the Senate floor of his bill that would deliver immediate tax relief to every American who loses their home from a natural disaster, including Oregonians who lose their homes in wildfires. “When you lose your home in a wildfire, the last thing you should be worried about is being hit by a massive tax bill,” Wyden said in his floor remarks. “The bipartisan disaster relief bill being considered on the floor today would … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Audit the Pentagon and End Wasteful Spending
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in reintroducing legislation that would impose financial consequences if the Pentagon fails to pass a full, independent audit. Any Pentagon department that fails to achieve a clean audit would have 2% of its budget withheld and returned to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction. “Taxpayers cannot keep writing blank checks for a Department of Defense that repeatedly fails to account for trillions … Continue Reading
July 31, 2026
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for Energy Projects That Were Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election. “Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore … Continue Reading
July 31, 2026
Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Codify Women’s Right to Serve in Combat
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce legislation reinforcing the principle that the U.S. military has always relied upon: standards must be based on the demands of the job, not gender. The Women Add Resourcefulness and Resilience to Improve Operational Readiness (WARRIOR) Act would maintain rigorous, gender-neutral standards, especially in light of the U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to order a study … Continue Reading
July 30, 2026
Wyden, Crapo Applaud Committee Passage of Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) lauded today’s committee passage of legislation that would improve the taxpayer experience by strengthening taxpayer rights and modernizing IRS operations, helping build a more efficient, responsive and taxpayer-focused tax administration system. The committee’s 26-1 passage of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes recommendations from the National … Continue Reading
July 30, 2026
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Reinstate Vital HIV/AIDS Prevention Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined colleagues in demanding the Trump administration immediately approve a U.S. Department of State transfer of $2 billion in funding to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR was established in 2003 and has had longstanding bipartisan congressional support. Trump recently launched his “America First Global Health Strategy,” which aims to … Continue Reading
July 29, 2026
Wyden, Merkley Sound Alarm on USDA Rural Development Reorganization
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined their Senate Democratic colleagues Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Peter Welch, D-Vt., Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, in raising strong concerns about the Trump administration’s plan to reorganize the Rural Development mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Rural … Continue Reading