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 Applauds Decision to Grant Variance to Portland Water Bureau
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the announcement by the Oregon Health Authority that they have granted a formal, first in the country, variance for Portland’s municipal drinking water system: “This is great news for the City of Portland and its ratepayers. I’ve been
CROWDFUND Act to Encourage Safe, Accessible Investing Through the Internet
Washington, DC- Today, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to provide online funding for startup companies while instituting strong protections for investors. The Capital Raising Online While Deterring Fraud and Unethical Non-Disclosure Act of 2011 (CROWDFUND Act) would legalize and regulate the raising of start-up capital for small businesses
Merkley Amendment Huge Win for Farmers and Ranchers
Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed by voice vote a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to transport their products to market if they operate near state lines. The amendment was cosponsored by Senators Roy Blunt
MERKLEY ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON PAYDAY LENDERS
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced his intent to introduce federal payday legislation to establish strong rules for payday lenders and close loopholes on online and offshore payday lending sites. Today, Merkley also sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray to call
Merkley Statement on the Passing of Bob Caldwell
Portland, OR- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Robert J. Caldwell, Editorial Page Editor of The Oregonian. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Caldwell. I have appreciated Bob’s leadership of The Oregon Editorial Pages for many years, from my time at
Merkley: Secure Rural Schools Amendment a Lifeline For Rural Counties
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted 82-16 to pass an amendment that will extend the Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs: “Today is a very good day for our timber counties. County payments are a basic