Interior Cuts in Trump Administration’s “Skinny” Budget to Leave Lasting Scars on Public Lands, Tribal Nations, and Human Health
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee on the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the below statement following the release of President Trump’s ‘skinny’ budget for Fiscal Year 2026. “This budget is exactly what we expected from this administration: abandoning critical programs, slashing essential government services,
Merkley Announces Central Oregon Town Halls
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he will hold three town halls for Oregonians in Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties on Saturday, May 10. Merkley will be joined by U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum for the Deschutes County town hall in Sisters. The three rescheduled events in Central
Sens. Wicker, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Co-Chairs of the Senate Nursing Caucus, introduced the Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act. This legislation would ensure that nurses in the federal Nurse Corps do not need to pay income tax on their student loan repayments and scholarships. “Nurses are essential to
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.75 Million to Bolster Regenerative Agriculture on Working Lands
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) approved 3 grants—totaling $1,755,163.61—to fund conservation efforts in Oregon and across the region. This funding from the Conservation Partners Program will provide farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners with targeted technical
Merkley, Wyden Announce $7 Million Heading to Portland for Affordable Housing
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding the City of Portland a total of $7 million in federal funding to support the city’s efforts to enhance affordable housing accessibility. “I hear from Oregonians
Senators Markey, Merkley Introduce Legislation Prohibiting Fossil Fuel Executives from Controlling Energy-Related Agencies
Legislation would put a 10-year ban on fossil fuel executives and lobbyists for energy-related federal political appointments Bill Text (PDF) Washington (January 16, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today reintroduced the Banning In Government Oil
Merkley Applauds Biden Administration for Protecting Vulnerable Hong Kong Residents in America from Deportation
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a past chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and a leading voice in Congress on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong—today issued the following statement after the Biden Administration extended the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program and its protections for Hong
Merkley Statement on Ceasefire Deal
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the first Senator in Congress to call for a lasting ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war—issued the following statement after negotiators announced a deal had been reached to pause fighting in Gaza: “I am highly encouraged by the news of a ceasefire deal that
Kaine, Bennet, Hickenlooper, King, Luján, Merkley, Shaheen, Van Hollen, Warner & Welch Unveil Amendment to Improve Laken Riley Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angus I. King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) unveiled an amendment to the Laken Riley Act to improve the ability