{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"OR\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392831", "Schrader, McKinley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Spur Innovation, Reduce Power Sector Emissions", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Reps. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) today introduced theClean Energy Future through Innovation Act of 2020,a bipartisan proposal to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies and establish clear and durable standards for their use in the electric power sector.\r\n            The legislation would make significant investments in energy innovation and infrastructure, including carbon capture, advanced nuclear, renewables, efficiency, and storage. After a decade of innovation, it establishes a technology-neutral clean energy standard that would reduce CO2 emissions 80% by 2050.\r\n            America needs energy policy that can endure, rather than one that changes after each election and judicial decision,said Rep. McKinley.No policy can succeed without certainty, and certainty requires bipartisan consensus. Our approach will reduce carbon emissions while ensuring affordable and resilient power generated from all sources. Furthermore, by positioning America as a leader in innovation it will allow us to export technology to the rest of the world and provide a global solution to this problem.\r\n            Climate change puts us all at risk, including the rural, coastal, and agricultural communities in my district,said Rep. Schrader.Americans are tired of the partisan fighting; they want and deserve a government that solves problems. We need a climate bill that can pass the Senate, be signed into law, and make a real differenceand the legislation that Rep. McKinley and I have introduced is it. We can keep fighting each other, but I'd rather tackle some problems. This bill will cut carbon emissions quickly, it will invest in a better energy system, and it will empower entrepreneurs and industry to create new technologies and new jobs.\r\n            The bill introduction comes after Reps. McKinley and Schrader released a discussion draft in September and solicited input from a broad array of stakeholders. They are continuing to receive feedback and will be refining the bill further, before reintroducing next year.\r\n            Background:\r\n            Earlier this year, Reps. McKinley and Schrader outlined their approach inan opinion piece in the USA Today's Hidden Common Ground Sectionurging a new, more pragmatic legislative approach.\r\n            The plan calls for a decade of public and private investments in clean energy innovation and infrastructure development, followed by new regulatory standards to ensure environmental and energy goals are met. Innovation alone isn't enough. We must clarify what federal law will (and will not) require, to provide a stable and predictable policy framework for investors and electric utilities in the decades ahead. Executive orders and administrative actions that prolong the political and legal battles won't solve this problem  but bipartisan legislation can.\r\n            Click to see the bill text here.\r\n            Click to see a section by section here.\r\n            \r\n            What They're Saying about the McKinley-Schrader Bill:\r\n            Representatives McKinley and Schrader should be applauded for recognizing that durable climate policy must come from Congress, and the approach must be bipartisan from the start. The business community is investing heavily in technologies that will reduce emissions and improve the environment, and we welcome good faith proposals like this to further these goals.\r\n            U.S. Chamber of Commerce\r\n            \r\n            I am very appreciative of Congressmen McKinley and Schrader for developing this legislation, because it fills a critical need at a critical time for our nation and the world. The rapid development and deployment of CCS technology on a worldwide scale is a must if we are going to do something that actually addresses global climate emissions, while preserving as many traditional energy jobs as possible. This bill will give our scientists and researchers the means to step on the accelerator in their efforts to get this technology to a point where it can be widely available. The UMWA is in full support, and we urge others in Congress who are developing legislation associated with addressing climate change to consider this bill a beacon for what can and must be done.\r\n            Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America\r\n            \r\n            The McKinley-Schrader proposal marks an important milestone along the road to developing climate legislation. It is a bipartisan effort that wisely addresses roles for both forward-looking energy innovation policy and for regulatory authority as needed. EnergyForward is committed to clean-energy transition and the technological breakthroughs needed to make it a reality. We look forward to working with Mr. McKinley and Mr. Schrader as they refine and advance the bill.\r\n            Scott Segal, director, EnergyForward and partner at Bracewell LLP.EnergyForwardis a coalition of utilities that includes Ameren, Duke, DTE Energy, Southern, Salt River Project and Vistra.\r\n            \r\n            Representatives McKinley and Schrader have developed a thoughtful and bipartisan approach to tackling a key element of our climate challenge. Investments focused on innovative technologies for clean energy coupled with the certainty of a clean energy standard, stand to move the power sector toward net zero emissions. Significant investments in technology and infrastructure would help rebuild and grow the U.S. economy, while its clean energy standard would help put us on pathway to carbon neutrality. Representatives McKinley and Shrader are to be commended for building a bipartisan bridge that is essential for the creation of durable climate policies.\r\n            Bob Perciasepe, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions\r\n            \r\n            American Electric Power (AEP) commends Representatives David McKinley and Kurt Schrader for proposing legislation that focuses on clean energy technology development, including an all-encompassing program for the demonstration and deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), combined with a new federal regulatory framework that requires low- and zero-emitting generation. AEP is committed to a low- to no-carbon energy future and is focused on diversifying our resource portfolio, deploying technologies to reduce emissions, and modernizing the grid to help us get there. Preserving and enhancing our transmission and distribution system, in addition to technological advances, including energy storage and CCUS, will determine how quickly AEP can achieve zero emissions while continuing to provide reliable, affordable power for customers.\r\n             American Electric Power\r\n            \r\n            The scientific evidence is overwhelming that we must rapidly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. Effectively combatting the climate crisis will require significant deployment of both clean energy technologies and natural climate solutions, as well as a solid regulatory structure to provide a predictable framework for power producers to achieve emission reductions. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. McKinley and Schrader to develop this bipartisan, innovative approach to cutting energy sector climate pollution, and we look forward to working with them and other climate and energy leaders to create durable, equitable policy solutions that meet the urgency of the climate crisis.\r\n            Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation\r\n            \r\n            As one of our nation's largest energy providers, Duke Energy is committed to taking a leadership role in addressing the serious issue of climate change. Building on our significant progress of reducing CO2 emissions by 39% below 2005, we continue to work toward our ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Doing so while maintaining affordability and reliability for our customers is critical, particularly as we work with our customers and communities through this challenging time.\r\n            Bipartisan efforts like this are critical in helping our industry deliver a clean energy future for all Americans. While Duke Energy understands and respects that there are different perspectives on how to achieve this future, we applaud Rep. McKinley and Rep. Schrader for their leadership on such a critical issue, and we remain committed to engaging in efforts that help develop a path forward.\r\n            Tom Craig, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs, Duke Energy\r\n            \r\n            ACEEE is supportive of the McKinley-Schrader effort as it seeks to advance innovation while providing a backstop that ensures that substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions take place. We appreciate how this bill includes a number of energy efficiency provisions and look forward to working with the sponsors to build upon these provisions going forward.\r\n            Steve Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)\r\n            \r\n            The fastest path to an affordable, reliable, decarbonized electricity system will include nuclear energy alongside wind, solar, and energy storage. Therefore, any policy focused on reducing emissions must support the long-term operation of our nation's 94 nuclear power reactors by appropriately valuing the emissions-free attributes of nuclear energy.\r\n            Establishing technology-neutral policies and investing in low-carbon technology innovation would foster a level playing field for all clean energy generators, including nuclear energy. We are therefore grateful that Representatives McKinley and Schrader have developed draft legislation that would both support the nuclear reactors we operate today and accelerate the deployment of potentially game-changing new nuclear technologies to power a cleaner energy future.\r\n            Maria Korsnick, president and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute\r\n            \r\n            Reps. McKinley (R-WV) and Schrader (D-OR)'s proposal is an encouraging step forward for federal energy and climate policy. Notably, the proposal combines immediate clean energy innovation programs with long-term national decarbonization targets for the power sector. We look forward to working with Congress to advance this important bipartisan effort.\r\n            Sasha Mackler, Bipartisan Policy Center Energy Project\r\n            \r\n            For more than a century, Southern Company has been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advancedcarbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. We continue our industry-leading research and development, focusing on technologies that benefit customers and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Representatives McKinley and Schrader have come together with a pragmatic approach for investment in clean energy innovation and infrastructure development. We appreciate the opportunity to engage in stakeholder outreach and agree technology innovation is the solution to continued decarbonization for the economy.\r\n            Southern Company\r\n            \r\n            Below is an excerpt from ablog postfrom NRDC:\r\n            There's a new and noteworthy bipartisan partnership on Capitol Hill pushing for action on climate. In an op ed published in USA Today, Reps. David McKinley, Republican of West Virginia, and Kurt Schrader, Democrat of Oregon, write, We have to end the partisan battle over climate change by building a new framework that is fair to the workers, to communities, and to all American families while protecting our environment. Doing this, they write, will show the nation that Congress can still come together to meet the great challenges of our time.\r\n            This bipartisan collaboration is an important step. The concept they are proposing would advance clean energy in the power sector by combining a major federal investment in low carbon technologies with national standards that ensure we reduce the carbon pollution that is driving dangerous changes in our climate.\r\n            ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392832", "Rep. Schrader Issued the Following Statement", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Schrader Issued the Following Statement  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 28, 2020\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      For Immediate Release\r\nDecember 28th, 2020 Contact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) issued the followingstatement today:\r\nThis is an ineffective and poorly targeted approach to aiding Americans in distress. It is clearly a last-minute political maneuver by President Trump and extremists on both sides of the political spectrum who have been largely absent during months of hard negotiations. These funds would be better used for programs like PPP and unemployment insurance that directly benefit small businesses and hardworking families who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.This is a gratuitous political gesture that threatens our children's future for short term political gain. I feel for all of those who are suffering today due to financial hardship and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to find ways to provide relief during these difficult times.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-key-wins-for-everyone-who-relies-on-oregons-waterways-and-ports-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Wins for Everyone who Relies on Oregon\u2019s Waterways and Ports", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Wins for Everyone who Relies on Oregon's Waterways and Ports \n\t\n\t\t After last-minute legislative push, bill will increase funding to nearly all Oregon ports \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, December 23, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and on the Senate Appropriations Committeeand Ron Wyden today announced that the full Senate has passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes a number of key provisions that will benefit Oregonians.\r\n \r\nAs we continue to work to beat back the coronavirus and rebuild our economies after this devastating year, we must focus on creating the strong foundation our communities need to be healthy and thrive, said Merkley, who authorizes these projects through his role on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and then funds them through his role on the Appropriations Committee. That's why I fought to ensure that this year's WRDA bill will help us safeguard Oregon's incredible waterways, and make key investments in the harbors and ports that our coastal economies rely on.\r\nMuch of Oregon's economy flows through our state's ports and harbors, and these investments help provide coastal communities a much-needed lifeline to survive the economic fallout of the pandemic, Wyden said. I'm gratified these resources are headed to Oregon waterways and will keep working to support these job-creating assets throughout our state.\r\n \r\nThe WRDA bill provides authorizations for studies and projects that upgrade infrastructure like jetties, levees, and breakwaters in Oregon's communities, such as West Linn and Coos Bay-North Bend, as well as critical funding for ports, such as the Port of Astoria, Port of Bandon, and Port Orford.\r\nThe bill unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) by providing the authority to appropriate $2 billion in additional funds annually for harbor maintenance needs from its existing balance. Combined with a provision from the CARES Actwhich provided economic relief in response to the global pandemicthe bill provides for up to $4 billion in annual expenditures for port maintenance.\r\nMerkley and Wyden have consistently fought to make sure small ports in Oregon and throughout the country receive a share of HMTF funding for dredging and other critical projects. This year's WRDA bill includes language that allows, beginning in October 2022, up to $5 million of HMTF funding for Emerging Harborswhich includes most of Oregon'sto be available for up to 10 maintenance dredging projects in marinas or berthing areas in harbors located adjacent to, or accessible by, a federal navigation project. This will bolster small ports' access to funding for maintenance projects.\r\nIn keeping with experts' warnings that the destruction of waterway ecosystems could cripple local economies and threaten the health of countless species, the senators fought to ensure that the WRDA bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out efforts to restore salmon and steelhead habitat. The bill also authorizes a number of studies that will support Oregon's small ports and fish hatcheries.\r\nAdditionally, the bill provides authorization for the Corps to address and resolve silting and shoaling that impacts small ports, as well as flood control projects, algal bloom control measures, and construction of tribal housing along the Columbia River.\r\nNew provisions also require the Army Corps to include environmental justice considerations and disadvantaged communities' needs in its policies, as well as expanding consultation requirements with indigenous groups when the Corps is working close to tribal lands.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-investments-in-rural-communities-included-in-spending-bill-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill \n\t\n\t\t Merkley co-authored agriculture spending bill included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 22, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture and rural developmentand Ron Wyden today announced that the Senate has passed a fiscal year 2021 agriculture spending bill that will benefit Oregon's farms and families. The next step for the bill is to be signed into law by the president.\r\n \r\nIn every corner of our state, I've heard about the need for investments in our farms and rural industries, affordable housing, and good-paying jobsespecially as the coronavirus crisis' toll on our health and economy continues to deepen, said Merkley, who co-authored the agriculture appropriations bill. I fought hard to ensure that those insights, and the specific ideas and priorities Oregonians have shared with me, would make it into this bill, so we can strengthen the vitality of our communities and keep delivering the world-class agricultural products Oregon is known for.\r\nBuilding the strongest possible quality of life throughout Oregon requires robust investment to support signature job-creating state industries such as agriculture and fishing, while also ensuring rural residents have housing they can afford, Wyden said. I'm glad this bill helps to achieve all those goals that Oregonians have shared with me on Zoom calls, virtual town halls and socially distanced conversations during this most challenging year.\r\n \r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield a generation ago to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nKey elements to benefit Oregonians in the spending bill are:\r\nWine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: This year's unprecedented wildfire season blanketed much of the state of Oregon with dense, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted Oregon's wine grape harvest. To better understand the challenges facing Oregon's wine growers, the bill includes $3.5 million for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities, building on $2 million secured the prior appropriations cycle.\r\nRural Housing: The bill includes $1.41 billion for rental assistance and $40 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent housing crisis facing Oregon's rural communities.\r\nRural Development: The bill protects funding for a number of USDA's Rural Development programs, including rural housing and business development programs that President Trump proposed eliminating. These programs make billions of dollars of investments in rural America every year.\r\nNational Scenic Area: The bill includes $2 million to help Oregon's rural communities promote economic development through the Oregon and Washington Investment Boards, rounding out a $10 million commitment that was authorized when the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was created.\r\nSoil Health: The bill includes $1.5 million for the establishment of a Soil Carbon Research Center at OSU focused on research into current and future dryland production practices to increase profitability and yield, conserve soil, enhance soil water storage, and promote sequestration of carbon for soil health.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The bill includes a $30 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations in Oregon. Funding is included for irrigation districts that need to improve water efficiency and conservation or otherwise improve fish and wildlife habitat. This program is providing critical funding for the collaborative processes underway across the state working to conserve water and keep Oregon's family farms in business while improving the habitats of endangered species. Construction has begun on several key projects to address water resource interests in Central Oregon, including in Tumalo Irrigation District and Central Oregon Irrigation District, and funding announced today will allow further expansion across the state, such as the East Fork Irrigation District project that has broken ground in Hood River.\r\nPacific Shellfish: The bill includes $3.5 million of federal funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the Pacific shellfish agricultural system. This research is critical to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate chaos on the health and economies of Oregon's coastal communities.\r\nWestern Rangeland Livestock: The bill includes $3 million for the establishment of a Western Rangeland Precision Livestock center to develop precision-based nutrition strategies for rangeland-based livestock, as well as technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and productivity of Western rangeland-based livestock and the rangeland ecosystem. This funding will be split among land grant universities in Oregon, Montana, and Wisconsin.\r\nAgricultural Research: The Agricultural Research Service received an increase of $77 million in funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the nation's agricultural systems. In addition, Merkley was able to secure funding for key Oregon agriculture research programs, including funding for research on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen plaguing the south coast. Other research funding victories include research for alfalfa, barley, tree fruits, pear, wheat, hops, hemp, apple, shellfish, small fruits, seaweed, floriculture, nurseries, and rangeland ecology.\r\nMass Timber Products: The advanced wood products program at USDA received $3.5 million for work on mass timber products that would enhance Oregon State University's cutting-edge research.\r\nSummer EBT: The bill continues funding the Summer EBT program at $42 million. This program has provided much-needed nutrition for Oregon families during the summer months when schools are not in session.\r\nFood Corps: The bill provides an increase of $1 million for Food and Agriculture Service Learning. This program helps improve education resources for healthy eating especially among children.\r\nHemp: The bill provides $16.5 million to implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill allowing for the cultivation of commercial hemp, which can be used to make everything from cloth and rope to oil and soap. Hemp has already quickly become one of Oregon's leading cash crops, and many feel has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years, but only with a fair and reasonable regulatory framework.\r\nIn addition, the explanatory statement highlights several concerns raised by Oregon hemp producers over the USDA's proposed testing and sampling regulations, and directs the USDA to ensure that the final rule for the Domestic Hemp Program is based on science and will ensure a fair and reasonable regulatory framework for commercial hemp producers. The bill also:\r\n \r\nExtends the 2014 hemp pilot program until January 1, 2022, providing hundreds of Oregon farmers clear operating guidelines as the USDA smooths out regulatory challenges;\r\nEncourages the USDA to study the usage and impact of energy and water in hemp cultivation and to make recommendations on best practices and standards;\r\nDirects the agency to establish and maintain a hemp germplasm repository for hemp breeding purposes;\r\nProvides $2 million for the agency to conduct regionally-driven research, development, and stakeholder engagement to improve understanding of how to effectively integrate hemp into existing agricultural cropping, processing, and marketing systems; and\r\nDirects the USDA to work with institutions under its jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp producers and businesses.\r\n \r\nFood and Drug Administration (FDA): The bill provides $3.2 billion in discretionary funding for FDA. As FDA continues to be on the frontlines of addressing COVID-19, the bill ensures the agency continues to have adequate funding to respond to this urgent need.The bill also includes an additional $5 million for FDA to continue work on a regulatory pathway for CBD, a product derived from hemp.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-major-investments-in-oregon-communities-included-in-spending-package-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in Oregon Communities Included in Spending Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in Oregon Communities Included in Spending Package \n\t\n\t\t The fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress includes investments in natural resources, small ports, transportation, housing, and more \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 22, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkleywho serves on the Senate Appropriations Committeeand Ron Wyden today announced a wide range of investments that will benefit Oregon and are included in the fiscal year 2021 spending bill that has passed the Senate. The next step is for the president to sign the bill into law.\r\nTaken together, the investments announced by the senators impact virtually all communities in every corner of the state, addressing some of Oregonians' biggest challenges. The provisions highlighted include only a fraction of those in the omnibus package that benefit Oregon, including health care, education, science and conservation, and more.\r\n \r\nThese bills include key investments to create jobs in the woods and reduce wildfire risk. They support stakeholders working on collaborative water solutions so family farms have the irrigation water they need to make it to the next generation. They will create new housing where it's desperately needed, help modernize infrastructure without burdening ratepayers, support port dredging on the coast, and keep small airports open for business, Merkley said. Government is supposed to be how all of usWe the Peoplecome together to solve problems and build a better future, and I'm trying to make sure Oregonians' voices and priorities are reflected in our investment decisions.\r\nOregonians in every nook and cranny of our state are hurting from the devastating blows delivered in 2020. I've heard their concerns throughout this challenging year over Zoom, virtual town halls and socially distant conversations, and I'm glad to report this bill will open doors for new jobs, housing, water solutions for small farms, and healthier and safer communities in our stateduring a time when we need it most, Wyden said. Our efforts won't stop here. The fight for a secure and healthy future for every Oregonian continues.\r\n \r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield a generation ago to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nU.S. Department of Interior funding includes support for wildfire management, following another year of unprecedented blazes, as well as support for Land and Water Conservation Fund projects all across Oregon, through the Great American Outdoors Act:\r\n \r\nWildfire Management: In anticipation of the next fire season, the bill includes $3.74 billion for fire suppression at the Forest Service and Department of the Interior. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management received significant increases of an additional $25 million and $25.9 million, respectively, for hazardous fuels reductionwhich makes forests far more resilient to wildfiresbringing the total funding level to $689.9 million. Fiscal year 2020 was the first year that the bipartisan fire borrowing fix went into effect; this fiscal year, $2.35 billion of additional funds are available for fire suppression and other priorities within the Interior bill.\r\nForest Health Restoration and Collaboration: The bill provides $40 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). With the addition of the new CFLRP project in October, Oregon has three active CFLR projects: Northern Blues Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, Southern Blues Restoration Coalition Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, and Lakeview Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project.\r\nKlamath Basin Water and Wildlife Conservation: In continued efforts toward a long-term solution in the Klamath Basin, the bill maintains the increase that Merkley secured last year, providing $6.5 million to support strategies to restore fish habitat and scale up ongoing efforts to restore healthy populations of shortnose and Lost River suckers. The bill also maintains the additional $5 million in funding that Merkley secured for habitat restoration in advance of the removal of Klamath River dams.\r\nPayment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill includes $515 million for the PILT program to fund vital services for rural communities, including public safety, social services, transportation and housing. This funding goes to Oregon counties that have large tracts of federal land, which doesn't pay property taxes. The investment approved by Congress is $73 million over the president's request.\r\nWater Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure loan programs under the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Authority (WIFIA) Act received $65 million to leverage billions of dollars in investments, such as the new projects in Hillsboro and Portland. Merkley authored the WIFIA program in 2012, working to ensure public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are well-maintainedcritical for public health and safety, strong local businesses, population growth, and clean rivers and aquifers. WIFIA was passed into law as part of the 2014 Water Resources Development Act.\r\nTribal Programs: The Indian Health Service, which provides health care to thousands of Oregon Tribal members, received $6.3 billion, $189 million more than fiscal year 2020. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education received $3.4 billion, an increase of $174 million to the fiscal year 2020 level. The BIA funding includes $1.5 million for Columbia River Treaty sites, advancing the ongoing effort to improve tribal housing at the site.\r\nLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): The bill provides $900 million, as required by the Great American Outdoors Act, which Merkley and Wyden helped pass into law this summer. For Oregon, that means projects will be funded at an estimated: $2.5 million for the Spence Mountain Forest Legacy project in Southern Oregon; $3.3 million for the Wasson Forest project in Siuslaw National Forest in Western Oregon; $2.18 million Crooked River Gorge in Ochoco National Forest in Central Oregon; and $1.1 million for the Elk Creek project in Wallowa Whitman National Forest in Eastern Oregon. For over 50 years the program has been the main source of funding for federal land and water acquisitions. Acquiring and protecting public lands not only provides environmental and recreational benefits, but also creates jobs in the tourism, recreation, timber, fishing, and other natural resource sectors.\r\nEarthquake Preparedness: The bill includes $85 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support regional earthquake initiatives, including $25.7 million for the West Coast ShakeAlert early warning project. The bill also encourages the USGS to continue the development of a system for Cascadia that will help prepare for and mitigate the negative human and economic impacts of a major seismic event.\r\n \r\nThe Energy and Water bill includes vital funding for Oregon's small ports on the coast and irrigators across the state:\r\n \r\nSmall Ports and Army Corps Navigation: The program, which is vital to help Oregon ports pay for dredging and other necessary infrastructure projects, received $580 million for deep-draft harbor and channel improvements, $60 million for inland waterways, $41 million for navigation maintenance, and $65 million for small ports, which supports the small ports that are the lifeblood of Oregon's coastal economy.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The WaterSmart program received a $21million increase, to $55 million, to fund projects that will help irrigation districts comply with the Endangered Species Act. The WaterSmart program has supported the collaborative process that is underway within Central Oregon to conserve water, improve habitat for endangered steelhead and the spotted frog, and keep Central Oregon family farms in business.\r\nExpanding Renewable Energy: The bill includes $110 milliona $10 million increasefor wind energy and $10 million for distributed wind. The bill also includes $150 million for water power research, which will support ongoing research at OSU, and $273.5 million for solar power programs.\r\n \r\nThe Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill includes support for affordable housing and homelessness serviceswhich are of particular importance as the state grapples with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic:\r\n \r\nCommunity Development Block Grants: The bill includes $3.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program funds vital housing rehabilitation, supportive services, public improvements and economic development projects in communities across Oregon and the nation while encouraging local investment.\r\nAffordable Housing: As rural and urban communities across Oregon continue to experience housing crises, the bill includes additional funding for affordable housing programs for some of Oregon's most vulnerable peoplelow-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Merkley led 37 of his colleagues, including Wyden, in a successful effort to provide an additional $895 million to support continuing rental assistance for 1.2 million low-income households. Funding for housing programs that benefit the elderly and people with disabilities were also preserved.\r\nRural Housing: The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Rural Capacity Building Program received $10 million and $5 million, respectively. SHOP provides funds for non-profit sweat-equity homebuilders, such as Habitat for Humanity, to cover land purchases and infrastructure costs. The Rural Capacity funds are intended to build the capacity of rural low income housing non-profits by providing training, information, technical assistance, and financing.\r\nHomeless Assistance Grants: The bill includes $3 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $179 million increase that will benefit organizations across Oregon. Within that appropriation, rapid rehousing programs for victims of domestic violence received $52 million; homeless youth programs received $82 million; and Emergency Solutions Grantsparticularly important to the Portland metro areareceived $290 million to support street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance.\r\nHOME Investment Partnerships Program: The bill includes $1.35 billion for the program to provide states and localities with flexible resources to respond to their affordable housing challenges, including rental housing and paths to homeownership for low-income families.\r\nHUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: The program received $40 million to provide new rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans, along with case management and clinical services. These vouchers have been critical to reducing veterans' homelessness by 49 percent since 2010.\r\nCapital Investment Grant Program: The bill includes nearly $2 billion for the program, which provides funding for major transit investments that support sustainable transportation and reduced congestion in cities like Portland, Eugene and Salem.\r\nBUILD Grants: Formerly known as TIGER, the program received a $1 billion investment for 2021. This critical transportation grants program has helped fund projects across Oregon such as the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge replacement project.\r\nEssential Air Service and Contract Towers: The bill includes $142 million for the Essential Air Service. The Essential Air Service program supports flights between the City of Pendleton and Portland International Airport, a vital connection to support economic development across Eastern Oregon. Additionally, the bill increases funding for FAA Contract Towers to $172.8 million. There are six contract towers across Oregon, and this funding ensures their continued operation.\r\n \r\nAdditionally, the omnibus package includes renewable energy and conservation provisions that the senators fought for:\r\n \r\nMarine Energy Research and Development Act: The package includes Wyden and Merkley's bill, which reauthorizes marine renewable energy programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). Those programs include the national marine renewable energy research, development and demonstration centers found around the country, including one operated by Oregon State University. The legislation also directs the DOE to research ways to build a stable marine energy supply chain in the United States, as well as ways to ensure marine energy development does not interfere with ocean navigation, fisheries and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.\r\nWater for Conservation and Farming Act: The package also includes key elements of Wyden and Merkley's bill, including provisions to:\r\n\r\nCreate opportunities, through the Community Watershed Management Program, for disadvantaged communities, primarily in rural areas, to work with the Department of the Interior to plan conservation projects that improve drinking water quality and supply;\r\nEstablish an aquatic ecosystem restoration program at the Department of the Interior at $15 million annually for 5 years that will help fund projects to improve the health of fisheries, wildlife or aquatic habitat; and\r\nIncrease funding for the WaterSMART program by $150 million, and allow non-profit organizationsin addition to farmers and ranchersto access this additional money.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/in-a-major-win-for-oregon-s-coastal-communities-rep-peter-defazio", "In a Major Win for Oregons Coastal Communities, Rep. Peter DeFazio Resolves Decades-Long Fight and Frees Up Billions of Dollars for Harbor Maintenance", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today released the following statement after passage of his bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which includes his provision to ensure that Harbor Maintenance funds are actually used for harbor maintenance. This measure now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.\nThis is a tremendous victory for Oregon's coastal communities. For decades, I have fought to unlock the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and ensure that funds already collected for harbor maintenance are fully utilized to keep our local ports dredged and jetties maintained. Finally, WRDA 2020 fulfils that goal.\nWith this fix, our ports and harbors will have the resources they so desperately need, all without raising taxes or adding a penny to the deficit. My bipartisan bill, approved by both the House and the Senate, will create and sustain jobs on the coast, make conditions safer for Oregon's commercial fishing and recreation industries, and boost our state and national economic competitiveness.\nBy unlocking the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, my legislation will ultimately provide up to $3 billion annually for port maintenance around the country and right here in Oregon. I also successfully pushed for a 50 percent increase in funding for small harbors, like the Port of Gold Beach and the Port of Siuslaw, and for a provision that allows harbor maintenance funds to be seamlessly spent on the maintenance of adjacent marinas. This funding will be put to immediate use paying for planned projects such as the Coos Bay North Jetty rehabilitation and maintenance dredging along the coast.\nTo learn more about how WRDA 2020 unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-defazio-gosar-nadler-s-bipartisan-legislation-to-curb-health", "Reps. DeFazio, Gosar, Nadlers Bipartisan Legislation to Curb Health Insurance Price Gouging and Promote Fair Competition Passes House and Senate", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Paul Gosar (AZ-04) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) to rein in health insurance price-gouging and promote fair competition, unanimously passed the Senate last night and is expected to be signed into law today. The bill passed unanimously in the House in September.\nThe bill, H.R. 1418, would repeal an antiquated exemption that allows health insurance companies to operate beyond the reach of federal antitrust laws and collude to set health care costs, increase profits, and price gouge consumers.\nEven before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 1 in 4 Americansincluding insured Americanswere already skipping medical care and prescription drug doses because of high costs. Today, while affordable medical care is more important than ever, health insurance companies still have free rein to price-gouge consumers and reap massive profits on the backs of seniors, working families, and everyday Americans. That's obscene, said DeFazio. As long as this exemption is still on the books, health insurance companies legally can collude to drive up prices, limit competition, conspire to underpay doctors and hospitals, and overcharge consumers. Our bipartisan legislation will protect consumers and make sure the health insurance industry plays by the same rules as virtually every other industry in America.