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, Dexter: Congress Must Protect Farmworkers from Hazardous Wildfire Smoke, Extreme Heat
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter (OR-03) today announced they introduced the Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act. The bicameral bill would put safeguards in place for farmworkers facing the dangers of wildfire smoke and extreme weather. “Climate chaos is creating hotter, longer summers and leading
Merkley, Wyden Announce $22 Million to Support Working Forestland and Tribal Access in Eastern Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $22 million to the Qapqapa Wildlife Area project in Northeast Oregon’s Union County, which will be co-managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the Oregon
Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million for Rural Broadband Technical Assistance in Oregon
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today announced more than $2.2 million in funding to help expand high-speed internet in communities across rural Oregon. “It is more important now than ever to have reliable access to the internet, especially for rural Oregonians who depend on emergency
UPDATE: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: Federal Disaster Relief Coming to Southern Oregon Flooding Recovery
UPDATE 9/5: Merkley, Wyden, and Hoyle sent a letter on September 4th in support of Governor Kotek’s appeal and request for Individual Assistance (IA) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding for flooding and other incidents that severely damaged Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties in Oregon between March 13, 2025, and March
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $9.6 Million Heading to Oregon to Protect Forests and Advance Wood Product Innovation
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $9,622,000 in 17 projects in Oregon to boost the creation of innovative wood products, develop more markets for uses of mass timber and renewable wood energy, and increase the capacity of
Merkley Announces Committee Action to Advance Critical Community-Initiated Projects for Oregon
Appropriations Hub on Merkley’s website will update as Oregon projects are selected and move through the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding process Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced he secured essential investments for Oregon families and rural and underserved communities