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

Merkley Applauds EPA’s Commitment to Fuel Standards that Save Money and Cut Pollution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to continue the carbon pollution standards for cars and light trucks through 2025: “The EPA’s re-affirmation of the broadly supported fuel efficiency standards through 2025 is a common-sense win-win-win; these fuel

Merkley Slams Trump’s Pick of Mnuchin for Treasury

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Donald Trump picked Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, as his nominee for Treasury Secretary: “When Donald Trump promised change, I don’t think voters thought he meant putting Wall Street back in charge of the economy. He

Merkley Applauds Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Plan

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that the Arctic would be put off-limits to offshore drilling in the five-year leasing plan from 2017-2022: “Drilling in the Arctic is the height of irresponsibility. I’m pleased that Secretary Jewell and President Obama

Drumbeat Against Bannon Grows as Senators Call for His Dismissal

Today, a group of Senators led by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley signed a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump urging him to repudiate his hate-filled campaign attacks, and to show the country that he is serious about uniting Americans by immediately firing newly-appointed Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. In addition to Senator

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