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 and Wyden Announce Changes to FEMA Flood Mapping Process

Portland, OR – In response to requests by Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, FEMA announced today that they have changed their flood mapping process to take into account all local levees, a move that will help alleviate potential flood insurance costs for some Oregon communities. “FEMA was off

Merkley: Budget Should Create Jobs, Not Add to Unemployment

Washington, D.C.  – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted against H.R. 1, the House Republican budget plan: “I voted against the Republican House budget plan today because our number one priority needs to be creating jobs.  “Nonpartisan analysts have determined that the House

Merkley to Hold Town Halls in Klamath and Jackson Counties

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Klamath and Jackson Counties next week. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Traveling across Oregon and

Merkley and Wyden Announce $13.5 Million for Coos Bay Rail Line in Oregon

Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has officially obligated the $13.5 million in TIGER II funding to the International Port of Coos Bay to rehabilitate the 133-mile Coos Bay Rail Link.   “This rail line is essential to

Senators Ask Obama for Swift Action to Lower Gas Prices

Washington, DC – With gas prices skyrocketing across the nation, a group of six senators, including Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, called on President Obama to sell off a small portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help bring down the price at the pump.  The senators called for investing

Merkley Joins Effort to Protect Servicemembers From Falling Victim to Mortgage Abuses

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in an effort to strengthen mortgage protections for servicemembers once they return home from duty.  The Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage and Abuse Act of 2011 will help protect members of the military from mortgage abuses by encouraging financial

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