Merkley, Salinas Lead New Bill to Hold ICE, CBP Accountable for Abusing Americans’ Constitutional Rights
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced new legislation to hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) liable for violating individuals’ constitutional rights. The ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act would make the federal government
Elfreth, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Partisan National Park Passes
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the top Democrat overseeing funding for the National Park Service, introduced the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act. The bill is straightforward legislation that would explicitly prohibit the National
CBO Tells Merkley: Trump’s Brazen National Guard Deployment to American Cities Has So Far Cost U.S. Taxpayers Upwards of $589 Million
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) told U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, that President Donald Trump’s brazen decision to deploy National Guard personnel to U.S. cities, including Portland, has cost taxpayers upwards of $589 million to date. If these
Congressman Blumenauer, Senators Wyden and Merkley Announce Federal Funding for Division Bus Rapid Transit Project
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced more than $87 million in funding for the Division Street Transit Project. The project will provide high-capacity bus service for faster, more reliable trips between Downtown Portland, Southeast and East Portland and Gresham. “This
Merkley, Hassan Ask GAO to Explore Fossil Fuel Divestment for Federal Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into the risks that fossil fuel investments pose for federal workers as climate chaos continues to intensify. The federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a 401k equivalent
Wyden, Merkley Support Investigation of Juul
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined with nine Senate colleagues to launch an investigation into JUUL Labs, Inc., the vaping industry titan. In their letter to JUUL CEO Kevin Burns, the senators asked about the company’s partnership with Big Tobacco giant Altria, and questioned
Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Support Three Eastern Oregon Forests
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to take steps that ensure three national forests in Eastern Oregon each can support timber harvest, recreation, ranching, wildlife habitat and protection. The senators’ letter to USFS seeking separate planning processes for the
Merkley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Guarantee Affordable Repayment to Every Student Loan Borrower
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today introduced the Affordable Loans for Any Student Act of 2019, comprehensive legislation that would ensure affordable, simple income-based repayment plans for any federal student loan borrowers. The Senate legislation was cosponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kirsten
Merkley, Grassley Lead Bipartisan Push for Wind Energy Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are leading a bipartisan push for “robust” wind energy funding in the 2020 funding bills, touting the benefits of the wind industry in American innovation and job growth. “This funding is necessary in order to continue supporting rural