Press Releases
Wyden, Warren Question Misleading HHS Statements on Child Separation Database
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., demanded answers on whether HHS misled Congress and the public about the implementation of President Trump's "zero tolerance" policy and the agency's ability to track separated parents and children, in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) released today. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report concluding, among other troubling findings, … Continue Reading
October 17, 2018
Senator Wyden Welcomes Strengthening of VA Pension Program to Protect Aging Veterans from Financial Scams
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for making changes he has long advocated to better protect aging veterans from financial scammers known as "pension poachers." The reforms will help stop scammers who pose as "advisors" and profit by selling unsuspecting veterans financial products they don't need and pushing them to apply for benefits for which they would not normally qualify. These poachers convince elderly veterans to … Continue Reading
October 16, 2018
Senator Wyden Statement on Cannabis Legalization in Canada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on the legalization of cannabis in Canada, taking effect on October 17, 2018: "Canada has recognized what Oregonians already understand: cannabis prohibition is a failed policy that wastes resources and destroys lives. Here in the United States, more and more states are following the lead of Oregonians and legalizing cannabis. Americans across the country, and across party lines, support ending this … Continue Reading
October 15, 2018
Wyden, Merkley Seek Answers on Railway Safety Standards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today requested an update from Union Pacific and BNSF on the railway companies' plans to ensure trains carrying hazardous material have updated braking systems. "Too often our constituents in the Pacific Northwest have seen trains carrying crude oil crashing within and around their communities," the lawmakers wrote. "We have seen these trains crash near school buildings, small businesses, and homes, causing extensive damage to … Continue Reading
October 12, 2018
Wyden, Tester Lead Charge to Overturn Controversial Dark Money Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) are leading the charge to overturn a controversial dark money rule that allows special interest groups to hide their donors from authorities. "Restoring this donor disclosure rule is simply common sense. Without it law enforcement officials won't know whether dark money is corrupting our elections," said Wyden, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee. "The Senate must act immediately to reverse the Trump … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Wyden Introduces Wildlife Anti-Trafficking Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced legislation that would toughen federal penalties for illegal wildlife trafficking and international conservation violations. Wyden said his Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act would classify wildlife trafficking operations under federal racketeering and organized crime statutes, enabling U.S. prosecutors to administer substantial fines and prison time to violators. "These brazen wildlife traffickers deserve much … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Wyden & Colleagues Press Administration On LGBTQ Diplomatic Discrimination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined colleagues in calling on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to amend a new Department policy that will halt the provision of diplomatic visas for unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomats and employees posted to the United States or at U.S.-based international organizations. "To bar LGBTQ diplomats from bringing their partners to the United States is to condone the discriminatory policies of many countries around the … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Wyden Bill to Require Paper Ballots, Strengthen Election Security Gains Support from Duckworth, Baldwin, Cantwell, Peters
Washington, D.C. - With a month remaining before the 2018 elections, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced that his bill to strengthen election security and require paper ballots has gained the support of Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Gary Peters, D-Mich. The Protecting American Votes and Elections (PAVE) Act of 2018 requires the use of paper ballots and "risk-limiting" audits for all federal elections, ensuring that election results … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Wyden, Thune Reintroduce Bill to Protect Innovative Digital Goods and Services
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today reintroduced legislation to prevent discriminatory and duplicative taxes on digital goods and services, including online downloads of music, literature, movies, mobile apps, and cloud computing services. The potential for multiple and discriminatory taxes levied on these types of goods and services could threaten the growth and innovation of this important sector of the economy, Wyden and Thune said. "Preventing … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Wyden, Merkley Call For Crackdown on Big Tobacco Social Media Schemes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate tobacco companies' use of social media marketing to target young people. The Oregon senators joined with 13 colleagues in a letter raising specific concerns about tobacco companies' growing use of social media influencers to market their products directly to young consumers and skirt warning requirements and other advertising restrictions. "Tobacco companies' use of social … Continue Reading
October 10, 2018
Wyden Statement on Permanent Appointment of Vicki Christiansen as U.S. Forest Service Chief
