Press Releases
23 Northwest Lawmakers: The Bonneville Power Administration Must Remain Independent
Washington, D.C. -Every lawmaker representing Oregon, Washington and Idaho urged the U.S. Energy Department to maintain an independent Bonneville Power Administration that puts Northwest power users first, in a bipartisan letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz sent today. Led by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., the 23 members emphasized the importance of correcting discrimination … Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Wyden Applauds Senate Passage of ENDA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden applauded Senate passage of new workplace protections, and congratulated U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley for successfully shepherding the non-discrimination legislation through the Senate. Today, the Senate voted 64 to 32 to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) with Wyden voting in favor. ENDA would prohibit employers from firing, refusing to hire, or discriminating against those employed or seeking employment, on the basis of their perceived or actual … Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
Wyden Statement of Support for the USA FREEDOM Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) - a senior member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a leader of the surveillance reform movement -- issued the following statement in support of the USA FREEDOM Act introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). "Today, I am proud to add Chairman Leahy as a co-sponsor of our Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform Act. Our bipartisan legislation sets the bar for real, meaningful reforms to … Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
Wyden Statement on Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement on cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): "Sadly, automatic cuts in food stamp benefits begin today at a time when millions of American families continue to struggle to recover from this long recession. SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger and provides a true safety net. Families in every state will be hit by these $5 billion in cuts, and there's an ongoing struggle against … Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
Wyden Statement on Vote in Opposition to Intelligence Committee’s FISA Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a senior member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on legislation reported today by the Intelligence Committee. "More and more Americans are saying that they refuse to give up their constitutionally guaranteed liberties for the appearance of security: the Intelligence committee has passed a bill that ignores this message. It maintains business as usual instead of ending the bulk collection of … Continue Reading
October 30, 2013
Video: Wyden Opening Statement at Today’s Conference Committee on the Budget
Washington, D.C. - Below is the YouTube video of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's opening remarks at today's first meeting of the House-Senate conference committee on the federal … Continue Reading
October 18, 2013
NEWS CONFERENCE, 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 18
PORTLAND, OR - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2013, at the Bonneville Power Administration Offices in Portland. Wyden will discuss the BPA's hiring practices as well as the future of the federal power marketing agency. He will be joined by Scott Corwin, executive director of the Public Power Council, and a veterans' representative. Wyden will also be available to discuss other matters. Who: Oregon Senator Ron Wyden Scott … Continue Reading
October 17, 2013
Wyden Statement on End of Government Shutdown and Prevention of Debt Default
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after Congress approved legislation to end the government shutdown and prevent a debt default. "With this disruptive and counterproductive government shutdown finally over and the threat of default delayed, it's time for people to work together regardless of party on the issues most important to Oregonians and our nation - tax reform, job creation and improving affordable health care. I will continue to seek … Continue Reading
September 26, 2013
Wyden Continues to Press Intelligence Officials on Needed Domestic Surveillance Reforms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today pressed top intelligence officials on the problems of building "an intelligence collection system that repeatedly deceived the American people" during an open hearing held by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Yesterday, Wyden, along with U.S. Senators Mark Udall, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to reform domestic surveillance laws and the secret surveillance court. … Continue Reading
September 26, 2013
Congress Sends President Helium Legislation that Includes County Payments
WASHINGTON, D.C - Congress today sent the President legislation that extends the county timber payments program for another year, providing 33 Oregon counties with $100 million for schools, roads and law enforcement. "By signing this legislation the President will help cash-strapped counties and give Congress time to develop a long-term approach to creating jobs in rural Oregon, providing a stable-source of funding for counties and protecting watersheds, fisheries and environmentally … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Wyden Bill Phases Out the Use of Live Animals in Military Medical Training
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation to replace the use of live animals in combat medical training. The Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training (BEST) Practices Act would require the Department of Defense to phase out the use of live animals in medical training, a practice that has been all but eliminated in civilian medical training programs. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Hank … Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Surveillance Reform Package Ends Bulk Collection of Phone Records; Creates Constitutional Advocate for Secret Court
Washington, D.C. - In order to restore the constitutional liberties that have been eroded by invasive surveillance and end secret interpretations of the law that vastly exceed the intent of Congress, a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have introduced legislation to reform domestic surveillance laws and the secret surveillance court. The Intelligence Oversight and Surveillance Reform … Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
ADVISORY: Wyden, Udall, Paul, Blumenthal to Unveil Principles for Comprehensive Surveillance Reform
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), will hold a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4 pm EDT to unveil principles for comprehensive surveillance reform. Their approach will end the bulk collection of phone records of law-abiding Americans, close the "back-door searches" loophole that allows the government to search for Americans' communications without a warrant, and create an independent … Continue Reading
September 20, 2013
Citing Abuses of the Elderly, Wyden Calls for Nationwide Examination of Tax Lien Programs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is leading a dozen Senators in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to examine the protections for consumers facing tax liens and foreclosure in light of consumer abuses revealed in recent media reports. A letter from Wyden, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Mark Warner, D-Va., Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Christopher Murphy, … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Wyden Congratulates Oregon State University on Energy Department Award
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today congratulated Oregon State University on receiving $630,867 to continue cutting-edge research that could provide a low cost and faster way to supply fuel for our nation's transportation system. Today, the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) announced its award for the OSU Bio-Lamina-Plates Bioreactor for Enhanced Mass and Heat Transfer. The university research team is designing a new bioreactor … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Wyden Delivers Testimony to ITC on Effect of China’s Unfair Trade Practices on Hardwood Plywood Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) delivered the following testimony to the U.S. International Trade Commission during a hearing on the effect of unfair Chinese trade practices on the U.S. hardwood plywood industry. The following remarks are as prepared for delivery: I want to thank Chairman Williamson, and the distinguished members of the commission for the opportunity to testify today. Today's hearing is incredibly important to American manufacturing and workers … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Wyden, Murkowski Applaud Senate’s Passage of Helium Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today applauded the Senate's passage of legislation that ensures continued access to the federal helium supply, prevents a shock to the health care sector and other critical industries that depend on helium. The bill then requires the federal government to phase out its involvement in the helium sector over the next 10 years. Helium is a critical element to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Wyden Applauds Senate Passage of Helium Legislation that Includes County Payments
WASHINGTON, D.C - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded Senate passage of legislation that provides a lifeline to rural counties by extending the county timber payments program for another year and also benefits the health care and technology sectors in Oregon and across the United States. "Selling the Federal Helium Reserve provides the money necessary to continue a program that has provided Oregon counties with money for schools, roads and law enforcement since 2000," Wyden said. "At … Continue Reading
September 18, 2013
Udall, Wyden: Newly Declassified Court Opinions on Bulk Collection of Phone Data Underscore Need to Narrow Scope of NSA's Domestic Surveillance
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who serve on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after yesterday's declassification of an opinion by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on the government's bulk collection of Americans' phone records: "The declassification of the recent opinion by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court sheds more light on how surveillance laws and the Bill of Rights have … Continue Reading
September 16, 2013
Wyden, Udall Statement on Intelligence Officials Lack of Understanding of Bulk Collection Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) issued the following statement regarding the 2009 admission by intelligence officials that they did not fully understand the entirety of the bulk phone records collection program. Wyden and Udall are both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "Documents declassified last week clearly show that court orders authorizing the NSA's bulk collection of phone records were consistently violated by the NSA. These … Continue Reading
