Press Releases

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

Klobuchar, Heinrich, Merkley, Colleagues Raise Concerns About National Trail Program

WASHINGTON – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies are

Merkley Statement on Student Loans Deal

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a deal to keep student loan rates from doubling.   “Access to affordable higher education is one the main pillars of restoring and strengthening the middle class. Anyone who is talented and hardworking, regardless of

Merkley Statement on Senate Agreement to Confirm Nominees

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate voted 71-29 to end a Republican filibuster on the nomination of Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  Facing a possible change in Senate rules to prevent filibusters of executive branch nominees, Senate

Merkley Introduces Legislation to Boost Career and Technical Education in K-12 Schools

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced the introduction of the BUILD (Building Understanding, Investment, Learning, and Direction) Career and Technical Education Act of 2013. This new legislation will provide grants to support state efforts to restart career and technical education programs that have been scaled back or eliminated.

Merkley Applauds Committee Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after his bill to end employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, was passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on a bipartisan vote.  “All Americans deserve the right

Merkley: ENDA Markup a Historic Step Forward for Equal Protection

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senator Tom Harkin, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, announced that the Committee will hold a markup of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) next Wednesday, July 10. ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis

en_USEnglish