\nThis is a major win for working Americans, Nadler said. The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act repeals a longstanding antitrust exemption for the health insurance industry under the McCarran-Ferguson Act. This exemption effectively shielded health insurance companies from antitrust scrutiny for some of the most egregious forms of anticompetitive conduct, such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, and market allocation. There is absolutely no justification for this broad antitrust exemption, and its repeal is long overdue. Repealing this anti-consumer exemption has long been a priority of the House Judiciary Committee and I am thrilled the repeal finally made it across the finish line this week. I thank my colleague, Chairman DeFazio, for his leadership on this important legislation, and I look forward to it being signed into law.\nThe McCarran-Ferguson Act, passed in 1945, exempts the business of insurance from the federal antitrust laws that protect and promote fair competition.\nThe Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act would repeal this antiquated exemption and give the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission the authority to apply federal antitrust laws to anticompetitive behavior by health insurance companies. This would help rein in skyrocketing health care costs and ensure consumer protections are in place to guard against abuses and greed by the health insurance industry. This Act would not affect or interfere with the authority of each state to regulate the business of insurance.\nIn the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn, several major U.S. health insurershave reported increased profits, totaling billions of dollars. This comes at the same time as the number of uninsured Americans continues to rise.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392830", "Rep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief and 2021 Spending Bill", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\r\nDecember 21, 2020\r\nContact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711\r\n\r\nRep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief and 2021 Spending Bill\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan, bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus negotiated COVID-19 relief package. Rep. Schrader was the founding Democratic member of the Caucus eight years ago. In addition to COVID-19 relief, the package includes fiscal year 2021 appropriations. This robust package has a multitude of provisions that have been key policy priorities for Rep. Schrader. Most notably, putting an end to the harmful and predatory practice of surprise medical billing.\r\n\r\nAs COVID cases skyrocket nationwide, Americans are struggling, said Rep. Schrader. Countless families are on the brink of foreclosure and eviction as Christmas fast approaches. It is getting more and more difficult for small businesses to keep their lights on and make payroll. This package will deliver targeted COVID-19 aid for small businesses and families in addition to fully funding the government for 2021. Additionally, I am proud to have been an advocate for Oregonians who have been victims of surprise medical billing and worked this entire Congress to bring Republicans and Democrats on my Energy and Commerce Committee together to find a solution. This package is a huge win for the American people, and I am proud to have been a part of it. Thank you to House and Senate leadership for making sure the holidays are a little bit brighter for Oregon families this year.\r\n\r\nThis bill has many far-reaching benefits for families and communities across Oregon. It includes:\r\n  \r\n Targeted COVID-19 relief: Hundreds of millions in PPP loans for the smallest businesses who need them most, an additional round of economic impact payments, support for live event venues and expanded unemployment insurance\r\n\r\n Improved broadband access for rural communities: $730 million in the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improved education and healthcare services\r\n\r\n Eliminates surprise medical billing:If you have done your diligence and think you're going to an in-network provider for your health care treatment, you will no longer receive a surprise bill for when part of your care ended up being out of network.And, in the case of an air ambulance ride, you can only be charged the cost share dictated by your insurance provider, regardless of whether they are in network\r\n\r\n Water Resources Development Act: unlocks billions in the harbor maintenance trust fund, provides a path for the Federal government to transfer authority of the Willamette falls locks, and will fairly allocate water resources in the Willamette River Basin\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-trump-teams-unprecedented-corruption-merkley-warren-markey-urge-incoming-biden-administration-to-set-new-high-ethical-standard-2020", "Following Trump Team\u2019s Unprecedented Corruption, Merkley, Warren, Markey Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Set New, High Ethical Standard", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following Trump Team's Unprecedented Corruption, Merkley, Warren, Markey Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Set New, High Ethical Standard \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, December 21, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  In the wake of the Trump administration's widespread corruption, self-dealing, and law-breaking, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley,Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA)a group of senators who have long championed strong federal ethics standards and the For the People Actare urging the incoming Biden administration to champion critical anti-corruption reforms.\r\n \r\nThe American people have endured four years of the most corrupt president and administration in modern memory. The Trump administration has allowed lobbyists and special interest to run federal agencies, even when they have been openly hostile to the agencies' missions, the lawmakers wrote. It has allowed senior officials to maintain unacceptable personal and financial conflicts of interest, and allowed foreign governments to try to curry favor, as President Trump and senior White House staff abused the presidency to enrich themselves. And it has shunned basic transparency, allowing lobbyists and special interests to subvert government for their financial aims and objections. Simply put, President Trump built a government that worked for himself, his friends, and special and corporate interests, rather than for the people, critically eroding Americans' faith in government.\r\nThat is why we are tremendously encouraged by your commitment to set a new, high ethical standard for the Biden-Harris administration, and by your embrace of the sacred charge to restore Americans' faith in government. More importantly, we strongly support your commitment to demonstrate with your actionsnot just your wordsthat public servants in the Biden-Harris administration will serve all Americans, not just themselves or narrow special interests, the lawmakers continued.\r\n \r\nSpecific recommendations from the senators include padlocking the revolving door between special interests and the government, by taking steps including a total ban on lobbyists employed by corporations from serving in the administration, especially at the agencies they lobbied prior to their appointment. They also recommend implementing safeguards like requiring the disclosure of all materials that lobbyists provide behind closed doors to administration officials. The lawmakers also pushed for the elimination of personal and financial conflicts of interest, by requiring all senior administration officials to divest from all individual stock and conflicted financial holdings, and instituting a new standard of transparency, by disclosing White House and federal agency visitor lists and making all officials' ethics agreements public and easily searchable, among other steps.\r\nThe full text of the senators' letter is available here and follows below.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nDear President-elect Biden:\r\nWe write to support executive actions you may take to enact your plan to guarantee our government works for the people, starting on day one of the Biden-Harris administration. As U.S. senators who strongly support strengthening federal ethics standards, and who have championed the For the People Act[1] in the U.S. Senate, a comprehensive package of legislative reforms that would end special interest corruption of our politics and make government work for the people, we are deeply heartened by your commitment to restore executive branch ethics through executive action, and we submit for your consideration the following recommendations to enact your commitment to expand onthe Obama-Biden Administration ethics pledge.[2]\r\nThe American people have endured four years of the most corrupt president and administration in modern memory. The Trump administration has allowed lobbyists and special interest to run federal agencies, even when they have been openly hostile to the agencies' missions. It has allowed senior officials to maintain unacceptable personal and financial conflicts of interest, and allowed foreign governments to try to curry favor, as President Trump and senior White House staff abused the presidency to enrich themselves. And it has shunned basic transparency, allowing lobbyists and special interests to subvert government for their financial aims and objections. Simply put, President Trump built a government that worked for himself, his friends, and special and corporate interests, rather than for the people, critically eroding Americans' faith in government.\r\n That is why we are tremendously encouraged by your commitment to set a new, high ethical standard for the Biden-Harris administration, and by your embrace of the sacred charge to restore Americans' faith in government. More importantly, we strongly support your commitment to demonstrate with your actions  not just your words  that public servants in the Biden-Harris administration will serve all Americans, not just themselves or narrow special interests. We are grateful that, in order to enact this commitment, you have pledged to, On day oneissue an ethics pledge, building and improving on the Obama-Biden Administration's pledge, to ensure that every member of his administration focuses day-in and day-out on the best outcomes for the American people, and nothing else.[3] We strongly support this commitment and recommend the following policies to consider as you draft this executive order and pledge.\r\n \r\nPadlock the revolving door between special interests and government. We support your commitment to ensure every member of the Biden-Harris administration focuses day-in and day-out on the best outcomes for the American people.[4] We believe the best way to achieve this goal is to stop special interests from profiting off of the public service of government officials and to padlock the revolving door between corporate, special interest and our government. The Obama-Biden ethics pledge took unprecedented steps to close and lock the revolving door between special interests and government by banning lobbyist from seeking employment at executive agencies they lobbied immediately prior to their appointment; by restricting what former lobbyists could work on and ensuring that all officials had to temporarily recuse from particular matters involving former employers or clients; and by restricting executive branch officials from leaving government to lobby the administration. We recommend building upon these strong standards by enacting a total ban on lobbyists employed by corporations from serving in the administration, especially at executive agencies they lobbied, and prohibiting all incoming officials from accepting Gary Cohn-like golden parachutes for federal service.[5] We also recommend expanding the Obama-Biden recusal standard prohibiting senior officials from participating personally and substantially in any particular matter in which a former employer or former client has a financial interest.Finally, we recommend reinstating the Obama-Biden revolving door bans on officials leaving government and consider expanding them by requiring such officials to commit to not accept employment at, or compensation from, any company or special interest that lobbied them, their office, or their agency while they were in the administration, for the remainder of the Administration.\r\n \r\n \r\nReduce the improper influence of lobbyists and special interests. In addition to closing the revolving door, we recommend additional policies for you to consider in your day one executive order and ethics pledge to enact your plan to address the improper influence of lobbyists.[6] We recommend requiring more extensive public reporting of all lobbying activity aimed at the Biden-Harris administration, including the disclosure of all materials that lobbyists currently provide behind closed doors to Trump administration officials. We agree that the American public has a right to know when lobbyists meet with executive branch officials and what they share in the course of those meetings. The Biden-Harris administration could also consider requiring all executive branch agencies release monthly disclosures regarding all contacts with registered lobbyists, including the date, the name of the official the lobbyist met with, the issue upon which they lobbied, and any documents transmitted to the official during the lobbying contact, with appropriate national security safeguards. This structure would mirror with the Obama-Biden administration's restrictions on lobbying activity related to relief under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,[7] which restricted all recovery act lobbying activity to public, written submissions and prohibited closed door meetings and phone calls between government officials and companies seeking emergency relief. As the federal government continues to deliver COVID-19 pandemic and economic relief, now is the ideal time to reinstate this Obama-Biden standard regarding emergency relief lobbying. Finally, we recommend building upon the current administration's ban on officials leaving government to engage in any activity on behalf of any foreign entity which would require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act,[8] and advancing your commitment to prohibit foreign governments' use of Washington lobbyists by prohibiting meetings between any Biden-Harris administration officials and any lobbyists working for foreign governments or foreign state owned enterprises, especially those engaged in gross human rights violations. We agree with and support your position that if a foreign government wants to share its views with the United States or to influence its decision-making, it should do so through regular diplomatic channels.[9]\r\n \r\n \r\nEliminate Personal and Financial Conflicts of Interest. Given the outright grift of the past four years, we strongly support your commitment to ensure every member of the Biden-Harris administration eliminate any improper or inappropriate influence from personal, financial, and other interests, as well as your commitment that no member of the Biden Administration will be influenced by personal financial holdings.[10] We sincerely appreciate the ethical example you have set personally by committing to hold only non-conflicted assets like Treasury bonds, annuities, mutual funds, large cap mutual fund retirement accounts, and private residential real estate.[11] In order to eliminate both the appearance and the potential for personal and financial conflicts of interest throughout the Biden-Harris administration, we recommend requiring all senior administration officials, including agency leadership and White House officials, follow your example and divest from all individual stock and conflicted financial holdings. Officials should place such investments qualified blind trusts, widely held investment funds,[12] and other non-conflicted assets approved by federal ethics officials. We additionally recommend officials pledge not to trade any individual stock (besides divestment) for the duration of their time in public service, and if such officials are beneficiaries of a discretionary trust, to disclose all of the trust's holdings, which would enact your commitment to eliminate the trust loophole in existing financial disclosure law.[13] Finally, we recommend ending the Trump administration's troubling practice of exploiting loopholes to allow senior advisors to skirt federal ethics law[14] by requiring senior government advisors to comply with federal disclosure and conflicts of interest rules that other federal officials must follow.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nInstitute a new standard of transparency. We appreciate your deep understanding that in order to rebuild Americans' trust in government, the Biden-Harris administration will need to embrace an unprecedented level of transparency. As such, we support your commitments to disclose any regulatory text submitted by any outside entity and to develop and disclose any access policy that governs requests for appointments.[15] We recommend sharing this information in a central location and including this policy in your ethics executive order. We additionally support your commitments to ensure an extra layer of review and scrutiny whenever policy proposals or recommendations come from a conflicted source, and to require senior executive branch officials develop and disclose to the public any policies that their office has instituted on when to accept or prioritize appointments.[16] As you work to include these commitments in your ethics executive order, we also recommend including your commitment to return to the Obama-Biden administration practice of disclosing visitor lists to the White House, federal agencies, and regularly traveled places (like Camp David) .[17] Finally, we recommend immediately making public and easily searchable all officials' ethics agreements or agreement amendments, as well as waivers to any provisions in your ethics pledge, which should include a public justification for why the waiver is in the national interest.\r\n \r\nThese recommendations represent just a handful of ways to ensure that the incoming Biden-Harris administration fulfills your good government commitments and continues to earn and rebuild the trust of the American people. We look forward to working with you and your administration to advance legislation in Congress to restore the promise of American democracy by making it easier, not harder, to vote; ending the dominance of big money in politics; and ensuring that public officials work for the public interest. But in the meantime, we also look forward to working with you to do everything you can through executive action, without Congress, to help make the executive branch of our government work for the people. \r\nSincerely,\r\n    \r\n\r\n[1] S. 949, 116th Congress\r\n\r\n\r\n[2] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[4] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[5] https://money.cnn.com/2017/01/26/investing/gary-cohn-goldman-sachs-exit-trump/\r\n\r\n\r\n[6] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[7] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/03/25/E9-6754/ensuring-responsible-spending-of-recovery-act-funds\r\n\r\n\r\n[8] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-ethics-commitments-executive-branch-appointees/\r\n\r\n\r\n[9] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[10] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[11] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[12] described in section 102(f)(8) of the Ethics in Government Act\r\n\r\n\r\n[13] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[14] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/us/politics/vaccine-Slaoui-coronavirus-trump.html\r\n\r\n\r\n[15] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[16] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/\r\n\r\n\r\n[17] https://joebiden.com/governmentreform/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-colleagues-push-22-financial-services-companies-to-prioritize-american-health-safety-economic-security-by-not-insuring-arctic-drilling-2020", "Merkley, Colleagues Push 22 Financial Services Companies to Prioritize American Health, Safety, Economic Security by Not Insuring Arctic Drilling", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Colleagues Push 22 Financial Services Companies to Prioritize American Health, Safety, Economic Security by Not Insuring Arctic Drilling  \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, December 21, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to press executives of 22 financial services companies to not insure any oil and gas developments in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing significant financial risk, catastrophic damage to one of the world's most delicate ecosystems, and the acceleration of climate chaos.\r\nThe senators' letterswhich were sent to AIG, Allianz, Aviva, AXIS, Chubb, CNA, Generali, Liberty Mutual, Lloyd's, Markel, Munich Re, QBE, RLI, SCOR, Sompo, Swiss Re, Talanx, The Hartford, Tokio Marine, Travelers, WR Berkley, and Zurich Cantonal Bankfollow a series of efforts by the Trump administration to auction off Arctic Refuge oil and gas leases in the coming weeks before the Biden administration is sworn in.\r\n \r\nThe Arctic is on the frontline of climate crisis, warming at three times the rate of the rest of the world. Fossil fuel extraction in these areas risks exacerbating climate chaos and irreparably damaging the local environment, the lawmakers wrote.\r\n \r\nIn addition to highlighting the detrimental impacts of boosting the use of fossil fuels on the future of our planet, the senators emphasized the financial risks of investing in Arctic oil extractionrisks that have led 27 major financial institutions, including five major American banks, to decide not to invest in Arctic oil and gas development projects.\r\n \r\nOil and gas development in the Arctic is increasingly financially risky. Arctic drilling operations would face extreme and treacherous conditions with severely limited access to respond to an oil spill or an accident. The environmental, social, and governance factors linked with these developments will likely expose your company to unnecessary reputation, legal, and financial risk, they continued.\r\n \r\nIn light of their grave concerns, the senators requested that the companies not insure the exploration, production, or transportation of oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; implement a formal policy prohibiting new insurance products or the extension of existing insurance productssuch as surety bonds, commercial multiple peril insurance, and reinsuranceto cover Arctic oil and gas projects; and rule out investments in companies involved in Arctic Refuge development. The lawmakers requested that these new policies and announcements be made publicly, and that the executives inform the lawmakers of the actions they take regarding the requests by December 31.\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\n\r\n\r\nAs you may be aware, the Trump Administration recently finalized plans to sell oil leases in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the final days of their administration. Any companies interested in leasing in the Arctic Refuge will be looking for new insurance coverage for their planned developments. Exploring drilling in the Arctic Refuge is financially risky given the historic low of oil prices and the transition away from fossil fuels happening around the world.\r\n\r\nWe ask that you put the health and safety of the planet and the people dependent upon the Arctic Refuge first and not insure any oil and gas developments in the Arctic Refuge.\r\n\r\nThe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the world's most delicate ecosystems. It is a sacred space to the Gwich'in people and has supported the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous populations and subsistence hunters for thousands of years. It is also home to endangered species such as bowhead whales, polar bears, and ringed seals and it supports critically important fisheries and migratory birds. The Arctic is on the frontline of climate crisis, warming at three times the rate of the rest of the world. Fossil fuel extraction in these areas risks exacerbating climate chaos and irreparably damaging the local environment.\r\n\r\nOil and gas development in the Arctic is increasingly financially risky. Arctic drilling operations would face extreme and treacherous conditions with severely limited access to respond to an oil spill or an accident. The environmental, social, and governance factors linked with these developments will likely expose your company to unnecessary reputation, legal, and financial risk. In light of this financial risk 27 major financial institutions,[1] including five major American banks, have already decided not to invest in oil and gas development in the Arctic.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this development is fraught with legal challenges. There are four active lawsuits challenging the Arctic Refuge leasing program including multiple complaints filed by several tribal communities who depend on the Arctic Refuge and its natural resources to sustain their communities, cultures, and ways of life.\r\n\r\nWe ask that your company:\r\n\r\n \r\nNot insure the exploration, production, or transportation of oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nImplement a formal policy prohibiting new insurance products or the extension of existing insurance contracts to cover the exploration, production, or transportation of oil and gas in the Arctic Refuge, including surety bonds, commercial multiple peril insurance, and reinsurance;\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nRule out investments in companies involved in Arctic Refuge development and those that do not have policies prohibiting their own involvement in the Arctic Refuge; and\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nMake these new policies and announcements open to the public.\r\n \r\n\r\nWe request that you consider the policy changes listed above regarding oil and gas development for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the health and safety of the communities it serves. Please respond to inform us about the actions you take regarding our requests by December 31st. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n[1] https://www.banktrack.org/campaign/banks_and_arctic_oil_and_gas", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-vote-today-new-covid-19-relief-proposal", "House to Vote Today on New COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.The U.S. House of Representatives will votetodayon a new $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. The legislation would boost unemployment benefits by an additional $300 a week, provide $600 direct cash payments to most Americans, allocate $300 billion in aid for small businesses, and provide much-needed funding for schools, transportation,rental assistance, hospitals,and vaccine distribution in Oregon and across the country.\nWhile Republicans in the Senate blocked the inclusion of a revitalization fund for independent restaurants, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) secured several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to improve the program for the nation's 500,000 independent restaurants that were largely left out of the first tranche of funding.\nThe bipartisan popularity of the RESTAURANTS Act underscored how inadequate the original PPP provisions were for meeting the unique needs of independent restaurants, the area of the economy hardest hit by the pandemic and that suffered the greatest number of job losses. This wide support for our bill, which passed the House and has more than fifty co-sponsors in the Senate, helped us secure some changes to address shortcomings in PPP, Blumenauer said. These changes include a larger loan amount available for hard-hit restaurants, expansions to forgivable expenses for restaurant-specific expenditures like supplier costs and perishable goods, PPE, and outdoor seating, and a simplified forgiveness process for smaller loans. But these changes are by no means adequate for the needs of our independent restaurants.\nBlumenauer stressed that hisRESTAURANTS Actis still urgently needed to keep the majority of local, independent restaurants from going out of business.\nFor more than six months, we worked tirelessly to secure relief for independent restaurants, only to have Republicans slam the door on these small businesses and their workers in the final stage of negotiations. Make no mistake, modest changes to PPP will help, but they won't remedy enough deficiencies in the program to meet the desperate needs facing local restaurants, Blumenauer added. These half a millionrestaurants,diners, coffee shops, and bars employ eleven million Americans and are the cornerstone of communities large and small. It is as irresponsible as it is heartless that Republicans rejected targeted aid. We need to immediately take this up with the new Congress and the Biden administration to deal with the serious shortcomings of the bill and save our restaurants.\nFull text of the COVID-19 relief bill that will be voted ontodayby the U.S. House of Representatives can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-peter-defazio-votes-in-support-of-additional-covid-19-relief", "Rep. Peter DeFazio Votes in Support of Additional COVID-19 Relief", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today voted in support of legislation to provide additional COVID-19 relief to struggling working families and small businesses.\n\nThis bill will provide a critical lifeline to millions of Americans, but we need to do more, said Rep. DeFazio. Much more needs to be done in the new Congress to secure additional relief for working families, small businesses and frontline workers, provide a comprehensive plan to develop and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, and finally get our country back on track. Over the last ten months, more than 300,000 Americans have been killed by COVID-19 and more than 17 million Americans have been infected with the virus. Too many businesses have been shuttered and too many jobs have been permanently lost. Our nation has been mired in a massive public health and economic crisis, and yet congressional Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Trump showed absolutely no urgency in providing relief to struggling families. Despite repeated efforts to pass relief legislation for the last nine months, they instead chose to keep their heads in the sand until the eleventh hour, while millions of Americans were pushed into poverty. This deal is by no means perfect, and it is not the bill I would have written, but it will provide desperately-needed relief to millions.\nThe legislation includes:\n Funding for additional stimulus payments of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples;\n\t$285 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses hardest-hit by the economic impacts of COVID-19;\n\t$300/week in enhanced unemployment payments as well as an extension of all pandemic unemployment insurance programs by 11 weeks, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA);\n\tOver $19 billion to bolster manufacturing and procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, as well as $9 billion to support federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments in COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration;\n\t$25 billion to support testing, contact tracing, and provide additional relief to healthcare providers;\n\tA temporary increase in individual monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 15 percent for four months and increased support for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC);\n\t$25 billion in rental assistance for those struggling to pay rent as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium;\n\t$82 billion for education, including $54 billion for K-12 education and $20 billion for higher education grants;\n\t$10 billion in childcare grants and $7 billion for broadband grants and investments to support internet access in rural and underserved $10 billion for the United States Postal Service; and\n\tAn extension of student loan forbearance until April 1, 2021.\n As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, DeFazio negotiated the following provisions into the bill:\n $15 billion to extend the Payroll Support Program for aviation employees through March 31, 2021, a workers-first program that puts tens of thousands of workers back on the payroll with benefits, while prohibiting the use of funds for stock buybacks or executive compensation.\n\t$2 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, as well as some assistance for individuals and households to cover funeral expenses for COVID-19 deaths.\n\tThe Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) aircraft certification process in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies.\n\tThe Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation to help ensure that the millions of miles of pipelines in the U.S. are safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound; also includes provisions to require leak detection and repair programs to reduce methane pollution, as well as resolves the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's bureaucratic inability to protect coastal waters and the Great Lakes as previously mandated by Congress.\n\tThe Water Resources Development Act of 2020, legislation essential to our country's ports, harbors, and inland waterways, as well as to ecosystem restoration and flood mitigation; the WRDA Act of 2020 also finally unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, freeing up to billions of dollars of already-collected fees to be used for operations and maintenance of the country's ports. DeFazio also successfully pushed for a 50 percent increase in funding for small harbors, like the Port of Gold Beach and the Port of Siuslaw, and for a provision that allows harbor maintenance funds to be seamlessly spent on the maintenance of adjacent marinas. This funding will be put to immediate use paying for planned projects such as the Coos Bay North Jetty rehabilitation and maintenance dredging along the coast.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/transportation-infrastructure-chair-defazio-secures-key-victories-in", "Transportation & Infrastructure Chair DeFazio Secures Key Victories in Omnibus and COVID Relief Legislation", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) secured key victories in the COVID-19 relief and annual federal budget bill that passed the House of Representatives tonight, including disaster relief funding for states responding to the COVID crisis, legislation to distribute already-collected funds to the country's ports for maintenance and operations, landmark legislation to improve the FAA's aircraft certification process in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies, an extension of the highly-successful Payroll Support Program for aviation employees, and pipeline safety legislation.\nWhile I am relieved that Congress finally passed legislation to provide urgently-needed relief for the American people, we still have much more to do, Chair DeFazio said. Tragically, political partisanship and gridlock in Washington have delayed relief for families and communities that are hurting right now amid this public health and economic crisis. I'm proud that I was able to work closely with my counterparts in the Senate to ensure this legislation included provisions that will make a tremendous difference for Oregon, including a provision to finally unlock the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and ensure our nation's ports are properly maintained while protecting millions of jobs. The bill also includes my bipartisan FAA certification legislation that will protect the flying public. There is still much to be done, and I look forward to getting to work with the Biden-Harris administration in the new year.\n  \n\tAs Chair, DeFazio secured a number of key provisions in the legislation, including:\n \nThe Water Resources Development Act of 2020, legislation essential to our country's ports, harbors, and inland waterways, as well as to ecosystem restoration and flood mitigation; the WRDA Act of 2020 finally unlocks the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, freeing up to billions of dollars of already-collected fees to be used for operations and maintenance of the country's ports. DeFazio also successfully pushed for a 50 percent increase in funding for small harbors, like the Port of Gold Beach and the Port of Siuslaw, and for a provision that allows harbor maintenance funds to be seamlessly spent on the maintenance of adjacent marinas as well as jetties. This funding will be put to immediate use paying for planned projects such as the Coos Bay North Jetty rehabilitation and maintenance dredging along the coast.\n\t\n$2 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, as well as some assistance for individuals and households to cover funeral expenses for COVID-19 deaths.\n\t\n$15 billion to extend the Payroll Support Program for aviation employees through March 31, 2021, a workers-first program that puts tens of thousands of workers back on the payroll with benefits, while prohibiting the use of funds for stock buybacks or executive compensation. Requires mandatory recall of involuntarily furloughed workers and backpay for those workers to the date of the bill's passage.\n\t\n$1 billion in payroll pass-through grants for workers for airline contractors, with mandatory recalls of involuntarily furloughed workers and back pay for those workers to the date of the bill's passage.\n\t\nThe Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration's aircraft certification process in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX tragedies. DeFazio led an 18-month investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX and developed the legislation from its findings.\n\t\nThe Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation to help ensure that the millions of miles of pipelines in the U.S. are safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound; also includes provisions to require leak detection and repair programs to reduce methane pollution, as well as resolve the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's bureaucratic inability to protect coastal waters and the Great Lakes as previously mandated by Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-announces-deal-on-long-overdue-coronavirus-relief-bill", "Merkley Announces Deal on Long-Overdue Coronavirus Relief Bill", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Announces Deal on Long-Overdue Coronavirus Relief Bill \n\t\n\t\t The senator noted that it falls far short of Americans' need, vows to continue pushing for additional relief \n\t\n\t\n\tSunday, December 20, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced a long-overdue deal for a coronavirus relief bill, which will provide Americans with desperately needed resources as they struggle through the third, deadliest wave of the global pandemic. Merkley also noted that at $900 billion, the relief falls far short of actual need, and is just a shadow of the comprehensive relief bill that the U.S. House of Representatives passed in May.\r\n \r\nThis deal is certainly better than nothing at all, given the great need across our nation, Merkley said. But let's be clear: This is a stopgap measure, and much more is needed to get American families and businesses back on their feet, and the economy back in gear.\r\nAfter spending $2 trillion in 2017 for tax cuts benefiting the richest Americans, Republicans are now shorting hard-working Americans and small businesses in desperate need. These negotiations should have been treated with urgency. I'm going to continue pushing to make sure the federal government does better, working quickly and with compassion to make sure families have the resources they need to get through this crisis, and then to thrive. The key is to rebuild the economy from families and Main Street up, not Wall Street down. We'll have a lot more work to do once President Biden is in the White House.\r\n \r\nThe bill includes an additional $300 for enhanced federal jobless benefits through the spring; $600 per person of one-time stimulus payments for qualifying families; vital food and rental assistance for families; additional relief to support small businesses, schools and other organizations; funding to distribute the coronavirus vaccines; and extended the deadline for the Coronavirus Relief Fund. After an impasse in negotiations around the Federal Reserve's emergency lending authority, the bill also includes compromise language that keeps intact the Fed's tools to respond to emergencies.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-welcomes-appointment-of-environmental-justice-champions-to-key-positions", "Merkley Welcomes Appointment of Environmental Justice Champions to Key Positions", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Welcomes Appointment of Environmental Justice Champions to Key Positions \n\t\n\t\n\tSaturday, December 19, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, who serves on both the Senate Special Committee on the Climate Crisis and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and is a member of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today issued a statement following President-elect Joe Biden's announcement that he will appoint Representative Deb Haaland, Brenda Mallory, Michael Regan, and Gina McCarthy to key environmental positions:\r\n \r\nOur families and our economy are already experiencing climate chaos' wrathfrom apocalyptic wildfires ravaging the western United States, torecord-breaking storms battering our Gulf Coast communities, tomore frequent heat waves. And things will only get worse if we don't begin to rapidly reverse the harm that the Trump administration has done to clean air and water, public lands, and environmental justice.