Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Wyden Statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
The Senate has no weightier responsibility this fall than consideration of the nuclear agreement recently negotiated by the United States, key world powers, and Iran. The decision facing each Senator this week will be whether to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or to reject it. For me, this decision has been as difficult as they come. The fundamental question for me is what this agreement means for the prospects of Iran getting a nuclear bomb. This agreement with the duplicitous … Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Wyden Statement on Policy Changes to Open Relations with Cuba
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden issued the following statement today, praising President Obama's announcement of new steps to open up relations with the Cuban people: "I applaud the President for today's announcement and for taking these historic steps to normalize relations with Cuba. I have long believed that trade and engagement are liberalizing forces and I look forward to working with my colleagues and with our diplomats to bring about the progress in Cuba that we all want to see. I … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
Wyden: Strengthen European Allies By Aiding Europe’s Energy Development
Washington, D.C. - In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, Sen. Ron Wyden today called for the United States to reduce Eastern Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas, by giving allies like Poland the expertise and know-how they need to develop their own energy resources. "It is time to do something real to bolster Europe's energy security by helping them develop Eastern Europe's substantial natural gas reserves and reduce the leverage Russia has over its energy-dependent … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Sens. Paul, Wyden and Gillibrand Introduce Bill to Repeal AUMF for Iraq
WASHINGTON - Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today introduced S.1919, which would repeal the Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) for Iraq and officially bring the Iraq war to a close. This bipartisan effort is co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jon Tester (D- Mont.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). "Two years ago, President Obama declared the war in Iraq over. With the return of our troops and … Continue Reading
December 04, 2012
Wyden, Isakson Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Morsi to Crack Down on Arms Smuggling into Gaza
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the role Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi played in brokering the Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire last month, 18 U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle sent a letter to President Morsi urging him to step up efforts to stop arms smuggling through the Sinai and into Gaza that could reignite the conflict between Israel and Hamas. U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers urge President Morsi to allow the peace … Continue Reading
March 30, 2012
Wyden Resolution Condemning Killing of Journalists in Syria Unanimously Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. - Coverage of the escalating violence in Syria continues to underscore the essential service that war correspondents provide the world community. As the Syrian government continues to deny the mass killing of civilian protesters, journalists have risked life and limb to deliver an objective account of the conflict. In pursuit of the truth, these men and women have been detained, arrested, wounded and sometimes killed. Last night, the United States Senate unanimously … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Wyden Resolution Condemns the Killing of Journalists in Syria
Washington, D.C. - As the armed conflict in Syria continues to escalate, the brave men and women providing news reports from that region are increasingly in danger. Many have been detained or arrested while covering the unrest and some have been wounded or killed. Recognizing the essential service these reporters provide to the rest of the world at great personal risk, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) along with U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand … Continue Reading
November 23, 2011
Wyden, McGovern Statement on Release of Bahraini Human Rights Report
Washington, D.C. - Reaffirming their opposition to the sale of arms to the Kingdom of Bahrain until sustaining human rights improvements are made, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass) released the following statement on the Bahrain Independent Commission's report on human rights: "The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's (BICI) report confirms accounts from human rights groups and Bahrainis who have spoken out against the abuses of this year. … Continue Reading
October 06, 2011
Wyden and McGovern Introduce Resolutions Blocking Arms Sale to Bahrain
Washington, D.C. - As the Arab Spring spread across the Arab world, ordinary citizens in the Kingdom of Bahrain began to rise up and demand political and economic rights from their government. The ruling family, members of a powerful Sunni minority, responded through violent suppression of dissent - jailing and sometimes killing those who spoke out against the regime and anyone who aided them. Today, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative James McGovern (D-Mass.) have … Continue Reading
June 22, 2011
Wyden Statement on President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has issued the following statement on President Obama's speech on Afghanistan. "While I am pleased that the President is starting to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, as I have long been saying, I would like to see our forces transition from a broad counterinsurgency strategy to a more focused - and more sustainable - counterterrorism strategy. By that I mean that American troops should continue conducting operations against al-Qaida - which still … Continue Reading
