Press Releases
Wyden, Durbin, Murray & Colleagues Urge FDA to Protect Kids from Tobacco Use and Addiction
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., today led a group of their colleagues in calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take stronger action to reduce youth use of addictive electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) by immediately requiring manufacturers to remove kid-appealing flavored e-cigarettes from the market. More than two million middle and high-schoolers are using e-cigarettes today, making them the most popular … Continue Reading
October 26, 2018
Wyden, Merkley & Senate Colleagues Oppose Trump Administration’s Proposed Fuel Economy Roll-back
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined their colleagues today in opposing the Trump administration's recent proposal to roll back fuel economy standards, which would harm consumers, and lead to increased oil consumption and the emission of more global warming pollution. In a letter sent today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT), the Senators urge the agencies to reject the preferred alternative of freezing the fuel … Continue Reading
October 26, 2018
Merkley, Wyden Announce Renewable Energy Grants Across Oregon
PORTLAND, OR - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that nearly $428,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants will support renewable energy projects across Oregon. "By making a one-time investment in renewable energy, these Oregon farms, ranches and other businesses together will save over $100,000 on their utility bills each year," said Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development. "Investing … Continue Reading
October 25, 2018
Merkley, Wyden Announce Grants for Rural Business Development
PORTLAND, OR - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced nearly $560,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Development grants were awarded to projects across Oregon. "Oregon can't be successful if we don't have good jobs and vibrant communities in rural parts of the state," said Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development. "Small businesses are the anchor of our rural economies, and the … Continue Reading
October 25, 2018
Wyden, Markey, Merkley Question White House Use of Air Force One and Other Taxpayer Resources for Campaign Events
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., questioned whether the president has fully repaid taxpayers for his use of government resources to conduct political and campaign events, in a letter sent to the White House today. The senators noted that Donald Trump has specifically called for the election of political candidates in events in Illinois, Missouri and Florida that were designated as official, non-campaign activities. Federal law … Continue Reading
October 23, 2018
Wyden, Heinrich, Harris Seek Intelligence Related to Trump’s Statements About Chinese Interference in 2016 Election
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today asked whether U.S. intelligence supports Donald Trump's claims that China interfered in the 2016 election. In a letter to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, the senators asked if the intelligence community concurs with the president's claim on 60 Minutes that China "meddled" in the 2016 election." The senators also reiterated … Continue Reading
October 23, 2018
Wyden Applauds Governor Brown’s Executive Order Banning Oil Drilling Off Oregon Coast
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement in response to Governor Kate Brown's executive order today banning oil drilling off the Oregon coast. "I applaud the governor for her leadership ensuring that oil derricks will not be dropped into the Pacific Ocean off our iconic Oregon Coast," Wyden said. "Oregonians and visitors to our world-class coastline should never have to worry about Big Oil wrecking the state's natural treasures." Wyden is a senior member … Continue Reading
October 18, 2018
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
