Press Releases

Merkley Proposes Housing Downpayment Savings Initiative

Senator leads groundbreaking new legislation to give federal match for money saved by first-time homebuyers for a downpayment on a home Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced new legislation to help support the dream of homeownership for Americans by ensuring working families have a credible path

Merkley, Wyden, Kotek Announce $7.45 Million for Affordable Housing Support in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek—today announced that $7,450,000 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help people with disabilities access affordable housing and a range of supportive services. “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, and

Ahead of Xi’s Visit to the United States, Merkley & McGovern Urge Trump Admin to Stand Up to PRC for its Treatment of Political Prisoners, Transnational Repression

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative James P. McGovern (MA-02)—Ranking Members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—led Congressional Democrats in calling attention to the Chinese government’s treatment of political prisoners and its ongoing campaign of transnational repression. They sent two letters ahead of People’s

Wyden, Merkley Demand Civilian Protections, Greater Transparency for ICE Officers

Following killings in Maine and Texas, Oregon senators join colleagues calling for reforms, body-worn camera deployment, and independent investigations Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers., urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to

Merkley, Whitehouse, Doggett Celebrate Plastic Pollution Action Month

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Rhode Island’s U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) introduced their resolution marking July 2026 as “Plastic Pollution Action Month.” The bicameral resolution spotlights the dangers of the plastic pollution crisis and calls on Americans to protect our

NEW: Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Aviation Safety After Slackline-Helicopter Tragedy

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), and U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-04) introduced the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

Merkley, Krishnamoorthi Fight Back Against Predatory For-Profit Colleges Scamming Students with Worthless College Degrees

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) reintroduced legislation to protect students from predatory higher-education programs—which are often run by for-profit colleges—that target financially vulnerable students, leave borrowers buried in debt, and force taxpayers to foot the bill for federal aid that

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