Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $52 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced counties throughout Oregon will receive a combined total of $52,016,022 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2026. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT funding helps to defray the costs associated with
During Pride Month, Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Apologizing for Government Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Civil Servants, Servicemembers
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a resolution led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to acknowledge and apologize for the mistreatment of and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals who have served in the uniformed services, as civil servants, or in
Rosen, Curtis, Merkley, Banks Introduce Resolution Condemning Chinese Suppression of Ethnic Minorities
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution that condemns a law passed by the Chinese Communist Party and set to go into effect on July 1 that targets ethnic minorities and expresses support for Tibetans,
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
Merkley Applauds New Mortgage Rules
Washington, DC – Today, after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced sweeping new rules to the nation’s mortgage market, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley applauded the CFPB for putting an end to interest-only loans, “no doc” loans, and loans based on an initial “teaser” interest rate. Merkley has been a leading