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Senator Wyden takes tough stand against special interest influence in elections

July 26, 2010

Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate will take its initial vote on the DISCLOSE Act, a bill designed to curb the unlimited special interest spending in American elections. Senator Ron Wyden, one of the bill's chief sponsors, is committed to not having the voices of average Oregonians drowned out by an endless flood of special interest money.

"If the Supreme Court wants to treat corporations as individuals then we will hold those entities to the same standards of accountability that we do individuals," he said in April immediately following the Citizens United decision.

And today, the day before the first votes on the DISCLOSE Act occur, Senator Wyden had strong words for those special interests, foreign interests, and others seeking to influence American elections who oppose more openness and transparency: "[Why] don't these organizations want to put their name on political speech?''

Senator Wyden is a longtime advocate for clean and open elections. He has always fought for greater transparency when it comes to campaign spending and routinely points out that "sunlight is the best disinfectant" in politics. The DISCLOSE Act is latest version of Senator Wyden's original Stand By Your Ad law, which he wrote in 1996 to make political candidates take personal responsibility for their advertising. To learn more about his recent work, click here.



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For decades, Oregon timber companies and environmental groups have fought over Oregon's eastside forests. Just recently, Senator Ron Wyden negotiated a historic compromise that could end years of conflict, put Oregonians back to work, and restore the health of our forests.

Wyden's Oregon Eastside Forests Restoration, Old Growth Protection and Jobs Act brought these timber companies and environmental groups together with a common purpose: protect Oregon's natural beauty while creating much-needed jobs in forest management.

See why Senator Wyden's efforts are receiving high praise.

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Wall Street

Senator Ron Wyden has taken on Wall Street, and is fighting for financial reforms to end taxpayer and consumer ripoffs.

Senator Wyden has fought the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. He said no to the bailout not just once, but twice. First, he rejected President Bush's request for $350 billion. Then when President Obama came looking for $350 billion more for Wall Street banks, he again put his nation and fiscal responsibility ahead of party politics and voted "no."

Senator Wyden has also worked hard to stop Wall Street executives from receiving bonuses from your tax dollars, and has fought for financial reforms to stop credit card companies from ripping off consumers.

Learn more about how Senator Wyden is standing up to Wall Street.

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fighting sex trafficking

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"Sex trafficking is slavery, pure and simple," said Wyden. "It's a crime against human dignity in which girls - teenage and even younger - are bought and sold for sexual exploitation. It is an international problem, but it a very real Oregon problem."

Learn how Senator Wyden is fighting these heinous crimes against human dignity.