Ron Wyden (born May 3, 1949) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Oregon since 1996. A member of the Democratic Party, he is known for his advocacy on privacy rights, consumer protection, and healthcare reform. Wyden chairs the Senate Finance Committee and serves on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Born in Wichita, Kansas, to a Jewish family, he earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a J.D. from the University of Oregon. He began his political career in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1991. In the Senate, he has championed the USA Freedom Act and Medicare drug price negotiation. Wyden is noted for his bipartisan approach and independent stance on issues like digital privacy and trade policy.
