Press Releases
CFPB Opens Inquiry Into Data Brokers Following Wyden Request
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today thanked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for launching an investigation into the data broker industry, a network of companies that buy, sell and trade Americans' sensitive personal information - everything from location data, to web history and purchase records - with little oversight or transparency. Wyden, the Senate's leading critic and watchdog of data brokers, asked CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in 2021 to investigate the … Continue Reading
March 14, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press Walgreens, Put National Pharmacies on Notice to Ensure Mifepristone Access
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced they have joined colleagues in urging seven of the nation's largest retail pharmacies to provide the strongest possible legal access to mifepristone for patients-and communicate clearly about their plans and policies. In the letters sent this week to Walgreens, CVS Health, Rite Aid, Albertsons, Costco, Kroger, and Walmart, the senators request more information about the companies' plans to provide customers access to … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Restore and Protect Abortion Rights Nationwide
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined colleagues to introduce federal legislation that would guarantee access to abortion, everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. "We must pass the Women's Health Protection Act and enshrine abortion rights into black letter law, full stop," said Wyden, who has taken to the Senate floor multiple times in support of abortion rights, including … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Wyden Pushes for Increased Investment in the Wildfire Resilience Workforce, Better Firefighter Pay
Video available here Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden this week sounded the alarm at a Senate hearing on the devastating impact of the climate crisis, increasingly dangerous wildfires and the need for additional investments in the wildfire resilience workforce in Oregon and nationwide. "The reality is these fires are not your grandfather's fires. They are bigger, hotter, more powerful and we get them almost year round," Wyden said during a Senate Budget Committee hearing on … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he joined Senate colleagues to urge President Biden to use a "whole-of-government" approach that comprehensively addresses critical housing needs in Oregon and nationwide. "Our nation's housing is an essential piece of our infrastructure, but it is a sector that remains in crisis. With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, decisive steps have been taken to address many of our … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Wyden Delivers Floor Speech Urging the Senate to Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, Protect Abortion Access Nationwide
Click here to watch a video of today's remarks. Last week, Wyden delivered a floor speech on the human cost if women lose access to mifepristone. As Prepared for Delivery I'd like to thank my colleagues - Senators Murray, Blumenthal, Baldwin and Schumer - for introducing the Women's Health Protection Act. This legislation needs to be the centerpiece of the battle to defend privacy rights in 2023. Colleagues, this is the third week I've stood on the Senate floor to talk about the absolute … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Wyden Remarks at Section 230 Briefing Hosted by EFF
I wanted to take a few minutes to share my thoughts on why Section 230 remains vital to a functioning internet - and how the Supreme Court oral arguments and briefs in Gonzalez v. Google helped make the case for 230. First of all, Section 230 is a law that Chris Cox and I wrote. It essentially says that the person who creates a piece of content online is the one responsible for it. As a result of 230 and the First Amendment, websites are able to take down posts they don't want - stuff like … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Wyden Secures Pledge From State Department To Hold Accountable Saudi Officials Involved In Aiding Accused Criminals Who Fled American Justice; Lifts Hold on Michael Ratney to Serve as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Washington, D.C. -. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced he will lift his hold on Michael Ratney, the nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, after securing new commitments from the State Department to revoke the visas of foreign officials involved in assisting foreign nationals in evading prosecution or fleeing the U.S. justice system. Following reporting by The Oregonian that revealed the Saudi regime has systematically helped its citizens flee the United States after … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Wyden Delivers Floor Speech on Bill and Dottie Schonely
M. President, I rise today, on behalf of all Oregonians, to honor the late Bill Schonely - the Portland Trail Blazers' radio voice for the better part of three decades - and his late wife Dottie. Bill passed in January, leaving a timeless legacy for all of us Blazers fans in "Rip City," the name that Bill coined for my hometown. And Dottie passed last month, leaving her own legacy as an accomplished woman who radiated smarts and kindness to everyone she met in Oregon. Bill and Dottie were … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Wyden and Blumenauer Introduce Bill to Allow All Americans to Vote at Home; Legislation Makes Elections More Secure and Accessible with Oregon-Style Voting