\r\nRepresentative Deb Haaland is a historic choice for Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and I applaud the President-elect for taking the long-overdue step of nominating an Indigenous leader as head of the agency overseeing programs that directly affect Indian Country. I know she'll be committed to protecting our public lands and addressing climate chaos. Brenda Mallory, nominated to be head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, has a track record of fighting for environmental justice, and the government experience to effectively ensure it is reflected in policy initiatives. Michael Regan, nominated to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has experience holding big polluters accountable, and I look forward to working with him to return the agency to its fundamental duty: protecting our communities from harmful pollution. And Gina McCarthy, the incoming White House climate coordinator, is widely recognized as one of the premiere advocates of combatting climate chaos, both through her time in public service and in her recent role aschief executive of the Natural Resources Defense Council.\r\nJoe Biden's decision to pick these experienced leaders with proven track records for these positions shows that the President-elect takes climate chaos seriously as the national emergency that it is. I look forward to supporting their nominations, working with them to restore critical protections for our environment, and tackling the climate crisis head on.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-sasse-unveil-urgently-needed-legislation-to-crack-down-on-online-sexual-exploitation", "Merkley, Sasse Unveil Urgently Needed Legislation to Crack Down on Online Sexual Exploitation", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Sasse Unveil Urgently Needed Legislation to Crack Down on Online Sexual Exploitation \n\t\n\t\n\tFriday, December 18, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) today introduced the Stop Internet Sexual Exploitation Act, groundbreaking legislation that would require all online platforms that host pornography to put in place critical safeguards to protect Americans from sexual exploitation online.\r\nThe introduction follows disturbing reports of how videos and photos are uploaded to websites like Pornhub without the consent of individuals who appear in themhaunting and traumatizing victims.\r\nThe posting of intimate photos and videos without participants' consent is a massive invasion of privacy that drives shame, humiliation, and potentially suicide, said Merkley. While some online platforms have recently announced steps to change some practices, much more needs to be done. We must ensure that not another single life of a child, man, or woman is destroyed by these sites.\r\nHuman dignity matters. A decent society has an obligation to fight sexual exploitation and human trafficking. For years, Pornhub and its parent company Mindgeek monetized rape, abuse, and child exploitation. While these suit-wearing traffickers got rich, their victims have lived with the pain and fear. That has to end now. Our bill is aimed squarely at the monsters who profit from rape. Washington ought to be able to come together to combat human trafficking and make this right, said Sasse.\r\nThe Stop Internet Sexual Exploitation Act would require platforms hosting pornography to verify the identity of users who upload videos, and require a signed consent form from every individual appearing in the video. The legislation would also prohibit video downloads, and would create a private right of action against an uploader who posts a pornographic image without the consent of an individual in the image.\r\nPlatforms would be required to create an expedited system in which victims can get videos deleted off websites. That system includes required deletion within two hours of a request and a 24-hour hotline on which individuals can make their request. Platforms would also be required to provide a notice on their website with information on how an individual can request the removal of a video, and to use software to block the re-upload of any removed videos.\r\nThe legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to enforce violations, and instruct the Department of Justice to create a database of individuals who have indicated that they do not consent to the posting of videos in which they appear. Platforms would then be required to check the database before new content could be uploaded, and any failure to do so would result in a civil penalty to the platform, with proceeds going toward services for victims.\r\nFull text of the legislation is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-thune-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-support-americas-small-food-processors", "Merkley, Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America\u2019s Small Food Processors", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America's Small Food Processors \n\t\n\t\n\tFriday, December 18, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide much-needed federal support to America's small meat and poultry processors and help strengthen and streamline their operations. The legislation would give small food processors more access to information that is critical to food safety planning, allow more inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines, and funnel federal dollars toward training, education, and technical assistance grants. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) are original co-sponsors of this legislation.\r\n \r\nDedicated workers across our food supply chains in every corner of our country work hard to ensure that when we go to our local grocery stores, there will be plenty of food on the shelves for our families, said Merkley. But nowas the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend every aspect of our economyour food processors, especially small plants that have been hit particularly hard, need help. This bipartisan bill would help provide these plants with valuable support, while also strengthening our food safety inspections and cutting red tape.\r\nThe pandemic has created significant challenges to our nation's food supply chain, especially when it comes to meat processing capacity, said Thune. South Dakota's producers work hard to raise high-quality livestock, and we need to invest in expanding processing capacity to help meet consumer demand for their products. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to support small meatpackers and to create additional marketing options for livestock producers.\r\nThe supply chain disruptions and restaurant closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have placed increasing financial pressure on Maine's rural farming communities, including our small farms that raise livestock, said Collins. This bipartisan bill would provide some relief by clearing unnecessary, bureaucratic hurdles, which would ensure that the livestock raised in Maine can also be processed right here in our state by local, family-owned food processors and butchers.\r\nMaine's small family farms and meat and poultry processors are key building blocks of communities across our state, providing healthy, locally raised meat for their neighbors and making important contributions to the local economy, said King. I'm proud to work with Senators Thune and Merkley to empower small processors to do their jobs and grow their businesses. It's our hope that this legislation will act as a helping hand in these difficult times by directing resources and investments to where they can do much good and bolster local economies around the country.\r\n \r\nThe Strengthening Local Processing Act would require the Food Safety Inspection Service to establish a searchable database of peer-reviewed, publicly available studies to establish and maintain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans. This step would help small food processors develop their own HACCP plans and help expedite the HACCP approval process.\r\nTo incentivize more states to establish meat and poultry inspection programswhich small food processors need to approve their productsthe legislation would increase the federal government's cost-share for the programs from 50 percent to 65 percent. The bill would also allow state-inspected meat facilities to operate as federal inspection facilities, allowing more small and local processors to ship their products to other states and countries.\r\nLastly, the Strengthening Local Processing Act would create a grant program to support small plants by providing reimbursement grants to help cover costs associated with meeting state or federal inspection guidelines, expanding infrastructure to establish or increase harvest and processing capacity, and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and future market needs.\r\nTo meet education and training needs in the processing industry, the bill would also establish training grants to support and train small plant operators, small plant employees, and the next generation of meat processors and butchers. And $10 million would be authorized in discretionary funding for higher education training and processor career training.\r\n \r\nThe National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition thanks Senator Merkley and Senator Thune for introducing the Strengthening Local Processing Act. Small plants play a critical role in ensuring farmers and ranchers are able to process their products, especially during the increase in demand for more local and regional meat and poultry during the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill is a strong step towards ensuring scale-appropriate regulations and support for small plants that maintain and pursue federal and state inspection, said Kelly Nuckolls, Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.\r\nThe programs created and increased in this bill are absolutely necessary for the safe processing and distribution of meat in our nation. As we have seen in the past year, relying on large consolidated meat processing facilities to dominate our domestic markets leave consumers at dangerous risk of losing access to safe, clean meat from the local ranchers who produce it. It is importantto support and expand small and mid-scale harvest and processing, in order to maintain the safe pipeline for ranchers to access local markets, and for consumers to access local meat. We are in danger of losing many of the small plants in our country, as they have been dwarfed by a few giants, who have worked to control the markets, building monopolies and controllingprices. When those giant plants could not adequately protect employees from the Covid-19 virus, consumers were left with empty shelves and empty pantries, with far-too-limited options for accessing local producers. Supporting the reinvigorationof local meat processing provides more food security for both the community of consumers as well as the ranchers and their communities. This bill would help to rebuild and increase that capacity, Ben Meyer,co-owner at Revel Meat Company, based in Canby, Ore.\r\nBased on NMPAN's 12 years of research, education, and providing technical assistance related to the viability of small and mid-scale meat processors, our organization finds that the provisions of the proposed \"Strengthening Local Processing Act\" are thoughtfully designed and will address persistent challenges that our processor members frequently share with us. We think it gets at some of the core and complex challenges in the sector that many otherbillshave not addressed. We believe it can make a positive impact,said Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Director of the Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network, part of Oregon State University.\r\n \r\nA summary of the Strengthening Local Processing Act can be found here. Full text of the legislation is available here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-coronavirus-surges-merkley-underwood-propose-agenda-to-support-nurses-fighting-on-the-frontlines-2020", "As Coronavirus Surges, Merkley, Underwood Propose Agenda to Support Nurses Fighting on the Frontlines", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Coronavirus Surges, Merkley, Underwood Propose Agenda to Support Nurses Fighting on the Frontlines \n\t\n\t\t Outlines key priorities for future COVID-19 relief legislation, President-elect Biden, and Congress \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, December 17, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today to unveil an agenda to direct urgently needed support and investments to America's nursing workforce.\r\n \r\nAs the husband of a nurse, I've seen up close the sacrifices our nurses make day after day to provide exceptional care and comfort to our communities, said Senator Merkley. They've been on the absolute front lines of this pandemictragically, often without the full support, resources, and PPE they need. Now more than ever, we must do everything we can to support and invest in these amazing health professionals. The health and well-being of our communities depends on it.\r\nApplauding the nurses who have valiantly served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic is not enough: we must ensure that our nation's nurses have the support they need during this public health emergency and beyond, said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. As a registered nurse, I'm proud to partner with Senator Merkley to advance the Agenda for Nurses Fighting COVID-19, which would provide nurses battling this pandemic with the personal protective equipment, mental health care, and workplace protections they deserve, while also investing in the nursing workforce of the future.\r\n \r\nWith more than 4 million registered nurses in the United States, nurses make up the single largest component of the health care workforce. Not only have America's nurses formed a critical platoon in America's battle against the coronavirus crisis, they have long played an integral role in providing high-quality care to children and families, and in addressing maternal health and addiction crises.\r\nThe value of their contributions to our public health will only become more critical as the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic and sets out to tackle serious, entrenched health care disparities. According to Gallup, 85 percent of Americans rate the honesty and ethical standards of nurses as high or very highranking them as the most honest and ethical professionals in the country for the 18th year in a row.\r\nThe lawmakers' agenda outlines a blueprint to deliver critical support to America's nurses, by identifying priority items for future coronavirus relief legislation, and key recommendations for President-elect Biden, his administration, and Congress. Those steps are as follows:\r\nFor future COVID-19 relief legislation:\r\n \r\nProvide hazard pay to nurses and frontline health care workers during the pandemic.\r\nEnsure that nurses and frontline health care workers who are exposed to COVID-19 are prioritized for testing and treatment, to maintain a healthy workforce.\r\nExpand paid leave to all workers, including nurses and health care workers, so they are not forced to use paid time off or forgo wages to quarantine from exposure to COVID-19, a COVID-19 diagnosis, or from post-vaccination symptoms caused by receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.\r\nProvide resources to support the mental health of nurses responding to the pandemic.\r\nInclude funding to ensure child care coverage for all who need it, including nurses.\r\n \r\nFor President-elect Biden and his administration:\r\n \r\nExercise the full authority and powers under the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of respirators and other critical PPE.\r\nThrough the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide scientific rationale for any changes to testing or PPE guidance.\r\nThrough the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and relevant federal agencies, develop reporting requirements to better track PPE levels at health care facilities.\r\nThrough the Food and Drug Administration, research the effectiveness of various decontamination methods for the reuse of PPE by nurses and health care professionals.\r\nThrough the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring employers to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to protect workers, including nurses.\r\nInclude nurses at every step of the COVID-19 response process, in all possible conversations, and among all future taskforces, commissions, committees, councils, and federal boards.\r\n \r\nFor Congress:\r\n \r\nRemove barriers to nursing education and ensure nursing career pathways are accessible to students who are first-generation, and from underserved or underrepresented communities, including rural and frontier communities.\r\nRetire federal barriers that prevent Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and training.\r\nImprove and expand federal student loan forgiveness, scholarships, and incentives for nurse educators.\r\nContinue to support and bolster the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.\r\nRebuild America's public health infrastructure which has faced devastating budget cuts.\r\nPass the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.4396/H.R.7945) to modernize nursing education and recruit a diverse nursing workforce.\r\n \r\nThe lawmakers' agenda has been endorsed by the American Nurses Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Oncology Nursing Society, and the Oregon Nurses Association\r\n \r\nCombating the COVID-19 pandemic will take the full strength of the country, including nurses, faculty, and students who have already been on the frontlines and are needed again to educate the public, distribute and administer vaccines, ensure health care for all, and meet the next public health challenge,\" said Dr. Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Chair of AACN's Board of Directors and Dean at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Nursing. \"I applaud my Senator, Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood for putting forth this comprehensive framework and recognizing the foundational role that nursing education plays in preparing current and future frontline healthcare providers.\r\nSupporting and enhancing nursing education pathways is critical to preparing the nursing workforce to tackle COVID-19 and the future public health needs of our nation, said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. We look forward to working with Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood to meet these healthcare challenges and support nurses, faculty, and students as they continue to care for patients in all communities, including rural and underserved areas,\r\nNurses are proud to be on the frontlines caring for our patients and our community during their time of need. These critical COVID-19 protections will allow nurses and health care workers to focus on keeping our patients safe and healthy and ensuring everyone in our community receives the care they deserve. We thank Senator Merkley and Rep. Underwood for their continued advocacy to protect and support nurses and patients during and after this pandemic, said Oregon Nurses Association President, Lynda Pond RN.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-nominates-fourteen-oregon-students-acceptance-us-service", "Greg Walden Nominates Fourteen Oregon Students for Acceptance to U.S. Service Academies", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) announced today that he has nominated fourteen Oregon students for acceptance to the prestigious United States service academies. Walden's Service Academy Nomination Board -- retired and active-duty military officers who interview potential candidates for the service academies -- recommended each student based on their academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and character. \"I am honored to nominate these outstanding young Oregonians to America's service academies,\"Walden said.\"These future leaders have put forth years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to character and these nominations are well deserved. By pursuing a higher education at one of our country's select service academies, these students have shown a desire to lead by example, grow intellectually, and serve the United States in uniform. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for these hardworking individuals, I am confident that each nominee will have tremendous success in this admirable endeavor and that their futures will be bright. \"I want to also thank my Service Academy Nomination Board for recommending these young, courageous leaders. Their experience serving our country in uniform is invaluable to the nomination process and speaks to the caliber of the students they interviewed and recommended for nominations this year. Without their guidance and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the U.S. service academies, these nominations would not be possible,\"said Walden. Serving on Walden's Service Academy Nomination Board are: Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Paula Brown, U.S. Air Force Colonel Jeff Edwards, Retired U.S. Navy Captain Bud Hart, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Rich Halstead and Oregon Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Travis Lee. The service academies include the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Final selection for admission to the service academies will be determined by officials at each respective academy this spring. The 2021 Academy Nominees from Oregon's Second District are as follows:\nDeschutes County\n Abby Bridges, daughter of Greg and Lisa Bridges of Bend, attending Mountain View High School and Surabaya Intercultural School  nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy.\n\tGharret Brockman, son of Chuck and Toni Brockman of Bend, attending Bend Senior High School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Naval Academy.\n\tSamuel Conklin, son of William and Kelly Conklin of Bend, attending flight school with Bend Aircraft Mechanics  nominated to the Unites States Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.\n\tBrendon Dearing, son of Douglas and Michelle Dearing of Bend, attending Oregon State University  nominated to the United States Air Force and the United States Naval Academy.\n\tKainoa Dickson, son of Jonathan and Whitney Dickson of Redmond, attending Redmond High School  nominated to the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy.\n\tBrady Pfeiffer, son of Bradley and Holly Pfeiffer of Bend, attending Mountain View High School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\tMary Root, daughter of Darren Root and Peggy Houge of Sisters, attending Sisters High School  nominated to the United States Naval Academy.\n\tElias Tollefson, son of Kevin and Carol Tollefson of Redmond, attending Redmond Proficiency Academy  nominated to the United States Naval Academy.\n Grant County\n Xuanling Jin, daughter of Chin Kim and Zhen Ji Wen of Long Creek, attending Long Creek High School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n Jackson County\n Jared Dole, son of Ted and Brenda Dole of Eagle Point, attending Eagle Point High School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\tMartin Folgate, son of Christopher and Julie Folgate of White City, attending Baker Early College  nominated to the United States Naval Academy.\n\tAndrea Gilliland, daughter of Drew and Colette Gilliland of Central Point, attending the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n Klamath County\n Timothy Orr, son of Tony and Dana Orr of Klamath Falls, attending Henley High School  nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.\n\tColten Wright, son of Heath and Heather Wright of Merrill, attending Lost River Jr/Sr High School  nominated to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-senators-press-trump-administration-on-decision-not-to-pre-order-more-doses-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-need-for-transparent-plan-going-forward-2020", "Wyden, Merkley, Senators Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley, Senators Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward \n\t\n\t\t Reporting revealed the Trump Administration turned down an option this summer to pre-order additional doses Pfizer's vaccine \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, December 14, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkleytoday asked top Operation Warp Speed officials aboutrecent reportsthat earlier this year the Trump Administration declined to buy additional doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine when given the opportunity.\r\nThe letter from Wyden, Merkley and 16 other senators to Dr. Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of Operation Warp Speed, and General Gustave Perna, Chief Operating Office of Operation Warp Speed, expresses concern about the Trump Administration's lack of planning and transparency, and presses for more information about the Administration's preparations to purchase vaccines.\r\n \r\nWe write to you about reports the United States Government declined to exercise its option to purchase additional doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year,the senators wrote.We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, causing further loss of life and economic devastation. We fear this is yet another instance in which the Trump Administration's failure to develop a comprehensive national vaccines plan in a timely manner could jeopardize efforts to get people vaccinated and ultimately end this pandemic.\r\nThe letter continued,To earn public confidence, demonstrate accountability, and ensure the incoming Biden Administration has the information it needs to hit the ground running in getting our COVID-19 response on track, the Administration must be more transparent about its preparations, as well as how much funding is available, and is needed, to purchase, distribute, and administer sufficient vaccine to end this pandemic.\r\n \r\nThe letter led by Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was signed by Merkley as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).\r\nThe entire letter ishere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-slams-inadequate-covid-19-relief-proposal", "Blumenauer Slams Inadequate COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, a group ofsenators revealed the details of a new$908 billionCOVID-19relief package. Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), author and primary sponsor of the RESTAURANTS Act and a proponent of direct cash assistance, on the Senate's failure to adequately addresstheurgent needs of families and small businesses:\nTheSenate'snewCOVID-19reliefbillcompletely failsto provideadequateaidfor working families throughdirect cash paymentsandglosses overtargeted relief for independent restaurants  the industryhithardest by this pandemic.\nNovember'sjobsreport was a stark reminder that the worst of this economic crisis could still be ahead of us.Millions of people remain out of work, and for the first time since April,the restaurant industry actually lost jobsa trendthatissure to worsenas we enter the winter months.\nGetting direct cash toworkersand smallbusinessesismoreimportantnow, than ever.We know that the earlier $1,200 payments helped families pay for groceries, utilities, housing, and other essentials. Another round of payments will not only help the millions of people who've lost jobs or had hours cut,but also lift up the economy at a make-or-break moment.\nTime is also running out for local, independent restaurants. ThePaycheck Protection Programwas ashort-termlifeline formillionsof operations to keep them afloatandmove forward,butit wasn'tdesignedforrestaurants, whoneed atailoredlong-term solution.Restaurants don't need more debt,they don't need a short-term solution, andtheycertainlydon't needCongressto doubledown on a failed approach.They need direct cash grants, as outlined in my RESTAURANTS Act,to have any fighting chanceof staying in business.\nThe Senate needs to stop paying lip service tothese urgent needsand actuallyprovide relief.Willful ignoranceisunacceptable. Without delay, we need to come together on a deal that addresses therealneeds of our people and small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-western-senators-push-senate-leadership-to-provide-housing-assistance-to-communities-impacted-by-2020-wildfires-2020", "Merkley, Western Senators Push Senate Leadership To Provide Housing Assistance To Communities Impacted by 2020 Wildfires", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Western Senators Push Senate Leadership To Provide Housing Assistance To Communities Impacted by 2020 Wildfires \n\t\n\t\n\tFriday, December 11, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), are pushing Senate leaders to deliver critical housing assistance to Americans struggling to find reliable shelter in the wake of catastrophic wildfire damage in western states. This year alone, fires in the west burned over 5.8 million acres, claimed over 30 lives, and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.\r\n \r\nThe current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden,the senators wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy.\r\nState resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief,the lawmakers continued.\r\n \r\nThe senators' request includes $15 billion for Community Development Block Grants, $3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund, $2 billion in Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding, and $1 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development and Rural Housing Service. The letter also included specific program guidance to ensure the funds would put much-needed housing assistance funding in the hands of people significantly impacted by fire; help incentivize and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding; ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states; and help repair and rebuild housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.\r\nThe full text of the letter is availablehereand follows below.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nDear Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Chairman Shelby, and Vice Chairman Leahy,\r\n\r\nWe write to request that the Senate immediately consider and pass urgent federal housing assistance for residents of Oregon, Washington, and California impacted by historically destructive and dangerous wildfires. While FEMA has delivered substantial emergency relief to our home states, the scale of natural disasters in western states demands additional resources that can only be delivered through disaster supplemental legislation.\r\n\r\nSince August dozens of large fires in Oregon, Washington, and California have burned over 5 million acres, displacing tens of thousands of people and resulting in dozens of fatalities. Air travel was temporarily suspended in several locations due to poor visibility, schools were forced to close, and many of our constituents have been forced to stay indoors due to extremely hazardous air quality conditions. Many of these homes and business are uninsured, leaving these victims even more vulnerable in the recovery process.\r\n\r\nThe current wildfires will further exacerbate an already critical affordable housing shortage impacting western states. Oregon, California, and Washington are short over 1.2 million affordable rental housing units, and have an average of 75% of extremely low income renter households dealing with severe cost burden.\r\n\r\nState resources and funding were already seriously strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now completely depleted by weeks of fighting some of the most dangerous and widespread fires on record. With nowhere else to turn, western states are looking to the Senate to deliver critical housing relief. We strongly encourage you to consider including the following specific funding levels and programs as you work to negotiate an appropriate disaster supplemental response package in the near future.\r\n\r\n \r\n$15 billion for Community Development Block Grant  Disaster Recovery\r\nTo ensure that funds reach victims quickly, HUD should use the same process by which CDBG  COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) funds were recently allocated and disbursed.\r\nCDBG grantees should be allowed to immediately use CDBG-CV funds to assist people significantly impacted by fire.\r\nCurrent CDBG grantees should be allowed to pledge CDBG and CDBG-DR estimated allocations as collateral for funding through HUD's Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, and borrow up to 10 times their estimated annual allocation.\r\nCDBG-DR funds should be able to pay of land acquisition loans executed as a direct result of fire recovery efforts.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$3 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund\r\n$3 billion for wildfire impacted states will help incentive and prioritize affordable housing rebuilding, including private owners of manufactured housing parks who might otherwise sell to an investor to build luxury housing.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$2 billion Emergency Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funding\r\nCDFI funding can quickly ramp up lending capacity in fire impacted states through the preexisting CDFI lending network.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n$1 billion for USDA Rural Development and Rural Housing Service\r\nFunds should be directed towards repairing and rebuilding housing, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.\r\nExpand USDA's Section 502 Manufactured Housing Loan Pilot program to any fire impacted state, and modify lending rules to cover new manufactured homes on land owned by nonprofits and housing authorities.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWe thank you for your consideration, and look forward to working with you on this matter of importance to our states.\r\n\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photo-release-merkley-discusses-restoring-american-leadership-on-international-stage-with-un-ambassador-and-secretary-of-state-nominees-linda-thomas-greenfield-and-antony-blinken-2020", "PHOTO RELEASE: Merkley Discusses Restoring American Leadership on International Stage with UN Ambassador and Secretary of State Nominees Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Antony Blinken", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PHOTO RELEASE: Merkley Discusses Restoring American Leadership on International Stage with UN Ambassador and Secretary of State Nominees Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Antony Blinken \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, December 10, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkleythe top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's subcommittee overseeing multilateral institutions, and a member of the bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CCEC)released the following statement today after meetingvirtuallywith President-elect Biden's nominees to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken:\r\n \r\nI appreciate having had the chance to speak with Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Antony Blinken this week about a number of pressing diplomatic issues around the world ahead of their confirmation hearings in the new year.\r\nParticularly after the challenges of this year and the Trump administration's abdication of American leadership on the international stage, America's incoming foreign policy leaders will have their work cut out for them. From restoring American climate cooperation and taking a forceful stance against human rights violationsincluding in China and Burmato reducing nuclear dangers and combating wildlife trafficking,we need public servants with extensive foreign policy experience and proven talent for diplomacy to build international partnerships capable of tackling urgent issues for America and the world.\r\nBased on our meetings and their distinguished diplomatic careers, I have every confidence that Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Antony Blinken exemplify each of these attributes. Throughout her 35 year career in public service, Linda Thomas-Greenfield has shown an unwavering commitment to strengthening America's alliances, supporting our values, investing in people, and advancing pathbreaking work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. And during Antony Blinken's careerwhich has included service on President Clinton's National Security Council staff, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and in President Obama's State Departmenthe has demonstrated the same ability to navigate complicated dynamics, protect the values Americans hold dear, and advance our nation's foreign policy objectives.\r\nThe confirmation of these qualified nominees would match the high standard of professionalism that America's dedicated Foreign Service Officers and State Department professionals strive for. I look forward to continuing to work with them throughout their respective confirmation processes and beyond.\r\n \r\nHigh-resolution photos of Sen. Merkley's meetings with Thomas-Greenfield and Blinken can be downloaded here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-lowenthal-clark-urge-president-elect-biden-to-implement-comprehensive-approach-to-tackle-plastic-crisis-2020", "Merkley, Lowenthal, Clark Urge President-Elect Biden to Implement Comprehensive Approach to Tackle Plastic Crisis", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Lowenthal, Clark Urge President-Elect Biden to Implement Comprehensive Approach to Tackle Plastic Crisis  \n\t\n\t\t Plan could transform economy, bolster domestic infrastructure, and create jobs \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, December 9, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47) and Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) to urge President-elect Biden to adopt a comprehensive plan that would address the ramifications of plastic pollution on Americans' health and our environmentboth of which disproportionately impact communities of colorwhile also boosting the domestic manufacturing of sustainable alternatives and creating new jobs.\r\nThe proposed strategy, the Presidential Plastics Action Plan, is the culmination of over 400 environmental and health organizations' work to identify crucial actions President-elect Biden could take to bypass congressional gridlock and prioritize communities that have historically been the hardest-hit by the impacts of the accelerating climate crisis: communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income Americans.\r\n \r\nPlastic pollution is everywhere  from visible trash in our streets, sidewalks, parking lots, rivers, and waterways to nearly invisible plastic dust raining down in our landscapes and national parks.[1] And it doesn't go away  plastics break down into small pieces known as microplastics that make their way into the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink, the lawmakers wrote.\r\n \r\nAdditionally, the lawmakers emphasized that the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, coupled with America's cry for long-overdue racial justice, make action on plastics all the more urgent.\r\n \r\nWe need only look at the disproportionate impacts that plastic production and pollution have on some of our poorest communities to understand how racial and environmental justice are inextricably linked. Plastic production and processing facilities, much like landfills, oil refineries, and other sources of industrial pollution, are overwhelmingly constructed in low-income communities of color thatalready bear the brunt of environmental and economic burdens, they continued.\r\n \r\nSpecifically, the plan includes:\r\n \r\nUsing the purchasing power of the federal government to eliminate single-use plastic items and replace them with reusable products;\r\nSuspending and denying permits for new or expanded plastic production facilities, associated infrastructure projects, and exports;\r\nMaking corporate polluters pay and rejecting false solutions;\r\nAdvancing environmental justice in petrochemical regions;\r\nUpdating existing federal regulations to curtail pollution from plastic facilities by using best available science and technology;\r\nStopping federal subsidies to plastic producers;\r\nJoining international efforts to establish binding commitments to reduce plastic use and eliminate single-use plastics; and\r\nReducing and mitigating the impacts of discarded and lost fishing gear.\r\n \r\nMerkley, Lowenthal, and Clark have led the charge for plastic pollution reduction policy, and plan to complement the efforts outlined in the plan by reintroducing the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the new Congress.\r\nThe full text of the lawmakers' letter is available here, and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDecember 8, 2020\r\nDear President-Elect Biden,\r\nThe world faces an indisputable plastic pollution crisis.The rampant production of unnecessary single-use plastic products is driving climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions that harm local environmental justice communities, both where plastic is made and where plastic is often discarded with commensurate toxic air and water pollution. We urge you and your Administration to tackle this issue comprehensively with significant measures that can be taken independently from Congressional action.\r\nPlastic pollution is everywhere  from visible trash in our streets, sidewalks, parking lots, rivers, and waterways to nearly invisible plastic dust raining down in our landscapes and national parks.[1] And it doesn't go away  plastics break down into small pieces known as microplastics that make their way into the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.\r\nThe rise in single-use plastics has come with a tremendous environmental cost. An estimated 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enters the marine environment every year  roughly equivalent to dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the oceans every minute.[2]The United States generates the most plastic waste of any country in the world.A recent study found that despite the United States only accounting for 4% of the global population in 2016, the U.S. generated 17% of all plastic waste and ranks third among countries contributing to coastal plastic pollution.