Press Releases
Oregon Lawmakers: Get Hemp Pilot Project Ready for Next Season
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici asked the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon State University (OSU) to implement an industrial hemp pilot project in time for next year's growing season, in a letter sent today. Currently, American farmers are banned from growing hemp in the United States under federal law. But last year's Farm Bill allowed states and universities … Continue Reading
August 07, 2015
Wyden, Rubio Bill Would Block Arms to Bahrain
Washington, D.C. -Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced legislation this week that would block the sale or transfer of certain arms to Bahrain until the State Department certifies that Bahrain has fully implemented all of the recommendations by an independent oversight commission. "This legislation sends the clear message U.S. arms should not aid and abet the Bahraini government's continued repression of its own people. It is deeply troubling that the State … Continue Reading
August 06, 2015
Wyden, Crapo, Nine Other Senators Pledge to Work Together to Find a Wildfire Funding Solution in the Fall
Washington, D.C. - Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today secured a commitment from nine other senators from both parties to work together on a bipartisan solution to fix the broken system for funding wildfires when the Senate resumes regular business in September. Led by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Wyden and Crapo submitted a statement for the Congressional Record on the need to work together to find a solution to address budget concerns surrounding wildfire funding and fire … Continue Reading
August 06, 2015
Wyden Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Washington, D.C. - Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: "Fifty years ago today, the Voting Rights Act confirmed the universal right to vote as a bedrock principle in this country. But in 2015, that fundamental right is under attack. Denying any American a vote - or making it more difficult for someone to vote - denies that person a voice in their own self-governance and is antithetical to our democracy. I … Continue Reading
August 05, 2015
Wyden: Senate Punts Flawed Surveillance Bill
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised news the Senate will indefinitely delay a vote on CISA, a bill that would have created new threats to Americans' privacy, while doing little if anything to protect their digital security. "Once again, those who value Americans' privacy more than political expediency have made sure this harmful, misguided bill won't sail through the Senate without meaningful debate," Wyden said. "The Republican leadership's decision to put off a vote … Continue Reading
August 05, 2015
Wyden, Senate Democrats Call for “Do Not Disturb” Technology to Block Telemarketing and Unwanted Robocalls
Washington, DC - Today, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and six Senate Democrats urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls on both landline and wireless phones. In a letter sent today to the FCC, the Senators call on the FCC to work with phone companies to help facilitate the development and deployment of "Do Not Disturb" technology, which the Senators say should be offered to all consumers at no additional … Continue Reading
July 30, 2015
Wyden Statement on Partisan Proposals to Defund Planned Parenthood
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on a partisan proposal to cut funding for Planned Parenthood: "Planned Parenthood provides essential health care to millions of women. Partisan proposals to defund or limit funding for Planned Parenthood are going to wreak havoc on the women who rely on those services in Oregon and across the country. Next week I will once again proudly vote to protect a woman's right to make her own reproductive choices and her … Continue Reading
July 30, 2015
Wyden Statement on Oregon Adjutant General Hokanson’s Promotion and New Assignment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the promotion of Oregon Adjutant General Daniel Hokanson to the rank of lieutenant general and his new assignment as Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command/Vice Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. "All of Oregon has benefited from General Hokanson's stellar leadership of our state's brave servicemen and servicewomen, both … Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Wyden, Udall Introduce Bill to End Sweetheart Deals for Coal Companies
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tom Udall, D-N.M., today introduced legislation to ensure American taxpayers receive the full value of coal produced on public lands. The Coal Royalty Fairness Act would require the Interior Department to collect royalties for coal mined on federal lands based on the actual market value of coal. Currently, some private mining companies sell coal to their own affiliated companies at a lower cost than market value, and pay federal royalties … Continue Reading
July 28, 2015
Wyden Praises News Senate Likely to Delay Vote on Flawed Cyber Bill
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised news that the Senate will likely delay consideration of a flawed cybersecurity bill for at least a month, but warned that defenders of Americans' privacy must mobilize to prevent the bill from being revived this fall. "This is a temporary victory, but any delay is a good delay when it comes to a flawed bill that threatens Americans' privacy without making our personal information any safer. The grassroots and privacy advocates … Continue Reading
July 28, 2015
Wyden Blocks Intelligence Authorization Bill Over Flawed Provision Targeting Social Media Platforms
