Press Releases

Merkley Pushes Back Against Trump Administration Order to Pollute Our Parks with Plastic Waste

Washington, D.C. – As the Trump Administration moves to recklessly reverse a federal policy protecting America’s national parks and public lands from single-use plastics, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today reintroduced his Reducing Waste in National Parks Act. This legislation would restore a previous federal directive, which Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently revoked, to keep plastic waste

Oregon Delegation: Over $80 Million to Support ODOT’s Natural Disaster Recovery Efforts

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—announced the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is receiving $83,215,245 for work it completed to repair roads and other critical infrastructure that were deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration

Merkley, Wyden Urge Obama Administration to Provide Drought Assistance for Klamath Basin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden requested immediate and expansive drought assistance for Klamath Basin in anticipation of emergency drought conditions this year.  In a letter sent today, the senators urged Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Department of Commerce

Merkley Statement on Passing of Ben Westlund

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund: I first met Ben in 1997 before I was elected to serve in the Oregon legislature.  I was enormously impressed by his earnestnes and command of the issues.  That first impression never wavered

Merkley, Pryor Announce Energy-efficiency Renovations Program for Commercial Buildings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced legislation Thursday to create jobs by promoting the installation of energy-efficient renovations in commercial and multi-family residential buildings.  Merkley and Pryor were joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ben Cardin

Merkley Joins Effort to Restore Forest Health and Create Jobs in Rural Oregon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he is co-sponsoring Senator Wyden’s Oregon Forest Restoration and Old Growth Protection Act of 2009.  The legislation, forged by Senator Wyden, representatives from Oregon’s timber industry and conservation groups, will promote sustainable forest thinning practices in Central and Eastern Oregon

Senators Introduce Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of United States Senators today introduced legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and enhance our country’s military effectiveness.  The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 contains three main provisions: it will repeal the law that prevents gay Americans from openly serving in the military,

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