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.
Salinas, Merkley Re-Introduce Bill to Restore Hunting and Fishing Rights for Grand Ronde Tribe
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation to restore traditional hunting and fishing rights for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The House version of the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05). The Senate
Ranking Members Pingree, Merkley Condemn Indian Affairs Hiring Freeze, Firings as Violation of Tribal Sovereignty
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrats on the subcommittees that oversee funding for the Department of the Interior (DOI), demanded the Trump Administration immediately reinstate terminated Indian Affairs employees, lift the hiring freeze, and officially rescind the deferred resignation and early retirement offers. As
Huffman, Merkley, Reintroduce Bill to Restore Critical Kelp Forests
The Help Our Kelp Act Would Improve Conditions for the Marine Life Central to Our Economy Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the bicameral Help Our Kelp Act of 2025 to improve conditions for kelp forests and marine life. This
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Exempt Seasonal Firefighters from Federal Hiring Freeze
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined their Senate colleagues to urge the Trump Administration to exempt seasonal firefighters from the federal hiring freeze that’s reportedly preventing the hiring and onboarding of seasonal firefighters, a workforce that already struggles with recruitment and retention. “We write today following
Heinrich, Murray, Merkley, Klobuchar Demand Answers from USDA on Wildfire Mitigation Projects, Firefighting Hiring Halted by Trump’s Funding Freeze
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member
Merkley, Heinrich, Western Senators: Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Threatening Wildfire Mitigation Efforts
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, and New Mexico’s Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, led a group
English 
Spanish