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today placed a hold on the 2016 Intelligence Authorization bill over a flawed provision that would require companies like Twitter and Facebook to make judgments about when users' speech constitutes "terrorist activity." The provision would require Internet and social media companies to report to the government any "terrorist activity" they are aware of on their platforms. After hearing concerns from a number of companies, Wyden warned this … Continue Reading
July 28, 2015
VIDEO: Wyden, Baldwin, Brewers: Pass Legislation to Boost Craft Beverage Businesses & American Economy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., hosted a "Happy Half-Hour Hangout" on Google yesterday with craft brewers Gary Fish, owner of Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, and Jeff Hamilton, President of Sprecher Brewing Co. in Glendale, Wisconsin. "From our discussion, it's clear our laws should be helping breweries and other craft beverage makers grow, not cut them off with redtape and taxes," Wyden said. "I look forward to working with Sen. Baldwin and … Continue Reading
July 22, 2015
Wyden, Senators Call on FCC To Apply Privacy Protections to Broadband
Washington, D.C. - In light of the recent Open Internet order, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced it will initiate a rulemaking to protect the privacy of consumers who use broadband. Today, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and seven other Senators to applaud the FCC's plan to initiate a rulemaking and urged it to adopt strong consumer privacy protections. The letter was signed by Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal … Continue Reading
July 16, 2015
Senate Holds Hearing on Wyden’s O&C Bill to Double Timber Harvests, Protect Oregon’s Treasures
Washington, D.C. - Only a balanced approach to managing Oregon's O&C lands can provide a lasting solution for Oregon's timber communities, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., emphasized in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee hearing today. Wyden's O&C Lands Act of 2015, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley, would end the gridlock in Western Oregon forests by doubling the timber harvest on O&C lands over 50 years, while permanently protecting old-growth trees and clean … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Wyden Statement on Iran Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program announced today: "My bottom line has always been that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. That is why I fought to ensure that Congress had a strong voice in this process and the opportunity to thoroughly scrutinize any agreement. I said all along I was skeptical that Iran's leaders would agree to dismantle their nuclear weapons program and I have questions about … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Oregon Lawmakers Blast KBR’s Decision to Target Sick Oregon Veterans, Call on Pentagon to End Legal Purgatory
Washington, D.C. -Oregon lawmakers called on the Defense Department to quickly reach a fair settlement with 12 Oregon veterans who were sickened after being exposed to a toxic chemical in Iraq a decade ago. Those Oregon National Guard soldiers were stationed at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Iraq, which was managed by the military contactor KBR. After a decade of legal wrangling, which included an $85 million award by a Portland jury, an unrelated Supreme Court case resulted in the … Continue Reading
July 13, 2015
Senators Ask Federal Agencies About Efforts to Facilitate Medical Marijuana Research
WASHINGTON, DC - A group of eight United States senators today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requesting information about the agencies' efforts to facilitate and coordinate scientific research on medical marijuana. The letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff … Continue Reading
July 09, 2015
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduces Legislation to Provide Access to Banking Services for Legal Marijuana Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a bipartisan group of senators, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015, legislation to ensure that legal marijuana businesses can access banking services. Currently, marijuana businesses operating under state laws that have legalized medicinal or recreational marijuana have been mostly denied access to the banking system because banks that … Continue Reading
July 09, 2015
Wyden Praises Increased Focus on Graduation Rates in Senate Education Reform Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today applauded the inclusion of his provision to help boost high school graduation rates in Oregon and across the country in a bill to reauthorize federal education funding that is currently being considered in the U.S. Senate. The Wyden-authored provision would make more low-income and low-performing middle and high schools eligible for federal funding that can be used to help schools enhance student achievement. The provision expands … Continue Reading
July 09, 2015
Senate Democrats Call for Equal Dignity in the Tax Code
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore. along with the full Senate Democratic Caucus today unveiled legislation providing equal dignity for all legal marriages in the tax code. The bill, the "Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act" sets new precedent by removing gender-specific references to marriage, enshrining dignity and recognition for LGBTQ Americans in the tax code. "It's about time that we update our tax law to reflect the institution of legal … Continue Reading
