Press Releases

Merkley Statement on Trump’s Farmer Bailout to Fix Crisis Created by Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the unveil of a $12 billion bailout package for U.S. farmers who have been hurt by President Trump’s reckless and haphazard tariffs, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement. Due to the Trump Administration’s policies, farmers across

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients and Ensure More Americans can Afford Health Care

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today is leading Senate colleagues, including U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, in introducing legislation to protect health care coverage for millions of Americans and improve the effectiveness of the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace.  The Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability Act would renew the enhanced premium tax

Merkley Statement on Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, including a Merkley provision to protect Oregon forest workers by closing a loophole that has been abused in the H-2B visa system.  “We have known for a long time

Merkley: DOMA Decision Huge Stride Forward for Equality and Fairness

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. “This Supreme Court decision that the federal government must recognize all marriages is a huge stride forward for equality and fairness.  No one should be denied

Merkley Applauds New Steps to Combat Climate Change

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced new actions to combat climate change, including regulation of carbon pollution from power plants. “I applaud President Obama for acting to take on our most pressing global challenge. Already we are beginning to see the

Merkley: Voting Rights Act Decision Fundamentally Off Base

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a key section of the Voting Rights Act.  “In a democracy, there is no right more fundamental than the right to vote, and yet in some places, Americans still face the threat

Wyden, Merkley, Announce Passage of Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Bill

Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley celebrated the Senate passage of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act today, which will permanently conserve thousands of acres of pristine forest near the Southern Oregon coast. The bill now goes to the House.  “The proposed Devil’s Staircase Wilderness area is

Merkley Amendment to Protect Jobs in the Woods Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to end abuse of the H-2B visa program in forestry work and protect American jobs in American forests. The amendment will be added to the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate. In 2010, the Bend

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