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Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, and Risch Push to Reauthorize Program Supporting Rural Counties in Oregon, Idaho and Nationwide

February 4, 2025

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) said today that they along with U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and 17 other Senate colleagues have reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) administered for counties hosting

Merkley and Colleagues to EPA Administrator Zeldin: Provide Valid Legal Basis for EPA Funding Freeze that is Threatening Jobs and Jeopardizing Infrastructure Projects

February 3, 2025

During his first days on the job, EPA Administrator Zeldin rubber stamps Trump’s disastrous funding freeze and violates federal law Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee—joined all his Democratic colleagues of the Committee in demanding answers from

Wyden, Merkley Call for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Illegally Fired by Trump

February 3, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are demanding the immediate reinstatement of Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies, in a letter to Donald Trump strongly condemning his recent decision to remove them from their crucial posts. The IGs who were

Thompson, Merkley Introduce Bill to Combat Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

January 31, 2025

Washington – Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act—legislation to protect communities across the country from the hazardous health, economic, and environmental impacts of severe wildfire smoke and extreme heat events. Thompson introduced the bill in the House

Merkley Applauds Investigation into TSA’s Unchecked Use of Facial Recognition Technology at Airports Nationwide

January 31, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today released the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari launching an investigation into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of facial biometric data: “We only get one face, and everyone who values privacy, freedom,

Merkley: Trump’s Fossil Fuel Cabinet is a Disaster for our Climate, Economy, and our Kids’ Futures

January 30, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee and a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee—today released the following statement on the nominations of Lee Zeldin for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Doug Burgum for Secretary of

Merkley, Wyden Blast President Trump’s Illegal Federal Funding Cuts That Harm American Families

January 29, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today issued the following statements in response to a federal judge blocking the Trump Administration’s executive order immediately stopping all federal loans and grants: “The attack on these programs that allow families to get on their feet and thrive

Merkley, Sullivan Team up on Bipartisan Bill Calling Out China’s Human Rights Violations Against Southern Mongolians

January 29, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Alaska’s U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan today led bipartisan legislation that elevates and affirms the human rights of Southern Mongolians in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Southern Mongolian Human Rights Policy Act would make it U.S. policy to advocate for preserving the culture and

Budget Committee Ranking Member Merkley Slams Illegal Federal Funding Freezes

January 28, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley – Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee – blasted the Trump administration’s late-night announcement freezing all federal funds, a clear violation of law and Congress’s constitutional duty to appropriate funds: “The President is not a king, and the laws Congress

“Constitutional Crisis:” Merkley Calls Out Illegal Trump Funding Deep Freeze