Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Ron Wyden

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Ron Wyden.

Ron Wyden is the senior U.S. Senator from Oregon since 1996 and previously served in the House of Representatives starting in 1981. A Democrat, he is known for his libertarian-leaning views and advocacy for civil liberties, particularly regarding privacy rights and internet freedom. As ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Wyden has been a vocal critic of government surveillance and a champion for limiting its scope. He is considered a key figure in debates surrounding technology and individual rights in the digital age.

Sections (6)

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

2003: Helped Pass Medicare Prescription Drug Act

In 2003, Ron Wyden joined Senators Lindsey Graham and Trent Lott to help pass the Bush administration's Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

November 10, 2005: Voted for Amendment no. 2516 regarding enemy combatants' rights

On November 10, 2005, Ron Wyden was one of five Senate Democrats who joined 44 Republicans in voting for Amendment no. 2516, which ruled that enemy combatants did not have the right to Habeas Corpus.

June 2007: Voted in favor of declaring English the official language of the United States

In June 2007, Ron Wyden was among the minority of Democrats to vote in favor of declaring English the official language of the United States.

2011: Worked on Medicare Reform Plan with Paul Ryan

In late 2011, Ron Wyden began working with Paul Ryan to develop a Medicare reform plan that would result in semi-privatization of the system.

2012: Continued Work on Medicare Reform Plan with Paul Ryan

In early 2012, Ron Wyden continued working with Paul Ryan to develop a Medicare reform plan that would result in semi-privatization of the system.

January 2013: Expressed concerns about secret interpretations of laws regarding targeted killings

In an interview for the January 2013 documentary Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, Ron Wyden expressed concerns about legal reviews and the scope of potential assassinations of American citizens by their government, stating that the public would be surprised by the difference between the perceived meaning of laws and their secret interpretations.

March 12, 2013: Questioned James Clapper about NSA data collection

On March 12, 2013, during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing, Ron Wyden questioned James Clapper about whether the NSA collects data on millions of Americans; Clapper denied that the NSA "wittingly" did so.

June 2013: Noted Clapper's office had advance notice and opportunity to amend testimony

Following news of Snowden's leaks in early June 2013, Ron Wyden noted on June 11 that James Clapper's office had been provided with the question a day in advance of the hearing and was given the opportunity following Clapper's testimony to amend his response.

2014: Edward Snowden cited Clapper's lie to Congress as breaking point

In 2014, Edward Snowden said that the decisive moment that caused him to whistle-blow was seeing the director of national intelligence, James Clapper, directly lie under oath to Congress.

May 2017: Co-sponsored Israel Anti-Boycott Act

In May 2017, Ron Wyden co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, Senate Bill 720, which proposed federal penalties for Americans participating in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements.

May 2017: Criticized Comey Firing

In May 2017, Ron Wyden criticized the firing of FBI Director James Comey, advocating for Comey to testify in an open hearing about the investigation of Russia and Trump associates.

December 2017: Called for Trump's Resignation

In December 2017, Ron Wyden called for Donald Trump to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct and suggested a congressional investigation if Trump remained in office.

July 2018: Criticized Kavanaugh Nomination

In July 2018, after Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Ron Wyden criticized the nomination as an attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade and restrict women's health care choices.

August 2018: Cosponsored 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 his former attorney Michael Cohen.

November 2018: Letter on Politicization of the Military

In November 2018, Ron Wyden was one of 11 senators to sign a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis about "the overt politicization of the military" with the Trump administration's deployment of troops to the U.S.–Mexico border.

2019: Accused Activision Blizzard of Censorship

In 2019, Ron Wyden accused American video game company Activision Blizzard of censorship after it punished a Hong Kong-based professional gamer for supporting the pro-democracy protests. He stated that Blizzard was willing to "humiliate itself to please the Chinese Communist Party".

July 9, 2024: Letter to Attorney General requesting Special Counsel to investigate Justice Thomas

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