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today issued the following statement in response to today's announcement that Vicki Christiansen will be the new U.S. Forest Service Chief: "Vicki Christiansen understands full well the importance of leading the Forest Service into the 21st Century by implementing successful forest management authorities, such as stewardship contracting, in thoughtful and effective ways that help Oregonians and all residents in the West. As a result, she earned the job … Continue Reading
October 10, 2018
Merkley, Wyden Announce Final Passage of Provisions that will Help Klamath Basin Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced final passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which includes drought relief language to assist Klamath Basin farmers who have been hard-hit by drought in recent years. The language is essential for the irrigators to effectively use $10 million in drought relief funds that the lawmakers secured in 2018. "Through drought, wildfires, and other extreme challenges, Klamath Basin irrigators have shown … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Wyden Votes No on Brett Kavanaugh
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., voted 'no' on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court today. "Brett Kavanaugh has neither the character nor the judgment to sit on the Supreme Court. When senators asked him legitimate questions, he responded with a temper tantrum. Imagine if a female nominee defensively snapped at a male senator about his drinking habits. That would be ballgame, then and there. When you can't trust someone to tell the truth, they do not belong … Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
Wyden Floor Statement on Kavanaugh Nomination
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today delivered the following floor statement on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the United States Supreme Court: M. President, This deeply misguided vote to move forward on Brett Kavanaugh's nomination has taken the Senate one step closer to a moment that will cause enormous pain for millions and millions of Americans -- particularly women and survivors of assault. Some might say that the Senate is rolling the clock back on women … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Wyden, Merkley Announce $525,000 Grant for Chemeketa Community College
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Chemeketa Community College earned a $525,066 grant from a federal program that aims to help increase graduation rates for Hispanic students and to expand their educational opportunities. The federal Education Department grant for Chemeketa comes after Wyden and Merkley pressed the school's case in a July 17 letter. "I'm proud to have fought for this grant so Chemeketa can continue building on its great work … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Wyden Praises Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Tackle Opioid Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised the passage of a bipartisan package of bills in the Senate to tackle the nation's growing opioid crisis, including bills Wyden led through the Senate Finance Committee as its ranking Democrat. The bill will now go to the president's desk for signature and then become law. "Oregonians in every corner of our state have been hit hard by our nation's opioid crisis," Wyden said. "This legislation takes an important step towards … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Wyden, Senate Democrats Demand Mick Mulvaney Explain Vetting Process of Political Appointees after Racist and Sexist Blog Post Surfaces
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today joined with 12 other senators to demand that Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) head Mick Mulvaney explain how a top official at the agency was chosen as a political appointee to oversee supervision, enforcement, and fair lending issues given his past racist writings. Last week, the Washington Post uncovered a 2004 blog where CFPB Policy Director Eric Blankenstein, under an alias, posted bigoted writings on race, hate crimes, and women. … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Wyden, Merkley Call for Investigation into Political Interference at Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined their colleagues in calling on the Department of the Interior's Inspector General to investigate political interference in scientific research or communications at the Department. "In April of this year news surfaced alleging political interference with a report by the National Park Service on sea level rise. In response to that news, a number of us wrote a letter requesting that you open an investigation into the … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Wyden Selects Oregonian Bob Joondeph for Social Security Advisory Board
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced that his selection of Oregonian Bob Joondeph has been appointed to the Social Security Advisory Board (SSAB). Joondeph is currently the executive director of Disability Rights Oregon, an advocacy organization for those with disabilities that has been a pioneer for the nation. "I'm proud that one of Oregon's best, Bob Joondeph, can now show the rest of the nation how to fight for dignity and fair treatment for all Americans," … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Senate Passes Wyden, Merkley Bill to Strengthen National Earthquake Resilience Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that the Senate's passage last week of a bipartisan bill they co-sponsored to improve the nation's earthquake preparedness will help Oregon prepare for and respond to earthquakes. "Scientists warn that it is a question of when, not if, Oregon will be struck by a large earthquake," Wyden said. "The best thing to do now is to be prepared with a coordinated plan to minimize the potential devastation to people and property. This … Continue Reading
