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
Wyden, Merkley and Sanders Introduce New Bill to Bring Accountability to the VA
Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and several of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bill late yesterday to bring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to cut through the red tape that keeps veterans waiting far too long
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
Merkley Announces $1.55 Million in Federal Grants to Create Jobs by Revitalizing and Redeveloping Oregon Communities
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that five Oregon communities will receive $1.55 million in new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to redevelop brownfield sites. Communities that were awarded grants include Linn County, Tillamook County, and the cities of Salem, Sherwood and Tigard. These grants will
Senators Merkley and Warren Call on President Obama to Fill Vacant Fed Slots with Strong Financial Reform Advocates
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) – leading voices on the Senate Banking Committee for the Main Street economy and a stronger approach to financial regulation – today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to fill remaining openings on the Federal Reserve Board