Merkley Denounces Unjust Sentencing of Hong Kong Democracy Advocate Jimmy Lai
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—issued this statement following the sentencing of Jimmy Lai, an entrepreneur and democracy advocate in Hong Kong who has been imprisoned since 2020 under
Merkley, Wyden Lead the Charge to Limit DHS’ Use of Facial Recognition Technology Amid Trump’s Rapidly Growing Surveillance State
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act. The bicameral legislation would rein in the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), banning agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs
Merkley, Senate and House Lawmakers: Trump Administration Risking a New Arms Race with Failure to Renew Nuclear Treaty with Russia
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—co-chair of the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—led his Senate and House colleagues in raising urgent concerns about the expiration this week of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
BLM Contract Extension Passes U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today passed the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, which incorporated the Forest Harvest Opportunity Act by amendment. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced the Forest Harvest Opportunity Act in November 2009 to help timber companies remain competitive and sustain economic growth. The Forest
Merkley Introduces Bill to Create Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation today to create jobs and lower energy bills for families and small businesses in rural communities by promoting energy-saving home renovations. The Rural Energy Savings Program would assist rural electric co-ops in offering “on-bill” financing to their customers, allowing families and
Merkley and Levin Introduce Legislation to Restrict Banks and the Largest Financial Institutions from Making High-Risk Bets
WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Carl Levin (MI), Ted Kaufman (DE), Sherrod Brown (OH), and Jeanne Shaheen (NH) put forward a new proposal today to help prevent taxpayer bailouts of financial firms by limiting high-risk speculation, also known as proprietary trading. “There is a place for
Merkley, Wyden Urge Obama Administration to Provide Drought Assistance for Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden requested immediate and expansive drought assistance for Klamath Basin in anticipation of emergency drought conditions this year. In a letter sent today, the senators urged Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Department of Commerce
Merkley Statement on Passing of Ben Westlund
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund: I first met Ben in 1997 before I was elected to serve in the Oregon legislature. I was enormously impressed by his earnestnes and command of the issues. That first impression never wavered
Merkley, Pryor Announce Energy-efficiency Renovations Program for Commercial Buildings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced legislation Thursday to create jobs by promoting the installation of energy-efficient renovations in commercial and multi-family residential buildings. Merkley and Pryor were joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ben Cardin