Sen. Wyden outlines Democratic Finance Committee agenda for upcoming Congress
(Update: adding video, comment from Rep. Emerson Levy)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a statement following Election Day outlining the Democratic committee agenda for the upcoming Congress.
The policy platform focuses on affordability for American families and increased congressional oversight of corporations and special interests.
In the statement released Wednesday, Wyden criticized recent Republican leadership of the committee regarding health care, tariffs and federal treasury management. He said the committee's top priorities under Democratic leadership will focus on lowering everyday consumer costs and holding financial institutions, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical corporations accountable.
Sen. Wyden, D-Oregon, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, outlined plans focusing on tax reform, healthcare, and trade policy. He stated that tax policy under Democratic leadership would center on corporate tax compliance and higher contributions from high-net-worth individuals.
“On taxes, the committee will redouble its efforts to ensure billionaires pay their fair share and hold tax cheats accountable,” Wyden said. “Democrats will spearhead a tax agenda that puts American families first and requires the ultra-rich and corporations to pay their fair share.”
Regarding health care policy, Wyden stated that committee Democrats plan to address industry practices and consumer expenses.
“On health care, Finance Committee Democrats will create a new foundation for America's health care system that guarantees health care for all, gives Americans cheaper and better health care and ends the corporate chokehold on our nation's health care system,” Wyden said.
Wyden also targeted current trade policies and tariffs.
“On trade, I will use this committee to reassert congressional authority over our country's trade policy to bring down costs, end Trump's disastrous and corrupt tariffs, reestablish critical trade partnerships and hold trade cheats accountable,” Wyden said.
The statement also outlined plans for congressional oversight targeting financial institutions, health insurance providers, and pharmaceutical companies.
“From the banks that helped cover up Epstein's crimes, to insurance companies that are delaying and denying health care to churn a profit, to the pharmaceutical company CEOs that price gouge while enjoying Trump's hand-delivered windfalls, when I am chair, they will be forced to answer to the Senate Finance Committee for their role in hurting the American people and enabling Trump's corruption,” Wyden said.
Here in Central Oregon, KTVZ News spoke with State Representative Emerson Levy (D-Bend) on Election night about the projected outcomes both locally and and nationwide -- and the role she believes finances played in shaping the results.
"People across the country are worried about their cost," Levy said. "Diesel is $10 in Alaska. You know, can't sell your soybeans. I think that's the big thing we're seeing across the country for this momentous change."
