Merkley Presses Trump Official to Support Oregon and American Manufacturing
Senator Merkley pressed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to support Oregon and American manufacturers by continuing the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) during a Senate Appropriations hearing. The Trump Administration moved to eliminate the MEP program earlier this year.
Congress has the power to declare war, not the President.
Senator Merkley spoke on the Senate floor in support of Senator Kaine’s war powers resolution on June 27, 2025.
Republicans BLOCKED bill to protect borrowers from crushing student debt
I was the first in my family to go to college. I know how difficult it can be to access higher education. I just brought my SOAR Act—a student loan repayment plan that protects borrowers from unaffordable student loan payments—to the floor for a vote. Republicans BLOCKED IT.
Merkley Launches “Operation: Main Street” for Oregon Businesses and 501(c)(3) nonprofits
(Originally posted March 30th, 2020) – I’ve just launched “Operation: Main Street,” an online economic recovery hub to help Oregon businesses and 501(c)(3)s get emergency aid: www.merkley.senate.gov/mainstreet As programs come online, this portal will be updated with new information and specifics about how and where to access these funds. For
UPDATE: Coronavirus 3 Aid Package
Still at the Capitol. Desk is chaos now. PB&J’s keeping me going through long hours of negotiations. Handful of Republican Senators holding aid hostage now over unemployment benefits for Americans of all things. We need to get this passed NOW.
Update on Stranded Oregonians Abroad
(Originally posted March 24th, 2020) – In my Senate office, hoping for a vote on the third coronavirus relief bill tonight, and wanted to take a second to talk about another critical issue: getting stranded Oregonians and Americans home ASAP. My team and I are working in overdrive to get
3.18.2020 Live Media Call
(Originally streamed live on March 18th, 2020): The Senate is voting within the next hour on bipartisan legislation to help in the response to coronavirus, and I’m talking to Oregon media about it. As we continue to grapple with this public health crisis, our top priorities must be to continue
Merkley Questions DeVos on “Borrowers Defense” Claims
(Originally posted March 9th, 2020) – Oregon has nearly 3,000 “borrower defense” claims in to the Department of Education, which would allow people who have been defrauded or misled by for-profit schools to seek relief. Under Betsy DeVos, only 13 of those applicants were approved last quarter. I’m pressing for
2020 Clackamas County Town Hall
(Originally streamed live on March 7th, 2020) – I’m holding a second town hall today in Clackamas County—my 23rd town hall this year and 419th as a senator. Tune in to participate in our “We the People” democracy!
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