Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $52 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced counties throughout Oregon will receive a combined total of $52,016,022 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2026. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT funding helps to defray the costs associated with
During Pride Month, Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Apologizing for Government Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Civil Servants, Servicemembers
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a resolution led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to acknowledge and apologize for the mistreatment of and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals who have served in the uniformed services, as civil servants, or in
Rosen, Curtis, Merkley, Banks Introduce Resolution Condemning Chinese Suppression of Ethnic Minorities
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution that condemns a law passed by the Chinese Communist Party and set to go into effect on July 1 that targets ethnic minorities and expresses support for Tibetans,
Merkley: Deeply Disappointed in Senate Failure to Repeal Discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement Thursday after Senate Republicans once again blocked the National Defense Authorization Act.
President Obama Signs Merkley “Crush Video” Bill Into Law
President Barack Obama today signed into law the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010. The bill was introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley with Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and passed the Senate unanimously last month. Merkley joined President Obama in the Oval Office today for the official signing ceremony.
Merkley Statement on Congress Passing Childhood Nutrition Bill
Washington, D.C. – The House overwhelmingly passed the childhood nutrition bill yesterday, sending it to President Obama’s desk for signature. The Senate passed the bill unanimously last August. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving child nutrition. The bill will also provide
Merkley: Historic Food Safety Bill Will Protect Families and Small Farmers
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that today the U.S. Senate passed the Food Safety Modernization Act by a vote of 73 to 25. This bill provides historic modernization to our food safety systems while giving small family farms reasonable exemptions to continue operating without unnecessary regulation.
Merkley, Wyden Call for Yearlong Renewal of Unemployment Benefits for Jobless Americans
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined 27 of their colleagues in calling for a yearlong renewal of unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. With the national unemployment rate
Merkley Statement on Failed Plot to Bomb Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the thwarted attempt to bomb Pioneer Courthouse Square: “This is a grim reminder to all of us that there remain individuals and groups that want to inflict terror upon our communities. We must remain vigilant in our efforts