Press Releases

Oregon Delegation Announces $36 Million to Tackle Railroad Crossing Challenges

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Janelle Bynum, announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation is sending a combined $36,314,523 for two Oregon communities to eliminate railroad crossings, improve congestion, and boost safety and accessibility. Of this federal funding,

Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.6 Million to Boost EV Charging Infrastructure in Warm Springs

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $2,556,496 is coming to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to supercharge electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Oregon. This federal investment from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve the reliability and accessibility of charging infrastructure for

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Dexter Announce $5 Million for Sustainable Community Development Projects in Portland Metro Area

Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Maxine Dexter today announced a federal investment of $5 million for projects in the Portland metro area that develop zero-emission transit to connect disadvantaged communities to jobs, education, economic opportunity, public spaces and parks. “Having reliable

Merkley: DOMA Decision Huge Stride Forward for Equality and Fairness

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. “This Supreme Court decision that the federal government must recognize all marriages is a huge stride forward for equality and fairness.  No one should be denied

Merkley Applauds New Steps to Combat Climate Change

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced new actions to combat climate change, including regulation of carbon pollution from power plants. “I applaud President Obama for acting to take on our most pressing global challenge. Already we are beginning to see the

Merkley: Voting Rights Act Decision Fundamentally Off Base

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a key section of the Voting Rights Act.  “In a democracy, there is no right more fundamental than the right to vote, and yet in some places, Americans still face the threat

Wyden, Merkley, Announce Passage of Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Bill

Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley celebrated the Senate passage of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act today, which will permanently conserve thousands of acres of pristine forest near the Southern Oregon coast. The bill now goes to the House.  “The proposed Devil’s Staircase Wilderness area is

Merkley Amendment to Protect Jobs in the Woods Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to end abuse of the H-2B visa program in forestry work and protect American jobs in American forests. The amendment will be added to the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate. In 2010, the Bend

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is asking the Obama administration to make public secret court opinions that include significant findings about the legal scope of the NSA surveillance programs. These court opinions are currently classified and thus kept

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