Press Releases

December 04, 2014

Wyden Introduces Bill To Ban Government-Mandated Backdoors Into Americans’ Cellphones and Computers

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced the Secure Data Act to protect Americans' privacy and data security. The bill prohibits government mandates to build backdoors or security vulnerabilities into U.S. software and electronics. U.S. government officials have recently proposed to compel companies to build backdoors in the security features of their products. These proposals threaten to undermine the development and deployment of strong data security technologies … Continue Reading


November 25, 2014

Wyden Asks FAA to Update Unmanned Aircraft Rules

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to speed up approvals for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test permits, and to ensure the agency's plans to regulate these aircraft don't fall behind schedule, in a letter sent today. The FAA created six test sites across the country to study unmanned aircraft in response to a request from Congress in 2012 to craft regulations that meet the unique safety challenges posed by UAS. The agency, … Continue Reading


November 25, 2014

Wyden, Burr, 39 Other Senators Urge Funding Solution for LWCF

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and a bipartisan coalition of 39 of their Senate colleagues urged Senate leaders Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to work with them to find a permanent funding solution for the Land and Water Conservation Fund before the end of the current Congress on Dec. 31, in a letter sent yesterday. The LWCF program, which helps ensure access to outdoor recreation areas by providing funding to protect public lands … Continue Reading


November 18, 2014

Wyden Statement on USA Freedom Act Vote

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after the Senate failed to advance its version of the USA Freedom Act: "Today's vote showed a strong bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate is ready to debate intelligence reform and start the process of ending the mass surveillance dragnet," Wyden said. "They join a chorus of Americans who oppose these programs, which violate the privacy of millions of Americans without making our country safer. Although I'm … Continue Reading


November 18, 2014

Bipartisan, Bicoastal Group of Lawmakers Calls on Coast Guard to Keep Facilities Open

Washington, D.C. - In a continued effort to ensure the safety of residents living and working in coastal areas, members of Congress from South Carolina today joined Oregon lawmakers in calling on the U.S. Coast Guard to keep facilities in Oregon and South Carolina from closing next month. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Representatives Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Earl Blumenauer, … Continue Reading


November 14, 2014

Wyden Bill to Implement Landmark Klamath Basin Agreement Passes Energy Committee

Washington, D.C. - Legislation by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to implement landmark water resources agreements in the Klamath Basin passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. It now moves to the full Senate. The Klamath Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act (S. 2379) would comprehensively settle water rights disputes in favor of collaborative solutions to water management in the basin. The bill provides an end to the water wars that made the Klamath Basin a … Continue Reading


November 14, 2014

Wyden: White House Contribution to Climate Fund "Sets the Bar High”

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after it was reported that the White House will contribute $3 billion to a United Nations fund to help developing countries combat climate change: "I commend the President on this significant commitment to support the world's poorest countries in tackling climate change through a public-private partnership that carries forward work begun by the Bush Administration," Wyden said. "This sets the bar high for other … Continue Reading


November 13, 2014

Energy Committee Passes Wyden O&C Bill that Significantly Boosts Timber Harvests

Washington, D.C. - Washington, D.C. -Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden's O&C forestry bill passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today, with new provisions to dramatically increase timber harvests, ensure unprecedented certainty for timber sales and create the strongest legislative protection ever for Northwest old growth. "I am proud to announce this bill is now expected to generate more than 400 million board feet every year for 50 years on O&C lands - more than … Continue Reading


November 13, 2014

Marine Hydropower Bill Passes Committee

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that his bill to encourage development of electricity from the water power in oceans, rivers and lakes took a step forward when it passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. The Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2014 (S. 1419) facilitates marine hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies that generate emissions-free renewable energy from ocean tides and waves, and the free-flowing water in rivers and lakes. … Continue Reading


November 10, 2014

Wyden and Oregon Library Association urge FCC to protect net neutrality

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Oregon Library Association President Candice Watkins, in an op-ed in the East Oregonian, call for Oregonians to join in their fight to ensure equal access to the Internet. The governing principle of the Internet to date has been net neutrality - bits are bits, and Internet service providers should not prioritize content delivery based on ability to pay. Net neutrality ensures that all Internet users can seek out and find information from all points of … Continue Reading


