Press Releases
Wyden, Grassley Press for Answers on Continuous Monitoring of Whistleblower and Legislative Branch Communications
WASHINGTON - Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden are pressing the Director of National Intelligence to explain in detail how the intelligence community plans to implement continuous monitoring of security clearance holders without undermining legal protections for whistleblowers or constitutional protections for the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. In a letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Grassley and Wyden noted that any monitoring … Continue Reading
June 12, 2014
Wyden Praises New Whistleblower Protections, Raises Alarm on Limits to Intelligence Professionals’ Free Speech Rights, in Senate Speech
Washington, D.C. - In remarks on the Senate floor, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., highlighted a provision in the 2014 Intelligence Authorization bill which provides new statutory protections for intelligence agency whistleblowers. Wyden and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, succeeded in including the new protections in the bill, which passed unanimously late Wednesday evening. Wyden also raised serious concerns about a new policy directive from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence … Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
Wyden, Merkley Seek Answers on Oil Trains Order
Washington, D.C. - To help first responders in Oregon and other states receive better information about oil trains traveling through their communities, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley asked the National Transportation Safety Board about the sufficiency of last month's emergency order issued by the Department of Transportation, in a letter yesterday. The DOT's emergency order currently requires railroad companies to notify states of crude oil shipments only from the Bakken region, … Continue Reading
June 09, 2014
Following New Report, Oregon Senators Call for Changes at Local VA Hospitals and Accountability for Those Who Let Down Oregon’s Veterans
WASHINGTON - Following the release of a new report that revealed vast numbers of Oregon veterans have been unable to access care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, Oregon's Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called Monday for renewed accountability and dramatic action to turn around a system they described as failing Oregon's veterans. The report revealed that both the Portland VA Medical Center and the Roseburg VA Medical Center were among the worst in the nation … Continue Reading
June 05, 2014
Wyden Statement at Intelligence Committee Hearing: Why Hasn’t The Executive Branch Stopped Vacuuming Up Americans’ Phone Records?
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., emphasized the need to pass a true reform bill that guarantees the end of overreaching mass surveillance programs, and asked why the executive branch hasn't ended unnecessary and intrusive collection of American's records, during a rare open session of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today. Watch Sen. Wyden's questions here. A transcript of his questions is below: First round: WYDEN: Thank you Madam Chair, let me commend you on … Continue Reading
June 04, 2014
Wyden, Merkley and Sanders Introduce New Bill to Bring Accountability to the VA
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and several of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bill late yesterday to bring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to cut through the red tape that keeps veterans waiting far too long for care, following the release of reports revealing systematic problems in meeting the health care needs of our nation's veterans. "The Inspector General's report shows that VA officials … Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Wyden: Inaction on Climate Change is No Longer an Option
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030: "American businesses, farmers, ranchers and families are experiencing the effects of climate change in the United States today. Inaction on climate change is no longer an option, so those who would criticize EPA's plan have a responsibility to put forward their own ideas on how to move to a … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Wyden Statement on New DOE Process for LNG Terminal Decisions
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the Department of Energy's new proposal for considering liquefied natural gas export applications: "Natural gas is a strategic advantage - America has it and the world wants it. The Energy Department is doing the right thing today by taking steps to protect America's advantage. I have long said that the studies DOE has relied on need to be updated to reflect current market conditions and data. I am pleased to see … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Wyden, Kirk Call on President Obama to Raise Issue of Human Rights Violations in Iran
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., today sent a letter to President Obama to express concern over the ongoing human rights abuses and offenses taking place in Iran. The Senators, along with 21 other U.S. Senators and a number of U.S. Representatives, urged the President to seize the opportunity to raise the issue as nuclear talks with the Iranian government continue. "Tehran's continued abuse of its own citizens and targeting of minorities should serve as … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Wyden Opposes Watered-Down House USA Freedom Act
