Press Releases

Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Congress has a responsibility to

Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways

Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways.The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program

Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $15 Million in Federal Grants to Support Oregon Wood Product Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $15,091,037 in 20 wood innovations projects in Oregon that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and

Wyden, Merkley, Announce Passage of Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Bill

Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley celebrated the Senate passage of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act today, which will permanently conserve thousands of acres of pristine forest near the Southern Oregon coast. The bill now goes to the House.  “The proposed Devil’s Staircase Wilderness area is

Merkley Amendment to Protect Jobs in the Woods Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to end abuse of the H-2B visa program in forestry work and protect American jobs in American forests. The amendment will be added to the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate. In 2010, the Bend

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is asking the Obama administration to make public secret court opinions that include significant findings about the legal scope of the NSA surveillance programs. These court opinions are currently classified and thus kept

Merkley Introduces Amendment to Immigration Bill to Protect Forest Jobs

Washington – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced an amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. The amendment is similar to a bill he offered earlier this year

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