Press Releases
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
March 01, 2023
Wyden, Bennet and Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Combat Intensifying Wildfires and Drought Across the American West
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Michael Bennet, D- Colo., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., today introduced the Protect the West Act to make a $60 billion investment in the nation's forests to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds and protect communities. "Major investment is urgently needed to protect Western forests and watersheds from increasingly dangerous wildfires and droughts," said Wyden. "The Protect the West Act will ensure Congress funds much needed fire … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Wyden Statement on Nomination of Julie Su as Labor Secretary
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released the following statement on President Biden's nomination of Julie Su as the next Labor Secretary: "I've long admired Deputy Secretary Su's commitment to labor rights. Throughout her career she has advocated for workers, especially the most vulnerable workers. Whether it was fighting wage theft and forced labor or ensuring safe working conditions, Deputy Secretary Su has always stood firmly on the side of the worker. The qualities … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Wyden, Colleagues Reintroduce Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act to Protect Rights of Airline Passengers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and Senate colleagues today reintroduced legislation that would provide consumers an enforceable right to a full cash refund when airlines cancel their flight. The Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act would codify the federal Department of Transportation's authority to require major airlines to give passengers a cash refund if the airline cancels or significantly delays their flight and creates a new right for consumers to receive a cash refund … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Oregon Delegation Announces an Additional $6 Million for Major Energy Efficiency Upgrades at PDX
PORTLAND - Today, members of the Oregon Congressional delegation announced a $6 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant award to the Port of Portland to add a ground source heat pump system. The new system will help PDX reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and reduce the energy required to heat and cool PDX by 83%. The grant is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) FY2023 Airport Terminal Program (ATP). It follows $18.4 million that was awarded to the Port of Portland in … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Wyden To Hold Town Halls in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties
Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will have open-to-all, in-person town halls next week in Jefferson and Deschutes counties. Wyden has already held 13 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 - and 1,040 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon's 36 counties. "These open-to-all town halls in central Oregon are all about public service and being available for anybody to ask me any question and … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Introduce DISCLOSE Act
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representative David Cicilline (D-RI-01) to introduce the DISCLOSE Act. The DISCLOSE Act is bicameral legislation that would end the corrupting influence of dark money, shine a bright light of transparency on political spending, and make government more accountable to the will of voters. "My colleagues and I are supposed to work for 'We the People' - for waitresses and truck … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: Housing Authority of Portland Earns Nearly $1 Million to Help Older Children in Foster Care
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Housing Authority of Portland has earned a federal award of nearly $1 million in vouchers to help the community respond to homelessness challenges faced by foster children in welfare. "Foster kids throughout Oregon often need support to help them face the challenges in their lives," Wyden said. "Housing is a human right, and I'm glad these federal resources will help young adults in the Portland area find stable … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Merkley, Wyden: Over $732,000 Headed to the Klamath Tribes to Expand Access to Health Care Facilities
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that a total of $732,920 in federal funding from the Indian Health Service (IHS) is headed to the Klamath Tribes to construct, expand, and modernize ambulatory health care facilities. "Tribes around Oregon depend on ambulatory health care facilities to get the care they need, when they need it," said Senator Merkley, who writes the legislation funding the IHS through his work as Chair of the Senate Interior … Continue Reading
February 23, 2023
Wyden, Booker and Merkley Urge DOJ to Protect Physician Health Privacy and Hold State Medical Boards Accountable for Violations of the American Disabilities Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to extend its investigations of offenses under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) to include the practices of state medical license boards, which often ask inappropriate medical licensing and application questions regarding mental health. In their letter, the senators cite serious concerns that not only do such questions violate the ADA, they may … Continue Reading
February 23, 2023
Wyden, Merkley: More than $5 Million to Central and Eastern Oregon for Wildfire Prevention Projects
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that three Oregon counties will benefit from a combined more than $5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for collaborations with landowners to reduce wildfire risk, improve water quality and restore forest ecosystems. "Oregonians know that a raging wildfire doesn't recognize the difference between public and private lands," said Wyden, who fought for wildfire prevention funding in the Bipartisan … Continue Reading
February 22, 2023
Wyden, Luján, Blumenthal Urge Transparency for Delivery Service Junk Fees
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said today they are urging Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Doordash to adopt more transparency on junk fees, a misleading and harmful price gouging practice directed at consumers and small businesses. With 16 percent of Americans relying on income from an online gig platform, many small businesses struggling to stay open, and many vulnerable Americans depending on food delivery apps … Continue Reading
February 22, 2023
Wyden, Warren Call out McKinsey on its Role Directing Nonprofit Hospitals’ Exploitation of Vulnerable Patients
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., today asked McKinsey & Company to answer questions about its role in helping nonprofit hospitals like Providence Health take financial advantage of low-income patients. "Providence's questionable partnership with McKinsey reveals the predatory influence of for-profit consulting firms that prioritize profits over care… When enlisted to help senior executives at Providence increase revenues, McKinsey … Continue Reading
