Tag: Civil Rights

Merkley, Luján Praise Senate Passage of Epstein Files Transparency Act to Restore Public’s Trust and Deliver Justice for Epstein’s Victims

November 18, 2025

Senators Led Bipartisan Landmark Transparency Legislation in the Senate Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and New Mexico’s U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján issued the following statement after an agreement was reached guaranteeing Senate passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act: “We say no more to the

Peters, Schumer, Durbin and Merkley Lead Democratic Colleagues in Calling on Leader Thune to Quickly Bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to Floor for Vote

November 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, led their Senate Democratic colleagues in calling

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Demand Trump Administration Explain Big Coast Guard Changes in Newport & Reports of New ICE Facility

November 12, 2025

Oregon lawmakers urge DHS Secretary Noem to immediately provide the Oregon congressional delegation and state and local officials with a clear explanation of DHS’s actions and intentions in Newport Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle said today they are

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump On New “Review” of Mifepristone Despite Decades of Evidence Proving its Safety & Efficacy

November 10, 2025

Senators Raise Alarm Over Looming Efforts to Restrict Medication Abortion Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to express alarm over the Trump administration’s plans to conduct “its own review of the evidence” on the safety and effectiveness of the

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Join Dexter to Introduce Bill to Ensure Department of Homeland Security Detainees Can Speak to a Lawyer and Contact Their Families

November 10, 2025

Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, said today they have joined Rep. Maxine Dexter’s bicameral legislation to ensure the Department of Homeland Security allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. The Restoring Access to Detainees Act

Wyden, Merkley Blast Trump Administration for Illegally Ending Program to Help Students with Disabilities

November 4, 2025

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they are joining their colleagues in pressing the Trump administration on its illegal efforts to shut down the Department of Education’s administration and enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees educational opportunities and protections

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call out Trump Administration’s Dismantling of Education Offices Responsible for Supporting People with Disabilities

October 24, 2025

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-OR) today called out the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle U.S. special education with its decision to illegally fire Department of Education workers who provide education services and resources in Oregon and nationwide for people with disabilities and their

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Bynum and Dexter Tell Trump Administration to Withdraw Agents Deployed to Portland Outside ICE Facility

October 16, 2025

Oregon Democratic lawmakers: “Your federal agents weren’t invited, they aren’t needed, and their presence has fomented the very violence you claim they are there to prevent.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today demanded the

Senate Republicans Block Merkley and Wyden’s Effort to Require Identification, Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement, Armed Forces

October 10, 2025

Follows Trump sending federal troops to Oregon and cities nationwide Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today denounced Senate Republicans for voting down his amendment with his Oregon colleague, Senator Ron Wyden, to prevent unidentifiable federal law enforcement and armed forces from being deployed against Americans. “I led an amendment with Senator Wyden

As Trump Unconstitutionally Deploys Military into American Cities, Senators from Illinois, Oregon & California Oppose NDAA

October 9, 2025

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Amid Donald Trump’s escalating deployments of troops to American cities, the six U.S. Senators representing states that Donald Trump is targeting with troop deployments over state and local officials’ strong objections—U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and