Press Releases

Merkley, Whitehouse, Doggett Celebrate Plastic Pollution Action Month

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Rhode Island’s U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) introduced their resolution marking July 2026 as “Plastic Pollution Action Month.” The bicameral resolution spotlights the dangers of the plastic pollution crisis and calls on Americans to protect our

NEW: Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Aviation Safety After Slackline-Helicopter Tragedy

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), and U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-04) introduced the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

Merkley, Krishnamoorthi Fight Back Against Predatory For-Profit Colleges Scamming Students with Worthless College Degrees

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) reintroduced legislation to protect students from predatory higher-education programs—which are often run by for-profit colleges—that target financially vulnerable students, leave borrowers buried in debt, and force taxpayers to foot the bill for federal aid that

Merkley: Secure Rural Schools Amendment a Lifeline For Rural Counties

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted 82-16 to pass an amendment that will extend the Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs: “Today is a very good day for our timber counties. County payments are a basic

MERKLEY, BAUCUS LEAD BIPARTISAN CALL TO BRING TROOPS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN

(Washington, DC) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus and Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led a bipartisan group of 24 Senators today in calling on the President to bring American combat forces home from Afghanistan.  As the Senate considers the 2012 Highway Bill on the floor this week, the

Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Ensure Americans Get Hired for Forest Work

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced The American Jobs in American Forests Act to tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. Last year, a Department of Labor investigation found federal stimulus

Merkley Applauds Obama Initiative on Alternative Fuel Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new proposal to spur development and deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles.  The initiative mirrors many elements of Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, introduced last year with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), along with Senators Debbie Stabenow

Merkley Cosponsors Bill to Help Communities Hurt by Foreclosures

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Project Rebuild Act to help communities hard hit by a high number of foreclosures.  The legislation will provide funding to purchase, rehabilitate, and/or redevelop foreclosed, abandoned, demolished, or vacant properties. Introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Project Rebuild builds on

Merkley Statement on Oregon Disaster Declaration

Washington, DC –Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued a statement shortly after President Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state of Oregon. Federal resources will be deployed to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the counties of Benton, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk,

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