Press Releases

Oregon Delegation Denounces Trump Administration’s Attacks on Humanities Funding

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—in slamming federal funding cuts at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) following a majority of the agency’s entire staff being placed on paid administrative leave and cuts to more

Oregon Delegation Urges Reversal of Cuts, Planned Layoffs at Social Security That Hurt State’s Seniors

Letter from Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Bynum, Dexter cites disastrous decisions in Social Security field offices in Warrenton, La Grande and The Dalles Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation – Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) – in urging

Oregon Delegation Demands Immediate Restoration of Critical FEMA Program

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—in calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately restore Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants. These federal grants are critical to ensuring that Oregon’s communities—especially in

Merkley Statement on Payroll Tax and Unemployment Insurance Compromise

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the passage of the conference report of the extension of the payroll tax cut and continuation of unemployment insurance.  “I am pleased that the House and the Senate have come to a deal on the extension of the

Merkley Introduces Bipartisan Amendment to Help Oregon Farmers and Ranchers

Portland, OR– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced a bipartisan amendment to the transportation bill currently on the Senate floor that would cut red tape for farmers and ranchers transporting their products. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senator’s Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), would allow farmers and ranchers who

Merkley: 2013 Budget Lays Groundwork for Success of America’s Middle Class

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the release of President Obama’s budget for the fiscal year 2013. “The budget put forth by the President lays out a plan for America’s success by prioritizing the success of America’s middle class.  It puts our economic focus

Merkley, Senators Urge Continuation of Unemployment Insurance

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley led a group of fourteen Senators calling on the conference committee negotiating the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act to renew federal unemployment insurance provisions through the end of the year without new barriers to participation or new burdensome requirements for states. 

Merkley Praises New 2013 Timeline to End Combat in Afghanistan

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley wrote to President Barack Obama to express his strong support of the announcement of an accelerated transition in Afghanistan.  The letter came on the heels of comments by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the United States will complete its transition from major

Merkley Calls For Komen To Reconsider Planned Parenthood Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined with 25 U.S. Senators to call on Nancy Brinker, Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to reconsider her organization’s decision to stop funding cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.     “It would be tragic if any woman—let alone thousands

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