Press Releases
Wyden and Udall Statement on the Declassification of FISA Court Opinions on Bulk Collection of Phone Data
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) issued the following statement after the declassification -- as a result of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union -- of more than 1800 pages of previously secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court opinions and other documents on the government's bulk collection of Americans' phone records. "When the executive branch acknowledged … Continue Reading
August 29, 2013
Wyden: All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Now Recognized for Federal Tax Purposes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded a ruling by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that all legally married same-sex couples will be treated as married for federal tax purposes. "Today's ruling is another step toward ensuring that every American gets the same rights, responsibilities, protections and benefits no matter who they love and share their lives with," Wyden said. "This will directly impact families' financial health, and … Continue Reading
August 29, 2013
Wyden: USDA Must Provide Fairness For Rural Counties
Washington, D.C. - Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., demanded an immediate explanation for new, higher sequestration bills sent to states that received funding through the Secure Rural Schools program. That program provides a lifeline - funding schools, roads and emergency services in more than 700 rural counties that saw timber harvests plummet as a result of federal land management and environmental rules. "I am astounded by the lack of Agency … Continue Reading
August 23, 2013
Wyden Joins Forest Service, Local Officials on Monday, August 26, to Discuss Wildfire Prevention in the Deschutes National Forest
Portland, OR - As wildfires continue to burn in Oregon and across the west, the Deschutes National Forest has escaped any major fires so far this year. A lot of this good fortune is the result of hard work by the U.S. Forest Service and the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project to make the forest healthier and more fire resistant. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will meet with members of the Forest Service, Deschutes County Commissioners and members of the collaborative on Monday, August 23, 2013, … Continue Reading
August 23, 2013
Wyden, U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall to Address Zonta International on Efforts to Stop Sex Trafficking
Portland, OR - On Wednesday, August 27, 2013, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall will address a meeting of Zonta International on efforts to stop sex trafficking of underage girls and boys. A recent study by Portland State University released by Marshall shows that the number of children being sold for sex in the Portland area is greater than originally thought. Wyden, who introduced anti-sex trafficking legislation in Congress, will be joined by State Rep. Val Hoyle, … Continue Reading
August 21, 2013
Wyden Statement on Declassification of FISA Court Ruling on 4th Amendment Violations
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding the declassification of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruling stating that the NSA's collection procedures had violated the 4th Amendment to the Constitution and the spirit of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "While the declassification of the FISA court's ruling on the constitutionality of Section 702 collection procedures is an important addition to the public discussion being … Continue Reading
August 19, 2013
Wyden Applauds Boost for Self-Employment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced that Oregon has received $332,576 in federal grant funding to help expand the state's efforts to give aspiring entrepreneurs the option of using unemployment insurance money to start their own businesses. "Self-employment assistance is an innovative and cost-effective way to help smart, entrepreneurial people not only find work but create jobs for others," Wyden said. "This funding will help Oregon improve and expand its program, … Continue Reading
August 16, 2013
Wyden, Udall Statement on Reports of Compliance Violations Made Under NSA Collection Programs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) issued the following statement regarding reports that the NSA has violated rules intended to protect Americans' privacy thousands of times each year. Wyden and Udall are both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "The executive branch has now confirmed that the 'rules, regulations and court-imposed standards for protecting the privacy of Americans' have been violated thousands of times each year. We have … Continue Reading
August 15, 2013
Senators Wyden of Oregon and Crapo and Risch of Idaho to Get Wildfire Briefing at National Interagency Fire Center in Boise on Tuesday, August 20
Portland, OR - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) will visiting the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise Tuesday, August 20, 2013, to thank firefighters for their extremely hard and dangerous work in yet another hazardous season for fighting wildfires. During the visit, the Senators will note that the country can do better in preventing catastrophic fires by using collaborative land management efforts and stronger proactive management … Continue Reading
August 09, 2013
Wyden Statement on President Obama’s Proposed Reforms to the FISC and PATRIOT ACT
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding President Obama's announcement of potential reforms to Section 215 of the PATRIOT ACT and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. "Many of the reforms proposed by the President stem from suggestions made by myself and my colleagues to deal with the severe threat to civil liberties posed by current surveillance authorities and programs. While more details are clearly necessary, the President's … Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