June 05, 2008
Wyden Says Review of Rumsfeld Pre-War Congressional Testimony is Needed
WASHINGTON, DC - Working to ensure public accountability for the administration's rush into the Iraq War, US Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called today for a review of Congressional testimony by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in light of new information in a report just released by the Intelligence Committee. "This is stunning," said Wyden. "The Secretary of Defense, testifying before Congress about whether or not … Continue Reading
June 02, 2008
Wyden to meet with Oregon Iraq, Afghanistan war veterans about new G.I. bill, better benefits
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will meet on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 with Oregon Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans about the need for a new G.I. Bill to improve educational and other benefits for members of National Guard and the Reserves. He will be joined by Gen. Mike Caldwell of the Oregon National Guard.Currently, National Guard and Reserve members who have fought in the Middle East since 9/11 do not receive fewer benefits than those in the regular armed forces. Wyden supports … Continue Reading
May 20, 2008
Report Raises Concerns About the Effectiveness of Coercive Interrogation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) a senior member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in response to the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General's (DOJ IG) report entitled: "Review of the FBI's Involvement in and Observations of Detainee Interrogations in Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan and Iraq." The DOJ IG's report is available at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/s0805/final.pdf "Today the DOJ IG shines light … Continue Reading
January 28, 2008
Wyden Statement on the State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued the following statement in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address: "I agree with the President when he says that Democrats and Republicans have a responsibility to work together for the American people. While I agree with his sentiment, I disagree with his approach. When it comes to the economy, Americans need more than tax cuts for the most fortunate few and one-time rebates - they need a long-term economic … Continue Reading
October 30, 2007
Specter, Wyden Introduce Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2007
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senators Arlen Specter, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Ron Wyden, member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced legislation that expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of Saudi Arabia must cooperate with the United States in the war against terrorism.The legislation calls on Saudi Arabia to immediately and unconditionally: permanently close all organizations in Saudi Arabia that fund, train, incite, encourage, or … Continue Reading
October 01, 2007
Wyden Provision Blocking Sale of F-14 Parts to Iran Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. - Working to stop the sale of surplus aircraft parts to Iran, the U.S. Senate today passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which included a provision based on the "Stop Arming Iran Act" introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The provision will prohibit the Pentagon from selling surplus parts and equipment for F-14 fighter aircraft. Iran is the only country-other than the United States-that flies F-14s."This provision will keep crucial aircraft … Continue Reading
September 10, 2007
Wyden Statement on General Petraeus's Report
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued the following statement today in response to General David Petraeus's testimony before the U.S. House Armed Service Committee:"General Petraeus's focus on selective military successes in Iraq obscures the larger problem: military tactics are not bringing about political reconciliation. "For four and a half years, the Bush administration has been telling the American people that if we stay the course in Iraq conditions will change. … Continue Reading
May 22, 2007
Senators Ask for Answers as Report Labels Sudan a "Strong Partner in the War on Terror"
Washington, DC - In a letter to Director of National Intelligence, Michael McConnell, members of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence raised concerns about the State Department's recent characterization of the Sudanese government as a "strong partner in the War on Terror." Citing the state-sponsored genocide that has killed hundreds of thousands of people in the Darfur region of Sudan, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Sheldon … Continue Reading
May 22, 2007
Wyden Calls for Mandated Redeployment of U.S. Troops from Iraq
Washington, DC - Calling for the redeployment of American forces in Iraq, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced his support today for the Feingold-Reid amendment, which would require the President to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq by March 31, 2008."For more than four years, the Bush administration has been telling the American people that conditions in Iraq would change. They have, but for the worse. Today it is up to Congress to let the President and his administration know that using … Continue Reading
April 06, 2007
Statement by U.S. Senator Ron WydenRegarding America's Eventual Withdrawal from Iraq
It is my belief that we should withdraw our military from Iraq as soon as we are able to ensure that our departure will not be followed by a Rwanda or Darfur of our own making.While I was one of 23 U.S. Senators who voted against going to war in Iraq, I also acknowledge that -- once the President invaded that nation -- we inherited a moral obligation to attempt to leave Iraq with a more peaceful and prosperous future. While I will not and cannot defend the misleading information used by … Continue Reading
