Press Releases

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 Statement on EPA Climate Announcement

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants: “Climate change is no longer a distant hypothetical — it is here now. It is already waging an assault on Oregon’s natural resources, damaging

Merkley Statement on VA Secretary Shinseki’s Resignation

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Shinseki announced his resignation earlier today:   “Secretary Shinseki has served our country with honor for decades. Though I believe that new leadership is necessary at the VA, I have the utmost

Merkley Calls for VA Secretary Shinseki’s Resignation

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement calling for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Shinseki to resign: “The reports of long wait times and cover ups at the VA are 100% unacceptable, and there needs to be accountability. After yesterday’s inspector general report, it is

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