Wyden Stands Up for Rural Counties
Washington, D.C. -To protect Secure Rural Schools payments, which provide vital funding for counties in Oregon and across the country, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today placed a public hold on S. 101, a bill to prohibit the provision of federal funds to state and local governments for payment of obligations. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act funds schools, roads and law-enforcement services in rural and timber counties across the country, to compensate for the loss … Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
Wyden, Thune Seek to Make Permanent Protections Against Unfair Internet Taxes
Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D) today introduced legislation, the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, to make permanent the existing ban on Internet access taxes and on multiple and discriminatory taxes on e-commerce. The Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA), originally enacted in 1998 and extended three times, is currently scheduled to expire November 1, 2014. "As the Internet Tax Freedom Act enabled and promoted Internet access and adoption across … Continue Reading
August 01, 2013
Blumenthal, Wyden, Udall Unveil Major Legislation To Reform FISA Courts
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) - joined by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) - unveiled two bills that would ensure FISA courts properly balance the need to protect national security with constitutional and statutory requirements to safeguard individual rights to privacy and liberty. The first bill - the FISA Court Reform Act of 2013 - would create a Special Advocate with the power to argue in the FISA courts on behalf of the right to privacy … Continue Reading
July 31, 2013
Wyden: Declassified Documents Show How Inaccurate Statements Have Misled Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding the declassified documents released by the Director of National Intelligence today: "The newly declassified briefing documents released today show that the executive branch repeatedly made inaccurate statements to Congress about the value and effectiveness of the bulk email records collection program that was carried out under the USA PATRIOT Act until 2011. These statements had the effect of … Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
Wyden Statement on Japan’s Decision to Resume Purchases of Oregon Wheat
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement today on the decision by the Japanese government to resume purchases of U.S. western-white wheat. The decision ends a two-month ban on the grain purchases following the apparent discovery of unapproved gene-altered crop on an Oregon farm. "With the wheat crop ready for harvest, the news that Japan will join South Korea and Taiwan in resuming purchasing of Oregon wheat comes at the perfect time for wheat … Continue Reading
July 29, 2013
Wyden Statement on Voting Present on the Nomination of James Comey to be FBI Director
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding his decision to vote "present" on the confirmation of James Comey to be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: "Today, I voted present on the nomination of James Comey to be the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The head of the FBI is responsible for approving and overseeing a large number of surveillance activities, and it is an unfortunate fact that the FBI's … Continue Reading
July 26, 2013
Wyden and Udall: Intelligence Community's Response Leaves Important Surveillance Questions Unanswered
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mark Udall, D-Colo., released the following statement after receiving a response from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to their June 27, 2013 letter sent along with 24 fellow senators: "This response is appreciated, but the intelligence community still has left many of the questions most important to the American people unanswered. Given the implications for the privacy of the millions of law-abiding Americans, intelligence … Continue Reading
July 25, 2013
Wyden, Thune Bill Protects Innovative Digital Goods from Multiple and Discriminatory Taxes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, today introduced 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. Their bill would clarify federal rules related to the taxation of digital goods and services, and prevent unfair and duplicative taxation. The potential for multiple … Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
Wyden Statement on Amash/Conyers Amendment to End Dragnet Collection of Americans’ Records
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding the amendment to the House Defense Appropriations bill offered by Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and John Conyers (D- Mich.) that would have ended the NSA's dragnet collection of Americans' records: "Today the debate on warrantless surveillance of ordinary Americans finally took place where it should have been occurring all along: in public and on the floor of the Congress, rather than another closed … Continue Reading
July 22, 2013
Wyden Letter to Comey Seeks FBI Director Nominee’s Views on Surveillance Activities
Washington, D.C. - As former U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Comey's nomination to become the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is being considered by the U.S. Senate, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent Mr. Comey a letter seeking his views on current and former U.S. surveillance activities. Mr. Comey served as the Deputy Attorney General during the Administration of President George W. Bush and was involved in the legal debate surrounding Bush-era surveillance activities. If … Continue Reading
