Press Releases

Merkley Blasts Senate Republicans for Failing to End Trump’s Illegal Iran War

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block his War Powers Resolution to end President Trump’s illegal war against Iran: “Rather than hold President Trump accountable for his reckless warmongering, Senate Republicans have once again rubber-stamped Trump’s

Four Years Following Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Van Hollen, Merkley, Welch Again Press for Justice, Accountability in Her Death

Washington, D.C. – Today, four years following the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) once again pressed the Trump Administration to pursue justice and accountability in her death. The Senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Federal

Merkley, Wyden Introduce New Bill to Block Sale of Federal Public Lands

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act, new legislation to ensure that America’s public lands cannot be sold as part of a fast-tracked process in a budget reconciliation bill. During consideration of the Republicans’ “Big, Ugly Betrayal”

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

en_USEnglish