Press Releases

BLUMENTHAL, DURBIN, HIRONO, & MERKLEY DEMAND ANSWERS AFTER UNQUALIFIED ORGANIZATION WITH CLOSE TIES TO ICE RECEIVES NO-BID CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO MIGRANT CHILDREN

“This award is concerning given the incredible lack of details provided in the award notice, the nonexistence of legal services provided by your organization, the Trump Administration’s continued use of no-bid awards…and the Trump Administration’s staggering disregard for the welfare of children in immigration enforcement.” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator

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 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

Merkley Statement on Brennan Nomination

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the nomination of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. “I will certainly be looking to hear how John Brennan responds to concerns that have been raised about his nomination. I have followed reports that Brennan, as

Senators Introduce Rules Resolution to Restore Senate Debate and Accountability

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) today introduced a resolution to enact meaningful Senate rules reforms that would end filibuster abuse and restore debate to the chamber. In accordance with Article 1, section 5 of the Constitution, a majority of senators have

Merkley Statement on Fiscal Cliff Deal

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a deal that would avert the fiscal cliff.  “My measuring stick for this fiscal cliff deal, like every bill I consider, is how it will impact working families throughout Oregon.  And while I have deep misgivings

Merkley: We Must Put an End to “Secret Law”

Washington, DC– Today, during debate of the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments of 2008, the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan amendment authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would put an end to “Secret Law.” Specifically, the amendment would declassify significant FISA Court opinions, allowing

Merkley Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which stripped out earlier provisions in the Senate bill that were designed to protect American citizens against indefinite detention:  “The freedom and liberty of American citizens are

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