Press Releases
Wyden, for National Hemp History Week, Urges Lifting the Ban on Industrial Hemp
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged lifting the federal ban on industrial hemp, which has a wide variety of uses and economic benefits in Oregon and nationwide. Hemp-based products contributed about $620 million to the U.S. economy in 2014, but current federal regulations prohibit farmers from growing hemp in the United States. "I've long said if you can make it and sell it in Oregon, you should be able to grow it in Oregon," Wyden said in a speech on the Senate floor in … Continue Reading
June 04, 2015
Wyden, 31 Senators Urge Consumer Agency to Issue “Strongest Possible Rules” to Stop Predatory Payday Lending
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) considers new rules to rein in predatory practices in payday and similar types of lending, 32 senators expressed their support today for the initial steps the agency has taken and urged the agency to issue the strongest possible rules to combat the "cascade of devastating financial consequences" that these high-priced loans often have on consumers. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., signed the letter, along with Sens. Jeff Merkley, … Continue Reading
June 03, 2015
Wyden Introduces Bill To Bring Retired Military Dogs Home After Overseas Combat
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced legislation to support veterans and military dog handlers by ensuring that military working dogs come home to the United States after they have been relieved from their service in combat roles overseas. The Military Working Dog Retirement Act of 2015 would require the Department of Defense to arrange and pay for transportation of trained military dogs to the United States when their service abroad has been deemed no longer necessary, … Continue Reading
June 02, 2015
Wyden: USA Freedom Act Biggest Privacy Win in a Decade
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today praised the passage of the USA Freedom Act, which ensures the end of mass surveillance of Americans under the Patriot Act and brings new transparency to U.S. intelligence programs. "It is not an exaggeration to say the passage of the USA Freedom Act is the most significant victory for Americans' privacy rights in more than a decade, and stands as a true endorsement of the principle that Americans do not need to sacrifice their liberty to have … Continue Reading
June 02, 2015
Wyden and Paul Release Joint Amendments, Call For Votes On Proposals to Expand Surveillance Reforms
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced nine amendments to reform U.S. surveillance programs, enhance protections for American's personal information and improve transparency regarding intelligence activities. Wyden and Paul called on Republican leaders to allow votes on amendments to strengthen privacy protections, rather than forcing votes on amendments that would water down the USA Freedom Act. The joint amendments would: Amendment 1446: Require … Continue Reading
May 31, 2015
Wyden Praises End to NSA Phone Records Dragnet, Calls for Passage of Surveillance Reform Bill
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., tonight praised the end to the bulk collection of Americans' information under the Patriot Act, and called for the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act to enact additional reforms. "Tonight the collection of phone records of millions of innocent Americans will end. The demise of this dragnet surveillance is a victory for the principle that Americans do not need to sacrifice liberty to have security. I have worked for this moment since I first learned … Continue Reading
May 23, 2015
Wyden Statement on Senate Blocking Extension of Patriot Act Mass Surveillance
Washington, D.C. -Sen. Ron Wyden issued the following statement after the U.S Senate blocked a short-term extension of mass surveillance under the Patriot Act: "Today the Ben Franklin caucus stood tall and proved that supporters of mass surveillance can no longer bully the U.S. Senate into extending an illegal and unconstitutional law by running out the clock. When Sen. McConnell tried to extend Patriot Act for five more days, I said no more." "This week Americans must continue to speak out … Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
Wyden Statement on Gov. Brown’s Drought Emergency Declaration
Washington, D.C . - Below is a statement from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., on Gov. Kate Brown's declaration today of drought emergencies in Deschutes, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wasco counties. "Governor Brown's drought emergency declaration should sound a clarion call to all Oregonians about the impact ahead this summer from our state's low snowfalls the past few months. Oregon fire officials briefed me in late winter about the increased potential for a bad fire season … Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
Wyden Bill To Help Veterans Passes Senate
Washington, D.C . - A bill co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would expand access to health care for veterans who live far away from VA facilities passed the Senate today. The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 that Senator Wyden strongly supported last year was interpreted by the VA to enable veterans to seek local care only if they live more than 40 miles from any VA facility. The legislation passed today expands many veterans' healthcare options by making … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Wyden, Merkley Laud FAA Decision on Unmanned Aircraft
Washington, D.C . - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley praised today's announcement by federal regulators that cuts red tape for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites in Pendleton, Tillamook and Warm Springs to conduct research that creates jobs in an innovative industry. The announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) follows a letter Wyden and Merkley wrote the FAA on Nov. 25 strongly urging regulators to speed up approvals for UAS test permits, and to ensure the … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Wyden & Broad Coalition of Democratic Lawmakers Fight to Outlaw Unfair Consumer Contracts
