Press Releases
Markey, Wyden to CFTC: Are Commodity Investment Funds Skewing Oil Market?
Washington, D.C. - Two Democratic lawmakers today asked the government agency tasked with regulating the nation's commodities markets -- which includes crude oil futures and other derivatives trading -- to investigate whether commodities index funds are artificially inflating the price of oil. The letter, written by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), was sent to Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Gary Gensler. In their letter, the lawmakers express concerns … Continue Reading
March 30, 2012
Wyden Resolution Condemning Killing of Journalists in Syria Unanimously Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. - Coverage of the escalating violence in Syria continues to underscore the essential service that war correspondents provide the world community. As the Syrian government continues to deny the mass killing of civilian protesters, journalists have risked life and limb to deliver an objective account of the conflict. In pursuit of the truth, these men and women have been detained, arrested, wounded and sometimes killed. Last night, the United States Senate unanimously … Continue Reading
March 28, 2012
Fixing Medicare by Keeping Seniors Healthy
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing that raising premiums and cutting benefits aren't the only ways to deal with the growing cost of Medicare, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced legislation today that experts say could save Medicare billions by helping seniors get and stay healthy. The Medicare "Better Health Rewards" program is a 100% voluntary program designed to help Medicare beneficiaries get and stay healthy by giving participating seniors achievable … Continue Reading
March 26, 2012
Wyden and Portman to Lead Expert Panel asking: “Can Medicare Save Money by Keeping Seniors Healthy?”
Washington, D.C. - Need a break from health reform arguments? Think health care should keep people healthy? Want Democrats and Republicans to work together? Join U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rob Portman (R- Ohio) for a healthy snack and a conversation with some of the nation's leading health and wellness experts. The program will focus on the value of wellness programs and how the proposed Medicare "Better Health Rewards" program can help seniors set achievable goals to improve … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
***Webcast Available*** Wyden to Chair Hearing on Bill to Preserve Rogue River as Wild and Scenic Waterway
Washington, D.C. - Continuing work to preserve Oregon's natural beauty for future generations, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will chair a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests discussing Wyden's legislation to preserve 60,000 acres and 93 miles of the Rogue river as wild and scenic; an additional 50 miles of tributaries would be withdrawn from mining. Introduced by Wyden and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in December, the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2012
Wyden Commends Inclusion of “Stand By Your Ad” Extension in Reintroduced Disclose Act
Washington, D.C. - As the first full election cycle since the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling extended personal election rules to corporations, the extent to which corporate influence and that of the Super PACs the ruling inadvertently created is becoming clear. More than ever, election related funds have been collected and spent nearly in secret - distorting the process and further eroding campaign finance protections. In response to the court ruling, a group of senators including U.S. … Continue Reading
March 20, 2012
Wyden Statement on Commerce’s Preliminary Decision to Address Subsidized Solar Panel Imports from China
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement responding to the Commerce Department's preliminary decision that Chinese-made solar are imported in violation of international trade rules. The investigation was sought by American manufacturers of solar panels that contend that unfair trade practices by China are harming American producers. "Today's decision by the Commerce Department is a signal that China's unfair trade practices in the solar energy … Continue Reading
March 19, 2012
Preserving the Medicare Guarantee: Why I've Been Working with Paul Ryan
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) posted the below piece to the Huffington Post explaining why he has been working with Paul Ryan on Medicare reform. The post: Explains why Congress needs to enact Medicare reform; Clears up the misconception that seniors aren't already getting their Medicare from private plans; Illustrates the differences between Wyden-Ryan and last year's House Republican Budget; Expresses his thoughts on Republicans using Wyden-Ryan for political … Continue Reading
March 15, 2012
Senators Seek Two-Year Extension of Wind-Energy Tax Credit
WASHINGTON - Senators Chuck Grassley, Mark Udall, Scott Brown, Tom Harkin, Dean Heller, Ron Wyden, and Michael Bennet today proposed a two-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit scheduled to expire at the end of the year. The bipartisan proposal would prevent a lapse in the credit. Without an extension, as many as 37,000 jobs nationwide could be lost. The senators hope to have the extension passed as quickly as possible in order to provide tax certainty for the renewable … Continue Reading
March 14, 2012
Wyden Statement on Senate Passage of County Payments Extension
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) -- author of the Secure Rural Schools legislation that created the county payments program -- issued the following statement after the Senate passed and sent to the House the Transportation bill that includes a one-year extension of county payments: "I want to thank Senator Merkley and the other members of the Senate for passing a Transportation bill that recognizes the federal government's historic obligation to rural, … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Wyden Schedules Town Halls in Washington, Clatsop, Hood River and Wasco Counties on March 17th and 18th