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced an updated version of their Vote At Home Act today, to ensure American voters can vote more conveniently and securely at home. The bill would allow all American voters to vote at home, provide pre-paid envelopes to return ballots and automatically register citizens to vote at DMVs. "The United States is stronger when more Americans can vote," Wyden said. "Our bill will make elections … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden: $15 Million Available for More Klamath Basin Restoration Projects
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released another $15 million for restoration activities in the Klamath Basin and has begun accepting project grant proposals from the community. This second round of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Klamath Basin-which is set to total $162 million over five years-is intended to invest in projects and activities that support or will help improve … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Government use of Facial Recognition and other Biometric Technology
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in introducing the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act. This legislation would prevent the government from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies which pose significant privacy and civil liberties issues and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. "Law enforcement and government's use of facial recognition technology has resulted in reports of … Continue Reading
March 06, 2023
Wyden Urges Education Department to Protect Students’ Data from Big Tech Companies
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today sent a letter urging the Department of Education to provide strong, comprehensive model contracts to help school districts across the country protect the privacy of students using educational technology. This resource is essential as school districts rarely have the expertise, resources, or leverage to negotiate privacy terms and conditions with large, sophisticated technology companies. "Model contracts are essential in lowering the burden for … Continue Reading
March 06, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen VA Support for Disabled Veterans and Young Caregivers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today that he and Senate colleagues from both parties have reintroduced legislation that would support the families of disabled veterans, including children who take on caregiving roles in Oregon and nationwide. "The families of veterans have stepped up as caregivers and Congress is long overdue in stepping up for these families with critical support and financial assistance," Wyden said. "The Helping Heroes Act would help veterans and their … Continue Reading
March 06, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Press Feds to Increase Help for Underserved Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that he and six colleagues are urging top federal officials to bolster opportunities for underserved and underrepresented small businesses and entrepreneurs in Oregon and nationwide without requiring any new spending. In a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Wyden and the senators asked for the transfer of $200 million from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) technical assistance fund to the Minority Business … Continue Reading
March 06, 2023
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce PRO Act Legislation to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce comprehensive legislation that would protect workers' right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces in Oregon and nationwide. "From child labor laws to sick leave and overtime, some of the most vital worker rights and protections exist thanks to the tireless efforts of unions," Wyden said. "We cannot allow ultra-wealthy … Continue Reading
March 03, 2023
Wyden Calls for Accountability, Transparency for AI In Remarks at Georgetown Law
Thanks to Georgetown Law's Institute for Technology Law & Policy and Yale's Information Society Project for organizing today's event. You all have the NBA All-Stars of algorithmic accountability and AI on the agenda today. Before we get to the experts, I thought I'd kick off today's event by discussing my view of why these questions about fairness and effectiveness of AI systems are so important, and how Congress is approaching the issue. Chatbots like ChatGPT are the current hot … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Wyden Delivers Floor Speech on the Human Cost if Women Lose Access to Mifepristone
Click here to watch a video of today's remarks. Two weeks ago, Wyden delivered a floor speech calling on President Biden and the FDA to keep mifepristone on the market, regardless of outcome in Texas case. As Prepared for Delivery Today I begin an effort to provide regular updates to the Senate and the country about the devastating consequences for women in every state if Judge Kacsmaryk issues a ruling banning Mifepristone nationwide. Two weeks ago, I stood on the Senate floor and laid … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Wyden, Merkley Announce Nearly $2 Million to Oregon Cities to Develop and Preserve Affordable Housing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that five Oregon cities will receive a combined nearly $2 million in federal grants to develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs in communities. "Sustainable, resilient communities where Oregonians can thrive start with quality, affordable housing. Full stop," Wyden said. "These federal resources will help communities come together to build and preserve quality, … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues from both parties today reintroduced legislation that would end the antiquated and annoying practice of changing clocks twice a year. "It's time to put a stop to the twice-a-year time-change madness. Science and common sense show that more year-round daylight would improve our health, help kids spend a bit more time enjoying outdoor after school activities, and encourage folks to support local businesses while on a sunny stroll … Continue Reading
