All posts tagged: Ron Wyden

Congress passes short extension of surveillance program

Congress passes short extension of surveillance program

Published by Sam Flores

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., speaks as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Donald Trump’s trade policy, on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 8, 2025. Kevin Mohatt | Reuters The House and Senate on Friday approved a short-term extensive of a section of federal law that allows the warrantless surveillance and collection of foreign intelligence, though a renewal beyond the end of this month remains in jeopardy. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 was set to expire on Monday and allows the government to collect the communications of people outside the U.S., including when they are interacting with Americans. Friday’s votes extend the program to April 30. The short-term extension advanced out of the House only after GOP hard-liners spiked separate five-year and 18-moth proposals to extend the program in the early hours of Friday morning. Why is Section 702 controversial? Supporters argue the warrantless surveillance program is an invaluable tool in protecting U.S. interests and thwarting potential threats. The CIA said this month …

Congress contemplates its role on tariffs after Supreme Court decision

Congress contemplates its role on tariffs after Supreme Court decision

Published by Sam Flores

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) gives a thumbs up as he arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura | Getty Images President Donald Trump says he does not need Congress to impose tariffs, but his recent attempts to impose new import duties could trigger difficult votes for Republicans ahead of midterms. And Democrats are vowing to disrupt attempts to extend Trump’s trade policy. Shortly after the Supreme Court spiked a majority of Trump’s tariffs on Friday, the president doubled-down and issued another round using Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. That statute caps rates at 15% and requires congressional authorization for an extension beyond 150 days, creating the potential for a difficult vote on an unpopular issue for congressional Republicans in the midst of election season. “I’m freaked out about it. Because every poll shows that American voters are against tariffs at a 2-to-1 ratio. The president has latched on to a very unpopular policy,” said Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., one of …

Congressional Democrats seek to force refunds

Congressional Democrats seek to force refunds

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) speaks at a press conference following the Democratic weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Dec.9, 2025. Annabelle Gordon | Reuters A group of Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday that would mandate refunds of tariffs paid under President Donald Trump’s higher duties that the Supreme Court struck down on Friday. The legislation, led by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, follows the Supreme Court’s momentous 6-3 decision on Friday ruling against a majority of Trump’s tariffs. “Trump’s illegal tax scheme has already done lasting damage to American families, small businesses and manufacturers who have been hammered by wave after wave of new Trump tariffs,” Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement. “Senate Democrats will continue fighting to rein in Donald Trump’s price-hiking trade and economic policies. A crucial first step is helping people who need it most, by putting money back in the pockets of small businesses and manufacturers as soon as …