\r\nState and local governments across the country are in the throes of an economic crisis, as revenues for important services diminish and costs continue to increase. This includes recycling collection, an industry with exorbitant costs and few commensurate benefits even before the COVID-19 pandemic.\r\nWe have also watched mass protests and movements across the country calling for sweeping changes on racial justice.We need only look at the disproportionate impacts that plastic production and pollution have on some of our poorest communities to understand how racial and environmental justice are inextricably linked. Plastic production and processing facilities, much like landfills, oil refineries, and other sources of industrial pollution, are overwhelmingly constructed in low-income communities of color thatalready bear the brunt of environmental and economic burdens.\r\nThese same communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis, which is made worse by the manufacturing of additional virgin plastics. The greenhouse gas emissions linked to this production are estimated to reach 1.3 billion tons by 2030, equivalent to 300 coal-fired power plants.\r\nFor years, industry advocates and producers have focused exclusively on downstream solutions, like recycling.The result has been more plastics produced without consideration of their environmental impacts and mounting piles of waste left for local governments to clean up at their time and expense.According to a recently released report by the Pew Center, Breaking the Plastic Wave, a strategy focused solely on recycling would still result in 18 million metric tons of plastic flowing into the ocean each year by 2040 at the cost of $140 billion more than business as usual between 2021 and 2040.[4] We cannot recycle our way out of this problem.\r\nA multi-pronged approach that focuses on limiting plastic and packaging production and a transition to a truly circular economy is the only solution.It will require reducing unnecessary plastic and packaging, finding sustainable substitutes, promoting reusable items, improving recycling practices, and expanding waste collection services.These actions can transform our economy, bolster domestic infrastructure, and create U.S. jobs.\r\nYour Administration can play a critical role in addressing this crisis. Internationally, the State Department and the U.S. Trade Representative should proactively engage with the global community on climate change and plastic pollution issues. At home, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, and the Department of Health and Human Services will all need to be proactive in addressing plastic pollution issues within their jurisdictions.\r\nIn the coming weeks, a major group of over 400 environmental and health organizations will unveil their proposal for a Presidential Plastics Action Plan. They have identified eight crucial actions that you as President will be able to take separate from Congress. These actions will immediately set the nation on a pathway to a plastic-pollution-free future, securing a healthier future for our country and our planet.\r\nEach of the described actions will require you as President to prioritize support for communities that historically have been harmed first and worst: communities of color, Indigenous communities, and impoverished communities. These actions will provide an opportunity to drive job growth in a new green economy, providing unionized jobs with family-sustaining wages in communities that need it the most, and fighting past and future environmental injustices.\r\nThe presidential plan includes:\r\n \r\nUsing the purchasing power of the federal government to eliminate single-use plastic items and replace them with reusable products;\r\nSuspending and denying permits for new or expanded plastic production facilities, associated infrastructure projects, and exports;\r\nMaking corporate polluters pay and reject false solutions;\r\nAdvancing environmental justice in petrochemical regions;\r\nUpdating existing federal regulations to curtail pollution from plastic facilities by using best available science and technology;\r\nStop subsidizing plastic producers;\r\nJoining international efforts to establish binding commitments to reduce plastic use and eliminate single-use plastics; and\r\nReducing and mitigating the impacts of discarded and lost fishing gear.\r\n \r\nWe will compliment these efforts in the 117th Congress by reintroducing the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, comprehensive legislation that would make producers responsible for their pollution by requiring them to design, manage, and finance waste and recycling programs. Additionally, this legislation would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products, create a nationwide beverage container refund program, and establish minimum recycled content standards.\r\nWe would be happy to share details of the plan or connect you with relevant stakeholders as you begin your transition so that you can effectively and immediately address the crisis of plastic pollution.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-help-for-working-class-in-covid-19-relief-proposal-2020", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Help for Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Help for Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, December 9, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined four of their colleagues in urgingtheir fellow senatorsto recognize the enormity of the economic and public-health crisis posed by the pandemic, by ensuring that any COVID-19 relief proposal includes $1,200 in direct payments to adults and $500 to their children, and rejecting any provisions that give liability shields to corporations that threaten the health and safety of their workers and customers.\r\n \r\nIn a letter to theSenate Democratic Caucus, the senators note that COVID-19 is infecting nearly 200,000 Americans and killing 2,000 Americans daily, and argue that a bipartisan proposal under negotiation does not go anywhere near far enough, as America experiences the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Only $348 billion in new money is currently allocated in that proposal, the Senators point out, even though the Trump Administration and a bipartisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-19 relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.\r\nIt would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money,the senators wrote. \r\nThe lawmakers further expressed their opposition to a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk currently under consideration in a bipartisan COVID-19 relief measure, and cited concerns from labor groups that granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase.\r\n \r\nThe letter's signatories also registered their agreement with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal, as over half of American workers live paycheck to paycheck and one in four are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year, while millions more face eviction and hunger.\r\nMerkley and Wyden were joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA).\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDecember 8, 2020\r\n\r\nDear Colleague:\r\nAs you know, the COVID-19 pandemic is surging throughout the country and is now causing more pain and havoc than at any time since it began. Last week, an average of almost 200,000 Americans a day were diagnosed with COVID-19 and, tragically, over 2,000 people are now dying every single day.\r\nFurther, as a result of the pandemic, we are now experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Over half of our workers are living paycheck to paycheck and one out of four workers are either unemployed or make less than $20,000 a year. In addition, 92 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured, tens of millions of people face eviction and hunger in America is exploding.\r\nWe very much appreciate the hard work that has gone into the current $908 billion proposal being drafted by a number of Democratic and Republican Senators. But, simply stated, given the horrific extent ofthe current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough. In truth, rather than the $3.4 trillion which we Democrats called for in the HEROES Act, this bill only allocates $348 billion in new money according to one of the lead Republican negotiators. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated.\r\nUnlike the CARES Act, which we passed in March, this proposal only provides a $300 supplement for unemployed workers rather than $600 a week. Further, unlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment.\r\nMoreover, this proposal does nothing to address the health care crisis impacting tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford medical care and has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable.\r\nFurther, despite long-time Democratic opposition, it is our understanding that this proposal may provide 100 percent legal immunity to corporations whose irresponsibility has led to the deaths of hundreds of workers. It would continue to provide a get-out-of-jail free card to companies that put the lives of their workers and customers at risk. In fact, the result of this proposal is that, through this liability provision, corporations will be encouraged to avoid implementing the common sense safety standards needed to protect workers and consumers - and make a bad situation worse. We agree with the AFL-CIO and the 141 organizations who oppose providing this kind of immunity to corporations. According to a letter these groups sent to Senators on December 4th: Granting immunity would make the country less safe at the exact moment when the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new, dangerous phase.\r\nLast March, with unanimous support in Congress, President Trump signed the $2 trillion CARES Act into law that provided a $600 a week supplement in unemployment benefits and a $1,200 direct payment to every working class adult, $500 per child and significant help for small businesses, states and cities. In October, as part of the negotiating process, the Trump Administration and a bi-partisan coalition in the House supported over $1.8 trillion in COVID-relief that also included another $1,200 direct payment.\r\nGiven the enormity of the crisis today, it would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money. The American people need help and they need help now. We agree with President-elect Biden that a $1,200 direct payment should be included in this proposal. We also feel strongly that we should not provide immunity to corporations who endanger the health and lives of their employees. Please join us in demanding that any new COVID-relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children. Further, please work with us to make certain that there is no language in this bill to give a liability shield to corporations who threaten the health and safety of workers and customers.\r\n\r\n Sincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-blumenauer-s-medical-marijuana-research-act", "House Approves Blumenauers Medical Marijuana Research Act", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Medical Marijuana Research Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Andy Harris (R-MD) to address burdensome impediments to legitimate medical research.\nAlthough 99 percent of Americans now live in a state with some form of legalized marijuana, current federal law greatly limits researchers' ability to study the health benefits of cannabis. Current barriers include the overly burdensome registration process, redundant protocol reviews, lack of adequate research material, and unnecessarily onerous security requirements.\nThe cannabis laws in this country are broken, especially those that deal with research. It's illegal everywhere in America to drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or any other substance. But we do not have a good test for impairment because we can't study it  This is insane and we need to change it, Blumenauer said today on the House floor. At a time when there are four million registered medical cannabis patients, and many more likely self-medicate, when there are 91 percent of Americans supporting medical cannabis, it's time to change the system. Our bill will do precisely that.\nWhile the United States leads the world in biomedical research, research on cannabis lags far behind. A 2017 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report found that research on the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids has been limited in the United States, leaving patients, health care professionals, and policy makers without the evidence they need to make sound decisions regarding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids.\nThe Medical Marijuana Research Actwill address these limitations by:\n Providing a pathway for researchers to study the cannabis products consumers are using from state-legal programs.\n\tStreamlining the burdensome and often duplicative license process for researchers seeking to conductmarijuanaresearch, while still maintaining all necessary safeguards against misuse and abuse.\n\tAddressing the woefully inadequate, both in quantity and quality, supply of medical-grademarijuanaavailable for use in such research.\n\tRequiring a report by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the status and results of new research onmarijuana benefits.\n This was the second vote held by the U.S. House of Representatives in the past week on Blumenauer's federal cannabis reform priorities, following the passage of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act on Friday, December 4.\nThe full text of the Medical Marijuana Research Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/media/statements/bonamici-statement-fifth-anniversary-paris-climate-agreement", "Bonamici Statement on Fifth Anniversary of Paris Climate Agreement", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The climate crisis threatens our communities, our economy, and our planet. And curbing greenhouse gas emissions hasnever been more urgent. Under the leadership of President-elect Joe Biden, the United States will renew its pledge to the Paris Agreement and mobilize the ambitious climate action required toaddress this existential threat.\n\nGlobal climate leadership begins at home, and I am committed to working with my colleagues and the Biden-Harris Administration to implement bold, science-based policies to transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, create good-paying jobs, support a just transition, and build more resilient communities. Despite efforts by the Trump Administration toundermineand disrespect climate science, we never backed down. The House passed the Climate Action Now Act to keep the U.S. in the ParisAgreement, andIstoodwith Speaker Pelosi at COP25 in Madridtodemonstrateour support for global climate actionwhen the Administration failed to represent our country on the global stage.States, local governments, Tribes, and businesses continued to advance climate solutionsin absence of national leadership.\n\nWe must protect our air, water, and treasured wild places from toxic pollution. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues to implement our comprehensive Climate Action Plan to reach net-zero emissions no later than mid-century and net-negative thereafter. Together we can build back better, create good-paying jobs, andsafeguardthe health of our communities and our planet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walden-delivers-farewell-address-house-floor", "Walden Delivers Farewell Address on House Floor", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here for part one and click here for part two of Rep. Walden's remarks.\n  Washington, D.C.-- Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) delivered farewell remarks on the House Floor. Walden will retire from over 30 years of public service, including 22 in Congress, at the end of the 116th Congress. Walden served in the Oregon House of Representatives for six years, from 1989 to 1995, which included serving as the House Majority Leader during both 1991 and 1993 sessions. He then served in the Oregon Senate in 1995 to 1997. Walden was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden represents the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. Walden served as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the 115th Congress and currently serves as the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee. \nClick HERE for part one and HERE for part two of Rep. Walden's remarks on the House Floor.\nAs Prepared for Delivery M. Speaker. As 2020 comes to a thankful close, so does my 22 years of public service in this incredible crucible of democracy: the U.S. House.  I thank my wife, Mylene, and son, Anthony, for always supporting me during my three decades of state and federal service. I will never fully understand all they sacrificed so I could fulfill my duty in office, but I know it was a lot.  I also want to thank my terrific staff over the years, and especially those who helped me build and lead such successful organizations, including my personal office chiefs of staff Brian MacDonald and Lorissa Bounds; my executive directors at the NRCC, Liesl Hickey and Rob Simms; and my staff directors at the Energy and Commerce Committee, the late Ray Baum, Mike Bloomquist and Ryan Long.  And I want to thank the thousands of volunteers and supporters of my many campaigns over the years. We did it together and we did it for the right reasons: to leave our state and country better than we found it.  I also want to thank some important mentors in my life starting with my parents who grew up during the Great Depression and taught me the importance of giving back to the community, working hard, always being honest and not judgmental. I want to thank those along the way who gave me career opportunities, including the folks at KTVF/KFRB Fairbanks who put a 17-year-old kid in charge of producing and directing the 11pm nightly TV news. To Roger Martin, Vic Atiyeh, Gary Wilhelms, and Denny Smith, I learned so much from working for each of you. And to Speaker Larry Campbell, time and again you showed Oregon how principled leadership produces results. It was great sport serving alongside you as Majority Leader of the Oregon House. I want to thank the church, school, and scout leaders who influenced my life in such a positive way, with a special shout out to the late Earl Fowler, my high school vice principal and student body officer advisor whose counsel when I was student body president at Hood River Valley High School in 1973-74 was as valuable then as it is now. I remember he once intoned: When there is a leadership vacuum, fill it. He expected us to step up and lead. I am indeed thankful for the opportunity the people of Oregon have given me to represent them here in Congress. It's a responsibility I've always taken seriously as I faithfully tried to do my best to represent them. After all, this is their office, not mine. I was simply entrusted to use the powers bestowed upon it for their benefit, something I never forgot. It's part of why I've returned home nearly every weekend and will soon complete my 644th roundtrip when Congress adjourns for the year. My team and I put special emphasis on taking care of the men and women who wearor have wornour nation's uniform and defended America's freedom. We helped thousands of Oregon veterans and their families receive the benefits they earned and deserved. We worked to strengthen the mission at Kingsley Air Field and open veterans' clinics throughout the district. We are so blessed to have these brave men and women risk their lives so we can enjoy ours. America owes them a debt we can never fully repay. Having grown up on a cherry orchard outside of The Dalles, I always had great admiration for those who farm and ranch and feed us. I worked hard to protect their way of life, defending farmers and ranchers from bad policy proposals. I defended their water rights. I protected their land, starting with saving Steens Mountain. Moreover, I supported ag research and water conservation efforts throughout the district. And while we made much progress on both fronts, my one regret is that we could never find the key to unlocking a durable and fair solution to the water crisis in the Klamath Basin that could pass in Congress.  We did make progress to improve forest management, even though I'm disappointed Congress has dragged its feet in enacting much more reform to make our federal forests healthier and more resilient to climate change. It was 17 years ago last week that President Bush signed the Healthy Forest Restoration Act into law. Hopefully, in the next Congress you all will heed the guidance of our Yale Forestry grad and colleague Bruce Westerman, and modernize how we manage this great American resource before it all goes up in smoke. Having spent six years as chair of the Telecommunications Subcommittee, I'm proud of the bipartisan work we did to open up spectrum for advanced communications, enact First Net for our first responders, and expand access to high speed internetalthough much work remains to fully connect Americans. With the RAY BAUM's Act we even reauthorized and modernized the FCC, which hadn't been done in decades. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we took on the deadly epidemic of drug overdose and combined more than 60, bipartisan, legislative initiates into the Support Act, which while focused on the opioid crisis, provides support for our communities to help all with addiction. We modernized our mental health laws, stepped up medical research, and fully funded the Children's Health Insurance Program for a decadesomething that has never been done before. We also modernized the FDA and its approval processes for medicines and medical devices. Thank goodness we made these changes which have already proved their value during this pandemic. We also unleashed a cleaner energy revolution in America that created thousands of new jobs and reduced America's carbon emissions, too. Energy innovation holds the process to a stronger economy and a healthier environment. As you can tell, I'm passionate about good public policy and using the resources we have among ourselves in the Congress to get good things done for the American people. It wasn't easy to decide to voluntarily leave this wonderful institution, but I'd long ago decided I didn't want to get voted out or carried out. I was confident I'd win re-election and my health is good, so I leave on my own terms, feeling good about that which I've helped improve in the lives of those who entrusted me election-after-election. I'm a big fan of Theodore Roosevelt. His writings have also had an impact on my life. Just as my high school advisor encouraged us to fill leadership vacuums, so did Roosevelt laud those who climbed into the arena. So, I close with President Roosevelt's words: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. God bless you, my colleagues, family and friends, and may God Bless this great country of ours. I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392829", "Rep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan, Bicameral National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\r\nDecember 8, 2020\r\nContact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711\r\n\r\nRep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan, BicameralNational Defense Authorization ActConference Report\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the bipartisanconference report for the Fiscal Year 2021National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill includes pay raises for servicemembers, needed upgrades for military housing, mandates benefits for Vietnam-eraveterans exposed to Agent Orange and makes improvements to sexual assault and prevention programs. This year's NDAA also includes Rep. Schrader'samendment to provide much needed federal financial rights information to service members receiving Basic Allowance for Housing.\r\n\r\nWhile this is not a perfect bill and leaves out key provisions from the original bill that are desperately needed, it has some big wins for our servicemen and women, their families and veterans back home in Oregon, saidRep. Schrader.It includes a 3 percent pay raise for our brave servicemembers, improves their on-base housing and extends paid parental leave to all federal employees and makes improvements to childcare for federal workers. This year's NDAA finally mandates benefits for Vietnam era veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange and are struggling with myriad health issues. Additionally, I am pleased that myamendmentwas included in this year's package. However, I am extremely disappointed that language to repeal the horribly outdated Authorization for Use of Military Forcewereeliminated from the final version of the bill. After nearly two decades of war in the Middle East, it is high time for Congress to reassert our role in this incredibly important national conversation. I am hopeful that under Chairman Smith's leadership that provisions to repealtheseoutdatedAUMFswill be included in next year's bill.\r\n\r\nBuilding off language included last year to protect service member financial well-being, Congressman Schrader introduced a new amendment that was included in this year's conference report. This amendment will require service members who start to receive Basic Allowance for Housing to get a rundown of their financial rights under federal law. It was crafted after Arming service members with knowledge of their rights under federal law will go a long way to halting exploitation of our fighting men and women by financial institutions. The provision was originally known as the HOMES Act which was introduced following an investigative report in the Oregonian newspaper, which profiled Marine veteran Jacob McGreevy who lost his home while on his third of four tours of duty.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/democratic-senators-push-for-1200-direct-payments-in-new-coronavirus-relief-package", "Democratic senators push for $1,200 direct payments in new coronavirus relief package", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democratic senators push for $1,200 direct payments in new coronavirus relief package \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTuesday, December 8, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Alexander Bolton\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA group of Democratic senators led by Sens.Bernie Sanders(I-Vt.) andElizabeth Warren(D-Mass.) are pressing colleagues to include $1,200 direct payments in a new COVID-19 relief package and say a $908 billion compromise proposal endorsed by moderates doesn't go far enough.\r\nPlease join us in demanding that any new COVID-relief proposal includes a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children, the senators wrote in a Dear Colleague letter dated Dec. 8.\r\nSens.Jeff Merkley(D-Ore.),Ron Wyden(D-Ore.),Ed Markey(D-Mass.) andKirsten Gillibrand(D-N.Y.) also signed the letter.\r\nThe senators said the $908 billion relief bill spearheaded by moderates such as Sens.Joe Manchin(D-W.Va.),Susan Collins(R-Maine),Mark Warner(D-Va.) andMitt Romney(R-Utah) doesn't provide enough relief.\r\nSimply stated, given the horrific extent of the current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough, they wrote.\r\nIn truth, rather than the $3.4 trillion which we Democrats called for in the HEROES Act, this bill only allocates $348 billion in new money, they wrote. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated.\r\nThe group of Democrats point out in their letter that the compromise proposal only provides a $300 supplement for unemployed workers rather than $600 a week.\r\nUnlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment, they wrote.\r\nThey also criticized the moderates' plan for doing nothing to address the health care crisis impacting tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford medical care and said it has totally inadequate financial assistance for the most vulnerable.\r\nGiven the enormity of the crisis today, it would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money, they wrote.\r\nSanders told reporters earlier Tuesday that he is pressing Senate Minority LeaderCharles Schumer(D-N.Y.) to support a larger relief package that includes $1,200 direct payments to individuals and $500 for each child.\r\nYou're going to hear from us very, very shortly, he said. You're going to see a  letter going out from a number of us to try to rally the Democratic caucus to stand tall, adding that he had already spoken to Schumer about the issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-call-for-wildfire-relief-funds-to-be-included-in-next-covid-19-relief-package-2020", "Wyden, Merkley Call for Wildfire Relief Funds to be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley Call for Wildfire Relief Funds to be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 8, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and colleagues todaysent a letter toHouse and Senate leadership requesting that funds for wildfire risk mitigation and recovery efforts be included in the next COVID-19 relief package.\r\n \r\nEntire communities in Oregon and across the West were leveled to ash in the wake of this year's wildfire season--lives lost and homes and small businesses destroyed, and all on top of a life-threatening global pandemic,Wyden said.With the blow 2020 delivered to these communities, Congress has a responsibility to provide for their recovery and invest in preventing future devastation.\r\nIn September, I drove over 600 miles across our state to meet with Oregonians who suffered tremendous loss, and to get an up close look at the damage from this year's unprecedented wildfires, said Merkley. What I saw and heard was heartbreakingreports of lives lost, homes destroyed, and entire towns leveled. As we continue down the long road to recovery, I'm going to keep doing everything I can to help our communities get back on their feet, and to reduce the risk of this type of massive destruction from ever happening again.\r\n \r\nSpecifically, the letter calls for:\r\n \r\nLocal economic relief to assist cash-strapped cities and towns originally excluded from the CARES Act in order to ensure firefighters and first responders can remain on payroll and have access to needed staff and resources;\r\nInvestments in fire risk mitigation, such as establishing a 21st Century CivilianConservation Corps to restore forest health and making investments in vital Forest Service programs that assist with forest management, such as the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program;\r\nFederal support for fire response efforts, including investments in FEMA's Staffing For Adequate Fire And Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants, increased funds for late-season interagency hotshot crews, and increased pay and benefits for federal wildfire personnel; and\r\nInvestments in fire recovery efforts to support the work being done by local, state, and federal officials to revitalize the environmental health, water quality, and economy of communities impacted by wildfires.\r\n \r\nRead the letter here.\r\nThe letter led by Wyden and U.S. Congressman JoeNeguse (D-CO) was signed by U.S. Sens.Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.,Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.,Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.,Tom Udall, D-N.M.,Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Patty Murray, D-Wash.,Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and U.S. Reps.Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif.Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.,Ral Grijalva, D-Ariz.,Jared Huffman, D-Calif.,Ro Khanna, D-Calif.,Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.,Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Jerry McNerney, D-Calif.,Grace Napolitano, D-Calif.,Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz.,Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Katie Porter, D-Calif., Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif.,Brad Sherman, D-Calif.,and Mike Thompson, D-Calif.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-feds-to-begin-expedited-review-of-klamath-dam-removal-plan-2020", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Begin Expedited Review of Klamath Dam Removal Plan", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Begin Expedited Review of Klamath Dam Removal Plan \n\t\n\t\t Letter: Timely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California. \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 8, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote federal regulators to urge consideration of an amended application for the Lower Klamath Project and begin environmental reviews as soon as possible of the plan's four proposed dam removals.\r\nThe Oregon senators' letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Secretary Kimberly D. Bose comes in the wake of the Nov. 17 announcement by Oregon and California agreeing to become co-licensees with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) in the dam removal project.\r\nWyden and Merkley wrote in a letter with two other lawmakers that the KRRC has a plan, schedule and resources in place to implement the settlement, and has the financial capacity to take over the Lower Klamath Project and subsequently remove the dams.\r\n \r\nAdditionally, KRRC's amended application demonstrates that there is a sufficient body of environmental documentation to allow for expedited environmental review, they wrote. Removal of the Lower Klamath Project is necessary for the health and vitality of the Klamath River System broadly, which for decades has had fish passage blocked, experienced repeated harmful algal blooms, and seen conflicts between various stakeholder groups.\r\nTimely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California, Wyden and Merkley wrote.\r\n \r\nIn addition to Wyden and Merkley, others signing the letter are U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA).\r\nThe entire letter is below.\r\nDear Secretary Bose:\r\nWe write to support the amended surrender application for the Lower Klamath Project, submitted by PacifiCorp and the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) on November 17, 2020. In keeping with the request from PacifiCorp and KRRC, we also ask that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) expedite its consideration of this amended surrender application and begin environmental reviews as soon as possible, so that the four lowermost Klamath River Dams can be removed.\r\nWhile we continue to believe FERC erred in denying outright license transfer from PacifiCorp to KRRC, the states of Oregon and California have agreed to become co-licensees with KRRC, removing PacifiCorp from the license upon FERC's approval of the amended surrender application. According to the amended surrender application, KRRC has a plan, schedule and resources in place to implement the settlement, and has the financial capacity to take over the Lower Klamath Project and subsequently remove the dams. Additionally, KRRC's amended application demonstrates that there is a sufficient body of environmental documentation to allow for expedited environmental review.\r\nRemoval of the Lower Klamath Project is necessary for the health and vitality of the Klamath River System broadly, which for decades has had fish passage blocked, experienced repeated harmful algal blooms, and seen conflicts between various stakeholder groups. Timely removal of these dams is critical to tribes in the Klamath Basin, West Coast fishing and recreation communities, and farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon and Northern California.\r\nWe thank you for your consideration of our request and for your timely consideration of the amended surrender application for the Lower Klamath Project.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/fighting-you", "Fighting for you", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the end of the year approaches, there's a lot of discussion aboutwhatabadly-needed COVID relief package will look like. It's unacceptable that Republicans in the Senateare only just now coming to the table, afterdraggingtheir feet for solong. Millions of people continue to faceareal crisis. Without swift action from Congress, 19 million people risk being kicked out of their homes as eviction protections expire on December 31. An estimated 12 million people will lose their extended unemployment benefits on December 26.\n\t\n\t\tCongress mustsupportindividuals and small businesses  not large corporate interests  as quickly and efficiently as possible. Even while the Senate is working to have the smallest possible relief package, we continue to urge broader consideration.\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tWe keep gaining nationwide traction on myRESTAURANTS Actto provide cash grants to small, neighborhood restaurants, bars,and cafestohelpmore than 11 million restaurant employees and preserve the vitalityof our communities.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCash grants to rescue independent live entertainment venues in Oregon and across the country that need help making it through the pandemic.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tWhile the need for rapid relief is urgent, we are also laying the foundation for what the Biden administration would request for another package when they are in charge.The scaled-down agreement with the Senate is not the last word, it's just the next step. We will continue to advocate for relief packages that provide a strong safety net for all those who are struggling. As a reminder, my staff and I are here to help you. Please visit my website at blumenauer.house.gov orcall my officeat (503) 231-2300.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-blumenauer-files-legislation-update-key-trade-program", "Chairman Blumenauer Files Legislation to Update Key Trade Program", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-R), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, introduced new legislation to extend and strengthen key provisions of the Generalized System of Preference (GSP), the nation's largest and oldest trade preference program that fosters economic development in some of the poorest countries in the world.   \n\t  \n\tThe program, which is set to expire on December 31, allows developing countries to share in the benefits of international trade, while also requiring those countries to meet basic eligibility criteria that help improve the terms of trade and ensure that those economic benefits are more equitably shared. Legislation introduced Monday by Blumenauer would prevent the expiration of the program while updating the program's standards for the first time in many years, thus ensuring maximum effectiveness and fairness moving forward.  \n\t  \n\tU.S. trade policies are a direct reflection of our values and signal to the world what we, as a nation, hold important, Blumenauer said. By putting a stronger emphasis on human rights, environmental protections, and support for women and worker rights, we have a unique opportunity to modernize this critical international development program, strengthen our trade relationships, and recommit ourselves to stronger standards abroad and here at home.   \n\t  \n\tBlumenauer's legislation to update GSP includes a number of key provisions, including:\n \nAdd human rights, rule of law, good governance, and anti-corruption criteria. \n\tInclude an environmental criterion that would create parity with the existing labor criterion in GSP.\n\tRequire a survey of laws related to women and worker rights to allow Congress to better understand ways to support women's full economic participation globally. \n\tRequire a review of the GSP rules of origin and utilization rates of beneficiary countries to make sure that the most economically vulnerable countries are able to fully take advantage of the program.\n\tRequire a periodic assessment of each GSP beneficiary country's compliance with the statutory eligibility criteria to help incentivize economic reform in developing countries.\n \n  To read the full text of the bill, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-led-bipartisan-water-resources-development-act-passes-house-of", "DeFazio-led Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act Passes House of Representatives", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020), legislation led by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio, unanimously passed the House.\nThis legislation provides for improvements to Oregon and the nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure.\nI am pleased that today the House once again passed a bipartisan WRDA bill,said Chair DeFazio.One of my top priorities in Congress has been strengthening the small ports and harbors that are the lifeblood of Oregon's coastal communities. By increasing funding for small harbors, WRDA 2020 makes sure that maintenance dredging and other projects like the Coos Bay North Jetty repair project are well-funded, ensuring the safety of our mariners and preserving the viability of our ports. Additionally, this bill takes serious action to protect and restore the habitat of endangered salmon and steelhead by directly investing in habitat restoration, protecting water in the Willamette Basin exclusively for conservation purposes, and finding ways to restore salmon access to pristine spawning territory above Cougar and Detroit Dams. This important legislation will help unleash the full potential of our nation's ports and harbors, protect our communities and environment, sustain U.S. jobs, and provide critical authorizations and improvements to Corps projects.\nWRDA 2020 includes numerous provisions that benefit southwestern Oregon including:\n Increasing by 50% funding to small harbors, like the Port of Gold Beach and Port of Siuslaw, and allowing harbor maintenance funds to be used for the dredging of adjacent marinas and the repair of breakwaters and jetties;\n\tDirecting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide further information on design solutions for the Port of Port Orford Breakwater, which has contributed to shoaling at the port;\n\tExpediting a study of siltation at the Port of Bandon to improve navigation and safety;\n\tAuthorizing a new program for ecosystem restoration to benefit salmon and steelhead and giving these projects equal priority to other ecosystem restoration projects;\n\tExpediting the completion of the 42nd Street Levee project in Springfield;\n\tStudying the removal of power generation at Detroit and Cougar Dams to reduce costs to public power agencies and potentially open miles of pristine salmon habitat upstream of the dams;\n\tAllocating water stored in the Willamette Basin dams to meet the needs of agriculture, municipal, and conservation uses for the next 50 years; and\n\tTransferring ownership of the Leaburg Fish Hatchery on the McKenzie River to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.