Press Releases

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

Merkley Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which stripped out earlier provisions in the Senate bill that were designed to protect American citizens against indefinite detention:  “The freedom and liberty of American citizens are

Merkley Statement on Kerry Nomination as Secretary of State

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the announcement that President Obama has nominated Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State.  “John Kerry will make an excellent Secretary of State.  As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry has been an effective leader

Merkley Calls on House to Pass Middle Class Tax Cut

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after news that the House Republicans have left Washington for Christmas break.  “As we approach the edge of the fiscal cliff, the time for political gamesmanship is over.  This isn’t about politics, it’s about people’s lives.  The families who live

MERKLEY RELEASES WHITE BOARD VIDEO EXPLAINING “TALKING FILIBUSTER” PROPOSAL

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today unveiled his latest white board video. It features an explanation of why the Senate is broken and rules reform is needed, how the “talking filibuster” proposal would work and additional measures that would make the Senate a more functional governing body. Senator

Merkley Statement on Social Security Cuts

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that a new index for Social Security called “chained CPI” could be included in a fiscal cliff deal.  “We had an election, and the voters sent a message to Congress to focus on jobs and fairness — not

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