The Beaver State was built by Americans who relied on the land for their livelihood. Natural resource industries like farming, forestry, and salmon fishing remain integral to Oregon’s economy today. Our state has also long been a destination for Americans looking to experience the great outdoors. Oregon’s protected public lands provide valuable habitats, supply clean water, and generate jobs through sustainable harvests, recreation, and tourism. Preserving our natural resources and making smart decisions about economic development will help spur rural growth and ensure that future generations can enjoy Oregon’s wild places and public lands while putting people to work.
Merkley Denounces Reckless Republican Effort to Sell off Public Lands in “One Big, Beautiful Bill”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee and the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, released the below statement following reports that the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” includes provisions that would allow the federal government to sell off millions of acres of federal
Merkley: Trump Firefighting Reorganization Plan ‘Literally Playing with Fire’
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that oversees funding for the U.S. Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service, released the following statement after President Trump issued an executive order directing the agencies to reorganize and consolidate wildland firefighting efforts: “Instead of focusing on
Markey, Leader Schumer, Wyden, Merkley Release Data Detailing Hundreds of Rural Hospitals Across U.S. at Risk Due to Republican Health Care Cuts
Over 300 Rural Hospitals at Disproportionate Risk of Closure, Conversion, or Service Reductions Lawmakers Also Provided Data to President Trump, Leader Thune, and Speaker Johnson in Letter Letter and Data | Sheps Response Washington (June 12, 2025) – Following House Republicans’ passage of a bill that would impose the largest
Merkley: Forest Service Dangerously Unprepared for Wildfire Season
Washington, D.C. – Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) issued the following statement after a hearing with U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the agency: “Forest Service Chief Schultz’s testimony only underscored the immense, serious challenges facing communities
Trump Forest Service Head ADMITS 1,400 Fire-Certified Employees have been PUSHED OUT
Senator Merkley pressed Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz on pushing out vital fire-certified personnel ahead of fire season, and called his attempts to slash essential federal support for state, rural, and volunteer fire departments a “violation of trust.” Watch the full hearing here: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/a-review-of-the-presidents-fiscal-year-2026-budget-request-for-the-united-states-forest-service
Merkley Remarks at Forest Service Budget Hearing with Chief Schultz
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the hearing reviewing the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Forest Service with Chief Tom Schultz: Senator Merkley’s remarks, as prepared for
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