Press Releases

Merkley Denounces Unjust Sentencing of Hong Kong Democracy Advocate Jimmy Lai

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—issued this statement following the sentencing of Jimmy Lai, an entrepreneur and democracy advocate in Hong Kong who has been imprisoned since 2020 under

Merkley, Wyden Lead the Charge to Limit DHS’ Use of Facial Recognition Technology Amid Trump’s Rapidly Growing Surveillance State

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act. The bicameral legislation would rein in the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), banning agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs

ICYMI: House Passes For the People Act, Momentum Continues to Build

WASHINGTON, D.C. –   On the heels of national polling that found 67% of Americans—including a majority of Republicans—support the For the People Act, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday night in a 219-211 vote. Following the legislation’s passage, the bill’s lead Senate sponsor, Oregon’s U.S. Senator

Merkley Recognizes Legacy of Knauls Family, Geneva’s Shear Perfection Barber & Beauty Salon in Congressional Record Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley in February submitted the following statement to the Congressional Record to honor the immeasurable contributions made by the Knauls family and by their renowned business, Geneva’s Shear Perfection Barber & Beauty Salon, to the Northeast Portland community: “This month our country is joining together

Wyden, Merkley Reintroduce Bill to Reduce Gun Violence

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are joining with 43 senators in reintroducing legislation that would expand federal background checks to all gun sales. “Our country needs airtight background checks without any loopholes,” Wyden said. “‘Thoughts and prayers’ won’t stop unlicensed sellers from selling firearms online or

Merkley Applauds House Passage of Sweeping Democracy Restoration Bill, the For the People Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead Senate sponsor of the For the People Act, released the following statement today following the House passage of this groundbreaking voting rights and anti-corruption legislation: “The beating heart of America’s democracy—access to the ballot box—was under assault long before the deadly insurrection

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