\n As Chair, DeFazio successfully negotiated a provision that ensures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will expedite much-needed repairs to the Port of Coos Bay North Jetty system, a critical waterway in southwest Oregon.\nFull bill text, a section-by-section, and a fact sheet can be found here, here, and here. For video of Chair DeFazio's floor speech on WRDA 2020, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392828", "Oregon Delegation Leads Letter to U.S. Army Concerning COVID-19 Protocol for Oregon National Guardsmen", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\r\nDecember 7, 2020\r\nContact: Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711\r\nHank Stern (Wyden)503-326-7539\r\nSara Hottman (Merkley)503-326-3386\r\nBeth Schoenbach (DeFazio)202-591-6277\r\nDanielle Cohen (Blumenauer) 202-805-4737\r\nMolly Jenkins (Walden)202-744-7974\r\nNatalie Crofts (Bonamici) 202-754-1649\r\n\r\nOregon Delegation Leads Letter to U.S. Army Concerning COVID-19 Protocol for Oregon National Guardsmen\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, with the support of the Oregon Congressional delegation, Rep. Schrader led a letter to Secretary McCarthy of the U.S. Army on behalf of members of Oregon's 41stInfantry Brigade.\r\nRep. Schrader was alerted by family members of Oregonian soldiers who recently returned from Kosovo andare currently atFt. Bliss for demobilization that at least 10 soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19 and dozens more are showing concerning symptoms.\r\nWe must ensure that our brave servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect us, are being protected themselves, wrote the delegation. Their safety and the safety of their families is of critical importance and we look forward to a swift response from Secretary McCarthy regarding sufficient PPE, testing kits and adequate quarantine protocol for demobilizing soldiers.\r\n\r\nSecretary Ryan D. McCarthy\r\nU.S. Department of the Army\r\n1600 Army Pentagon\r\nWashington, DC 20310-1600\r\n\r\nDear Secretary McCarthy,\r\nDecember 3, 2020\r\nWe are writing on behalf of members of Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade who recently returned from Kosovo to Ft. Bliss for demobilization before returning home to Oregon. Our offices have learned that among the recently returned members, at least 10 soldiers have tested positive for coronavirus with dozens more showing symptoms consistent with coronavirus. Our concern for the health and wellbeing of the soldiers and their families is of the utmost priority as they reintegrate back into their communities, and to that end, we have questions as to their care at Ft. Bliss:\r\n \r\n    What is the Department of the Army testing and quarantine protocol for these soldiers upon returning stateside and having positive cases in their unit, including protocol and plan for living quarters during observation and quarantine?\r\n    Does the Department of the Army have sufficient test kits, PPE, and personnel to test, trace, monitor and treat each soldier currently demobilizing with Oregon's 41st Infantry Brigade at Ft. Bliss? If not, what is the plan to address shortages and is there assistance needed to do so? If not, what is the plan to address shortages and is there assistance needed to do so?\r\n \r\nThank you for your prompt attention to our questions and we are looking forward to your expedient response\r\nSincerely,\r\nKURT SCHRADER Member of Congress\r\nJEFFREY A. MERKLEY U.S. Senator\r\nRON WYDEN U.S. Senator\r\nPETER DeFAZIO Member of Congress\r\nEARL BLUMENAUER Member of Congress\r\nGREG WALDEN Member of Congress\r\nSUZANNE BONAMICI Member of Congress\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/wyden-merkley-urge-including-county-payments-in-year-end-federal-funding", "Wyden, Merkley urge including county payments in year-end federal funding", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley urge including county payments in year-end federal funding \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMonday, December 7, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said Monday that the COVID-19 pandemic is one more reason that payments to counties under the Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes programs should be prioritized in a year-ending appropriations bill.\r\nIn order to assist these rural counties' response to the current public health crisis, as well as to invest in infrastructure, schools, and law enforcement, Congress must include a reauthorization of SRS,Wyden and Merkley wrote in a letter with a bipartisan group of 25 senators to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.\r\nWyden, Merkley and Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) have led the effort to ensure federal payments for counties by reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program through S. 430, which has received approval in committee but not yet passed the full Congress.\r\nThe time is now for Congress to help rural Oregon communities facing the unprecedented economic and public health challenges of the coronavirus crisis as well as the aftermath of this year's devastating fires,Wyden said.Our bipartisan request is a must to help these communities in our state and nationwide continue to provide essential services such as roads, schools and public health programs while Congress develops a long-term permanent solution to support a strong quality-of-life for rural America.\r\nOur rural towns and counties are already suffering from lost revenue due to the coronavirus crisis. Failing to fully fund SRS and PILT could mean first responders and teachers losing their jobs, which would be terrible for everyone,Merkley said. For communities with large tracts of public lands, these funds are a lifeline for critical services ranging from schools to roads to public safety. It is critically important for Congress to reauthorize the federal support that counties need so urgently right now.\r\nNearly two-thirds of Idaho's lands are federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for counties to pay for essential services such as roads, law enforcement and schools,Crapo said. Both PILT and SRS serve as a lifeline to Idaho's counties, and the ongoing global pandemic has stretched our local budgets even thinner. While I continue to work on a long-term solution for the SRS program, it is crucial that Congress reauthorize SRS and continue to fully fund PILT to ensure a predictable funding source for Idaho counties and school districts encompassed by federal land.\r\nIdaho's rural counties need certainty. This year, the annual fight to secure county payments for communities with federal lands is even more significant given the extraordinary challenges posed by this pandemic,Risch said.The federal government has a moral obligation to these communities, and Congress must fund PILT and SRS.\r\nCo-signers on the letter include Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Kristen Sinema (D-Arizona) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire).\r\nA copy of the entire letter isHERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-inclusion-of-county-payments-in-end-of-year-federal-funding-efforts-2020", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Inclusion of County Payments in End-of-Year Federal Funding Efforts", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley Urge Inclusion of County Payments in End-of-Year Federal Funding Efforts \n\t\n\t\t Letter led by Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch ties county payments to COVID crisis \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, December 7, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley saidtoday that the COVID-19 pandemic is one more reason that payments to counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs should be prioritized in a year-ending appropriations bill.\r\n \r\nIn order to assist these rural counties' response to the current public health crisis, as well as to invest in infrastructure, schools, and law enforcement, Congress must include a reauthorization of SRS,Wyden and Merkley wrote in a letter with abipartisan group of 25 senatorsto Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.\r\n \r\nWyden, Merkley and Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) have led the effort to ensure federal payments for counties by reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program through S. 430, which has received approval in committee but not yet passed the full Congress.\r\n \r\nThe time is now for Congress to help rural Oregon communities facing the unprecedented economic and public health challenges of the coronavirus crisis as well as the aftermath of this year's devastating fires,Wydensaid.Our bipartisan request is a must to help these communities in our state and nationwide continue to provide essential services such as roads, schools and public health programs while Congress develops a long-term permanent solution to support a strong quality-of-life for rural America.\r\nOur rural towns and counties are already suffering from lost revenue due to the coronavirus crisis. Failing to fully fund SRS and PILT could mean first responders and teachers losing their jobs, which would be terrible for everyone,Merkleysaid. For communities with large tracts of public lands, these funds are a lifeline for critical services ranging from schools to roads to public safety. It is critically important for Congress to reauthorize the federal support that counties need so urgently right now.\r\nNearly two-thirds of Idaho's lands are federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for counties to pay for essential services such as roads, law enforcement and schools,Crapo said. Both PILT and SRS serve as a lifeline to Idaho's counties, and the ongoing global pandemic has stretched our local budgets even thinner. While I continue to work on a long-term solution for the SRS program, it is crucial that Congress reauthorize SRS and continue to fully fund PILT to ensure a predictable funding source for Idaho counties and school districts encompassed by federal land.\r\nIdaho's rural counties need certainty. This year, the annual fight to secure county payments for communities with federal lands is even more significant given the extraordinary challenges posed by this pandemic,Rischsaid.The federal government has a moral obligation to these communities, and Congress must fund PILT and SRS.\r\n \r\nCo-signers on the letter include Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Kristen Sinema (D-Arizona) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire).\r\nA copy of the entire letter isHERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-reacts-new-report-detailing-vast-economic-benefits-more-act", "Blumenauer Reacts to New Report Detailing Vast Economic Benefits to MORE Act", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following a historic vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to end the federal prohibition on cannabis last week, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, released a new report today detailing vast economic benefits to the legislation.\nAmong other things, the agency found that the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would increase revenues by about $13.7 billion, cut federal prison spending by $1 billion, and reduce time served in federal prison among existing and future inmates by 73,000 person-years.\nU.S. Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and a key sponsor of the MORE Act, lauded these findings today on the House floor.\nIt was sad that my Republican colleagues were unable to understand why we voted to reform our failed prohibition of cannabis. They don't care about honoring the will of the people and they are unable to grasp the enormity of the racial injustice and damage by selective enforcement against young Black and Brown Americans, Blumenauer said. But the CBO score may have some other reasons for them. It shows that the MORE Act would reduce 73,000 person-years of prison time. It would increase revenues by $13.7 billion. It would provide $3 billion for job training and legal aid to people harmed by the war on drugs. While doing all of this, it would reduce the deficit by $7.344 billion.\nIf the MORE Act becomes law, the CBO report also estimates that from 2021  2030, the U.S. Department of Justice would spend $3 billion from the MORE Act's Opportunity Trust Fund to provide job training, legal aid, and other services to people harmed by the War on Drugs. During this same period, the legislation would lead to $2.7 billion in Small Business Association funding for state and local grants to make loans to cannabis businesses and help governments develop cannabis-licensing rules.\nEven if you don't care about reducing the damage to Black and Brown Americans, or honoring the will of the people, the economics make it clear, Blumenauer continued. Once again, the people are right, and the people deserve strong Congressional support.\nThe report released today by the CBO can be found here.\nFull text of the MORE Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/democratic-lawmakers-introduce-a-resolution-to-amend-the-13th-amendment-to-end-forced-prison-labor", "Democratic lawmakers introduce a resolution to amend the 13th Amendment to end forced prison labor", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democratic lawmakers introduce a resolution to amend the 13th Amendment to end forced prison labor \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 4, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Scottie Andrew\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCongressional Democrats want to amend a section of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, to end what they refer to as another form of slavery --forced prison labor.\r\nSen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Rep. William Lacy Clay of Missouri introduced a joint resolution this week that would remove the13th Amendment's\"punishment clause,\" or language that excepted convicted prisoners from the ban on slavery and involuntary servitude.\r\n\"Our 'Abolition Amendment' seeks to finish the job that President Lincoln started by ending the punishment clause in the 13th Amendment to eliminate the dehumanizing and discriminatory forced labor of prisoners for profit that has been used to drive the over-incarceration of African Americans since the end of the Civil War,\" Clay said in astatement.\r\nWhen it was ratified in 1865, the 13th Amendment made slavery illegal -- \"except as punishment for a crime of which one has been convicted,\" the amendment'stextreads.\r\nThe \"Abolition Amendment\" would strike that clause from the 13th Amendment and end forced labor among prisoners, the congressmen said. Work programs for prisoners would continue on a voluntary basis.\r\nAvi Soifer, a professor and former Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Richardson School of Law, told CNN that it's unlikely that efforts to amend the constitutional amendment will succeed.\r\nIt may be more beneficial to institute \"partial remedies,\" he said, like thefederal statute that outlaws voluntary and involuntary peonage, a type of servitude by which people who owe debts work until those debts are paid.\r\n\"It thus could have immediate relevance in efforts to address the terrible ways that we now treat prisoners and those jailed because they are unable to make bail,\" said Soifer, a 13th Amendment expert.\r\nCongressmen call the 13th amendment's prison labor loophole 'racist'\r\nMerkley and Clay,in their release, call the \"punishment clause\" in the 13th Amendment \"indisputably racist in origin and in impact.\"\r\nBecause the South relied on slave labor for its economy in the 19th century, that line in the amendment was used as a loophole to continue the forced labor of Black Americans who were imprisoned, according to the non-profitEqual Justice Initiative, which works to end mass incarceration.\r\nThe \"punishment clause\" led to higher rates of arrests among Black Americans throughout the Jim Crow era to the War on Drugs in the 1980s, the congressmen said in the release, by effectively creating a \"financial incentive for mass incarceration\" -- renting forced labor of disproportionately Black prisoners.\r\nPrison labor is a lucrative industry.NPR reported in Julythat as of the last federal count in 2005, over 1.5 million prisoners were working. UNICOR, a federal prison labor program, generates over $500 million in revenue every year, NPR reported.\r\nBut the practice exploits prison laborers, its opponents say. Many states, mostly in the South, don't pay inmates for working regular prison jobs, according to thePrison Policy institute, and the high end of their wages for regular prison jobs rarely exceed $1.\r\nSens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey, among others, have cosponsored the amendment, which has earned the support of social justice organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Color of Change.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/how-lawmakers-want-to-end-forced-prison-labor-and-finally-abolish-slavery", "How Lawmakers Want To End Forced Prison Labor & \u201cFinally Abolish Slavery\u201d", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "How Lawmakers Want To End Forced Prison Labor & Finally Abolish Slavery \r\n\r\n     Democrats want to amend the Punishment Clause of the 13th Amendment, which they say has continued to drive the over-incarceration of Black Americans throughout the Jim Crow era. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 4, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Johanna Silver\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCongressional Democrats are aiming to end forced prison labor in the U.S. by modifying a section of the 13th Amendment  a move lawmakers say would finally abolish slavery.\r\nSen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and outgoing Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO) introduced a joint resolution on Wednesday called the Abolition Amendment, which would remove the Punishment Clause of the 13th Amendment, which was ratified in 1865.\r\nLanguage in the amendment banned slavery and involuntary servitude,exceptas a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.\r\nThe resolution states that the clause continued to drive the over-incarceration of Black Americans throughout the Jim Crow era, and gave way to systems and campaigns that disproportionately impact communities of color such as the War on Drugs.\r\nAccording to Bureau of Justice Statistics cited in Merkley'ssummary of the resolution, 900,000 people are engaged in forced labor in the United States. The summary also states that 97% of incarcerated people, who disproportionately belong to low-income communities or are of color, never had a trial, but were instead coerced into plea deals for non-violent offenses. Defendants in these circumstances are regularly coerced intodiscriminatory plea dealsbecause they can't afford bail, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. What's more, some states do not pay prisoners for their labor, and in most other states,wages are less than $1 per hour.\r\nIt is long past time that Congress excise this language from the US Constitution which should begin to put an end the abusive practices derived from it, Laura Pitter, deputy director of the U.S. program at Human Rights Watch,said of the proposed amendment.\r\nMerkley and Clay's resolution follows a summer of nationwide protests over systemic racism and police brutality against Black individuals.\r\nThe resolution had 17 co-sponsors, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a former presidential candidate, as well as Sen. Deb Haaland (D-NM), a reported potential nominee for President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet. More than a dozen human rights and social justice organizations, including The Sentencing Project and Color of Change, have supported the amendment.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/senators-wyden-and-merkley-americas-fishing-industry-needs-helpand-now", "Senators Wyden and Merkley: \u201cAmerica\u2019s fishing industry needs help\u2026.and NOW!\u201d", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Wyden and Merkley: America's fishing industry needs help.and NOW! \r\n\r\n     Merkley, Reed Lead Push For U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Seafood Industry With Much Needed Support \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, December 4, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today requested that the Government Accountability Office conduct a study to explore ways to ensure that American fisheries receive the expanded economic support they desperately need, by increasing the volume and variety of seafood products the federal government purchases through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Procurement Program (CPP).\r\nThe seafood industry is critical to local and regional economies across the country and is largely sustained by the sale of fresh product. Notably, more than 68 percent of the $102.2 billion that consumers paid for U.S. fishery products in 2017 was spent at food service establishments. Because of the coronavirus, this market evaporated, and the supply chain for fishermen and seafood processors was decimated,the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.\r\nBecause of its established pathways for purchasing and distributing surplus food, USDA is the only federal agency capable of providing the necessary real-time assistance due to demand-side disruptions. As such, USDA has an important role to play in supporting the seafood industry, including fishermen and processors,the lawmakers continued.\r\nThe lawmakers also highlighted that historically, USDA food purchasing contracts have been awarded to just a handful of processors in a few select statesleaving many processors, and the families who rely on them, without assistance. Among them, seafood processors have had the least access to supportas outlined in a Congressional Research Service analysis, the agency has spent over $1.2 billion on meat products, compared to just $153 million worth of a limited number of seafood products through the Section 32 program.\r\nMerkleywho serves as the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the USDAplans to use the results of the requested GAO study to determine how to more effectively use federal purchasing power to support the fishing and seafood industries in the future through increases in the volume and variety of seafood products purchased.\r\nToday's letter is part of an ongoing push by Merkley and Reed to secure more support for fisheries amid the coronavirus pandemic, which previously included abipartisan lettersigned by more than two dozen lawmakers of both parties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-reed-lead-push-for-us-department-of-agriculture-to-provide-seafood-industry-with-much-needed-support-2020", "Merkley, Reed Lead Push For U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Seafood Industry With Much Needed Support", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Reed Lead Push For U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Seafood Industry With Much Needed Support \n\t\n\t\t The ongoing coronavirus crisis has decimated fisheries \n\t\n\t\n\tFriday, December 4, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today requested that the Government Accountability Office conduct a study to explore ways to ensure that American fisheries receive the expanded economic support they desperately need, by increasing the volume and variety of seafood products the federal government purchases through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Procurement Program (CPP).\r\n \r\nThe seafood industry is critical to local and regional economies across the country and is largely sustained by the sale of fresh product. Notably, more than 68 percent of the $102.2 billion that consumers paid for U.S. fishery products in 2017 was spent at food service establishments. Because of the coronavirus, this market evaporated, and the supply chain for fishermen and seafood processors was decimated, the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.\r\nBecause of its established pathways for purchasing and distributing surplus food, USDA is the only federal agency capable of providing the necessary real-time assistance due to demand-side disruptions. As such, USDA has an important role to play in supporting the seafood industry, including fishermen and processors, the lawmakers continued.\r\n \r\nThe lawmakers also highlighted that historically, USDA food purchasing contracts have been awarded to just a handful of processors in a few select statesleaving many processors, and the families who rely on them, without assistance. Among them, seafood processors have had the least access to supportas outlined in a Congressional Research Service analysis, the agency has spent over $1.2 billion on meat products, compared to just $153 million worth of a limited number of seafood products through the Section 32 program.\r\nMerkleywho serves as the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the USDAplans to use the results of the requested GAO study to determine how to more effectively use federal purchasing power to support the fishing and seafood industries in the future through increases in the volume and variety of seafood products purchased.\r\nToday's letter is part of an ongoing push by Merkley and Reed to secure more support for fisheries amid the coronavirus pandemic, which previously included a bipartisan letter signed by more than two dozen lawmakers of both parties.\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDear Mr. Dodaro:\r\nWe write regarding the scope of food purchases conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Commodity Procurement Program (CPP). The impact of the coronavirus on the seafood industry has drawn attention to the small amount and limited variety of seafood purchases conducted by USDA and the need for expanded relief for the industry.\r\nThe seafood industry is critical to local and regional economies across the country and is largely sustained by the sale of fresh product. Notably, more than 68 percent of the $102.2 billion that consumers paid for U.S. fishery products in 2017 was spent at food service establishments. Because of the coronavirus, this market evaporated, and the supply chain for fishermen and seafood processors was decimated. As a result, a bipartisan group of Senators and U.S. Representatives has taken an interest in expanding CPP to purchase additional seafood products.\r\nThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce supports the U.S. seafood industry in various ways, including by maintaining data on the industry and providing retrospective disaster relief. However, NOAA's role in disaster assistance is limited to supply-side issues stemming from a natural or man-made disaster or the unexpected collapse of one or more fish stocks. Moreover, NOAA has no dedicated funding for such assistance.\r\nUDSA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed commodity food products under the CPP through a competitive process among approved vendors. These purchases made by AMS support American agriculture by encouraging the consumption of domestic foods. USDA delivers these food products to schools, food banks, and households across the country. Because of its established pathways for purchasing and distributing surplus food, USDA is the only federal agency capable of providing the necessary real-time assistance due to demand-side disruptions. As such, USDA has an important role to play in supporting the seafood industry, including fishermen and processors.\r\nFor example, Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 authorizes USDA to support prices of commodities in surplus by purchasing them in the marketplace. Under the Section 32 program, one of several components of CPP, AMS has historically purchased salmon, pollock, and tuna, but these purchases have been uneven across regions and product sectors and are at an insufficient total volume to support an industry as large and diverse as seafood. According to an analysis conducted by the Congressional Research Service regarding past USDA seafood purchases, USDA purchased $153 million worth of salmon, tuna, pollock, and catfish, compared to over $1.2 billion in meat products. Furthermore, these contracts were awarded to just a handful of processors in a few select states.\r\nIn light of the above, we request that GAO evaluate AMS's food purchasing programs, addressing the following questions, with a particular focus on how USDA could increase the volume and variety of seafood products it purchases, including, but not limited to, Section 32 program and National School Lunch Program:\r\n1) How does AMS determine the types of seafood products it purchases for the various food programs, and what criteria does it use in making its decisions? Please include information on historic demand for seafood within the program and how USDA projects demand for seafood products over time.\r\n2) What factors, if any, may limit AMS's purchases of seafood products for food programs, and what actions, if any, could AMS take to increase the amount and varieties of seafood it purchases? Please include an evaluation of AMS's process for determining desirable product forms and the potential for the use of pilots and/or trials to introduce new seafood products.\r\n3) To what extent, if at all, does AMS collaborate with NOAA when making seafood purchasing decisions?\r\n4) What outreach does USDA conduct to industry participants and program stakeholders, particularly smaller processors, when developing its purchasing requests and what action, if any, could AMS take to improve that outreach?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/big-step-forward-cannabis-reform", "Big step forward on cannabis reform", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House justheld a historicvoteto end the federal prohibition of cannabis.\nThis is what people have been demanding for years. National supportfor legalizing cannabisrecently hit an all-time high, with more than two-thirds of American adults in favoroflegalization.\nBut reformingnationalcannabispolicyis not only the popular thing to do. It's themoral thing.Through the federal policy of cannabis criminalization, Congress has failed the American people.\nWe've failed parents whose babies are tortured by extreme seizure disorders but can't access medical cannabis, the only thing thatprovides relief.\nWe've failed veterans with wounds seen and unseen, whoare even more vulnerable than other citizens to the opioid crisis that is gripping the nation. They are being forced outside of the VA system to seek a recommendation for medical cannabis.\nWe've failed our children, who have easier access to cannabis thanthey do a six-pack of beer because no neighborhood drug dealer checks I.D. or worries about losing their license in a regulated system.\nWe've failed the $17 billion industry that doesn't have access to financial services. This is an invitationto money laundering, theft, and tax evasion.\nAnd we've failed hundreds of thousandsof young Blackand Brown men, who have had their lives destroyed because of selective enforcement of cannabis laws. It's wrong that 600,000 people a year are still being arrested or cited for something that the overwhelming majority of Americans now think should be legal.\nThe legislationapproved by the Housetodayis an opportunity to strike a blow against the failed war on drugs.We are one step closer torestorative justice, opportunity and equity.\nIf you'd like to read more about the MORE Act, you canclick hereto read an op-ed I wrote on CNN with my Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee.\nOur work does not stop here. Next, we'll make our case to the U.S. Senate and hope to end the failed prohibition of cannabis once and for all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/big-step-forward-cannabis-reform-0", "Big step forward on cannabis reform", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House justheld a historicvoteto end the federal prohibition of cannabis.\nThis is what people have been demanding for years. National supportfor legalizing cannabisrecently hit an all-time high, with more than two-thirds of American adults in favoroflegalization.\nBut reformingnationalcannabispolicyis not only the popular thing to do. It's themoral thing.Through the federal policy of cannabis criminalization, Congress has failed the American people.\nWe've failed parents whose babies are tortured by extreme seizure disorders but can't access medical cannabis, the only thing thatprovides relief.\nWe've failed veterans with wounds seen and unseen, whoare even more vulnerable than other citizens to the opioid crisis that is gripping the nation. They are being forced outside of the VA system to seek a recommendation for medical cannabis.\nWe've failed our children, who have easier access to cannabis thanthey do a six-pack of beer because no neighborhood drug dealer checks I.D. or worries about losing their license in a regulated system.\nWe've failed the $17 billion industry that doesn't have access to financial services. This is an invitationto money laundering, theft, and tax evasion.\nAnd we've failed hundreds of thousandsof young Blackand Brown men, who have had their lives destroyed because of selective enforcement of cannabis laws. It's wrong that 600,000 people a year are still being arrested or cited for something that the overwhelming majority of Americans now think should be legal.\nThe legislationapproved by the Housetodayis an opportunity to strike a blow against the failed war on drugs.We are one step closer torestorative justice, opportunity and equity.\nIf you'd like to read more about the MORE Act, you canclick hereto read an op-ed I wrote on CNN with my Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Barbara Lee.\nOur work does not stop here. Next, we'll make our case to the U.S. Senate and hope to end the failed prohibition of cannabis once and for all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-historic-cannabis-reform-legislation", "House Passes Historic Cannabis Reform Legislation", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passedthe Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, legislation supported by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) toend the federal prohibition of cannabisand ensure restorative justice for those impacted byit.\nAlthoughcannabis willsoonbe legalin 15 statesfor adult use andin 36 statesfor medical use,itremains criminalized at the federal level,destroyinghundreds of thousandsof lives and wastingbillionsof dollarsontheselective enforcement ofan outdated and harmful system.Today's historic vote the bill passed the House 228  164  markedthe first timea full chamber of Congress voted toend thisprohibition.\n\"I have worked on this issue for 47 years, Blumenauer, co-chair of the Congressional CannabisCaucus,said on the House floor on Friday, prior to the final vote.We're here because we have failed three generations of Black and Brown young people, whose lives can be ruined, or lost, by selective enforcement of these laws. This legislation will end that disaster. It's time for Congress to step up and do its part. We need to catch up with the rest of the American people.\nThe continued enforcement of cannabis prohibition laws results in over 600,000 arrests annually, disproportionately impactingpeople of color who are almost four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts, despite equal rates of use across populations.Too often, cases of low-level cannabis possession escalate to police violence. Formany, the selective enforcement of cannabis prohibitionbecomesamatter of life and death.\nPeople of color have also been historically targeted by discriminatoryprosecution andsentencing practices.Black men receivedrug sentences that are 13.1 percent longer than sentences imposed for white men.Latinosarenearly 6.5 times more likely to receive afederal sentence for cannabis possession than non-Hispanicwhites.Once released, peopleof coloroftencontinue to be robbed of their dignity, ashaving afelony convictioncan impacttheability to get an education, secure gainful employment,or vote.\nThe MORE Act centers racial justicebydecriminalizingmarijuana at the federal level and enacting other policies, including:\n Expungement and resentencing:Requiresfederal courts to expunge marijuana arrests andconvictions andresentence those still in custody or under court supervision for a marijuana offense, pursuant to a judicial review process.\n\tImmigration reform:In 2013, simple cannabis possession was the fourth most common cause of deportation for any offense and the most common cause of deportation for drug law violations. The MORE Act ensures that marijuana is no longer considered a controlled substance for purposes of the immigration lawsand does so retroactively.\n\tNon-discrimination protections:Provides non-discrimination protections for marijuana use or possession and for prior convictions for a marijuana offense.\n\tJuvenile protection:Ensures that all benefits in the law are available to juveniles arrested and convicted.\n The MORE Act also centers economic justiceby ensuring that people of color are not shut out of the emerging regulated cannabis marketplace and reinvesting in communities most impacted by prohibition.\nLegal cannabis sales totaled $9.5 billion in 2017 and are projected to reach $23 billion by 2022. However,fewer than one-fifth of cannabis business owners identify as minorities and only approximatelyfourpercent areBlack.One reason for thisgapisthehistorically disproportionate arrest and conviction rates that make it particularly difficult for people of color to enter the legal cannabis marketplace.\nIn order to address inequalities in the legal cannabis marketplace and ensure equal participation in the industry, the MORE Act supports:\n Restorative Justice Programs:Authorizes the assessment of afive percentexcise tax on sales of marijuana and marijuana products to fund programslikereentry services and substance use treatment.\n\tEquitable Business Access:Fund programsto open up opportunities for loans to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and for states to implement equitable cannabis licensing programs.The MORE Act also requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect data on the demographics of the industry to ensure equitable participation.\n\tSmall Business Support: Currently, federal law severely limits access to loans and capital for cannabis businesses, disproportionately impacting minority small business owners. The MORE Act would open Small Business Administration resources for legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers.\n The full text ofthe legislation (H.R.3884)is availablehere.\nVideo of Blumenauer speaking on the House floor earlier today about the MORE Act can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-peter-defazio-russ-felcher-kurt-schrader-and-cathy-mcmorris-rodgers", "Reps. Peter DeFazio, Russ Felcher, Kurt Schrader, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools and Robust Funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today led a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership urging reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program and robust funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program in the appropriations process.\nIn the letter, the members write, SRS and PILT serve as a lifeline to rural America's local governments and now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the budgets of these rural counties have taken a hit.These two programs fund roads, schools, law enforcement, and essential county services, such as public health programs. With additional demands on their resources as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural communities and counties are stretched thinner than ever. In order to assist these rural counties' response to the current public health crisis, as well as to invest in infrastructure, schools, and law enforcement, Congress must advance a reauthorization of SRS.Further, we urge you to maintain robust funding for PILT as you continue funding negotiations for the remainder of the fiscal year.\nSRS has been a critical lifeline to over 775 counties in more than 40 states by helping fund over 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations on federal lands. Historically, the federal government shared with county governments 25 percent of timber sales from federal forestlands and 50 percent of revenues from certain lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Due to declining timber sales and county revenues, Congress first passed SRS in 2000 to provide a measure of compensation for counties containing federal timberland.\nA PDF version of the letter can be found here", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-sounds-the-alarm-over-forced-removal-of-rohingya-refugees-from-mainland-bangladesh-to-remote-island-2020", "Merkley Sounds the Alarm Over Forced Removal of Rohingya Refugees from Mainland Bangladesh to Remote Island", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Sounds the Alarm Over Forced Removal of Rohingya Refugees from Mainland Bangladesh to Remote Island \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, December 3, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkleya member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committeeissued the following statement today regarding reports that the government of Bangladesh has set plans in motion to forcibly move thousands of vulnerable Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char, an uninhabited and potentially unsafe island in the Bay of Bengal:\r\n \r\nFor years, the Rohingya have suffered horrendous atrocities and scores of human rights violations in their native Burma. Now, we're receiving disturbing and unacceptable reports that Bangladesh will forcibly removethousands ofthese refugeeswho are fleeing genocideto a potentially dangerous, isolated detention center. Not only is Bashan Char flood-prone and smack in the middle of the path of intense cyclones, it isalso ina remote location that will further complicate internationalefforts toprovide much-needed humanitarian assistance tothe refugees.