Merkley, Wicker Launch Bipartisan Effort to Overturn New Limits on Student Loans for Nurses
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced a new bill in response to a decision by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that fails to classify post-baccalaureate nursing degrees as “professional degrees,” imposing stricter limits on federal student loans for nurses. The bipartisan
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $9.3 Million to Support Working Forestlands in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is awarding $3.75 million to Lostine Forest in Wallowa County and $5.56 million to Madrone Ridge Forest in Jackson County. The Senators secured this federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior-Environment
Oregon Airports to Receive Nearly $19 Million in Federal Investment
Airports receiving federal funds include those in Independence, John Day, Klamath Falls, Madras, Medford, Portland, and Tillamook Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05), announced that eight Oregon airports will receive a combined federal investment
Huffman, Cohen, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Families and Pets from Dangerous Devices
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09), along with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), re-introduced legislation that would ban hazardous cyanide bombs from public lands. Their bill, Canyon’s Law, would protect families, pets, and wildlife from dangerous M-44 ejectors – spring-loaded devices made up of sodium
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Protect and Strengthen Federal Student Loan Repayment Options
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) Act: “As the first in my family to go to college, I know the barriers that so many students face in accessing higher education. We should
Byrd Rule Violations Continue to Mount on the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Parliamentarian again advised that several provisions in the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they remain in the bill. The below provisions are in the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction. “Democrats are continuing to make the case against every
Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Includes Additional Provisions That Violate the Byrd Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Parliamentarian again advised that several provisions in the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they remain in the bill. The below provisions are in the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee’s jurisdiction. “The Byrd Rule must be
Merkley Slams OMB Director Vought for ‘Unconstitutional Plan to Steal the Power of the Purse’
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee—issued the following statement after a hearing with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought on President Trump’s request to Congress to implement disastrous federal funding cuts: “Director Vought’s testimony clearly outlined his unconstitutional
Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Resume Processing DACA Applications
Over 100,000 initial applications are pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today joined Senate colleagues to urge U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to immediately resume processing DACA applications “Noncitizens brought to the United States as children, often known