Press Releases

Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.1 Million for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Conservation Efforts 

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $1,059,961 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to support state fish and wildlife agencies. This funding comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) State Wildlife Grant program, which supports state agencies’ conservation efforts.   “Our state’s lands and waters are integral to

Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle, Bynum, Salinas Announce Over $7.5 Million to Strengthen and Defend Oregon Communities Facing Wildfire Threats 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), announced $7,538,176 is coming to four projects in Oregon to help make communities more resilient to severe wildfires. These investments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will support disaster relief efforts and mitigate wildfire risk, protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure in Oregon.  For

Kiggans and Merkley Continue to Support our Nursing Workforce in Light of the Recent Department of Education RISE Committee Final Rule 

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) expressed concern following the Department of Education’s release of its final rule defining which healthcare professions qualify as “professional degrees.” The rule, set to take effect on July 1, 2026, excludes post-baccalaureate nursing programs from this designation. As

Merkley: Shrinking Economy is an Urgent Wake-Up Call to Put Jobs First

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news that the economy had shrunk in the last quarter of 2012:  “This is a wake-up call for Washington. While DC has been manufacturing political crises, real people and businesses are suffering. Our priority should be making the economy

Merkley Introduces Bill to Stop Deceptive Loan Checks

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Deceptive Loan Check Elimination Act, which would prohibit companies from sending “live” loan checks to consumers.  In these schemes, financial institutions send unsuspecting customers a check made out to them.  Customers often assume that their financial institutions have sent refunds or

Senators Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Online Payday Loans

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act. The SAFE Lending Act would crack down on the worst practices of the online payday lending industry and

Senators Introduce Bill to Help Americans Struggling with Medical Debt

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation to prohibit companies from using paid off or settled medical debt in assessing consumer credit scores. The Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Robert Menendez

Merkley Statement on Senate Rules Compromise

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after a deal was struck to modify Senate rules.  “The Senate spoke clearly today: the paralysis of the Senate is unacceptable.  Senators of both parties have recognized the need for change, and supported several steps to make the Senate more

Merkley Statement on Status of Rules Reform

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after today’s caucus meeting focused on rules reform.  “Leader Reid has left open two paths to rules changes. While I’ve always thought that improving how the Senate works should be an area ripe for bipartisan agreement, it is clear

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