The carbon pollution in our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels like oil and coal is waging a direct and unchecked assault on our farming, fishing and forests – the cornerstones of Oregon’s rural economy.
When Jeff was young, his dad worked as a millwright. He spent his childhood in Southern Oregon timber communities, where timber jobs were what put food on the table and kept roofs over folks’ head. Fires and insect infestations are already killing trees at alarming rates across the Northwest, and climate change will only make these threats to our forests worse. Other iconic Oregon industries like our coastal oyster hatcheries are threatened by ocean acidification, and fishing and farming alike are facing threats from declining snowpacks and increased drought.
Congress needs to wake up. Climate change is real, and it’s bad for our economy and jobs, especially in rural Oregon and the places that most depend on our abundant natural resources.
Dexter, Merkley Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Wildland Firefighters’ Health
Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act establishes first-of-its-kind respiratory protections, strengthens health monitoring and improves care for federal wildland firefighters. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (D-OR), Reps. Huffman (D-CA) and Gallagher (R-CA), and Sens. Merkley (D-OR), Padilla (D-CA), Curtis (R-UT), Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety
Curtis, Merkley Wildfire Emissions Prevention Bill Unanimously Passes Committee
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today applauded the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s unanimous passage of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA), bipartisan legislation to streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier,
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Agricultural Water Access Amid Worsening Drought in Oregon
Legislation would help upgrade outdated water infrastructure systems to support agriculture Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would help improve water resilience in communities across Oregon and the West as drought in the region persists after last year’s record-low snowpack. “Water scarcity
Merkley Joins Effort to Help State, Local, Tribal Agencies Monitor Air Pollution from Wildfires
Washington, D.C.– Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined his Senate colleagues to introduce new legislation that would help state, local, and Tribal government agencies monitor worsening air pollution caused by wildfires and make more informed public health decisions. “When the 2020 Labor Day fires swept across Oregon, I drove over
Merkley, Senators Call on Watchdog to Probe Tax Subsidies for LNG Exporters
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in urging the Acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to launch an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service
Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways
Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways.The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program
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