Press Releases
Wyden Responds to Misstatements on USA Freedom Act and Mass Surveillance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement in response to multiple misstatements about the USA Freedom Act during tonight's debate: "Senator Rubio is mistaken when he says that the USA Freedom Act does not let the government do anything that it could not do before. Section 102 of the USA Freedom Act, which I first proposed in 2013, gave law enforcement and intelligence agencies new authorities to obtain records in an emergency and get court approval … Continue Reading
December 15, 2015
Wyden Presses FBI to Step Up Efforts Against ‘Ransomware’ Hackers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked FBI Director James Comey how the FBI is tackling the increasing problem of "ransomware" attacks in a letter sent today. Ransomware attacks refer to the growing criminal practice of hacking Americans' devices, encrypting personal information and holding it for ransom through ransomware software commonly known as Cryptolocker and Cryptowall. "With this problem becoming increasingly widespread, the FBI should explore all legal options for … Continue Reading
December 14, 2015
Wyden Questions FBI ID Policy on Freedom of Information Act Requests
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked FBI Director James Comey to explain the purpose of a new FBI policy requiring people to upload copies of government-issued identification when filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, in a letter sent today. "I write to express my strong concern that the ID requirement presents serious legal and privacy concerns," Wyden wrote to Director Comey. "The FBI's new eFOIA system imposes a requirement that can neither be found in statutory law … Continue Reading
December 10, 2015
Wyden, Portman Settle MLS Cup Bet
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, today settled their friendly wager on the Major League Soccer Cup result with a six-pack of Columbus Brewing Company's Winter Warmer changing hands. The Portland Timbers' victory Sunday over the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup also meant Wyden got to keep the six-pack of the Widmer Brothers' Timbers' Hefe he had put up on the Timbers. "Since there's no pity in the Rose City, I am thrilled on behalf of Timbers … Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Wyden Praises Permanent Ban on Internet Taxes In Customs and Trade Enforcement Bill
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., praised the inclusion of a permanent ban on unfair taxes on Internet goods and services, as well as Internet access taxes, as part of a trade enforcement bill coming before Congress this week. Sen. Wyden co-wrote the original Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) with former California Republican Rep. Chris Cox in 1998. ITFA prohibits state and local governments from taxing Internet access, and bans multiple and discriminatory taxation against digital … Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Wyden Lauds Final Passage of K-12 Education Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., lauded today's Senate passage of the final K-12 education bill to boost high school graduation rates in Oregon and across the country as part of the much-called-for replacement of the 2001 No Child Left Behind law. The bill, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), includes a provision to help more students graduate from high school by requiring states to identify high schools with low graduation rates and ensuring those schools receive the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
Wyden Statement on Social Media Reporting Bill
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on legislation filed today by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, to require Internet companies that are aware of undefined "terrorist activity" to report it to law-enforcement. "Let's make sure the record is clear: The Director of the FBI testified a few months ago that social media companies are 'pretty good about telling us what they see.' Social media companies must continue to do everything they can to quickly remove terrorist … Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Wyden: Transportation Bill Includes Key Oregon Projects and Tourism Priorities
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) praised tonight's congressional passage of a long-term plan to rebuild the national transportation infrastructure for including three essential highway projects in Oregon as well as vital tourism priorities for the state. "This long-term approach to funding our highways provides the road map that's a must for our economy to generate good-paying jobs," said Wyden, a member of the transportation infrastructure conference committee that developed the … Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley released the following statement today on the Klamath Basin: "For more than a decade, the irrigators, tribes and conservationists of the Klamath Basin have worked tirelessly to craft agreements that can break a century-long deadlock over water rights. The Oregon delegation shares the goal of working together for the success of the basin, and all of the state. Today we took a step forward towards legislation that can make Klamath … Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Wyden Applauds Increased Focus on High School Graduation Rates
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., applauded Congressional leaders for targeting high school graduation rates in Oregon and across the country as part of a larger K-12 education bill that last night passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which would replace the No Child Left Behind law from 2001, includes a provision to help more students earn their diplomas by requiring states to identify high schools with low graduation rates and ensure those schools receive the … Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Wyden Blasts Latest Attempt to Defund Planned Parenthood
