Press Releases

Oregon Delegation Submits State Items for Congressional Time Capsule to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

State lawmakers’ selections celebrate Oregon’s landscapes, agriculture, vote-by-mail, songs, sports, gems, clothes and people Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senate and House members this week submitted for a congressional time capsule to celebrate America’s 250th birthday multiple items that sample from the state’s natural treasures, history, culture, sports, music and

Merkley, Bipartisan Senators Reintroduce Cannabis Banking Reform

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led a bipartisan group of Senators to reintroduce his legislation that would ensure state-legal cannabis businesses can access traditional and secure banking systems and financial services. Even with the recent federal reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III at

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

Merkley Joins Effort to Restore Forest Health and Create Jobs in Rural Oregon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he is co-sponsoring Senator Wyden’s Oregon Forest Restoration and Old Growth Protection Act of 2009.  The legislation, forged by Senator Wyden, representatives from Oregon’s timber industry and conservation groups, will promote sustainable forest thinning practices in Central and Eastern Oregon

Senators Introduce Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of United States Senators today introduced legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and enhance our country’s military effectiveness.  The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 contains three main provisions: it will repeal the law that prevents gay Americans from openly serving in the military,

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