Challenges Faced by Ron Wyden: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Ron Wyden faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Ron Wyden is the senior U.S. Senator from Oregon since 1996 and previously served in the House of Representatives. As a Democrat with libertarian leanings, he is known for advocating privacy rights, internet freedom, and limiting government surveillance. He currently serves as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and is a prominent voice for civil liberties, especially concerning digital rights.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1997: Opposed Oregon Death with Dignity Act

In 1997, Ron Wyden personally opposed assisted suicide and voted against the Oregon Death with Dignity Act each time it appeared on the ballot by voter referendum.

2000: Blocked attempts to overturn Oregon assisted-suicide law

In 2000, Ron Wyden blocked attempts in Congress to overturn the Oregon assisted-suicide law by threatening a filibuster.

2001: Urged Bush not to alter Oregon law

In 2001, Ron Wyden wrote to President George W. Bush urging him not to alter the Oregon Death with Dignity Act through federal executive action.

2006: Informed Senate leadership he would block legislation overturning the Death with Dignity Act

In 2006, Ron Wyden informed Senate leadership that he would block legislation overturning the Death with Dignity Act.

2006: Voted against reauthorizing the Patriot Act

In 2006, Ron Wyden was one of 10 senators to vote against reauthorizing the Patriot Act.

2007: Sponsored the Stop Arming Iran Act

In 2007, Ron Wyden and Representative Gabby Giffords sponsored the Stop Arming Iran Act, which would have barred the Defense Department from selling surplus F-14 parts and prohibited buyers who had already acquired surplus Tomcat parts from exporting them in order to prevent Iran from acquiring the parts.

2009: Vowed to continue fighting attempts to block the Death with Dignity Act

In 2009, Ron Wyden said that he would continue to "fight tooth and nail" to block new federal attempts to block the Oregon Death with Dignity Act.

2011: Criticized the rush to reauthorize the Patriot Act

In 2011, with the expiration of the Patriot Act approaching and efforts to reauthorize it intensifying, Ron Wyden and Merkley sharply criticized the rush to pass the bill and expressed particular concern about a provision allowing law enforcement authorities to collect a vast array of business records.

October 2015: Unveiled a new gun control campaign

In October 2015, Ron Wyden was one of the Senate Democrats to unveil a new gun control campaign in the aftermath of the Umpqua Community College shooting, focusing on increasing background check requirements, closing loopholes on background checks, and closing the pipeline of illegal guns.

January 2016: Called for a hearing on funding for gun violence research

In January 2016, Ron Wyden was one of 18 senators to call on the appropriations committee leadership to hold a hearing on funding for gun violence research at the CDC and spoke with other Democratic senators and researchers supporting federal funding for investigation into gun violence prevention.

September 2017: Signed letter charging FCC with failing to provide opportunity to comment on net neutrality changes

In September 2017, Ron Wyden was one of nine senators to sign a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai that charged the FCC with failing "to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the tens of thousands of filed complaints that directly shed light on proposed changes to existing net neutrality protections."

March 2018: Signed letter lambasting proposal to curb Lifeline program benefits

In March 2018, Ron Wyden was one of 10 senators to sign a letter spearheaded by Jeff Merkley lambasting a proposal by Pai that would curb the scope of benefits from the Lifeline program, which provides access to high-speed internet for poor communities.

March 2018: Expressed intent to pass bans on bump stocks and assault rifles

In March 2018, at a town hall, Ron Wyden answered in the affirmative when asked if he intended to pass bans on bump stocks and assault rifles. He also expressed optimism about the chances of passing national gun legislation.

August 2018: Cosponsored a resolution urging Trump to respect the press

In August 2018, Ron Wyden cosponsored a resolution urging President Trump to respect the press, after the White House barred CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins from covering an open press event following her repeated questions to Trump about his relationship with Michael Cohen.

September 2018: Signed letter urging more multifactor authentication measures

In September 2018, Ron Wyden was one of five senators to sign a letter to United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to employ more multifactor authentication measures in order to secure the State Department's information systems.

October 2018: Signed letter urging reversal of policy on visas for same-sex partners

In October 2018, Ron Wyden was one of 20 senators to sign a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to reverse the rollback of a policy that granted visas to same-sex partners of LGBTQIA+ diplomats.

February 2019: Signed a letter calling for a hearing on universal background checks

In February 2019, Ron Wyden was one of 38 senators to sign a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham calling on him to "hold a hearing" on universal background checks.

December 2020: Renewed calls for mandatory security reviews for software

In December 2020, in light of the 2020 United States federal government data breach, Ron Wyden renewed calls for the introduction of mandatory security reviews for software used by federal agencies.

July 9, 2024: Requested special counsel to investigate Justice Thomas

On July 9, 2024, it was reported that Ron Wyden and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse had sent a letter the previous week to Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for tax and ethics violations.