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today blasted the fast tracking of a bill that would block federal funding to Planned Parenthood clinics in Oregon and across the country for one year. The Senate last night began considering a House-passed budget bill that includes a provision to cut federal funding for Medicaid for use at Planned Parenthood clinics. "Millions of American women - including tens of thousands of Oregonians - turn to Planned Parenthood for the routine health … Continue Reading
December 01, 2015
IRS Commits to Follow Justice Department Guidelines on Stingrays in Letter to Wyden
Washington, D.C. - In response to questions by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen committed to seeking warrants for future use of cell-site simulator technology. The devices, often referred to as Stingrays, can be used to track cell phones and intercept information about calls. The IRS said cell-site simulators are used exclusively for criminal investigations and that its policy mirrors the Justice Department's, which requires warrants to use the … Continue Reading
December 01, 2015
Wyden-Grassley Sovaldi Investigation Finds Revenue-Driven Pricing Strategy Behind $84,000 Hepatitis Drug
WASHINGTON - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and senior committee member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, today released the results of an 18-month investigation into the pricing and marketing of Gilead Sciences' Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi and its second-wave successor, Harvoni. Drawing from 20,000 pages of internal company documents, dozens of interviews with health care experts, and a trove of data from Medicaid programs in 50 states and the District of Columbia, the … Continue Reading
November 29, 2015
Wyden Statement on End of NSA Phone Records Dragnet
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., hailed the end of the National Security Agency's phone records dragnet, which was officially shut down today, as the result of the USA Freedom Act. Wyden fought for nearly a decade to draw attention to secret interpretations of the Patriot Act that the government used to justify this bulk collection, and then to end this unnecessary program that violated Americans' privacy. "This is a victory for everyone who believes in protecting both American … Continue Reading
November 24, 2015
Wyden: Today’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony for Oregon Civil Rights Hero is a Well-Deserved Honor
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony for Oregon civil rights hero Minoru Yasui is a well-deserved honor for a steadfast champion of civil and human rights. "Minoru dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and equality under the law," said Wyden, who twice wrote the White House to urge that Mr. Yasui receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. "He was a trailblazer whose courage, eloquence and dogged fight against … Continue Reading
November 24, 2015
Wyden, Colleagues Call for Closing Terrorist Gun Loophole
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined colleagues today calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Paul Ryan to quickly schedule votes on legislation that would close an egregious loophole and prevent individuals on the Federal Terrorist Watchlist from being able to purchase firearms and explosives that may be used in connection with terrorism. Under current law, a member of a terrorist organization is not prohibited from "possessing firearms or explosives" or … Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
Wyden Urges USDA to clarify industrial hemp’s eligibility for federal research grants
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify that industrial hemp research programs are eligible for existing federal research dollars. Wyden was among a bipartisan group of 12 senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.); and 37 members of the House of Representatives - including Oregon Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader -- to write Secretary … Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
Senators Announce Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Expand Breastfeeding Protections at Work
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Oregon's Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), joined by Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Al Franken (D-MN), announced the introduction of the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation helps ensure that more working mothers can continue to breastfeed their babies after they return to work. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) also announced the … Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Wyden Statement on Syrian Refugees
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called for the United States to uphold its traditional values and continue to allow refugees from violent oppression and terror to our shores, while ensuring a rigorous screening process is in place to protect the country. "Our country must ensure the refugee screening process is as strong as possible and protects all Americans. America can uphold its values and its tradition of welcoming refugees from violent oppression and terror. Our … Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
Wyden, Merkley Announce Farm-to-School Grants in Oregon
Washington, DC - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that projects in Bend, Cottage Grove and Eugene have earned federal farm-to-school grants totaling almost $225,000. "From apples to zucchini, Oregon's farm-to-school programs achieve two key goals: local farmers gain lifetime customers and youngsters grow up with the knowledge of fresh, healthy and tasty produce," Wyden said. "These awards from the Agriculture Department re-affirm the hard work happening in our state to … Continue Reading
