Press Releases

Ranking Member Merkley: Interior-Environment Funding Bill Boosts Wildfire Resiliency, Water Infrastructure, and Climate Investments in Oregon and Across the Nation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Interior-Environment Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations bill in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 82-15: “Oregonians turned out in record numbers during my town halls last year and delivered

Merkley: J.P. Morgan’s Trading Losses Show Need for Strong Volcker Rule

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, cosponsor of the Merkley-Levin provision in Dodd-Frank that put into law the Volcker Rule, issued the following statement after news that J.P. Morgan lost at least $2 billion in portfolio hedging trades made by their risk management division.   “What yesterday’s announcement makes abundantly

Senators Call for Hearing on LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill

Washington, DC- United States Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) called on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee leadership to hold a hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). In a letter to  Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking

Merkley Statement on Announcement that Rural Post Offices Will Remain Open

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Postmaster General announced that the Postal Service would halt its plans to eliminate thousands of rural post offices, including 20 that remained on the closure list in Oregon: “This is very good news for Oregon.

Merkley Applauds Obama on Marriage Equality

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that President Barack Obama has announced support for marriage equality:  “I applaud President Obama for voicing his support for marriage equality. This is an issue of fundamental fairness for the men and women who seek to create a

Merkley Bill Would Help Homeowners Refinance, Rebuild Equity

Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Rebuilding Equity Act, a bill that will lower costs for some homeowners seeking to refinance through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP).  Under this bill, if homeowners who are current on their mortgage seek to refinance into a 20-year loan term

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