Jobs & Economy

Supporting Oregon Families

Too many middle-class families in Oregon are hurting. Around the state, the cost of living is skyrocketing, and many areas struggle to create and retain jobs. Ron is focused squarely on promoting policies that create jobs, grow paychecks, and improve the economic security of Oregon families. That means overhauling the tax code to promote growth and investment, making trade more fair and opening markets for goods made in Oregon, investing in clean energy produced in Oregon, and promoting innovation in every sector from tech to agriculture. Ron is fighting against special interest tax loopholes and for a tax system where big corporations have to play by the same rules as everyday Americans.

In 2019, Ron introduced sweeping legislation to overhaul the U.S. tax code in order to start taxing wealth like wages, ensuring that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. He also implemented the most sweeping reform of our nation’s foster care system in a generation with his Family First legislation.

Ron introduced the first legislation to hold Big Oil accountable for price-gouging Americans at the gas pump by implementing a tax on excess oil and gas profits.

In 2022, under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Senate passed Ron’s legislation to crack down on corporations that reward their shareholders and CEOs with stock buybacks, and instead incentivize companies to invest in their workers and create more, good-paying red, white, and blue jobs.

Ron also worked to pass legislation in 2022 that would boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips, invest in American workers, ease supply chain woes, and lower costs for American families.

Education

Ron is working to bring down the cost of college, and relieve the crushing load of student debt. As a first step, he passed a permanent extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, offering families a helping hand with college costs. He believes in making sure every child has access to a quality K-12 education, and is working with Oregon leaders to attack Oregon’s low graduation rates. Ron worked hard to replace No Child Left Behind with a better approach that empowers teachers and parents, and supports schools.

Digital Economy & Internet Freedom

Few members of Congress have been as involved in protecting the internet from over-regulation, over-taxation and monopolization as Ron Wyden.

Two decades ago, Ron authored a critical provision of the Communications Decency Act that has allowed regular Americans to make their voices heard as never before. This provision, known as the “most important law protecting internet speech, helped create the digital world and marketplaces we rely upon everyday. He wrote the Internet Tax Freedom Act that protects internet access and services from multiple, burdensome taxes at every level of government. Ron has been on the front lines of the fight to enshrine net neutrality and defend a free and open internet. He stands up to big cable companies to ensure that the internet remains affordable and accessible to everyone, both consumers and providers of new and innovative services.

Ron believes in an open internet that allows all Americans the freedom to speak, learn and innovate online.