Press Releases

Merkley, Curtis Lead New Bipartisan Bill to Honor Fallen Wildland Firefighters

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT) announced the introduction of the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act. This groundbreaking legislation would expand death benefits of fallen firefighters to match the up to $100,000 provided to fallen members of the military, a significant change from the

Merkley Relaunches Effort to Protect Driver’s Privacy

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced the reintroduction of his Car Privacy Rights Act, legislation to protect consumers’ privacy from companies that collect and sell Americans’ car data. Currently, companies collect, store, and sell vehicle data without the driver’s knowledge. Recent reporting has even documented automakers selling

Merkley Statement on the Passing of Bob Caldwell

Portland, OR- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Robert J. Caldwell, Editorial Page Editor of The Oregonian.  “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Caldwell. I have appreciated Bob’s leadership of The Oregon Editorial Pages for many years, from my time at

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

en_USEnglish