All articles tagged with #ron wyden
US Democrats are aggressively criticizing President Trump's push to rebrand AI as 'super intelligence' and his plan to appoint an 'AI czar,' while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emerged as a leading candidate for the new position. The administration is simultaneously engaging in high-level AI talks with China at the UN, despite Trump's rejection of global oversight.
Sen. Ron Wyden proposes a federal framework aimed at data centers that would bar them from Opportunity Zone incentives, bar full expensing for data-center investments, and impose a low single‑digit excise tax whose revenue would be used to aid communities affected by AI; Wyden argues the data-center boom shows incentives aren’t needed and emphasizes funding to address AI’s impacts, while noting that details like defining what qualifies as a data center still need work. The update also covers related Capitol Hill developments on AI legislation and Senate agenda discussions.
Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden warns the Trump administration is preparing a rapid removal plan for more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children in ORR custody, bypassing protections and humanitarian duties. He urges an immediate halt, noting past rapid deportation attempts and questions sponsor-vetting under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The administration denies plans; advocates say children have faced long stays in shelters while sponsors are sought.
Democrats on both sides of Congress introduced bills to tax at a 100% rate any future payouts from a $1.8 billion Trump allies’ “slush fund,” with a 50% penalty for evasion, in an effort to block the fund and recover any disbursed money. The fund, described as restitution for allies who aided Trump and possibly used to pay January 6 rioters, has drawn bipartisan skepticism and calls for transparency and statutory authority from Republicans.
Sen. Ron Wyden is moving to block Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s confirmation to lead the NSA, arguing the Trump pick is not qualified and lacks adequate safeguards on constitutional civil liberties.
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden criticized a new CBO report showing that the Senate reconciliation bill would cut over $930 billion from Medicaid, with additional cuts to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, warning that these cuts could severely impact vulnerable populations and health care access.
Sen. Ron Wyden criticized UnitedHealth Group for appointing an inexperienced CISO, linking this decision to a significant ransomware attack on Change Healthcare. Wyden urged the FTC and SEC to hold UnitedHealth's senior executives accountable for cybersecurity negligence, which he claims led to severe disruptions and data breaches affecting millions of Americans.
Newly released documents show that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been purchasing Americans' web browsing data from commercial data brokers without warrants, including information about the websites visited and apps used. This practice has raised concerns about privacy violations and legality, prompting Senator Ron Wyden to push for an end to warrantless surveillance of Americans through internet data purchases. The NSA claims the data is used for cybersecurity and foreign intelligence missions, but Wyden and privacy advocates argue that the government should not be funding and legitimizing a practice that violates Americans' privacy.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden has launched an investigation into the PGA Tour's merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf, citing concerns about national security and the implications of tying the organization to an authoritarian regime. Wyden has also announced plans to introduce legislation to revoke the Saudi Public Investment Fund's special tax exemption. The investigation follows criticism from other lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who have raised antitrust and foreign government control concerns.
Harlan Crow, a billionaire, has refused to comply with a request by Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden for a complete accounting of Crow’s gifts to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Wyden has previously said he would “explore using other tools at the committee’s disposal” should Crow not cooperate with the request. The Finance Committee is expected to respond shortly.
Senator Ron Wyden has called for tighter federal security requirements for the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards used by low-income families to buy food, as more households become victims of electronic theft. The cards, which are used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), currently only have magnetic stripes, making them vulnerable to skimming. Wyden has urged the US Department of Agriculture to require updated technology, such as embedded microchips and contactless payments, to combat the issue. The USDA has said it is working with state and federal partners and retailers to protect SNAP benefits and will pilot a program using mobile payment technology.