Wyden, Merkley: Major Disaster Declaration Issued for 2024 Wildfires in Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco & Wheeler Counties
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they were gratified that President Biden has issued a major disaster declaration for Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco and Wheeler counties that enables those five Oregon counties to receive federal help for wildfires last year between July 10-August 23. The major disaster
Merkley, Wyden Announce $37.4 Million for Critical Central Oregon Irrigation Projects
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation is sending a total of $37.4 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to three irrigation districts in Central Oregon for piping projects that will boost drought resiliency, conserve almost 5,000 acre-feet of
Wyden, Merkley Celebrate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Support Farmers and Ranchers Facing Severe Drought in Klamath Basin
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., celebrated the Senate unanimously passing a bipartisan bill to support farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin with improved tools to respond to severe drought, while restoring fish and wildlife habitat in the region. The Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support
Wyden, DeFazio, Merkley Introduce Chetco River Protection Bills in House and Senate
Washington, D.C. – Seeking to protect the Chetco River from expanded suction dredge mining that threatens salmon and steelhead breeding grounds, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced bills in both the House and the Senate to permanently raise the federal
Merkley Unveils New Plan to Eliminate America’s Dependence on Overseas Oil
Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released an ambitious plan to eliminate America’s dependence on overseas oil by 2030 (online here). In a speech before the Center for American Progress, Merkley laid out the national security, economic and health reasons that such a plan is needed to
Seniors Begin to See Benefits of Health Reform as First Step to Closing Medicare “Donut Hole” Takes Effect
Washington, D.C. – Seniors across the country who struggle with the high cost of prescription drugs will begin to see relief this week as a result of the landmark health reform law. Rebate checks worth $250 will be mailed to seniors who are forced to pay full price for their
Merkley Calls for Stronger Food Safety Laws and Urges Senate to Quickly Pass Food Safety Bill
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today met with state public health officials and families of children who have been sickened by food-borne illnesses to talk about the need for stronger food safety laws and increased measures to track contaminated food. A food safety bill is currently pending in
Merkley Stresses College Affordability with UO Students and Calls for More Educational Opportunities
Eugene, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley met with University of Oregon students and faculty on campus today to stress the importance of education and college affordability and highlight the recent changes to student lending programs and the federal Pell Grant program. Merkley called for support of college affordability programs
Senate Supplemental Spending Bill Includes $10 Million for Klamath Drought Relief
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden successfully amended a Senate emergency spending bill to include $10 million in drought relief for farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin. In an unusual move, Representative Greg Walden came over to the Senate side of the Capitol to