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

Vernonia Schools to Receive $11.2 Million in FEMA Grants

Portland, OR –Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman David Wu announced that the Vernonia School District will receive $11.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The new grant comes in addition to the $150,000 in funding that the school district received through Congressional appropriations in fiscal

EPA Heeds Merkley’s Call to Clear the Path for Oregon Biomass Energy Industry

Portland, OR – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded today to a request from Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley to clear the way for the production of biomass energy in Oregon and other states by announcing that EPA will exempt carbon emissions from biomass facilities from Clean Air Act regulation for

Merkley Statement on the Shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today on the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and several other victims: “Today is a very sad day for our nation. Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of her staff and innocent bystanders were shot today in a despicable

Udall, Harkin, Merkley: Rules Reform Package Gaining Support Among Senators

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall (NM), Tom Harkin (IA) and Jeff Merkley (OR) announced today that 26 senators have signed on in support of their resolution to increase transparency, restore accountability and foster debate in the Senate by reforming its rules. In addition to Udall, Harkin and Merkley, the

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