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the U.S. House passage of its version of the USA Freedom Act: "I am gravely concerned that the changes that have been made to the House version of this bill have watered it down so far that it fails to protect Americans from suspicionless mass surveillance. The new text of the bill states that the government must use a 'selection term' to collect Americans' records, but the bill's definition of a "selection term" … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Wyden, Merkley Feinstein, Boxer Introduce Klamath Basin Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Moving quickly to build on the work done by local ranchers, tribes, and federal and state officials, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introduced legislation today that will put into law the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement that was signed last month. The Upper Klamath Basin Agreement was hammered out by a task force appointed last year by Wyden, along with Merkley, Congressman Greg Walden and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Senator Ron Wyden in Bend on Friday, May 23, to Discuss Oil Train Safety with Local, State and Federal Officials
Portland, OR - With more and more oil trains moving through Oregon, including Central Oregon, and growing concerns about public safety, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will meet on Friday, May 23, 2014, at 1:30 p.m.. with local, state, and federal officials, including first responders. Among the federal officials expected to attend is the Western Region Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Who: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden; Sean … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Wyden in Jackson County for Memorial Day Events in Central Point and Eagle Point
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will attend two Memorial Day events in Jackson County on Monday. He will speak at events at the Fallen War Heroes Memorial in Central Point and at the Eagle Point National Cemetery. Monday, May 26, Memorial Day: 9 a.m., Central Point, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Fallen War Heroes Memorial, Don Jones Memorial Park, 223 W. Vilas Road. 11 a.m., Eagle Point, Eagle Point National Cemetery, 2763 Riley … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Wyden Floor Statement on Drone Memos and Barron Nomination
Washington, D.C. - In a Senate floor speech this morning, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., discussed the administration's recent commitment to make public a previously secret memo that outlines the government's rationale for killing Americans overseas, and announced his support for David Barron's nomination to the 1st Judicial Circuit. View Sen. Wyden's full floor speech on YouTube here. The text of the speech, as prepared for delivery, is below. Floor Statement of Senator Ron Wyden on the … Continue Reading
May 20, 2014
Wyden Praises Move to Bolster Federal Firefighting Airtanker Fleet
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today expressed support for the U.S. Forest Service's addition of four aircraft to its firefighting fleet at the start of what is expected to be a dangerous year for wildfires. "Fire season is already here. Devastating wildfires are ripping through California, and up the coast drought dangerously dries out much of southern Oregon," Wyden said. "The administration's deployment of these next-generation air tankers is crucial for this and future fire … Continue Reading
May 19, 2014
Wyden Applauds Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following statement in response to a U.S. District Court's decision to strike down Oregon's ban on gay marriage: "Judge Michael McShane's decision marks a significant moment in Oregon's civil rights history, and it's an important step toward equal rights for all Americans. Every American deserves the freedom to marry the person they love, and, starting today, all Oregonians will have that choice. I am proud to have stood with Oregon's same-sex … Continue Reading
May 16, 2014
Wyden, Udall, Portman, Landrieu Renew Bipartisan Kids to Parks Day Push
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mark Udall, D-Colo., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Mary Landrieu, D-La., joined together this week to urge America's youth to live active lifestyles and to enjoy and protect our nation's special places by introducing a resolution to mark the fourth annual Kids to Parks Day. Launched in 2011 with the National Park Trust, Kids to Parks Day has become the national kickoff to a summer of events at local, state and national parks. The U.S. Senate passed the resolution … Continue Reading
May 12, 2014
Advisory: Wyden to Hold Reddit AMA on Net Neutrality With Alexis Ohanian on Tuesday
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of reddit, will hold a reddit "Ask Me Anything" on net neutrality and promoting an open Internet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. PST/5 p.m EST. The joint AMA question-and-answer session will be posted here, shortly before it is scheduled to … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Wyden, Merkley Call for Expanded Transparency In Oil Trains Order
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the Department of Transportation to ensure railroads notify states of all oil shipments moving by train, not just oil from one region of the country, as a DOT emergency order issued earlier this week required. The emergency order announced by the DOT on Wednesday would only require rail companies to notify State Emergency Response Commissions of rail shipments of oil produced in the Bakken Formation region found in Montana … Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Senators Urge FCC to Promote Net Neutrality, Reverse Proposal to Create Internet Toll Lanes
Washington, D.C. - In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, 11 U.S. senators called for the FCC to protect net neutrality and reject efforts by big cable companies to extort businesses for the right to provide content at the fastest Internet speeds. Net neutrality - the principle that all Internet traffic travels at the same speed, regardless of its source - governed the Internet for decades, to the benefit of innovators, consumers and the U.S. economy. Sens. … Continue Reading
