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 Cybersecurity Bill

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after the Cybersecurity bill failed a cloture vote. “I voted against ending debate on this bill last time and I voted no again today because this bill needs improvement.  There are many amendments that Senators proposed in July

MERKLEY BILL WOULD CREATE JOBS REPAIRING VITAL DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). This bill would create jobs and help local communities upgrade or replace aging and damaged water and sewer systems.  Low cost financing would save homeowners and businesses money and spur construction jobs as repairs

Merkley and Levin: Finish Stronger, Simpler Volcker Rule Without Delay

Washington, DC – Today,  Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Carl Levin (D-MI) called on regulators to end the delay in issuing a final version of the Volcker Rule. In a letter to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other regulators, the Senators expressed frustration that months after the deadline has

Merkley Statement on Solar Trade Decision

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Commerce Department announced today’s decision on tariffs for Chinese solar exports:  “We know that on a level playing field, Oregon workers and businesses can compete with any company in the world. However, if China continues to cheat

Senator Merkley to Travel to Israel

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is traveling to Israel over the Senate recess period as part of a Senate delegation. The group, which also includes Senators Kay Hagan and Mark Begich, arrived in Jerusalem today. “This visit to Israel is an opportunity to meet with some of the region’s

Merkley Statement on Kitzhaber O&C Announcement

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Governor Kitzhaber announced a new panel representing county officials, forest products industry representatives, and conservation leaders to address the challenges facing O&C counties in Oregon: “I applaud the Governor’s effort to bring together Oregonians to help find a

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