Press Releases
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
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
September 26, 2025
Merkley, Wyden Announce $28.5 Million to Strengthen and Defend Oregon Communities from Wildfire Threats
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today $28,512,515 is coming to Oregon for six projects across the state to help make communities more resilient to severe wildfires. The federal investments from the U.S. Forest Service and mandated by Congress under the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program will support planning for and reducing wildfire risk, protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure in Oregon and across the nation. “You can’t get ready … Continue Reading
September 25, 2025
Wyden Joins Legislation to Protect Education Programs for Students with Disabilities
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he has joined legislation to ensure the continuation of special education programs for students with disabilities, following the Trump administration’s draconian cuts to the U.S. Department of Education. “Every kid in America deserves equal education opportunities, no matter their background,” Wyden said. “As the Trump administration takes a wrecking ball to special education programs that children with disabilities rely on, our … Continue Reading
September 24, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Call on Trump Administration to Back Off Plan to Gut Vehicle Emissions Standards
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said that they are joining nine of their Senate colleagues in calling for the Trump administration to reverse course on its disastrous decision to eliminate federal standards for greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and medium and heavy-duty trucks that curb air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency recently walked away from decades worth of settled science that greenhouse gas emissions threaten Americans’ … Continue Reading
September 24, 2025
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $18 Million Invested into Oregon Airports
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $18,352,590 into airports throughout Oregon through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “Investing in critical airport improvements like taxiways and lighting strengthens our infrastructure. … Continue Reading
September 24, 2025
Wyden Helps Secure the Release of Oregon Firefighter from ICE Facility
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced today that he has helped secure the release of an Oregon firefighter, Mr. Rigoberto Hernandez, who was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol and subsequently detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, while fighting the Bear Gulch fire in Washington state last month. “Today’s release makes clear that ICE had no business in detaining someone who has followed all the laws and put their … Continue Reading
September 23, 2025
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Announce Bill to Restore NOAA’s Extreme Weather Database, Keep Americans Informed of Natural Disasters
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would reverse the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to terminate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) extreme weather database which has been vital to keeping families, researchers, and policy makers informed on the cost of natural disasters. The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act would require NOAA to restore and maintain the … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Call on Trump Administration to Secure Oregonians’ Food Benefits Against Hackers and Thieves
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today called on the Trump administration to take immediate action to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits against theft and hacking, and implement minimum cybersecurity standards for essential food assistance nationwide following recent reports of a spike in SNAP skimming in Malheur County earlier this month. “To prevent instances like this from recurring, and to earnestly cut down on the organized … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Wyden, Neguse, Dexter Introduce Legislation to Protect Western Communities from Wildfire Smoke
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Representatives Joe Neguse D-Colo., and Maxine Dexter, D-Ore., today reintroduced legislation to provide federal emergency assistance to people in Oregon and nationwide who are harmed by unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke. The Wildfire Smoke Relief Act would protect people lacking air filtration at home or with chronic health conditions by authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide at-risk people with … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million For Rural Mental Health
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $2.2 million to support mental health and acute care workforce development at the Grande Ronde Hospital in Union County. “Rural health care recently has seen extraordinary cuts due to Republicans gutting Medicaid, and it is absolutely essential to support hospital systems and providers to ensure folks get the mental health care they need,” Wyden said. “I applaud Grande Ronde Hospital for receiving this award, … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Wyden, Merkley Announce $7.47 Million to Reduce Wildfire Risk and Boost Timber Production
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $7.4 million to support removal and transport of 417,308 tons of low-value trees and woody debris from national forests to processing facilities, including a critical $4.6 million award to support the forest products industry in Grant County. “Responsible forestry is at the center of Oregon’s identity, and multiple-use of our national forests is critical for combatting the effects of the ongoing climate crisis … Continue Reading
September 18, 2025
Democratic Committee Leaders Introduce Legislation to Protect Free Vaccines for Americans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and bicameral Democratic health committee leaders introduced legislation today that would protect free vaccine coverage for Americans. The Protecting Free Vaccines Act would require private health insurance companies, Medicaid, and Medicare to continue covering recommended vaccines free of cost-sharing for Americans. In addition to Wyden, the legislation was introduced in the Senate by Health, … Continue Reading
September 18, 2025
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Challenge Trump’s Tariffs on Canada
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden refiled legislation to undo Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, he announced today. Since Trump exploited an emergency law - that is nearly half a century old - to launch a trade war with Canada, U.S. distilled spirits declined about 62 percent, while tourism from Canada to the U.S. fell by nearly 34 percent. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on countries across the globe are the largest tax increase on American families in … Continue Reading
