Wyden Will Vote ‘No’ on Spending Bill Without Solutions on CHIP and DACA, or Reforms to Warrantless Surveillance

Washington, D.C. –Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced he will vote no on a spending bill that fails to address health insurance for millions of children, does not address DACA, or includes an extension of warrantless surveillance under FISA Section 702.

“The House’s flawed, slapdash bill fails to give families and states long-term security and peace of mind when it comes to the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides essential health care to more than 80,000 children across Oregon. CHIP is a vital lifeline covering preventative services, dental checkups, treatment for serious illnesses and more.

“Every day, more than 11,000 DACA recipients in Oregon and hundreds of thousands across the country face the very real danger of being ripped from their families and communities. I cannot support an end-of-year deal that fails to include protections for these young Americans to stay in the only country they know as their home: the United States.

"Finally, I cannot support legislation that extends warrantless surveillance without reforms to protect Americans’ rights. Although a short-term extension of FISA Section 702 is preferable to many of the alternatives proposed by supporters of unchecked surveillance, Congress must make meaningful reforms that protect Americans’ rights while allowing intelligence agencies target true threats overseas.”