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 Statement on Death of Senator Daniel Inouye

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news of the death of Senator Daniel Inouye. “Senator Daniel Inouye was an American hero and his death is a huge loss for the Senate.  I’ve admired him since I came here as an intern in 1976 to work

Merkley Blasts “Too Big to Jail” Policy for Lawbreaking Banks

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley today blasted the U.S. Department of Justice for its policy of offering “deferred prosecution” for large financial institutions that break federal criminal laws, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and sanctions violations, calling the policy “too big to jail” and demanding explanations.   In a

Merkley to Join Powerful Senate Appropriations Committee

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he will be joining the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill, is responsible for deciding how the federal government spends money. “I am thrilled to join the Senate Appropriations

Merkley Statement on Clackamas Shooting

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after reports of a shooting at a mall in Clackamas County: “I am shocked by today’s horrific and deeply disturbing events at Clackamas Town Center. To lose even one Oregonian to violence is heartbreaking. To have an ordinary December

Merkley and Bennet call upon SEC to Quickly Release Crowdfunding Rules

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) sent a letter to SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro to request that rules governing crowdfunding activities be issued quickly. Merkley and Bennet were lead sponsors on the CROWDFUND Act, which was passed on April 5, 2012 and legalizes the

Merkley Saddened by Senate Vote Against Equal Opportunity

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities failed in the Senate.  “Plain and simple, the U.S. Senate voted against equal opportunity today. I am frustrated and saddened by the failure of the U.S. Senate to ratify

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