\r\nThe Rohingya have experienced unspeakable violence and displacement already, and the international community will be better able to meet theircompellinghumanitarian needs if they remain on Bangladesh's mainland rather than on a remote island. Wemust join withthe United Nations andotherpartners around the world to provide this persecuted group withmuch-needed assistance and support and todemand, together, the immediate halt ofthe dangerous relocation of these refugees.\r\n \r\nSenator Merkley has long advocated for the Rohingyaand led the first congressional fact-finding mission to Burma to meet refugees and investigate the roots of the crisis in 2017. Merkley has also called forthe safe repatriation of refugees to Burma, and hasdemanded that the Trump administration condemn the Rohingya genocide and provide much-needed support to the Rohingya community, among other steps.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-vote-historic-cannabis-reform-legislation", "House to Vote on Historic Cannabis Reform Legislation", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will voteonthe Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, legislation supported by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) toend the federal prohibition of cannabisand ensure restorative justice for those impacted byit.\nAlthoughcannabis willsoonbe legalin 15 statesfor adult use andin 36 statesfor medical use,itremains criminalized at the federal level,destroyinghundreds of thousandsof lives and wastingbillionsof dollarsontheselective enforcement ofan outdated and harmful system.The historic voteonFridaymarksthe first timea full chamber of Congress will vote toend thisprohibition.\n\"I have been waiting for this historic moment for a long time. It is happening today because it has been demanded by the voters, by facts, and by the momentum behind this issue. This is an opportunity to strike a blow against the failed war on drugs, that has literally destroyed hundreds of thousands of young Black lives, Blumenauer, co-chair of the Congressional CannabisCaucus,said on the House floor.We are still arresting or citing 600,000 people a year for something that the majority of Americans now think should be legal. That's why the voters in this country took it into their own hands. That is why today, 99 percent of the American population has some access to legalized cannabis. The MORE Act will help us set up a system moving forward.\nThe continued enforcement of cannabis prohibition laws results in over 600,000 arrests annually, disproportionately impactingpeople of color who are almost four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts, despite equal rates of use across populations.Too often, cases of low-level cannabis possession escalate to police violence. Formany, the selective enforcement of cannabis prohibitionbecomesamatter of life and death.  \nPeople of color have also been historically targeted by discriminatoryprosecution andsentencing practices.Black men receivedrug sentences that are 13.1 percent longer than sentences imposed for white men.Latinosarenearly 6.5 times more likely to receive afederal sentence for cannabis possession than non-Hispanicwhites.Once released, peopleof coloroftencontinue to be robbed of their dignity, ashaving afelony convictioncan impacttheability to get an education, secure gainful employment,or vote.\nThe MORE Act centers racial justicebydecriminalizingmarijuana at the federal level and enacting other policies, including:\n Expungement and resentencing:Requiresfederal courts to expunge marijuana arrests andconvictions andresentence those still in custody or under court supervision for a marijuana offense, pursuant to a judicial review process.\n\tImmigration reform:In 2013, simple cannabis possession was the fourth most common cause of deportation for any offense and the most common cause of deportation for drug law violations. The MORE Act ensures that marijuana is no longer considered a controlled substance for purposes of the immigration lawsand does so retroactively.\n\tNon-discrimination protections:Provides non-discrimination protections for marijuana use or possession and for prior convictions for a marijuana offense.\n\tJuvenile protection:Ensures that all benefits in the law are available to juveniles arrested and convicted.\n The MORE Act also centers economic justiceby ensuring that people of color are not shut out of the emerging regulated cannabis marketplace and reinvesting in communities most impacted by prohibition.\nLegal cannabis sales totaled $9.5 billion in 2017 and are projected to reach $23 billion by 2022. However,fewer than one-fifth of cannabis business owners identify as minorities and only approximatelyfourpercent areBlack.One reason for thisgapisthehistorically disproportionate arrest and conviction rates that make it particularly difficult for people of color to enter the legal cannabis marketplace.\nIn order to address inequalities in the legal cannabis marketplace and ensure equal participation in the industry, the MORE Act supports:\n Restorative Justice Programs:Authorizes the assessment of afive percentexcise tax on sales of marijuana and marijuana products to fund programslikereentry services and substance use treatment.\n\tEquitable Business Access:Fund programsto open up opportunities for loans to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and for states to implement equitable cannabis licensing programs.The MORE Act also requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect data on the demographics of the industry to ensure equitable participation.\n\tSmall Business Support: Currently, federal law severely limits access to loans and capital for cannabis businesses, disproportionately impacting minority small business owners. The MORE Act would open Small Business Administration resources for legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers.\n A full vote on the MORE Act is expectedFriday,December 4.\nThe full text ofthe legislation (H.R.3884)is availablehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-honors-congressman-robert-smith-house-floor", "Greg Walden Honors Congressman Robert Smith on House Floor", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Clickhereor on the image above to watch Rep. Walden's remarks.\nToday, Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) spoke on the House Floor to honor the life and legacy of former Oregon Congressman, Chairman Robert Bob' Freeman Smith. Walden was joined on the House Floor by Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK) who served under then-Chairman Smith on the Agriculture Committee. Clickhereto watch Rep. Walden's remarks on the House Floor. Below are Rep. Walden's remarks as prepared for delivery: I rise today to commemorate and honor the life and legacy of former Congressman Bob Smith. An Oregon native  born in Portland and raised in Burns he had a deep understanding of what it meant to be an Oregonian andknew the needs of the surrounding communities. Bob went to Willamette University in Salem,Oregon and received a degree in Agriculture.He would go on to put that degree to work on the ranch. In 1960,Bob's career as a public servant began when he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He served in the state House until 1972.He also was the Speaker of the Oregon House during the 1969 session and the 1971 session.He then served in the stateSenate from 1973 to 1982. All together he ran in 31 elections and won every single one. In the State House,Bob helped pass anumber ofland usebills. He workedhardto provide incentives for ranchers in Eastern Oregon to invest their money in state land and make it better  because at that time there was lots of state land that was in need of proper management. By incentivizing ranchers to take care of the land he helped improve that land for future generations  something ranchers in eastern Oregon still benefit from today. Bob helped lower taxes  especially property taxes. In the state Senate he continued his efforts to lower taxes  which included refunding over $700 million to Oregon's taxpayers. He alsohelped create the state'skickerlaw, which continues to return money to taxpayers. Bob went ontoserve here - in the House of Representatives -for14years,first from 1983 to 1995 and then again from 1997 to 1999. In Congress, he continued to be a champion ofimproving the management of ourpublic lands and naturalresources. He fought hard against a legislative proposal in the early 1990s for a nationalconservation area forSteensMountain.\nBobisalsoknown for his work to gain $19 million in funding for the highway interchangeon the northend of Medford, helping smooth the flow of traffic from I-5 and Highway 62.In 2007, the interchange was named after Bob in appreciation of his efforts. For those of us that fly out of Central Oregon's Redmond Airport  we should be grateful to Bobas well.He ensured that FAA constructeda flight tower at the airport to improve safetyand facilitate the commercial air traffic options we have today. There were two other airports ahead of Redmond,but he convincedappropriators to direct the FAA to construct and operate the RDM tower ahead of the others. Of course, Bob also fought for the health ofourforests and worked to improve forest management to help prevent wildfires. He retired from Congress in 1995 but returned in 1997 after then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich called him and urged him toreturn.When he returned in 1997,he became Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. As theChairman of the House Agriculture Committee, he delivered resources for Oregon and the nation'sfarmers and ranchersandcontinued todefendagainst economic hardships that threatened rural communities. Bob always looked out for the farmers and ranchers across America,but especially those in Eastern Oregon. He was known to always fight for ranchers'grazing rights  working tirelessly with the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to protect those rights. In all the public offices Bob held,heworked tirelessly to fight for the needs ofrural Oregon.But Bob was more than a public servant, he was arancherandabusinessmanfirst, and most importantly a friend to all that were lucky enough to know him. Andthanks to Bob, most of Washington D.C. knew abouthis hometown,Burns, Oregon - he never missed an opportunity to teach someone his Burns,Oregon song, or to pointthe rural townout on a globe. He was a strong advocate for protecting property rights, public lands,and natural resources. Our nation, our state, and specifically Oregon's Second Districtarebetter placesbecause of Bob. Bobwas both a good friendand mentor. Following in Bob'sfootsteps in Congressand representing thegreat people of Oregon's 2nddistricthasbeen a true honor. He will be remembered not just for his legislativeachievements,but for thehardworking,good-naturedman he was.Mylene and I will keep Bob and his family in our prayers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://schrader.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392827", "Rep. Schrader Champions Bipartisan, Bicameral Emergency COVID Relief Package", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Kurt Schrader", "S001180", "schrader.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release\r\nDecember 3, 2020\r\nContact: Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711\r\n\r\nRep. Schrader Champions Bipartisan, Bicameral  Emergency COVID Relief Package\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Representative Schrader joined the House Problem Solvers Caucus and a bipartisan group of Senators to announce a four-month bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework that will help American students, families, small businesses, workers, and health care providers weather this ongoing crisis. The Problem Solvers Caucus, of which Representative Schrader is a founder, helped develop and craft the bicameral package.\r\nAs COVID cases skyrocket nationwide, Americans are struggling. It is getting more and more difficult for small businesses to keep their lights on and workers employed, said Rep. Schrader. Folks need relief now and it's time to put party aside and do what is right. This package is a bipartisan, bicameral solution, supported by House and Senate leadership and President-Elect Biden. It is the only one of its kind. I urge leaders of the House and Senate to put this package on the floor now and get aid into the hands of the American people.\r\nThe framework allocates $908 billion in total aid, including both new funding and the reallocation of previously appropriated CARES Act funding. The framework targets resources to the following key categories:\r\n \r\n    State, Local, and Tribal Governments- $160 billion\r\n    Additional Unemployment Insurance (UI)- $180 billion\r\n    Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) including restaurants, stages, and deductibility- $288 billion\r\n    CDFI/MDI Community Lender Support- $12 billion\r\n    Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit and Amtrak)- $45 billion\r\n    Vaccine Development and Distribution and Testing and Tracing- $16 billion\r\n    Healthcare Provider Relief Fund- $35 billion\r\n    Education Funding- $82 billion\r\n    Student Loans- $4 billion\r\n    Housing Assistance (Rental)- $25 billion\r\n    Nutrition/Agriculture- $26 billion\r\n    U.S. Postal Service- $10 billion\r\n    Child Care- $10 billion\r\n    Dedicated Broadband Funding- $10 billion\r\n    Opioid Funding- $5 billion\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/us-lawmakers-unveil-anti-slavery-constitutional-amendment", "US lawmakers unveil anti-slavery constitutional amendment", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "US lawmakers unveil anti-slavery constitutional amendment \r\n\r\n     Democrats in the House and Senate are to introduce a joint resolution Wednesday aimed at amending the 13th Amendment's ban on chattel enslavement. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWednesday, December 2, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    By:\r\n    Aaron Morrison\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNational lawmakers introduced a joint resolution Wednesday aimed at striking language from the U.S. Constitution that enshrines a form of slavery in America's foundational documents.\r\nThe resolution, spearheaded and supported by Democratic members of the House and Senate, would amend the 13th Amendment's ban on chattel enslavement to expressly prohibit involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. As ratified, the original amendment has permitted exploitation of labor by convicted felons for over 155 years since the abolition of slavery.\r\nThe 13th Amendment continued the process of a white power class gravely mistreating Black Americans, creating generations of poverty, the breakup of families and this wave of mass incarceration that we still wrestle with today, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon told The Associated Press ahead of the resolution's introduction.\r\nA House version is led by outgoing Rep. William Lacy Clay, of St. Louis, who said the amendment seeks to finish the job that President (Abraham) Lincoln started.\r\nIt would eliminate the dehumanizing and discriminatory forced labor of prisoners for profit that has been used to drive the over-incarceration of African Americans since the end of the Civil War, Clay said.\r\nIn the Senate, the resolution has Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland signed on as co-sponsors. This change to the 13th Amendment will finally, fully rid our nation of a form of legalized slavery, Van Hollen said in an emailed statement.\r\nConstitutional amendments are rare and require approval by two-thirds of the House and Senate, as well as ratification by three-quarters of state legislatures. Should the proposal fail to move out of committee in the remaining weeks of the current Congress, Merkley said he hoped to revive it next year.\r\nThe effort has been endorsed by more than a dozen human rights and social justice organizations, including The Sentencing Project, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition and Color of Change.\r\nIt is long past time that Congress excise this language from the U.S. Constitution which should begin to put an end to the abusive practices derived from it, said Laura Pitter, deputy director of the U.S. program at Human Rights Watch, which also endorsed the amendment.\r\nThe proposed amendment comes nearly one month after voters in Nebraska and Utah approved initiatives amending their state constitutions to remove language that allows slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. In 2018, Colorado was among the first U.S. states to remove such language by ballot measure.\r\nAlthough nearly half of state constitutions do not mention human bondage or prison labor as punishment, just over 20 states still include such clauses in governing documents that date back to the 19th century abolition of slavery.\r\nIn Merkley's Oregon, voters in 2002 approved the elimination of constitutional language that prohibited Black Americans from living in the state unless they were enslaved.\r\nHe said the movement toward a federal amendment is kind of saying to the world, let's not forget this big piece of injustice that's sitting squarely in the middle of our Constitution, as we wrestle with criminal justice reform.\r\nMany Americans will recognize modern-day prison labor as chain gangs deployed from prison facilities for agricultural and infrastructure work. The prevalence of prison labor has been largely accepted as a means for promoting rehabilitation, teaching trade skills and reducing idleness among prisoners.\r\nBut the practice has a much darker history. Following the abolition of slavery, Southern states that lost the literal backbone of their economies began criminalizing formerly enslaved Black men and women for offenses as petty as vagrancy or having unkempt children.\r\nThis allowed legal re-enslavement of African Americans, who were no longer seen as sympathetic victims of inhumane bondage, said Michele Goodwin, a constitutional law professor at the University of California, Irvine.\r\nThese people became criminals, and it became very difficult for many abolitionists to use the same kinds of emotional messaging about the humanity of these individuals, Goodwin said.\r\nToday, incarcerated workers, many of them making pennies on the dollar, work in plants, manufacturing clothing, assembling furniture and even battling wildfires across the U.S., much of it to the benefit of large corporations, governments and communities where they've historically been unwelcome upon release.\r\nResearchers have estimated the minimum annual value of prison labor commodities at $2 billion, derived largely through a system of convict leasing that leaves these workers without the legal protections and benefits that Americans are otherwise entitled to.\r\nAnd while prison work is largely optional for the 2.2 million individuals incarcerated in the U.S., it's a grave mistake to disassociate their labor from the original intent of the penal system, Goodwin said.\r\nYour freedom has been taken away  that's the punishment that society has assigned, she said. The punishment is not that you do slave work, that is unpaid labor or barely paid labor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/us-sen-jeff-merkleys-bills-include-keeping-pilt-funds-alive", "U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley\u2019s bills include keeping PILT funds alive", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's bills include keeping PILT funds alive \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWednesday, December 2, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nU.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, used his membership on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding for programs that will benefit Oregon, including another round of Payments in Lieu of Taxes.\r\n\r\n\r\nThese bills include key investments to create jobs in the woods and reduce wildfire risk, Merkley stated in his news release. They support stakeholders working on collaborative water solutions so family farms have the irrigation water they need to make it to the next generation.\r\n\r\nMerkley's billl includes $515 million for the PILT program to help counties that have large tracts of federal land for which property taxes are not paid. PILT payments account for more than $2 million annually to Malheur County's General Fund.\r\n\r\n\r\nOther programs included in Merkley's legislation includes Community Development Block Grants, affordable housing, rural housing, homeless assistance grants, HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and BUILD Grants that fund infrastructure projects.\r\n\r\n\r\nFinal passage of these bills are dependent on negotiations with the House, Merkley said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-clay-propose-constitutional-amendment-to-close-slavery-loophole-in-13th-amendment-2020", "Merkley, Clay Propose Constitutional Amendment to Close Slavery Loophole in 13th Amendment", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Clay Propose Constitutional Amendment to Close Slavery Loophole in 13th Amendment \n\t\n\t\t Indisputably racist exception permitting slavery as punishment for crime has fueled systemic racism in criminal justice for 150 years  \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, December 2, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative William Lacy Clay (D-MO-1) today introduced the Abolition Amendment, which would strike the Punishment Clause' of the 13th Amendment in order to finally abolish slavery in the United States.\r\nThe 13th Amendment abolished mostbut not allslavery, permitting slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. The Abolition Amendment would finally finish the job started by the Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, and 13th Amendment and end the morally reprehensible practice of slavery and forced labor in America, and send a clear message: in this country, no person will be stripped of their basic humanity and forced to toil for someone else's profit.\r\n \r\nAmerica was founded on beautiful principles of equality and justice and horrific realities of slavery and white supremacy, and if we are ever going to fully deliver on the principles we have to directly confront the realities, said Senator Merkley. The exception to the 13th Amendment's ban on slavery corrupted criminal justice into a tool of racist control of Black Americans and other people of color, and we see that legacy every day in police encounters, courtrooms, and prisons throughout our country. Slavery is incompatible with justice. No slavery, no exceptions.\r\nOur Abolition Amendment seeks to finish the job that President Lincoln started by ending the punishment clause in the 13th Amendment to eliminate the dehumanizing and discriminatory forced labor of prisoners for profit that has been used to drive the over-incarceration of African Americans since the end of the Civil War.No American should ever be subject to involuntary servitude, even if they are incarcerated, said Congressman Clay.\r\nAs we take on the long and difficult challenge of rooting out systemic racism in our nation, ending the slavery loophole in the 13th Amendment is critical step in that challenge. Slavery is our nation's original sin and this loophole has been exploited for far too long to criminalize Black and Brown Americans. I am proud to cosponsor the Abolition Amendment that pushes us as a nation to address our failures and create a path towards true justice for all Americans, said Senator Markey.\r\nSystemic racism, in all its ugly forms, must be rooted out and eliminated from American institutions. Thischange to the 13th Amendment will finally fully rid our nation of a form of legalized slavery and prevent the shameful use of forced labor in our prison systems. This is a long overdue step on our road to a more just and equal country for all, said Senator Van Hollen.\r\n \r\nFollowing the ratification of the 13th Amendment, including the Punishment Clause, in 1865, Southern jurisdictions arrested Black Americans in large numbers for minor crimes, like loitering or vagrancy, codified in new Black Codes,' which were only applied to Black Americans. The Punishment Clause was then used by sheriffs to lease out imprisoned individuals to work landowners' fields, which in some cases included the very same plantations where they had been enslaved. The practice grew in prevalence and scope to the point that, by 1898, 73% of Alabama's state revenue came from renting out the forced labor of Black Americans.\r\nThe Punishment Clause's facilitating and incentivizing of minor crime convictions continued to drive the over-incarceration of Black Americans throughout the Jim Crow era. Ultimately, by creating a financial incentive for mass incarceration, it also continued to fan the flames of the War on Drugs and the proliferation of three strike' laws, severe plea deals, and harsh mandatory minimum policies, which have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color in America for generations.\r\nThose policies have driven an $80 billion detention industry and a rate of American incarceration that is nothing short of a crisis, with 2.3 million prisoners20% of the world's incarcerated populationresiding in the United States.\r\n \r\nThis change is long overdue. The punishment clause in the 13th amendment is a legacy of slavery that has allowed people incarcerated, disproportionately Black and brown, to be exploited for decades. It is long past time that Congress excise this language from the US Constitution which should begin to put an end the abusive practices derived from it, said Deputy Director of the US Program at Human Rights Watch Laura Pitter.\r\nWhile the U.S. government condemns other countries for permitting and even encouraging forced labor, our own system of prison labor often contradicts our values - and our own laws against labor trafficking. We are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representative Lacy Clay for taking this step toward ending forced labor and labor trafficking in the U.S. prison system, said Polaris CEO Catherine Chen.\r\nThe systematic exploitation of incarcerated people is immoral. Incarceration is not a justification for inhumane compensation. This relic of slavery strips people of their dignity and harms their chances of successful rehabilitation and re-entry. Enough is enough. I'm proud to support Senator Merkley in his goal to put an end to forced labor and end the slavery loophole once and for all, said Dream Corps CEO Nisha Anand.\r\nSince the founding, Americans have worked to make our union ever more perfect, bending the arc of our Constitution further toward progress. This Amendmentprohibiting the enslavement and involuntary servitude of persons convicted of crimesis a painfully overdue continuation of the effort to make us more equal, more inclusive, and more free. We simply cannot allow any exception to the prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude to persist in our nation's governing charter, said Constitutional Accountability Center President Elizabeth Wydra.\r\nWe want to thank Sen. Merkley and Rep. Clay for their leadership on this important racial justice issue, and for shining a light on something that is not just about a symbol or a vestige of the past, but something that reverberates and has consequences today, said Clint Odom, Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League. \r\nMany Nebraskans were unaware our state constitution still contained language that permitted slavery and involuntary servitude, but when given the opportunity to make a meaningful change, to take a step towards righting a wrong, we did  because we understood this isn't a partisan issue but a moral one, said Vote for Eliminating Slavery in Nebraska Treasurer Melina Cohen.\r\n \r\nThe Abolition Amendment is supported by The Sentencing Project, Polaris, the Abolish Slavery National Network, the Constitutional Accountability Center, Amnesty International, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Human Rights Watch, Color of Change, the Justice Round Table Coalition, Indivisible, Democracy For America, International CURE, Dream Corps, and Alliance of Families for Justice.\r\nMerkley and Clay were joined in the introduction by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and by U.S. Representatives Cedric Richmond (D-LA-2), Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Andr Carson (D-IN-7), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Alcee Hastings (D-FL-20), Ral Grijalva (D-AZ-3), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Nanette DiazBarragn (D-CA-44), David Trone (D-MD-6), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), Deb Haaland (D-NM-1), and Gwen Moore (D-WI-4).\r\nThe full text of the legislation is available here. A summary can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-nearly-15-million-in-funding-to-improve-health-care-on-coquille-tribes-kilkich-reservation-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Funding to Improve Health Care on Coquille Tribe\u2019s Kilkich Reservation", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Funding to Improve Health Care on Coquille Tribe's Kilkich Reservation \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 1, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $1.49 million in funding is headed to the Coquille Indian Tribe in North Bend to purchase equipment and medical supplies needed to help the community meet the mounting challenges of the coronavirus crisis.\r\nThe fundswhich are being allocatedthroughtheCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Actthat Congress passed in Marchare being directed to the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center, which is currently under construction on the tribe's Kilkich Reservation.\r\n \r\nTribal communities have been among the hardest bit by the coronavirus crisisso it's especially important that medical facilities and workers serving these communities have the supplies and equipment they need to do their jobs,said Merkley. I'm pleased that this funding is headed to the Coquille's Kilkich Reservation, and will continue to do all that I can to fight for the resources tribes need to stay healthy during, and long after, this pandemic.\r\nThe economic and public health devastation from COVID-19 makes these key medical resources for the Coquille Indian Tribe both timely and essential, Wyden said. I'm gratified the Coquille has secured these funds to help its wellness center, and I'll continue battling for all Tribes in Oregon to receive the support they need now to face the pandemic and to prepare in the longer term for all their communities' health care needs.\r\n\"We are so happy to be the recipient of this EDA grant in support of the construction of our new Ko-Kwel Wellness Center. This funding will ultimately let us further expand our resources for better health-care services, and to prepare, prevent and respond to the coronavirus in our community, said Coquille Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade.\r\n \r\nThe federal grant will be combined with a match of $75,000 in local funding, and is expected to create 18 new jobs and generate $11.8 million in private investment.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-ensure-more-wildfire-resilient-power-grid", "Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Ensure More Wildfire Resilient Power Grid", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Ensure More Wildfire Resilient Power Grid \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, December 1, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced new legislation to incentivize utility companies to do more to reduce wildfire risks as aging powerinfrastructureignite wildfires in Oregon andacross the West.\r\nWyden and Merkley's Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act of 2020 wouldensure power companies do their part to reduce the risk of wildfires through power system upgradessuch as the undergrounding of power lines, fire safety equipment installation and proper vegetation management.\r\n \r\n\"First and foremost, this is a public safety issue.Fire after fireignited this summer because theaging powergrid could not withstand a major windstorm during the season's hottest and driest days,\"Wyden said.\"Many utility companies are already working to improve the resiliency of their power grid, but the sheer costs of these investments must not come at the expense of rural utility customers.Congressmust do all thatitcan to stop the catastrophic wildfires decimating the West, and that meansimproving rural infrastructure.By partnering with utilities around the country, we can increase wildfire mitigation efforts at a modest costa fire prevention investment that will pay dividends by saving lives, homes and businesses.\"\r\nWhen this year's unprecedented wildfire event hit, I drove hundreds of miles across our state to see the damage firsthand and to hear directly from impacted communities, so that I could go back to D.C. and work for the solutions they need, said Merkley. What I saw was apocalypticand we have to do everything we can to reduce the risk of this happening again. That means we have to work with our power companies to get critical upgrades and safety investments into place as quickly as possible.\r\n \r\nThe Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act of 2020:\r\n \r\nEstablishes a $1 billion-per-year matching grant program for power companies through the Department of Energy to reduce the risk of power linesand grid infrastructurecausing wildfires.\r\nGives special priority to smaller, rural electric companies to ensure mitigation efforts are targeted to forested rural areas.\r\nPromotes proven methods for reducing wildfire risks, including undergrounding of lines, installing fast-tripping protection systems, and constructing weather monitoring stations to respond to electrical system fire risks.\r\nProvides for hardening of overhead power lines and installation of fault location equipment where undergrounding of power lines is not a favorable option.\r\nEnsures fuels management activities of power companies are carried out in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.\r\nRequires power companies to have skin in the game by making the program a 1-to-1 matching grant, with an exception for smaller utilities where the matching requirement is one third of the grant.\r\nDelivers accountability on the part of utilities and the Department of Energy by generating a report every two years on efforts conducted under the grant program.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nPortland General Electric President and CEOMaria Pope:We appreciate Senator Wyden's and Senator Merkley's leadership in proposing legislation to provide federal funding that will help protect Oregon from devastating wildfires. When passed, this will help make Oregon's electric system safer, faster, without increasing customer prices. That is especially important given the economy and hotter, drier summers and longer wildfire seasons that Oregon will continue to face.\r\n\r\nLane County Commission Chair Heather Butch: In a matter of hours, the entire Lane County community of Blue River was reduced to ashes by the Holiday Farm Fire. Since the moment I first toured that devastation I've been committed to building it back better. I applaud Senators Wyden and Merkley for drafting the Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act, as it could well provide the path towards meeting this important goal. Moreover, the resultant programs will better protect rural communities from the increasing dangers of wildfires through a number of preventative measures that would otherwise be difficult to implement.\r\n\r\nLinn County Commissioner Roger Nyquist:This legislation is a smart strategic investment for the future safety of our residents as well as the economic vitality of our community.\r\n\r\nMarion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron:After experiencing a traumatic evacuation during the Beachie Creek and Lion's Head wild fires, I understand the need to strengthen the utility Infrastructure. The improvements resulting from Senator Wyden and Merkley's bill will reduce disasters in the future, but improve everyday reliability for our citizens who live, work and protect the environment in potential wildfire areas.\r\n\r\nEdison Electric InstitutePresidentTom Kuhn:EEI thanks Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley for their leadership in introducing the Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act. This bill will help support and accelerate projects already planned and underway to enhance energy grid resiliency and mitigate the risk of wildfire damage to power lines. Electric companies across the country are committed to working with our government partners and other stakeholders on preparation and mitigation efforts that combat the wildfire threat and on the rapid deployment of technology solutions that address wildfire risks, while still maintaining the safe, reliable, and affordable energy we all need.\r\n\r\nOregon Rural Electric Cooperative AssociationExecutive DirectorTed Case:Oregon's electric cooperatives support the Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act and appreciate Senator Wyden's and Senator Merkley's leadership and innovative approach to wildfire mitigation, particularly for small, rural utilities. This legislation includes targeted assistance that will help us to continue to provide affordable, reliable and safe electricity to over 500,000 Oregonians.\r\n\r\nSustainable NorthwestDirector of Government Affairs & Program StrategyDylan Kruse:\"In recent years, the West has seen too many wildfires originate due to poorly maintained or damaged electric utility transmission and distribution infrastructure. This legislation plays an important role to ensure that power lines do not contribute to wildfire starts, while providing safe and reliable power to communities during wildfire events. Utilities must live up to their legal requirements to maintain their infrastructure, but this bill provides welcome resources to expedite and prioritize risk reduction, while preventing cost increases for ratepayers.\"\r\n\r\nOregon WildWilderness Program ManagerErik Fernandez:\"2020 taught Oregon the lesson that California learned in the Paradise Fire. Addressing the risk of unnaturally caused powerline fires is an increasingly important critical task. I appreciate Senator Ron Wyden's efforts to protect our homes and communities from powerline fires.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-announces-critical-investments-in-every-corner-of-oregon-through-senate-appropriations-bills-2020", "Merkley Announces Critical Investments in Every Corner of Oregon through Senate Appropriations Bills", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Announces Critical Investments in Every Corner of Oregon through Senate Appropriations Bills  \n\t\n\t\t Senate spending roadmap includes key provisions for Oregon's forests, housing, coastal and rural communities \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 30, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he has used his seat on the prestigious Senate Appropriations Committee to secure investments that will help create jobs, support affordable housing, and improve infrastructure in communities across Oregon in the committee's spending bills. These bills are the basis for negotiations with the House, as Congress works to fund the government for fiscal year 2021.\r\n \r\nEvery year I do a town hall in every county of Oregon so I can hear firsthand what all of our communities need to thrive, and then I bring that input to Congress to push investments and strategies that can make a real difference in people's lives, Merkley said. These bills include key investments to create jobs in the woods and reduce wildfire risk. They support stakeholders working on collaborative water solutions so family farms have the irrigation water they need to make it to the next generation. They will create new housing where it's desperately needed, help modernize infrastructure without burdening ratepayers, support port dredging on the coast, and keep small airports open for business. Government is supposed to be how all of usWe the Peoplecome together to solve problems and build a better future, and I'm trying to make sure Oregonians' voices and priorities are reflected in our investment decisions.\r\n \r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nThe U.S. Department of Interior Appropriations bill includes funding to support wildfire management, following another year of unprecedented blazes, as well as providing funding to support efforts to address the water crisis in the Klamath Basin:\r\n \r\nForest Health Restoration and Collaboration: The bill provides $40 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). With the addition of the new CFLRP project in October, Oregon has three active CFLR projects: Northern Blues Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, Southern Blues Restoration Coalition Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, and Lakeview Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project.\r\nWildfire Management: In anticipation of the next fire season, the bill includes $1.34 billion for fire suppression at the Forest Service and Department of the Interior. Fiscal year 2020 was the first year that the bipartisan fire borrowing fix went into effect; this fiscal year, $2.35 billion of additional funds are available for fire suppression and other priorities within the Interior bill.\r\nKlamath Basin Water and Wildlife Conservation: In continued efforts toward a long-term solution in the Klamath Basin, the bill maintains the increase that Merkley secured last year, providing $6.5 million to support strategies to restore fish habitat and scale up ongoing efforts to restore healthy populations of shortnose and Lost River sucker fish. The bill also maintains the additional $5 million in funding that Merkley secured for habitat restoration in advance of the removal of Klamath River dams.\r\nPayment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill includes $515 million for the PILT program to fund vital services for rural communities, including public safety, social services, transportation and housing. This funding goes to Oregon counties that have large tracts of federal land, which doesn't pay property taxes. The investment approved by Congress is $73 million over the president's request.