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will hold his annual town hall meetings in Washington, Clatsop, Hood River and Wasco counties on March 17th and 18th. The meetings will be held in Forest Grove, Astoria, Hood River and The Dalles. Wyden has been holding town halls in every Oregon county every year beginning in 1996. He held his 600th town hall last August in Wheeler County. Washington County Town Hall Meeting Date: March 17, 2012Time: 10 a.m. Location: Forest Grove Senior Center2037 … Continue Reading
March 09, 2012
Wyden Resolution Condemns the Killing of Journalists in Syria
Washington, D.C. - As the armed conflict in Syria continues to escalate, the brave men and women providing news reports from that region are increasingly in danger. Many have been detained or arrested while covering the unrest and some have been wounded or killed. Recognizing the essential service these reporters provide to the rest of the world at great personal risk, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) along with U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand … Continue Reading
March 08, 2012
Wyden’s County Payments Amendment Accepted into the Senate Transportation Bill
Washington, D.C. - As current funding to rural counties for the Secure Rural Schools program known as county payments has expired, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has successfully included a one-year extension of this vital program into the Senate Transportation bill pending on the floor. The amendment is based on legislation Wyden and a bipartisan group of Senators introduced in September to extend the county payments program and provide a support to rural counties struggling to pay for road … Continue Reading
March 06, 2012
Wyden and Merkley Send Names of Five Finalists for Federal Judgeship to the White House
Portland, OR - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent to The White House today the names of five finalists to fill a vacant federal district court judgeship in Eugene. The White House will select one of the candidates and forward it to the Senate for confirmation. The five finalists are (in alphabetical order): Suzanne Chanti, Lane County Circuit Court Judge; Hannah Horsley, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Oregon; Bryan E. Lessley, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Eugene, … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Wyden Says Attorney General’s Speech at Northwestern University Leaves Questions Unanswered
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a senior member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the below statement regarding Attorney General Holder's speech to Northwestern University this afternoon addressing the president's counterterrorism authorities and the administration's understanding of its power to use lethal force against U.S. citizens. Wyden has been asking to see the Administration's secret legal opinions on this topic for more than a year and last … Continue Reading
March 01, 2012
Wyden Leads Bipartisan Effort to Award Defense of Freedom Medals to Civilian Police Officers Killed in Wars
Washington, D.C. - During the course of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, hundreds of civilian police professionals have put themselves in harm's way by going to help train local police forces. More than 20 of them were killed. Those brave men and women are eligible for the Defense of Freedom Medal - the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart - unfortunately the bureaucratic process for nomination is so incredibly difficult for the families of those killed that not one has been … Continue Reading
February 28, 2012
Wyden Report: U.S. Losing Out to China on Goods that Protect the Environment
Washington, D.C. - As President Obama signs an executive order creating an Interagency Trade Enforcement Unit, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden - chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness - issued a report illustrating why trade enforcement matters. Wyden Staff Report: Losing the Environmental Goods Economy to China The report, entitled "Losing the Environmental Goods Economy to China" is the latest in a series of reports … Continue Reading
February 23, 2012
Wyden Schedules Town Halls in Deschutes, Crook, Lake and Klamath Counties
Portland, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will hold his annual town halls in Deschutes, Crook, Lake and Klamath counties on March 3rd and 4th. The meetings will be held in Bend, Prineville, Lakeview and Klamath Falls. Wyden has been holding town halls in every Oregon county every year beginning in 1996. He held his 600th town hall last August in Wheeler County. Deschutes County Town Hall Meeting Date: Saturday, March 3, 2012Time: 2 p.m.Location: Bend Elks Lodge63120 Boyd Acres RoadBend Crook … Continue Reading
February 23, 2012
Wyden Statement on Proposed Closure of Mail Processing Facilities in Bend, Pendleton, Eugene and Salem
Portland, Or - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden issued the following statement today on the U.S. Postal Service's announcement that it plans to close mail distribution centers in Bend, Pendleton, Eugene and Salem. "The closure of the mail processing facilities in Bend, Pendleton, Eugene and Salem will not only add unnecessary delays to the delivery of mail and put a greater burden on hard-working postal employees throughout the state, it also threatens the integrity of Oregon's vote-by-mail system. … Continue Reading
February 22, 2012
Wyden Statement on the President’s Proposal to Reform the Corporate Tax Code
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's proposal to reform the corporate tax code: "I applaud the President for recognizing the need for tax reform but corporate reform alone is simply not enough. Right now, more than 80 percent of all U.S. businesses are filing their taxes through the individual tax code, not the corporate tax code. Those businesses would see little benefit from this proposal. If we want to … Continue Reading
