Press Releases

Ranking Member Merkley: Interior-Environment Funding Bill Boosts Wildfire Resiliency, Water Infrastructure, and Climate Investments in Oregon and Across the Nation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Interior-Environment Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations bill in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 82-15: “Oregonians turned out in record numbers during my town halls last year and delivered

Merkley, Sullivan, Curtis, Kaine Push for Bipartisan Crackdown on Chinese Government-Controlled Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in U.S.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—teamed up with current CECC Chair Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Senator John Curtis (R-UT), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to introduce bipartisan legislation that

Merkley and Wyden Announce Changes to FEMA Flood Mapping Process

Portland, OR – In response to requests by Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, FEMA announced today that they have changed their flood mapping process to take into account all local levees, a move that will help alleviate potential flood insurance costs for some Oregon communities. “FEMA was off

Merkley: Budget Should Create Jobs, Not Add to Unemployment

Washington, D.C.  – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted against H.R. 1, the House Republican budget plan: “I voted against the Republican House budget plan today because our number one priority needs to be creating jobs.  “Nonpartisan analysts have determined that the House

Merkley to Hold Town Halls in Klamath and Jackson Counties

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Klamath and Jackson Counties next week. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Traveling across Oregon and

Merkley and Wyden Announce $13.5 Million for Coos Bay Rail Line in Oregon

Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has officially obligated the $13.5 million in TIGER II funding to the International Port of Coos Bay to rehabilitate the 133-mile Coos Bay Rail Link.   “This rail line is essential to

Senators Ask Obama for Swift Action to Lower Gas Prices

Washington, DC – With gas prices skyrocketing across the nation, a group of six senators, including Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, called on President Obama to sell off a small portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help bring down the price at the pump.  The senators called for investing

Merkley Joins Effort to Protect Servicemembers From Falling Victim to Mortgage Abuses

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in an effort to strengthen mortgage protections for servicemembers once they return home from duty.  The Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage and Abuse Act of 2011 will help protect members of the military from mortgage abuses by encouraging financial

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