“Ronald Lee Wyden (born May 3, 1949) is a U.S. Senator from Oregon, serving since 1996 after being elected in a special election to fill the vacancy left by Robert W. Packwood. Wyden, a Democrat, previously served in the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996. He holds degrees from Stanford University and the University of Oregon Law School. Wyden has chaired several important Senate committees, including the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Finance. He is known for his advocacy on behalf of Oregon and his leadership in energy policy and healthcare reform.”