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, Sullivan, Curtis, Kaine Push for Bipartisan Crackdown on Chinese Government-Controlled Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in U.S.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—teamed up with current CECC Chair Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Senator John Curtis (R-UT), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to introduce bipartisan legislation that

Merkley: Transportation Bill Great News for Oregon

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on passage of the Transportation Reauthorization in the U.S. Senate.  “The passage of the transportation bill is great news for Oregon. Oregon’s businesses will soon be able to get their products to market more quickly. Unemployed Oregonians will be put

Merkley Applauds Decision to Grant Variance to Portland Water Bureau

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the announcement by the Oregon Health Authority that they have granted a formal, first in the country, variance for Portland’s municipal drinking water system: “This is great news for the City of Portland and its ratepayers. I’ve been

CROWDFUND Act to Encourage Safe, Accessible Investing Through the Internet

Washington, DC- Today, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to provide online funding for startup companies while instituting strong protections for investors.  The Capital Raising Online While Deterring Fraud and Unethical Non-Disclosure Act of 2011 (CROWDFUND Act) would legalize and regulate the raising of start-up capital for small businesses

Merkley Amendment Huge Win for Farmers and Ranchers

Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed by voice vote a bipartisan amendment sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to transport their products to market if they operate near state lines. The amendment was cosponsored by Senators Roy Blunt

MERKLEY ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON PAYDAY LENDERS

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced his intent to introduce federal payday legislation to establish strong rules for payday lenders and close loopholes on online and offshore payday lending sites. Today, Merkley also sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray to call

Merkley Statement on the Passing of Bob Caldwell

Portland, OR- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Robert J. Caldwell, Editorial Page Editor of The Oregonian.  “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Caldwell. I have appreciated Bob’s leadership of The Oregon Editorial Pages for many years, from my time at

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