Ron Wyden
Newly confirmed interior secretary suppressed information on pesticide risks, documents show
When Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke stepped down in January amid multiple ethics probes, his deputy secretary, David Bernhardt, filled in. Now, as the longtime oil and agribusiness lobbyist formally takes the reins at the Interior Department, criticism is mounting over alleged conflicts of interest and government documents indicate that Bernhardt interfered with a key US Fish and Wildlife Service report that detailed the risks pesticides can pose to endangered species.
Rand Paul uses 13-hour filibuster to stall John Brennan’s ultimately successful nomination
Sen. Rand Paul spent 13 hours on a talking filibuster to stall the nomination of John Brennan to head up the CIA. With bipartisan concern over drone strikes aimed at Americans overseas, some are concerned drones could also be used on American soil in the future.
Ron Wyden’s Victory Efforts
Steve Curwood speaks with political commentator Russell Sadler about the green strategy which won former Senator Bob Packwood’s seat for Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden. Swing voters with environmental concerns were apparently the deciding factor in a very close, and closely watched, race.
Oregon Hot Seat
Ley Garnett reports on the two candidates vying for Bob Packwood’s recently vacated Oregon Senate seat: Democratic congressman Ron Wyden, and Republican state senator Gordon Smith. The politics of logging and pollution are heating up as Oregonians decide the future of their leaders’ careers.