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.
Forty-One Senators Call on Appropriators to Reject Anti-Environment Poison Pills
The lawmakers warn that policy riders harming environmental and public health would derail the Senate’s ability to pass spending bills Washington, DC – Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,
Merkley Announces Committee Action to Boost Oregon’s Wildfire Resiliency, Water Infrastructure, and Climate Investments
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—as the Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—announced he helped advance critical investments to strengthen forest health and wildfire resiliency, protect public lands and the environment, boost important programs for Tribes, and support critical projects for Oregon communities. The federal funding comes
Merkley Remarks at Senate Appropriations Committee Markup of Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) delivered the following remarks as the Senate Appropriations Committee met for a full committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Senator Merkley’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: “Thank you,
Merkley and Hoyle Introduce Columbia River Clean-Up Act to Reauthorize Columbia River Basin Restoration Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) introduced the Columbia River Clean-Up Act to reauthorize the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program. Sen. Merkley created the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program in 2016 to focus federal attention on reducing toxics and pollution through
Merkley Leads Oregon Delegation to Urge Release of Critical Fishery Disaster Funding
Lawmakers press the Trump Administration to act quickly to unlock $7 million intended to help Oregon’s ocean commercial fishermen recover from significant economic losses from declining salmon populations Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led the Oregon Democratic delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—in pressing the Trump Administration
Merkley, Sheehy Unveil New Bipartisan Effort to Boost Rural Economies, Wildfire Resiliency
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Montana’s U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy today introduced the bipartisan Supporting American Wood and Mill Infrastructure with Loans for Longevity (SAWMILL) Act. The brand-new legislation supports mills in Oregon, Montana, and across the nation by unlocking federal dollars to support mills retooling or
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