October 31, 2014

Wyden: CIA Demand To Black Out Torture Report Details Would Be Unprecedented

Washington, D.C. -The Central Intelligence Agency's call to black out all pseudonyms from the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on torture would be unprecedented - and represents an unacceptable effort to obscure key facts, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today. "This report is about mistakes, misdeeds and falsehoods that were repeated over a period of years. If you don't know whether they were repeated by different officials each time, or by the same officials over and over, you really … Continue Reading


October 28, 2014

Merkley, Wyden and Schrader Persuade Coast Guard to Delay Newport Helicopter Closure

Portland, OR - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congressman Kurt Schrader today spoke with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and got assurance from him that the November 30th date previously set for the closure of the Newport helicopter facility would be extended to December 15th. The Coast Guard agreed that this additional time would allow for a more extensive and thorough discussion of the risks to recreational fishing, commercial fishing and other activities on the Central … Continue Reading


October 22, 2014

Wyden, Merkley, Schrader, DeFazio, Blumenauer and Bonamici to Coast Guard: Keep Newport Air Facility Open Through Crabbing Season

Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined today with Oregon Representatives Kurt Schrader, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici to call on the U.S. Coast Guard to hold off on its abrupt decision to shut down its Newport Air Facility and to keep open this important piece of the coastal safety net through the busy crabbing season. The Coast Guard with little notice announced this month that it plans to close the Newport Air Facility by December 1. At a … Continue Reading


October 22, 2014

Wyden Asks Energy Department to Study Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D- Ore., today asked the Department of Energy to follow through on a recommendation from the Government Accountability Office to study the size and make-up of the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve - the largest emergency supply of crude oil in the world. In a report released Monday, the GAO noted that increased domestic crude oil production, combined with decreasing net oil imports as well as industry developments and related public policies … Continue Reading


October 22, 2014

Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio Urge VA Secretary To Oversee Selection of Next Roseburg VA Director

Washington, DC- Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Congressman Peter DeFazio today to urge VA Secretary Bob McDonald to oversee the selection of the next director for the VA Roseburg Healthcare System (VARHS). Because of long-standing concerns about management, unacceptable delays in care, and allegations of unethical practices at VARHS, the Oregon lawmakers asked in a joint letter that the VA Secretary personally "oversee this critical hiring decision." In their letter to … Continue Reading


October 15, 2014

Merkley and Wyden Announce $8.4 Million to help Oregonians Get Back to Work

Washington DC - Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Oregon $8.4 million to help get unemployed Oregonians back to work. The grant awarded to Worksystems Inc. is part of the Ready to Work Partnership and will help recruit, train, support and place individuals who have been struggling with long-term unemployment. "Getting Oregonians to work is my number one priority and this money does exactly that," said Senator Merkley. … Continue Reading


October 08, 2014

Wyden, Merkley, Schrader, DeFazio, Blumenauer and Bonamici Ask Coast Guard to Keep Newport Air Facility Open

Portland, OR - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were joined by Oregon Representatives Kurt Schrader, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici today to urge the U.S. Coast Guard to reverse its sudden decision to close its air facility in Newport. In a letter to Admiral Paul Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Oregon lawmakers stressed the safety implications of closing the facility, writing that the unilateral decision to permanently shut Newport's doors this … Continue Reading


September 30, 2014

Wyden, Markey Press Administration to Ensure Public Safety in Fracking Rule

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Ed Markey, D- Mass., and 10 other senators today pressed for greater transparency and strong safety standards while the administration considers a new rule for hydraulic fracturing methods on public lands, in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget today. The senators called for public disclosure of all chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, "strong and consistent" standards for the construction and maintenance of hydraulic … Continue Reading


September 30, 2014

Whistleblower Protection Act Intended to Shield Whistleblowers from Agency Rules Undermining the Law

WASHINGTON - In an amicus brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives argued that Congress intended for whistleblowers who are federal government employees to be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act for making disclosures, unless explicitly prohibited by statute. Senators Ron Wyden and Chuck Grassley and Representatives Darrell Issa, Elijah Cummings, Blake Farenthold and Stephen F. Lynch signed an amicus brief in … Continue Reading


September 30, 2014

Wyden, Barrasso: Forest Service Photo Rule Must Not Trample First Amendment Rights

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., today called for the immediate withdrawal of a misguided U.S. Forest Service rule, which would require permits and fees - potentially up to $1,500 - from reporters and bloggers who take photographs or videos in wilderness areas. In a joint letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Wyden and Barrasso wrote that the proposed rule clearly violates the Constitution's First Amendment protections for press … Continue Reading

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