Merkley Remarks at Senate Appropriations Committee Markup of Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR) delivered the following remarks as the Senate Appropriations Committee met for a full committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Senator Merkley’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: “Thank you,
Merkley and Hoyle Introduce Columbia River Clean-Up Act to Reauthorize Columbia River Basin Restoration Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) introduced the Columbia River Clean-Up Act to reauthorize the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program. Sen. Merkley created the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program in 2016 to focus federal attention on reducing toxics and pollution through
Merkley, Boyle, Durbin, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Prevent Future Debt Ceiling Hostage Taking
For Years, Republicans Have Held the Debt Ceiling Hostage, Continually Putting the United States’ Credit at Risk WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, and U.S. Representative Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-2), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, introduced legislation that
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $29 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Oregon Forests
WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that nearly $29 million in Recovery Act funds will go to facility infrastructure, energy efficiency upgrades, and trail maintenance in Oregon’s forests. The funding also includes $3 million for the Oregon Youth Employment Initiative. This program puts youth
Merkley Statement on F-22 Program Funding
Washington, DC – Today, Senator Merkley joined 57 members in removing funding for the F-22 program from the National Defense Authorization Act. The funding would have amounted to $1.75 billion to be used to construct seven additional planes. Senator Merkley issued the following statement on the vote: “As this vote
Merkley Announces Intention to Vote to Confirm Judge Sotomayor
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he would vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonya Sotomayor. His announcement comes after the Judiciary Committee has completed a week of confirmation hearings. “In my conversation with her and again in her testimony before the Judiciary Committee, I
Merkley: Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation a Major Step for Justice
Washington, D.C. – Following the adoption of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement:
Merkley Statement on Salazar Announcement on Western Oregon Plan Revision and the Spotted Owl Recovery Plan
Washington, DC – Today, Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar withdrew the Western Oregon Plan Revision and the Spotted Owl Recovery Plan based on findings that the Bush Administration ignored the law and disregarded science, and a judgment that the WOPR could not stand up in court. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley
Merkley: Health Care Gaining Momentum with Passage of Senate HELP Committee Plan
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined a majority of his colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to approve groundbreaking health care legislation today. The bill includes two provisions authored by Senator Merkley: one to increase options and lower health care costs for small