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 Statement on Administration’s Inaction on Barring Employment Discrimination

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, issued the following statement after reports that the Obama Administration won’t take action to bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.  “I am deeply disappointed that the Administration will allow companies that accept federal contracts

Merkley: FHFA Principal Write-down Analysis Step in Right Direction

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the release of new analysis by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that principal write-downs for homeowners could save billions of dollars for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Today’s analysis is a step in the right direction. When it

Merkley: Crowdfunding Exciting New Opportunity for Small Businesses and Startups

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Obama signed into law the “JOBS” Act, which includes an amendment he sponsored to provide for crowdfunding. The crowdfunding amendment, cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Scott Brown (R-MA), allows small businesses and startups to raise

Merkley Kicks-Off “Made In Oregon” Manufacturing Tour at Vigor Industrial

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today kicked off a two week tour of Oregon manufacturing facilities with a tour of Vigor Industrial and a roundtable discussion with Portland area manufacturing businesses. The “Made in Oregon” tour is a chance for Senator Merkley to hear directly from Oregon businesses

Merkley to Introduce Amendment to Save Rural Post Offices

 WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he will be offering an amendment to major legislation overhauling the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to save rural post offices now targeted for closure.  Merkley’s amendment would require that a post office closure cannot result in more than a ten

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