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) along with Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and a broad coalition of more than 50 members of Congress continued to fight to protect the rights of consumers in Oregon and across the country who are being hurt by forced arbitration contracts in the financial services industry. In a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)-the top consumer agency in the country-the lawmakers called on the CFPB to swiftly … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Wyden, Merkley Commemorate Frank Moore Legacy with Salmon Sanctuary
Washington, D.C. - Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today recognized a fellow Oregonian's long and distinguished legacy of conservation and habitat preservation by introducing a bill to designate more than 100,000 acres of public lands in Oregon as the "Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary." The Oregon senators named their legislation in honor of Frank Moore because of his outstanding accomplishments starting in World War II and then continuing for nearly two decades as the proprietor of … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Wyden Introduces Bill to Aid Small Business
Washington, DC - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced a bill that would support new jobs and economic growth by providing small businesses greater access to business capital from credit unions. "Small businesses generate jobs, and access to capital is the lifeline that keeps those businesses running and growing both in Oregon and nationwide," Wyden said. "This bill would increase opportunities for small businesses to receive loans from credit unions, eliminating an unfair hurdle to that … Continue Reading
May 19, 2015
Wyden Statement on Oregon Guardsmen’s KBR Lawsuit
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement in response to the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the lawsuit filed by Oregon guardsmen against KBR alleging they were exposed to toxic chemicals in Iraq: "The latest development in this lawsuit will only continue the legal water torture that these Oregon Guardsmen have already endured in their struggle for justice. I call yet again on the Department of Defense to step in and make … Continue Reading
May 15, 2015
Senate Designates May 16 Kids to Parks Day
Washington, DC -- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Cory Booker, D-N.J., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, today applauded the Senate's passage of their resolution to promote active lifestyles for America's children by designating May 16 as National Kids to Parks Day. Started in 2011 with the National Park Trust, the fifth annual Kids to Parks Day kicks off a summer-long series of events at local, state and … Continue Reading
May 15, 2015
Wyden Statement on Sgt. Henry Johnson Medal of Honor
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the announcement that Sgt. Henry Johnson would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor: "I am thrilled that Sergeant Johnson has finally received his long overdue Medal of Honor for his heroism in World War I. This award at long last pays proper tribute to a true American hero who served our country so bravely despite the prejudice he and countless others endured at the time in the military as well as at … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Wyden Statement on House Passage of USA Freedom Act
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the USA Freedom Act by a 338 to 88 vote: "Today, the House of Representatives took an important step for protecting the privacy of Americans by voting to end the bulk collection of millions of Americans' personal information under Section 215 of the Patriot Act. I am also encouraged that the version of the USA Freedom Act passed today increases … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Senate Coalition To Introduce Bill Providing Access To Epilepsy Treatment
Washington, DC - Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with Senate co-sponsors Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Michael Bennet (D-CO), announced today they are introducing the Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2015 in the United States Senate to exempt from the Controlled Substances Act strains of therapeutic hemp used to fight seizures in children and adults suffering from intractable epilepsy. These strains, which include the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Wyden, Welch, Lummis Introduce Legislation to Require Transparency in Intelligence Budgets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., have introduced legislation that would require the president to disclose in the annual budget request to Congress the top line spending levels at the 16 federal agencies known to conduct intelligence activities. Top-line spending levels for federal intelligence activities are currently treated as classified information. The Intelligence Budget Transparency Act implements a recommendation … Continue Reading
May 12, 2015
Wyden Introduces Bill to Boost Biomass Energy, Promote Healthy Forests
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced a bill that would spur the use of low-carbon biomass energy to heat and power homes and businesses, while reducing the risk of wildfires and creating jobs in rural areas. The BioEnergy Act of 2015 would establish a competitive, cost-share grant program at the Department of Energy to improve technologies for drying and compressing woody biomass, which improves fuel quality and allows biomass producers to more easily transport wood … Continue Reading
