Press Releases

Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Raise Concerns about Forest Service Reorganization

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, led over 30 of his colleagues—including Senator Ron Wyden—in raising strong concerns about the reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  “We write with

Merkley: Republican Budget Resolution Ignores the Needs of Working Families

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Resolution that will enable a reconciliation bill to provide up to $140 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and

Merkley Statement on Social Security Cuts

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that a new index for Social Security called “chained CPI” could be included in a fiscal cliff deal.  “We had an election, and the voters sent a message to Congress to focus on jobs and fairness — not

Merkley Statement on Death of Senator Daniel Inouye

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news of the death of Senator Daniel Inouye. “Senator Daniel Inouye was an American hero and his death is a huge loss for the Senate.  I’ve admired him since I came here as an intern in 1976 to work

Merkley Blasts “Too Big to Jail” Policy for Lawbreaking Banks

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley today blasted the U.S. Department of Justice for its policy of offering “deferred prosecution” for large financial institutions that break federal criminal laws, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and sanctions violations, calling the policy “too big to jail” and demanding explanations.   In a

Merkley to Join Powerful Senate Appropriations Committee

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he will be joining the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill, is responsible for deciding how the federal government spends money. “I am thrilled to join the Senate Appropriations

Merkley Statement on Clackamas Shooting

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after reports of a shooting at a mall in Clackamas County: “I am shocked by today’s horrific and deeply disturbing events at Clackamas Town Center. To lose even one Oregonian to violence is heartbreaking. To have an ordinary December

Merkley and Bennet call upon SEC to Quickly Release Crowdfunding Rules

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) sent a letter to SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro to request that rules governing crowdfunding activities be issued quickly. Merkley and Bennet were lead sponsors on the CROWDFUND Act, which was passed on April 5, 2012 and legalizes the

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