\r\nWater Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure loan programs under the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Authority (WIFIA) Act received $60 million to leverage billions of dollars in investments, such as the new projects in Hillsboro and Portland. Merkley authored the WIFIA program in 2012, working to ensure public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are well-maintainedcritical for public health and safety, strong local businesses, population growth, and clean rivers and aquifers. WIFIA was passed into law as part of the 2014 Water Resources Development Act.\r\nTribal Programs: The Indian Health Service, which provides health care to thousands of Oregon Tribal members, received $6.21 billion, $163 million more than fiscal year 2020. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education received $3.34 billion, an increase of $117 million to the fiscal year 2020 level.\r\nLand and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): The bill provides $900 million, as required by the Great American Outdoors Act, which Merkley helped pass into law this summer; the funding is enough to fund all pending LWCF projects in Oregon. For over 50 years the program has been the main source of funding for federal land and water acquisitions. Acquiring and protecting public lands not only provides environmental and recreational benefits, but also creates jobs in the tourism, recreation, timber, fishing, and other natural resource sectors.\r\nEarthquake Preparedness: The bill includes $85 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to support regional earthquake initiatives, including $25.7 million for the West Coast ShakeAlert early warning project. The bill also encourages the USGS to continue the development of a system for Cascadia that will help prepare for and mitigate the negative human and economic impacts of a major seismic event.\r\n \r\nThe Energy and Water appropriations bill includes vital funding for Oregon's small ports on the coast and irrigators across the state:\r\n \r\nSmall Ports and Army Corps Navigation: The program, which is vital to help Oregon ports pay for dredging and other necessary infrastructure projects, received $591 million for deep-draft harbor and channel improvements, $70 million for inland waterways, $44.6 million for navigation maintenance, and $65 million for small ports, which supports the small ports that are the lifeblood of Oregon's coastal economy.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The WaterSmart program received a $26 million increase, to $60 million, to fund projects that will help irrigation districts comply with the Endangered Species Act. The WaterSmart program has supported the collaborative process that is underway within Central Oregon to conserve water, improve habitat for endangered steelhead and the spotted frog, and keep Central Oregon family farms in business.\r\nExpanding Renewable Energy: The bill includes $115 milliona $15 million increasefor wind energy and $10 million for distributed wind. The bill also includes a $148 million for water power research, which will support ongoing research at OSU, and $233.8 million for solar power programs.\r\n \r\nThe Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill includes support for affordable housing and homelessness serviceswhich are of particular importance as the state grapples with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic:\r\n \r\nCommunity Development Block Grants: Merkley successfully advocated for $3.455 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program funds vital housing rehabilitation, supportive services, public improvements and economic development projects in communities across Oregon and the nation while encouraging local investment.\r\nAffordable Housing: As rural and urban communities across Oregon continue to experience housing crises, Merkley successfully advocated to increase for affordable housing programs for some of Oregon's most vulnerable peoplelow-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Merkley led 37 of his colleagues in a successful effort to provide an additional $833 million to support continuing rental assistance for 1.2 million low-income households. The senator also protected funding for housing programs that benefit the elderly and people with disabilities.\r\nRural Housing: The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Rural Capacity Building Program received $10 million and $5 million, respectively. SHOP provides funds for non-profit sweat-equity homebuilders, such as Habitat for Humanity, to cover land purchases and infrastructure costs. The Rural Capacity funds are intended to build the capacity of rural low income housing non-profits by providing training, information, technical assistance, and financing.\r\nHomeless Assistance Grants: Merkley secured $2.95 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $174 million increase that will benefit organizations across Oregon. Within that appropriation, rapid rehousing programs for victims of domestic violence received $50 million; homeless youth programs received $80 million; and Emergency Solutions Grantsparticularly important to the Portland metro areareceived $290 million to support street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance.\r\nHOME Investment Partnerships Program: The bill includes $1.375 billion for the program to provide states and localities with flexible resources to respond to their affordable housing challenges, including rental housing and paths to homeownership for low-income families.\r\nHUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: The program received $40 million to provide rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans, along with case management and clinical services. These vouchers have been critical to reducing veterans' homelessness by 49 percent since 2010.\r\nCapital Investment Grant Program: The bill includes nearly $2 billion for the program, which provides funding for major transit investments that support sustainable transportation and reduced congestion in cities like Portland, Eugene and Salem.\r\nBUILD Grants: Formerly known as TIGER, the program received a $1 billion investment for 2021. This critical transportation grants program has helped fund projects across Oregon such as the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge replacement project.\r\nEssential Air Service and Contract Towers: Merkley secured $142 million for the Essential Air Service. The Essential Air Service program supports flights between the City of Pendleton and Portland International Airport, a vital connection to support economic development across Eastern Oregon. Additionally, the bill increases funding for FAA Contract Towers to $172.8 million. There are six contract towers across Oregon, and this funding ensures their continued operation.\r\n \r\nThe next step for these bills is merging with counterpart bills from the U.S. House of Representatives, in order to be passed by both chambers and signed into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-applauds-appointment-of-janet-yellen-as-treasury-secretary-2020", "Merkley Applauds Appointment of Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Applauds Appointment of Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 30, 2020\n\t\n\tOregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkleywho used his position on the Senate Banking Committee to successfully advocate for Janet Yellen's appointment as the first female Federal Reserve Chair in 2014today issued a statement following President-elect Joe Biden's announcement that he will nominate her to serve as Treasury Secretary in his administration:\r\n \r\nNow more than everin the midst of a pandemic that has cost tens of millions their jobswe need strong champions for working families and Main Street businesses in our Treasury Department to guide us toward a path of economic prosperity for allpeople like Janet Yellen.\r\nThroughout her long career of public service, in which she has served as chair of both the Federal Reserve and the Council of Economic Advisors, Janet Yellen has proven herself to be a champion for broad-based economic growth that reaches everyone in our country. Not only will she bring a strong track record of fighting for America's working families and crafting innovative and responsible economic policy to the position, her confirmation as the first female Treasury Secretary will also break yet another long-standing glass ceiling for women in leadership. I look forward to working with her and the Treasury Department as we set out to unrig our economy and realize President-elect Biden's vision of building back better.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/oregon-delegation-press-to-extend-open-enrollment-period-to-dec-31-2020", "Oregon Delegation Press to Extend Open Enrollment Period to Dec. 31", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon Delegation Press to Extend Open Enrollment Period to Dec. 31 \n\t\n\t\t In the face of COVID-19 and historic wildfires this year, Oregonians face massive barriers enrolling in affordable health coverage by Dec. 15 \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 30, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici today pushed the Trump administration to extend the Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace through the end of the year in light of severe obstacles Oregonians faced due to COVID-19 and historic wildfires.\r\n \r\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has had severe health and economic consequences for Oregon. To date, nearly 60,000 Oregonians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, over 700 lost their lives, and 145,000 remain jobless. The crisis is also far from over: around 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 are being reported each day, and over 50,000 Oregonians have filed new unemployment claims since the beginning of September,the lawmakers wrote.This makes ensuring access to health coverage more critical now than ever as families continue to grapple with the effects of the virus on their health and livelihoods.\r\nAt the same time, thousands of Oregonians have become displaced or homeless as a result of wildfires that raged across the state earlier this fall. Over 2,000 wildfires led to evacuation orders affecting 500,000 Oregonians, destroyed more than 4,000 homes, and led to 24,000 claims for public assistance,the lawmakers continued.\r\n \r\nThe current scheduled close for Open Enrollment isDecember 15, 2020. The Oregon members wrote to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to push for approval of Governor Kate Brown's request to extend the deadline toDecember 31, 2020.\r\n \r\nExtending the Open Enrollment  is critical to protecting the health and wellbeing of Oregonians and all Americans. We urge you to take this step immediately to ensure people have access to the affordable and comprehensive health coverage during these unprecedented times,the lawmakers concluded.\r\n \r\nA copy of today's letter is availablehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-applauds-designation-lgbtq-venue-portland-national-register", "Blumenauer Applauds Designation of LGBTQ+ Venue in Portland to National Register of Historic Places", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Rep.Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus,applauded news thatDarcelleXV, Portland's oldest drag club, willbeaddedto the National Register of Historic Places. Following approval by theNational Park Service,the venue becomes the firstLGBTQ+ historic site designated in Oregon and one ofonly eleven sites nationally that have been selected for their significance to LGBTQ+ Americans.\nIn June, Blumenauer wrote aletterto U.S. Interior Secretary DavidBernhardturging him to support theclub'snominationfor its historic role in using entertainment to impact a cultural shift in the acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights.\nWalter Cole and his club were influential in educating Oregonians through drag performance, an art form that is now widely accepted and celebrated in this country.This mainstream acceptance of drag performance contributed to a broader societal acceptance of gay rights, Blumenauer said. Further, Walter persevered through discrimination during the 1970s and kept the club active for over 50 years.Thissignificantdesignation will help ensurethis rich history is not forgottenand thatDarcelleXVismemorializedfor future generations.\nDarcelleXV is a nightclub and drag venue that has been owned and operated by Walter Cole since 1967 and is located in a three-story brick building completed in 1910. The club pre-dates the famous Stonewall uprising that is often regarded as the start of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.\nThe National Registerof Historic Placescelebratesdistricts, sites, buildings, structures, and objectsthat have had asignificantimpacton American historyand culture.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-statement-cannabis-reform-legislation-vote-0", "Blumenauer Statement on Cannabis Reform Legislation Vote", "2020-11-27", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S.Rep Earl Blumenauer (D-OR),founder and co-chairof the Congressional Cannabis Caucus,released this statementtoday, following the announcement thatthe Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act will be voted on by the U.S. House of Representativesnextweek:\nI've been working on this issue longer than any politician in America and can confidently say that the MORE Act is the most comprehensive federal cannabis reform legislation in U.S. history.Ourvote to pass itnext week willcome afterpeoplein five very different states reaffirmed the strong bipartisan support to reformthe failed cannabisprohibition.National support for federal cannabis legalization is at an all-time highandalmost 99% of Americans willsoonlive in states with some form of legal cannabis.Congress must capitalize on this momentum and do our part toend the failed policy of prohibition that has resulted in a long and shameful period of selective enforcement againstcommunitiesof color.\nThe historic vote  which is expected next week  will mark the first time that the House or the Senate has ever voted as a full chamber on legislation to end the federal cannabis prohibition since it went into effect following the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. \nIn addition to decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level, the MORE Act would also expunge federal marijuana convictions and reinvest in communities most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chair-defazio-issues-statement-on-the-us-army-corps-of-engineers", "Chair DeFazio Issues Statement on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Decision on the Pebble Mine Project", "2020-11-25", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its decision on the Pebble Mine Project in Bristol Bay, Alaska, denying the permit. Today's decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is great news for the Bristol Bay watershedhome to the world's largest natural sockeye salmon fishery and stops the Pebble Mine project in its tracks. As I have said from the beginning, the Pebble Mine is a bad project that never should have gotten this far. Our Committee has been steadfast in our mission to shine a bright light on the otherwise opaque Pebble Mine project. We made requests for information and records to the Pebble Limited Partnership, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. And last fall, we held a hearing to ensure that the voices of the very people who would be directly impacted by the Pebble Mine were heard in our Nation's capital. And with this decision, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has made it clear that a foreign mining company with highly dubious business plans cannot be allowed to damage an irreplaceable habitat and the ancestral home of many Alaskan Natives. But make no mistake, our work isn't done. While we celebrate this decision today, we must continue to fight the ongoing threats to our environment and communities. As Chair of the Committee with oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Clean Water Act, rest assured that I will always fight to protect our environment and the public. Additional information: In November 2020, DeFazio sent letters to the Pebble Limited Partnership and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) requesting records about the proposed Pebble Mine Project after secret recordings of Pebble's senior leadersknown as the Pebble Tapeswere released and suggest that Congress, the Army Corps and the public may have been misled about Pebble's planned scale, scope and duration of the mine. To read these records requests, click here. In September 2020, DeFazio and Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) led a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to use his authority to veto the flawed Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pebble Mine on the grounds that the project would have significant negative impacts on Bristol Bay, Alaska. To read the full letter, click here.  \n\t  In August 2020, DeFazio issued a statement committing to continued oversight of the Pebble Mine Project after the Army Corps sent a letter to the Pebble Limited Partnership requesting additional scrutiny of the project. To read his full statement, click here.  \n\t  In July 2020, when the Army Corps released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the Pebble Mine project, DeFazio decried the Trump administration's push to approve the project. To read the full statement, click here.  \n\t  In June 2020, DeFazio sent a letter to Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite of Army Corps to push for additional consultation before the Army Corps finalized the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as it relates to the Pebble Mine Project, due to concerns raised by local tribes and communities. To read the full letter, click here.  \n\t  In November 2019, DeFaziosent a letter to Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, expressing his concerns with the Army Corps' review of the Clean Water Act permit for the development of an open pit mine to be constructed in the Bristol Bay watershed in Alaska. DeFazio urged the Army Corps to immediately prepare a revised EIS that addresses shortfalls contained in the earlier EIS. To read the full letter, clickhere.  \n\t  On October 23, 2019, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing titled The Pebble Mine Project: Process and Potential Impacts.To hear from those who testified before the Committee, and who are directly affected by this proposed plan, clickhere.  \n\t  In July 2018, DeFazio and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) sent a letter requesting an update on EPA's environmental review of the proposed Pebble Mine project in Alaska, among other things. That letter can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-announces-15-million-grant-to-construct-health-and-dental", "DeFazio Announces $1.5 Million Grant to Construct Health and Dental Facility to Serve the Coquille Nation", "2020-11-25", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today announced a nearly $1.5 million grant, awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), to construct the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center to provide medical and dental services for the Coquille Indian Tribe.\nAs Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over the EDA, DeFazio played a leading role in securing this funding in the CARES Act.\nI am proud to have helped secure this important funding for the Coquille Tribe. Tribal nations continue struggling to access affordable, quality, and attentive health care. The new Ko-Kwel Wellness Center will be a game changer for the Coquille Nation, DeFazio said.\nThe Ko-Kwel Wellness Center will be located on the Kilkich Reservation and improve access to basic medical services for tribe members in the Coos Bay and North Bend area. The $1,486,074 grant was awarded under a $1.5 billion grant program funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-welcomes-announcement-of-blinken-thomas-greenfield-as-top-diplomats-2020", "Merkley Welcomes Announcement of Blinken, Thomas-Greenfield As Top Diplomats", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Welcomes Announcement of Blinken, Thomas-Greenfield As Top Diplomats \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 23, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced that he will nominate Tony Blinken as Secretary of State and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador to the United Nations (UN):\r\n \r\nToday's announcement is welcome news after four years that have weakened our diplomatic standing around the world and battered morale at the State Department. Tony Blinken and Linda Thomas-Greenfield are both seasoned diplomats and career public servants who will bring the deep experience, character, and respect for our country's diplomatic forces necessary to put our international relationships back on track.\r\nAt a time when we face so many international crisesa once-in-a-century pandemic, rapidly accelerating climate chaos, escalating crackdowns on human rights, and much morewe need experienced and steady leaders to help restore American leadership and credibility on the global stage. I look forward to working with Tony Blinken and Linda Thomas-Greenfield to ensure that America once again leads the world to meet our greatest shared challenges.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-welcomes-appointment-of-john-kerry-to-lead-american-climate-efforts-2020", "Merkley Welcomes Appointment of John Kerry to Lead American Climate Efforts", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Welcomes Appointment of John Kerry to Lead American Climate Efforts \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 23, 2020\n\t\n\tOregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, who serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is a member of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today issued a statement following President-elect Joe Biden's announcement that he will nominate John Kerry to be the incoming administration's climate envoy:\r\nOur families and our economy are already experiencing climate chaos' wrathfrom apocalyptic wildfires ravaging the western United States, to more frequent heat waves and record-breaking storms battering our Gulf Coast communities. And things will only get worse if we don't get our own house in order and work in partnership with the world to address this global challenge.\r\nJohn Kerry's extensive diplomatic experience and demonstrated ability to work with our allies around the globe are invaluable assets that have prepared him to lead the decisive climate action our planet desperately needs. And Joe Biden's decision to pick a senior leader for this position, and to place him within our national security leadership, shows that the President-elect takes climate chaos seriously as the national security threat it is. I look forward to working with Secretary Kerry to consider how we can most effectively rebuild an international coalition committed to slashing dangerous pollution and tackle the climate crisis head on.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-call-on-gsa-administrator-to-end-unprecedented-delay-provide-critical-transition-resources-to-president-elect-biden-2020", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Call on GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay, Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Call on GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay, Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden \n\t\n\t\t Delay in providing resources to Biden transition creates unacceptable risks to pandemic response and national security \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 23, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have teamed up with 36 of their colleagues in calling on General Services Administration(GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy to end her unprecedented delay, immediately ascertain former Vice President Joe Biden as President-elect and Senator Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect, and make available the transition resources that are provided by law. This delay creates unacceptable risks to national security and Coronavirus pandemic response efforts as the United States passed more than 250,000 deaths.\r\n \r\nThe United States is in the midst of a pandemic that has now claimed over 250,000 lives, with the number of new cases rising daily. Our country also faces a number of ongoing threats, including physical and cyber attacks from foreign actors, violence from domestic extremists, and natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes, wrote the senators.\r\nThe GSA Administrator's ascertainment of a President-elect is also critical for agencies' willingness to share information with the transition team, including classified information, as well as for the expeditious processing of security clearances for candidates for high-level national security positions. Your delay in acknowledging Vice President Biden's status as President-elect could undermine efforts by the incoming Administration to meet the needs of the American people in a time of national emergency, continued the senators.\r\n \r\nUnder the Presidential Transition Act, GSA is charged with providing resources and support to the President-elect and Vice President-elect so they can be ready to govern from Day One. Administrator Murphy must complete the ascertainment process to allow the President-elect's transition team to receive needed information from agency officials at public health and national security agencies, ensure incoming national security officials can receive background checks and access to classified information and provide federal funding and resources to support the transition process.\r\nA smooth and efficient transition is one of the hallmarks of American democracy. With the exception of the Presidential election in 2000 and the resulting recount, ascertainment by GSA normally happens within a day after a winner is declared, including in 2008 and 2016. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission found that the shortened transition following the 2000 recount created serious vulnerabilities, including delays related to key national security appointments.\r\nJoining Merkley and Wyden in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).\r\nText of the letter is copied below and available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDear Administrator Murphy,\r\nWe are writing to express deep concern regarding reports that the General Services Administration (GSA) has delayed providing President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris with the resources they need to ensure a timely and efficient presidential transition. We urge you to immediately ascertain Vice President Biden as President-elect and Senator Harris as Vice President-elect and allow the transition team to receive the resources required under the law. We also request an urgent briefing on steps GSA is taking to ensure an orderly transition.\r\nThe United States is in the midst of a pandemic that has now claimed over 250,000 lives, with the number of new cases rising daily. Our country also faces a number of ongoing threats, including physical and cyber attacks from foreign actors, violence from domestic extremists, and natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.[1] The independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission cited the shortened transition timeline for then President-elect George W. Bush as a factor in delaying key national security personnel appointments, potentially hampering the new Administration.[2] A timely transition is critical to ensure coordination between the current and incoming Administrations, provide the incoming Administration with the resources they need to immediately address these challenges, and safeguard the public health and our national security.\r\nUnder the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, as amended, GSA is charged with providing resources and support to the President-elect and Vice President-elect. Specifically, GSA must provide office space, communication services, funding for transition staff compensation, and other support. In response to a request from the Administration, Congress has appropriated $9.9 million to GSA for transition related activities.[3] The GSA Administrator's ascertainment of a President-elect is also critical for agencies' willingness to share information with the transition team, including classified information, as well as for the expeditious processing of security clearances for candidates for high-level national security positions. Your delay in acknowledging Vice President Biden's status as President-elect could undermine efforts by the incoming Administration to meet the needs of the American people in a time of national emergency.\r\nThis delay is also unprecedented. In both 2008 and 2016, President-elect Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump, respectively, were recognized by the GSA Administrator as President-elect within a day of the general election.[4] In 2000, this decision was delayed due to an ongoing court case regarding less than 1,000 votes in a single statea far closer election than this one. The results of this election are clear. Vice President Biden will be the next President of the United States, and Senator Harris will be the next Vice President. It is past time to recognize the will of the American people so that the work of government can continue.\r\nThe orderly transition of power from one President to another is a bedrock principle of our democracy and one of GSA's most important duties. We urge you to fulfill your responsibilities, ascertain Vice President Biden as President-elect and Senator Harris as Vice President-elect, and provide their transition team with the resources the law requires. We also request that, no later than November 30, 2020, GSA provide a briefing to staff of the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Appropriations, and Environment and Public Works regarding the presidential transition process and the support that GSA has provided to date.\r\nThank you for your attention to this critical matter.\r\n    \r\n\r\n[1] U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Threat Assessment (October 2020).\r\n\r\n\r\n[2] National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, The 9/11 Commission Report (July 2004), p. 198.\r\n\r\n\r\n[3] U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the U.S. Government, Fiscal Year 2021Appendix (2020), pp. 1162-1163; Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. No. 116159, Sec. 134.\r\n\r\n\r\n[4] A little-known Trump appointee is in charge of handing transition resources to Biden - and she isn't budging, Washington Post (Nov. 8, 2020) (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-gsa-letter-biden-transition/2020/11/08/07093acc-21e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html); Trump Transition Team Opens DC Office as Preparations for Inauguration Begin, NBC Washington (Nov. 9, 2016) (https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trump-transition-team-opens-dc-office-as-preparations-for-inauguration-begin/56785/).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-blumenauer-urge-justice-department-to-ensure-portland-police-compliance-with-use-of-force-settlement-agreement-2020", "Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Urge Justice Department to Ensure Portland Police Compliance with Use-of-Force Settlement Agreement", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Urge Justice Department to Ensure Portland Police Compliance with Use-of-Force Settlement Agreement \n\t\n\t\t The 2014 settlement agreement addressed the bureau's use of force against people with actual or perceived mental illness \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 23, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer today urged federal officials to ensure the Portland Police Bureau is complying with a 2014 settlement agreement addressing the bureau's use of force against people with mental illness.\r\nThe three Oregon lawmakers wrote in their letter to the U.S. Department of Justice that they are concerned Portland police are not complying with the August 29, 2014, settlement agreement with the Justice Department.\r\n \r\nThe purpose of the settlement was to address the pattern of use of force by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) against individuals with actual or perceived mental illness and to put in place requirements for PPB to reduce use of force occurrences, they wrote Attorney General William Barr. We are concerned that aspects of this settlement are not being honored and that full, continued engagement from the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that PPB is in full compliance, is lacking.\r\nOne key tenet of the settlement is that the Portland Police Bureau document, manage and respond to use of force and officers' conduct, wrote Wyden, Merkley and Blumenauer. With the recent protests in Portland, there is evidence of numerous incidents of use of force. However, there is no indication that these incidents are being regularly documented or investigated in accordance with the settlement.\r\n \r\nThis situation has recently come to light, Wyden, Merkley and Blumenauer noted in their letter, when a Oct. 6, 2020 quarterly report by the settlement's Compliance Officer and Community Liaison concluded the PPB is neither filing proper paperwork nor following up with the required full investigation and documentation of use-of-force incidents. The lawmakers added that during testimony at trials related to use-of-force incidents at protests, Portland Police officials have indicated a lack of proper protocol when documenting and investigating use of force incidents.\r\nA copy of the entire letter is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-defazio-biggs-dingell-and-castro-introduce-bipartisan-legislation", "Reps. DeFazio, Biggs, Dingell, and Castro Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reassert Congressional War Powers, Remove U.S. Military from Unauthorized Participation in the Saudi-led War in Yemen", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Thursday, Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Joaquin Castro (TX-24) introduced H. Con. Res. 123, bipartisan legislation that would end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.\nDespite receiving no Congressional authorization to do so, the U.S. military has been significantly assisting a Saudi-led coalition with its devastating war in Yemen since 2015. The U.S.'s participation has contributed to producing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, which has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and exposed millions to starvation, displacement, disease, and more.\nArticle I of the Constitution is clear: Congress, not the Executive, has the sole authority to declare war and authorize commitment of U.S. armed forces to conflict overseas, said Rep. DeFazio. Unfortunately, both the Obama and Trump administrations' unauthorized military involvement in Yemen is yet another example of presidents of both parties unlawfully committing U.S. forces to hostilities around the world. We cannot let our military become bogged down in yet another endless conflict in the Middle Eastespecially one that advances the dubious interests of Saudi Arabia. Our legislation would re-assert Congress's constitutionally-granted war powers and require the Executive to receive Congressional authorization before committing U.S. military forces or resources to Yemen.\nWe must end the U.S. government's role in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which was never authorized by Congress and has helped enable one of the gravest humanitarian catastrophes in the world today. It is long past time that Congress assert its Constitutional war powers and work to heal the severe suffering of the Yemeni people, said Congressman Joaquin Castro, Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. With the Trump administration's suspension of humanitarian assistance and the worsening coronavirus pandemic, the situation in Yemen is dire and the risk of widespread famine is rising. I commend my colleagues Chairman DeFazio and Representative Dingell for leading this important effort.\nThe Constitution is clear that only Congress can declare war, said Rep. Biggs. We should not send U.S. military personnel to intervene in a local civil war, especially when neighboring states are attempting to dictate the outcome of that internal conflict. We should stop our foreign adventurism and end our military participation in other nations' internal conflicts.\nThe United States' involvement in the Yemen conflict was never authorized by Congress and has exacerbated the catastrophic humanitarian crisis facing the country,said Rep. Dingell.This resolution will allow Congress to reassert its Constitutional authority and end U.S. participation for the Yemen conflict, whichdoes not serve the interests of the United States, our regional partners, or the Yemeni people.\nThis bipartisan concurrent resolutionwhich does not need a signature from the presidentsends a clear signal that Trump's continuation of this unauthorized war remains illegal and unconstitutional, said Erik Sperling, executive director of the pro-restraint advocacy organization Just Foreign Policy. The Framers of our Constitution delegated this power exclusively to Congress, and as George Washington stated, no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken' without Congressional authorization. Together with the passage of a concurrent Iran war powers resolution earlier this year, 2020 is becoming a turning point for Congress reasserting its Constitutional power over war and peace.\nIt's welcome news that as the outgoing Trump Administration plots to block peace in Yemen by designating Houthis a foreign terrorist organization. Representatives DeFazio, Biggs, Dingell, and Castro are invoking the war powers resolution to end U.S. military participation in the Saudi-UAE led war on Yemen. After nearly six years of airstrikes and blockade, there are now 14 million Yemenis barreling towards a catastrophic famine. The incoming Biden Administration must listen to this bipartisan message from lawmakers and help bring this brutal war to an end, said Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Manager for Middle East Policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation.\n\"This bipartisan effort shows that Congress and the American people continue to demand an immediate end to U.S.participation in the war on Yemen,\" said Sean Vitka, senior policy counsel for Demand Progress. \"The introduction of this resolution now is a rejection of the latest moves by Pompeo and the Gulf regimes to escalate the crisis by blocking aid from getting to innocent Yemenis. This War Powers Resolution also sends a clear message to President-elect Biden that he should commit to ending our participation in this nightmare on day one.\"\nH. Con. Res. 123 would invoke existing law under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which allows for a concurrent resolution to pass with a simple majority in both chambers of Congress in order to withdraw unauthorized U.S. military forces from hostilities. Congress created this mechanism explicitly to prevent a repeat of the unauthorized presidential overreach that occurred during the Vietnam War.\nCo-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Francis Rooney (FL-16), and Matt Gaetz (FL-01).\nThe legislation has been endorsed by Just Foreign Policy, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Demand Progress, BringOurTroopsHome.US, Peace Action, Committee for Responsible Foreign Policy, FreedomWorks, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, Yemeni Alliance Committee, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Action Corps, Churches for Middle East Peace, Concerned Veterans for America, and American Friends Service Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-blumenthal-jayapal-ocasio-cortez-demand-trump-administration-halt-deportations-of-victims-of-medical-malpractice-by-ice-doctor-2020", "Merkley, Blumenthal, Jayapal, Ocasio-Cortez Demand Trump Administration Halt Deportations of Victims of Medical Malpractice by ICE Doctor", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Blumenthal, Jayapal, Ocasio-Cortez Demand Trump Administration Halt Deportations of Victims of Medical Malpractice by ICE Doctor \n\t\n\t\t Lawmakers denounce coverup preventing women from providing crucial evidence in ongoing investigations \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, November 19, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), today led a push to demand that the Trump administration halt any and all plans to deport the dozens of women who have come forward to report unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures while detained at Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia.\r\nMerkley, Blumenthal, Jayapal and Ocasio-Cortez were joined by 28 Senators and 73 Representatives, including Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT).\r\nReports of medical malpractice at ICDC first surfaced in September, when a whistleblower sounded the alarm about Dr. Mahendra Amin's unethical treatment, which included non-consensual procedures, among them forced hysterectomies and sterilizations.\r\n \r\nIn all, more than 43 women have reportedly alleged that they underwent nonconsensual and/or medically unnecessary gynecological procedures while detained at ICDC.[1] The DHS Office of the Inspector General has reportedly opened an investigation into these allegations, and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have reportedly opened parallel criminal investigations.[2] Additionally, an independent group of medical experts have preliminarily found that many of these procedures were unnecessary and performed without informed consent,[3] the lawmakers wrote. Despite these ongoing investigations, at least six victims of the alleged nonconsensual, unnecessary, and potentially sterilizing gynecological procedures have reportedly been deported.