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, Wyden Applaud Department of Interior’s Decision to Award $2 Million for Klamath Basin Drought Relief
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today applauded Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar’s decision to award an additional $2 million to the Klamath Water and Power Authority for water bank and land idling. Today’s decision comes as many farmers and ranchers are facing a
Wyden/Merkley: $5 Million Award Cements Oregon’s Role as Leader in Green Technology
Washington, D.C. – A White House announcement that a soon-to-be Oregon company will receive $5 million in Recovery Act money to develop batteries for hybrid and all-electric cars further establishes Oregon’s reputation as a center for green technology, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today. “Oregon is already
Merkley: The Fight Continues to Bring Accountability to Wall Street
Washington DC – Today, a minority of Senators voted to block the Senate from beginning debate of the Wall Street reform bill. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement: “Today, Senators showed the American people where they stand. And, unfortunately, some Senators voted to stand alongside the executives and
Merkley to Hold Morrow, Umatilla and Baker County Town Halls
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Morrow, Umatilla, and Baker Counties next week. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Advocating for Oregonians
Senate Budget Committee Adopts Merkley Forest Jobs Amendment
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to improve forest health and pave the way for forest jobs to be included in upcoming jobs bills. The amendment was co-sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden. “Rural jobs absolutely have to be part of any
Merkley’s Bill to Strengthen Protections for Migratory Birds Passes out of Committee
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act, a bill introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley last November. The legislation will increase the maximum penalties for intentionally harming or killing protected migratory birds. “Congress should send a strong