Press Releases

Merkley, Salinas Lead New Bill to Hold ICE, CBP Accountable for Abusing Americans’ Constitutional Rights

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced new legislation to hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) liable for violating individuals’ constitutional rights. The ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act would make the federal government

Elfreth, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Partisan National Park Passes 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the top Democrat overseeing funding for the National Park Service, introduced the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act. The bill is straightforward legislation that would explicitly prohibit the National

Merkley Statement on Troubled Asset Relief Program Vote

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate rejected a resolution disapproving of the release of $350 billion for the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP).  The vote clears the way for the funds to be released to the incoming Obama Administration. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley voted to release the TARP funds.  Merkley issued

Merkley Statement on Final Passage of Public Lands Bill

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly approved legislation to expand protections for public lands in Oregon and other states.  Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley joined 72 of his colleagues in supporting the bill: “From Mt. Hood to Central Oregon to the Siskiyou National Forest, there are few regions of

Merkley Urges Use of Financial Service Funds to Help Troubled Homeowners

Washington, DC – As the incoming Administration seeks the release of $350 billion in funds designated to help financial service firms, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is urging President-Elect Barack Obama to use half the funds to directly aid troubled homeowners. Last fall, Congress passed a $700 billion bailout of the

Merkley: Public Lands Bill Clears Important First Hurdle

Washington, DC – A long-delayed public lands bill took a major step toward final passage today.  Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley cast his first vote in the U.S. Senate in support of moving forward on this important piece of legislation.  “Oregonians are rightly proud of our long tradition of protecting our

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