[4]\r\nDeporting these witnessesespecially when none of them have received independent physical or mental health evaluations by medical expertsmay amount to a de facto destruction of evidence, as doing so substantially impedes the ability of these women to testify in any potential criminal or civil action. The deportation of potential witnesses interferes with law enforcement's ability to engage in meaningful review of alleged criminal acts. Because these women have provided or are willing to provide useful assistance in a criminal investigation, they may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status, the lawmakers continued.\r\n \r\nThe letters were sent to the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tony H. Pham, DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray.\r\nThe lawmakers requested that the administration immediately stay the removal of all women who have reported or witnessed allegations of medical abuse suffered while detained in ICDC, immediately stay the removal of all women who have had any appointments with Dr. Amin, and create a clear and transparent process by which all women detained at ICDC who have reported or witnessed medical abuse can identify themselves as witnesses to federal investigators.\r\nIn addition, the letter urged the administration to publicly commit to interviewing all women who submit medical records or testimony that credibly alleges medical abuse, to provide certifications for each woman who has reported allegations of medical abuse, to grant parole to women who reported allegations and have been deported, and to release immediately every woman who has reported relevant allegations of medical abuse at ICDC.\r\nSenator Merkley has been a vocal advocate for the woman at ICDC. Previous steps taken by Merkley include pressing the Trump administration for more details regarding the initial whistleblower complaint, a pushwhich Senator Blumenthal joinedfor a thorough and fair investigation into the allegations, and a demand for an additional investigation into systemic civil rights violations regarding medical care for detainees.\r\nThe members of Congress were joined by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Mark Warner (D-VA), and U.S. Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragn (D-CA-44), Karen Bass (D-CA-37), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA-8), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Tony Crdenas (D-CA-29), Andr Carson (D-IN-7), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-27), David N. Cicilline (D-RI-1), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-9), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-5), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA-11), Jim Cooper (D-TN-5), J. Luis Correa (D-CA-46), Jason Crow (D-CO-6), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Jesus \"Chuy\" Garca (D-IL-4), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Al Green (D-TX-9), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-3), Deb Haaland (D-NM-1), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL-20), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX-30), Henry C. Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-4), Joseph P. Kennedy (D-MA-4), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI-5), Barbara Lee (D-CA-13), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA-33), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Doris Matsui (D-CA-6), James P. McGovern (D-MA-2), Grace Meng (D-NY-6), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-1), Linda T. Snchez (D-CA-28), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Albio Sires (D-NJ-8), Adam Smith (D-WA-9), Darren Soto (D-FL-9), Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-15), Mark Takano (D-CA-41), Mike Thompson (D-CA-5), Dina Titus (D-NV-1), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13), Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35), Juan Vargas (D-CA-51), Nydia M. Velzquez (D-NY-7), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), and Peter Welch (D-VT-AL).\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here and follows below.\r\n###\r\nDear Mr. Pham, Inspector General Cuffari, Assistant Attorney General Dreiband, and Director Wray:\r\n\r\nWe write to request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately stay the removal of witnesses in the investigations into the provision of medical care at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia.\r\n\r\nAt least eighteen women who were patients of Dr. Mahendra Amin remain detained at ICDC, and seven are currently at risk for removal. These women may provide crucial evidence to support ongoing investigations, and many allege that they are victims of disturbing forced medical procedures by Dr. Amin while in ICE's custody and care. DHS and ICE have an obligation to ensure these women are given an opportunity to cooperate with law enforcement. Any removal of these witnesses could constitute interference with these investigations. In addition to staying these removals, we request that relevant law enforcement agencies provide I-918 Supplement B certification for any victim at ICDC who has provided or subsequently provides helpful evidence or testimony in these investigations, including victims who have already been deported, so that these witnesses have the opportunity to submit applications for U nonimmigrant status. Upon receipt of their application for U nonimmigrant status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), each must have their removal cases stayed and be immediately released from detention.\r\n\r\nSince the initial whistleblower complaint, more women have come forward to report unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures while detained at ICDC. In all, more than 43 women have reportedly alleged that they underwent nonconsensual and/or medically unnecessary gynecological procedures while detained at ICDC.[5] The DHS Office of the Inspector General has reportedly opened an investigation into these allegations, and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have reportedly opened parallel criminal investigations.[6] Additionally, an independent group of medical experts have preliminarily found that many of these procedures were unnecessary and performed without informed consent.[7]\r\n\r\nDespite these ongoing investigations, at least six victims of the alleged nonconsensual, unnecessary, and potentially sterilizing gynecological procedures have reportedly been deported.[8] Alma Bowman and Ana Cajigal Adan, key witnesses, have apparently come close to being deported.[9] At least seven others are at imminent risk of deportation, despite the fact that investigators have not yet spoken to them.[10] Out of the eighteen detained women at ICDC who say they have been victimized by Dr. Amin, only three have reportedly received an investigation interview request.\r\n\r\nDeporting these witnessesespecially when none of them have received independent physical or mental health evaluations by medical expertsmay amount to a de facto destruction of evidence, as doing so substantially impedes the ability of these women to testify in any potential criminal or civil action. The deportation of potential witnesses interferes with law enforcement's ability to engage in meaningful review of alleged criminal acts. Because these women have provided or are willing to provide useful assistance in a criminal investigation, they may be eligible for U nonimmigrant status.\r\n\r\nTo remedy this situation, we request that you take the following six measures:\r\n\r\n \r\nImmediately stay the removal of all women who have reported or witnessed allegations of medical abuse suffered while detained in ICDC. Doing so merely complies with existing DHS guidance that a noncitizen participating in an active investigation should not be removed during the pendency of that investigation.[11]\r\nImmediately stay the removal of all women who have had any appointments, consultations, or surgeries with Dr. Amin, unless they affirm in writing following consultation with counsel that they decline to participate in the investigation. Notify each of these women in writing by no later than November 20, 2020 that their removal has been stayed because of their potential participation in this investigation.\r\nImmediately create a clear and transparent process by which all women detained at ICDC who have reported or witnessed medical abuse at ICDC can identify themselves to federal investigators as witnesses.\r\nPublicly commit to interviewing all women who submit medical records and/or testimony that credibly alleges medical abuse.\r\nProvide certifications for each woman who has reported allegations of medical abuse suffered while detained in ICDC, has been the victim of qualifying criminal activity, and has been helpful to officials in the investigation of that criminal activity for purposes of a U visa. Those who still remain in the United States should be granted stays of removal, and released from detention pending their application for U nonimmigrant status being received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).\r\nThose who have been deported should be granted parole into the United States,[12] and likewise be permitted to reopen their removal orders while they pursue U nonimmigrant status.\r\nImmediately release every woman who has reported relevant allegations of medical abuse suffered while detained in ICDC, in anticipation of their receipt of U nonimmigrant status.\r\n \r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[9] John Washington & Jos Olivares, ICE Medical Misconduct Witness Slated for Deportation Is a U.S. Citizen, Says Lawyer, The Intercept (Nov. 2, 2020), https://theintercept.com/2020/11/02/ice-medical-misconduct-us-citizen-deportation/; Gianna Toboni, Ana Sebescen, & Nicole Bozorgmir, ICE Attempts to Deport Multiple Witnesses in Gynecologic Surgery Scandal, VICE (Nov. 5, 2020), https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgqq7p/ice-attempts-to-deport-multiple-witnesses-in-gynecologic-surgery-scandal.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[12] See id.  1182(d)(5).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-confederated-tribes-of-warm-springs-to-receive-350000-federal-grant-2020", "Wyden, Merkley: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to Receive $350,000 Federal Grant", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to Receive $350,000 Federal Grant \n\t\n\t\t Transportation resources will fund purchase of two transit vehicles \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, November 19, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announcedthe Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will receive a $350,000 federal grant to buy two transit vehicles that will provide service to work, schools, health care and other services.\r\n \r\nThe economic impact from COVID-19 has landed hard on Oregon's tribes, making it more crucial than ever to continue investments that provide infrastructure support during this crisis and afterward,Wyden said.I'm glad the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs secured these federal transportation resources, and I'll keep working on additional help with another key challenge facing this community -- dependable water infrastructure.\r\nGood public transportation is critical to put within reach of families all kinds of essential resources they need to stay healthy and thrive, from grocery stores and pharmacies to schools and jobs,said Merkley.I'm pleased that this funding is headed to the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to support the strengthening of the community's transit fleet,andIwill continue fighting for the resources, including water infrastructure investments and coronavirus support,to help tribal members not just get through these challenging times, but thrive.\r\n \r\nThe $350,000 Federal Transit Administration grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will helpthe Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to buy two transit vehicles that replace aging vehicles that are no longer useful.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/momentum", "Momentum", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon wouldn't be the same without independent restaurants. They contribute to vibrant neighborhoods, fuel our local economies by employing thousands of people, and support a diverse supply chain of producers.\nAt the beginning of the pandemic, I worked with local chefs and restaurateurs to write legislation that will save these restaurants and support the people whose livelihoods depend on them.\nWhat started as a local effort is now a national movement. Last night, the New York TimesEditorial Board published its strong support of my RESTAURANTS Act legislation. \nIf you haven't already read the editorial, you can click here to read it. \n\n\nWith winter coming, and new COVID-19 rules here in Oregon, local restaurants that are holding on by a thread will face even bigger challenges to survive.\nWe've been working on this effort for months. It has already passed the House and even has the support of the Administration and half the Senate. But now the need for relief has never been more urgent.\nMy hope is that we can get this done as soon as possible. In the meantime, let's support our favorite neighborhood restaurants in any way that we can during this difficult time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-thompson-panetta-lee-and-newhouse-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to", "DeFazio, Thompson, Panetta, Lee and Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Whip Program for 2020 Wildfires, Support Growers with Crops Damaged by Smoke Taint", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), along with original co-authors Mike Thompson (CA-05), Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04), announced the introduction of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.\nThis bipartisan bill reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires. The WHIP program offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including grape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint.\nOregon agriculture, including our world-renowned wine grape growers, produce some of best crops in the nation, said DeFazio. Tragically, many of these businesses experienced significant damage during September's wildfires, costing millions of dollars in losses. I'm proud to co-sponsor the WHIP+ bill to ensure these producers get the funding they need to rebuild and repair.\nOur district has again been hit hard by historically damaging wildfires this fire season. As we work to recover, we must support the small family farmers who are at risk of losing everything because their crops were damaged by smoke from the fires,said Thompson. That's why I am proud to introduce the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan bill activates the WHIP+ program for these 2020 fires and helpsthese growers hit hard by disasters. It will be a vital support system for producers, both in our district and up and down the West Coast, including our vibrant wine community. Know that I will continue working to ensure this bill is passed as soon as possible and to bring back every Federal dollar and resource to help our community rebuild.\nThis year, record-breaking wildfires wreaked havoc on many of our communities on the Central Coast of California. In addition to the structural damage, large swaths of our agriculture, including wine grapes, were tainted due to smoke exposure,said Panetta.WHIP+ historically has been a lifeline to producers who suffered this type of disaster. As it stands, unfortunately, the program does not cover 2020 losses. Our legislation, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, will ensure that wine grape growers, who suffered severe losses during this unprecedented wildfire year, are eligible for these crucial payments.\nThis was the worst wildfire season we have ever seen in California. Fires burned more than 4 million acres across the state, causing so much hardship on top of the COVID crisis and the economic collapse that we were already experiencing, Lee said. The damage to California farms from fire and smoke has been incalculable. We are the largest agricultural state in the nation, and the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act will help make sure that California farmers can access funds they need to stay in business and continue to feed the country.\nWildfires and smoke taint pose a great threat to Washington state's distinguished wine industry, a community that is already facing billions of dollars in losses. WHIP+ will help our winegrape growers recover from the damages of this year's catastrophic wildfires that ravaged the West, and it will ensure they can continue producing the high-quality Washington wines we are so proud of, said Newhouse.\nYou can click here to read the text of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. You can also click here to learn more about the WHIP+ program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/in-the-wake-of-the-boeing-737-max-tragedies-defazio-led-bipartisan", "In the Wake of the Boeing 737 MAX Tragedies, DeFazio-led Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen FAAs Certification Process and Improve the Aviation Regulatory System Passes House of Representatives", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The comprehensive bill, which was approved by the full Committee in September, includes nearly 30 provisions to strengthen the aircraft certification process, ensure transparency and accountability, address issues related to pilot training and cockpit automation, and lock in new requirements on the disclosure of safety-critical information", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-appointed-fy2021-ndaa-conference-committee", "Greg Walden Appointed to FY2021 NDAA Conference Committee", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2185 Rayburn House Office Building", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-calls-for-trump-administration-to-support-nationwide-capacity-for-shipping-handling-and-distribution-of-covid-19-vaccines-requiring-ultra-cold-storage", "Merkley Calls for Trump Administration to Support Nationwide Capacity for Shipping, Handling, and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Requiring Ultra-Cold Storage", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Calls for Trump Administration to Support Nationwide Capacity for Shipping, Handling, and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Requiring Ultra-Cold Storage \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, November 18, 2020\n\t\n\tOregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with 11 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in urging Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield to work with state, Tribal, territorial, and local stakeholders to identify gaps in ultra-cold storage capability, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and use existing authority to prevent supply shortages.\r\nThis information will be especially important in light of recent news that Pfizer/BioNTech may soon apply for Emergency Use Authorization for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which requires ultra-cold temperature storage capabilities that many providers currently lack. The absence of guidance and support from the federal government about how to secure cold chain integrity is a critical challenge for states working to craft and eventually implement their immunization programs.\r\nThe letter asks HHS and CDC to urgently provide additional information to help ensure that stakeholders nationwide can be prepared to distribute, store, and administer ultra-cold vaccines as soon as one is approved or authorized, which could be as soon as next month.\r\n \r\nWhile we understand that some logistical details may be unknowable at this time given that a vaccine has yet to be granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), it is alarming that the federal government has not provided more detailed guidance or additional resources to help state, territorial, and local governments understand the most likely mechanisms for distribution or requirements and recommendations for maintaining the cold chain, funding projections, or critical risks that should be addressed, the Senators wrote. This lack of guidance has severely hindered the ability of state, Tribal, territorial, and local public health officials to develop distribution plans and of individual clinics to prepare to accept, store, handle, and administer vaccines, and to share their comprehensive plans with CDC. Additionally, unknowns around cold chain storages issues add to the already difficult task of ensuring vaccination locations can schedule vaccine clinics to administer the doses quickly while also adhering to public health protocols like social distancing.\r\nThe Senators continued, writing, The time to get ahead of potential distribution issues and cold chain requirements is now. The federal government should be looking ahead to secure our supply chains and prepare to adequately transport and distribute whatever vaccine becomes available first. Communities around the country are still trying to compensate for the federal government's failure to secure adequate and sustainable supplies of personal protective equipment earlier this year and throughout the pandemic. That failure has had tragic results, and your agencies should be doing everything in your power to avoid such a fiasco with the distribution of a vaccine.\r\n \r\nIn anticipation of precisely these sorts of distribution bottlenecks, Merkley began pushing HHS in May for a detailed vaccine distribution plan. He followed up the initial push by demanding that the Trump administration develop a strategy that both recognizes and addresses the alarming racial disparities in rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.\r\nIn addition to Senator Merkley, Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) also signed the letter.\r\nA digital copy of the letter can be found here. The full text of the letter is below:\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Azar and Dr. Redfield:\r\nWe write to express concern about the lack of details regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health and Human Services' (HHS) plans for allocation, transportation, distribution, and storage of approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines. We are especially concerned about the logistics of distributing and storing vaccines that require ultra-cold storage, particularly in rural and remote areas.\r\nThe CDC's interim COVID-19 Playbook, published on September 16, 2020, provided initial guidance to state, territorial, and local public health programs and their partners for planning and operationalizing a vaccination response to COVID-19 within their jurisdictions. The Playbook also asked that states submit their distribution plans to the CDC within 30 days. According to the Playbook, it is expected that cold chain storage and handling requirements for COVID-19 vaccine products will range from refrigerated (2C to 8C) to frozen (-15 to -25C) to ultra-cold (-60C to -80C). Yet, jurisdictions were advised not to purchase ultra-cold storage equipment at this time.\r\nThe Playbook's lack of details prompted the National Governors Association (NGA) to send a list of additional questions to the agencies on October 18, 2020 covering a range of topics including funding for vaccine administration, allocation and supply chain, and communication and information requirements. Among the concerns raised by NGA is the need for more details on handling vaccines that should be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, including if states should purchase ultra-cold freezers and how the vaccines requiring ultra-cold storage can be redistributed. The NGA questions also cited a shortage of dry ice, which is currently being used to store vaccines during clinical trials, and asked about plans for redistribution of vaccines requiring ultra-cold storage. The answers received on November 5, 2020 noted that plans were still forthcoming regarding redistribution of vaccine, provided minimal details on ultra-cold storage requirements, and lacked critical details spelling out how the federal government will ensure states have the necessary equipment required for management of ultra-cold vaccines.\r\nWhile we understand that some logistical details may be unknowable at this time given that a vaccine has yet to be granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), it is alarming that the federal government has not provided more detailed guidance or additional resources to help state, territorial, and local governments understand the most likely mechanisms for distribution or requirements and recommendations for maintaining the cold chain, funding projections, or critical risks that should be addressed.\r\nThis lack of guidance has severely hindered the ability of state, Tribal, territorial, and local public health officials to develop distribution plans and of individual clinics to prepare to accept, store, handle, and administer vaccines, and to share their comprehensive plans with CDC. Additionally, unknowns around cold chain storage issues add to the already difficult task of ensuring vaccination locations can schedule vaccine clinics to administer the doses quickly while also adhering to public health protocols like social distancing.\r\nThe time to get ahead of potential distribution issues and cold chain requirements is now. The federal government should be looking ahead to secure our supply chains and prepare to adequately transport and distribute whatever vaccine becomes available first. Communities around the country are still trying to compensate for the federal government's failure to secure adequate and sustainable supplies of personal protective equipment earlier this year and throughout the pandemic. That failure has had tragic results, and your agencies should be doing everything in your power to avoid such a fiasco with the distribution of a vaccine.\r\nThese concerns are not hypothetical. Several leading vaccine candidates are expected to require cold or ultra-cold storage. For example, without adequate cold chain refrigeration mechanisms, deployment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which recently demonstrated a high level of efficacy in Phase 3 trials, would be severely limited, impacting not only the ability to transport the vaccine, but clinics' ability to store and administer the vaccine to patients as well.\r\nWe understand that Pfizer has made an investment in the design of a reusable container to keep the vaccine ultra-cold for up to 10 days. While that will be helpful to ensure initial delivery, our concerns lie with what is being done to enable this cold chain to be maintained beyond that point so that shipments may be unpacked and moved in smaller lots. Neglecting to invest in additional ultra-cold transportation and storage capabilities would necessitate that an ultra-cold vaccine could only be used in certain settings with proper storage equipment, further exacerbating the disparity of the pandemic among poor, rural, and marginalized communities.\r\nPut another way, we know a vaccine is coming. We know cold storage and transport capacity are likely necessary. We know that there is insufficient capacity nationwide. Therefore, we need the federal government to be planning ahead to ensure that our delivery networks, equipment procurement, supply chains, and other logistical capacities are secure and operational before the first vaccine is ready. Without such preparation, we can expect a tragic delay that may unnecessarily cost additional loss of life.\r\nWe urge the CDC and HHS to work with state, Tribal, territorial, and local stakeholders to identify gaps in ultra-cold storage capability, particularly in outlying and underserved communities, and then utilize all existing authorities to prevent shortages, including by coordinating with the Department of Defense (DoD) to leverage the Defense Production Act (DPA) to produce the supplies necessary to ensure ultra-cold storage capability. The federal government must use every tool at its disposal to guarantee the safe, timely, and effective delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is approved or authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration.\r\nTo ensure stakeholders nationwide can be prepared to distribute, store, and administer ultra-cold vaccine(s), we request responses to the following:\r\n1) Do state vaccination plans report on the number and location of health care providers that have ultra-cold storage capabilities?\r\n \r\nIf so, please characterize the types of provider locations that have ultra-cold storage capabilities, including the types of populations they serve (rural/urban, socioeconomic, and racial/ethnic demographic groups).\r\nIf not, do you plan to request this information in the future?\r\n \r\n2) Do you anticipate adequate supplies of dry ice to be able to serve nationwide demand if a vaccine requiring ultra-cold storage is authorized?\r\n \r\nIf so, please explain your rationale.\r\nIf not, please describe the steps your agencies will take to ensure adequate supplies.\r\n \r\n3) Besides dry ice, what additional supplies are needed and what protocols should be implemented to maintain the cold chain (and ultra-cold chain if required) and to properly handle cold or ultra-cold vaccines?\r\n4) What are critical risks that state, Tribal, territorial, and local health departments should plan for in advance of vaccine distribution?\r\n5) Reports indicate that CDC has advised health departments and providers to not purchase ultra-cold freezers, though many larger hospital systems and some state health departments have still chosen to invest in this equipment.\r\n \r\nPlease detail any guidance your agencies have provided to health care providers and state, Tribal, territorial, and local health departments about the purchase of ultra-cold freezers in preparation for vaccine distribution, particularly for storage and distribution in rural and underserved communities.\r\nDoes CDC have confidence that rural and remote settings without access to freezers will be able to safely and efficiently distribute a vaccine that must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures?\r\nPlease detail the agency's thinking in providing these recommendations, and any contingency planning if settings experience constraints due to a lack of freezer equipment.\r\n \r\n6) CDC has stated it is up to the states to coordinate the distribution of smaller dose packages for more rural communities.\r\n \r\nDoes CDC have confidence that all states will have the appropriate expertise, resources, and capacity to ensure that this occurs effectively? If so, please provide that analysis.\r\nWill CDC support this distribution including through resources, funding, and supplies if requested by a state, or if a state is determined to have inadequate capacity?\r\nHas the CDC communicated with vaccine developers, including Pfizer, about making changes to the package size of vaccine allotments, including guidance on breaking up packages or providing additional cold-storage supplies, to better support distribution to rural communities?\r\n \r\n7) In the beginning of the pandemic, due to the federal government's lack of leadership and guidance, states began procuring their own medical equipment, like ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), creating bidding wars between states and unnecessarily driving up the costs of these items. How will the administration use the DPA and/or other authorities to ensure all communities have access to the equipment required for cold and ultra-cold chain management, including for redistribution to rural and underserved communities?\r\nWe request a response addressing these concerns by no later than November 30, 2020, as well as a briefing by appropriate administration officials so that Members and staff can discuss cold chain and other distribution logistics. We look forward to your response.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-to-assume-100-percent-cost-share-for-wildfire-impacts-2020", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts \n\t\n\t\t Lawmakers' letter seeking more aid for debris removal, emergency protective measures comes as state's total disaster costs expected to exceed $1 billion \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 17, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C. Oregon's entire congressional delegation is urging theFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year.\r\nThe letter to FEMA from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader comes in support of a similar state cost-share request.\r\n \r\nAs you saw when you toured the state with us earlier this year, wildfires have utterly decimated communities across Oregon,the lawmakers wrote. Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Emergency Management predict that total disaster costs will ultimately total more than $1 billiona burden the state will be unable to shoulder in light of ongoing pandemic-related responses.\r\n \r\nThe letter noted the damage assessment from the 2020 fire season in Oregon now exceeds the regulatory threshold for FEMA to support an increased federal cost share from 75 percent to 100 percent and also that FEMA has regularly increased its cost share in past disasters.\r\n \r\nFEMA has authorized 90% cost share in more than 20 disasters since January 2017, including wildfires, and 100% cost share in 22 disasters during the same period,the Oregon lawmakers wrote.Indeed, the administration recently amended the Major Disaster Declaration for California to authorize 100% percent cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures.\r\n \r\nA copy of the entire letter ishere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-statement-on-klamath-dam-removal-2020", "Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Dam Removal", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Dam Removal \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 17, 2020\n\t\n\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley released the following statement on today's Klamath Dam announcement by Oregon and California:\r\n \r\nOregon and California have made the best of a bad situation forced upon the two states when FERC upset the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement dam removal process with an unexpected and unwelcome ruling last summer, said Wyden and Merkley. We're glad to see the states step up and all the parties that signed the Klamath settlement reach this agreement, and we look forward to seeing these dams come out just as soon as humanly possible.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/2000-month", "$2,000 a month", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We all know these are rough times. Whether you have been laid off or had your hours cut,chances are you know someone who has directly beenaffectedby the pandemic and theresponseto it.\n\nEarlier this year,Congress stepped up and provided some relief that was needed including a $1,200 direct cash paymentfor most Americans,as well as expandedand increasedunemploymentcompensation(even though it took the OregonEmployment Department an inexcusable amount of time to get that money into the hands of people whoneed it).\n\nDemocrats in Congress have tried multiple times to continue and expand these programs but were shot down by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.\n\nAs COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Oregon and across the country, causing restaurants, gyms, and other local businesses to shut down, additional relief for families and small businesses is urgent.\n\nCongress must once again come together to provideassistancetothose who are being impacted by ournecessaryfight against the virus.\n\nIn my opinion, the best way to provide that help is with a monthly direct cash payment of $2,000 a month forat leastthe next 6 months. This willhelp peoplemake ends meetuntil we have a vaccine and can start returning toa normal life.\n\nWe know thatthe earlier $1,200 helped peoplepay forgroceries, utilities, housing, and other essentialsas theywent through rough times. Making these payments on a limitedongoing basis willnot only help the broader economy but more importantly,it willhelp our people get throughawinterseasonthat will be extremely hard for many businesses that may no longer be able to operate outdoors.\n\nI have been working withformer presidential candidateAndrew Yang andmembers ofCongress to not only design this policybut make sure we analyze and use the data to explore a system of ongoing direct cash payments, which somecall Universal Basic Income (UBI).\n\nNo doubt we are in a crisis and it appears it will get worse before it gets better. My hope is that mycolleaguesagree and we can getassistanceto those who need it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-led-bill-to-reduce-financial-burdens-on-states-and-communities", "DeFazio-Led Bill to Reduce Financial Burdens on States and Communities Facing Disasters Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, including Wildfires and Hurricanes, Passes the House", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, legislation led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio to ease financial burdens on States, local, and tribal communities that have been granted Stafford Act Emergency and Major Disaster declarations this year, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020, passed the House of Representatives. \nThis year, Oregon is facing twin crisesthe COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic wildfires,said Chair DeFazio.As our state, local, and tribal governments see their public health and emergency management capacities stretched thin or exceededand as the tax base continues to be under enormous strainwe must ensure that they have the financial support needed to weather these crises. Decreasing the local disaster cost share for 2020 will save Oregon cities, counties and the State tens of millions of dollars. My legislation would help Oregon communities focus their limited resources on helping the victims of the recent wildfires and the frontline workers battling the pandemic.\nTypically, State, local, tribal, and territorial governments pick up 25 percent of the costs of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance, but, with their own response costs up and tax receipts down, it's critical these communities have the resources to respond to multiple crises, including wildfires in the West, hurricanes in the South, and the ongoing pandemic.\nTo watch Chair DeFazio's floor speech in support of H.R. 8266, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020, click here.\nAdditional Information:\nIn September 2020, the T&I Committee advanced several bills during a Full Committee markup, including the FEMA Assistance Relief Act to ease financial burdens on states and local governments during emergencies and major disasters. To learn more, click here.\nIn August 2020, Chair DeFazio joined Chair of the House Committee on Armed Services Adam Smith (D-WA) in leading 68 Members of Congress in pressing President Trump to immediately waive National Guard and FEMA cost-sharing requirements for all States and territories amid the national COVID-19 pandemic response. To read more, click here.\nIn May 2020, Chair DeFazio, along with several other Congressional leaders, introduced H.R. 6669, the COVID-19 Cost Share Adjustment Relief Act of 2020, legislation to ensure the Federal government pays 100 percent of the costs of COVID-19-related FEMA assistance under the emergency and major disaster declarations granted pursuant to the Stafford Act. The House passed this measure as part of the HEROES Act, which the Senate has failed to act on in over six months. To learn more, click here.\nIn March 2020, Chair DeFazio joined other Congressional leaders in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to, during the coronavirus pandemic, eliminate the 25 percent cost share that States typically are required to bear under Emergency and Major Disaster declarations. To read the letter, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/oregon-delegation-urges-fema-to-assume-100-percent-cost-share-for", "Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon's entire congressional delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year.\n\nThe letter to FEMA from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader comes in support of a similar state cost-share request.\n\nAs you saw when you toured the state with us earlier this year, wildfires have utterly decimated communities across Oregon, the lawmakers wrote. Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Emergency Management predict that total disaster costs will ultimately total more than $1 billiona burden the state will be unable to shoulder in light of ongoing pandemic-related responses. \n\nThe letter noted the damage assessment from the 2020 fire season in Oregon now exceeds the regulatory threshold for FEMA to support an increased federal cost share from 75 percent to 100 percent and also that FEMA has regularly increased its cost share in past disasters. \n\nFEMA has authorized 90% cost share in more than 20 disasters since January 2017, including wildfires, and 100% cost share in 22 disasters during the same period, the Oregon lawmakers wrote. Indeed, the administration recently amended the Major Disaster Declaration for California to authorize 100% percent cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures.\n\nA copy of the entire letter is here.\nA web version of this release is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-oregon-delegation-urge-fema-assume-100-percent-cost-share", "Greg Walden, Oregon Delegation Urge FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oregon's entire congressional delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year. The letter to FEMA from U.S. Reps. Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader and U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley comes in support of a similar state cost-share request. As you saw when you toured the state with us earlier this year, wildfires have utterly decimated communities across Oregon,the lawmakers wrote.Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Emergency Management predict that total disaster costs will ultimately total more than $1 billiona burden the state will be unable to shoulder in light of ongoing pandemic-related responses. The letter noted the damage assessment from the 2020 fire season in Oregon now exceeds the regulatory threshold for FEMA to support an increased federal cost share from 75 percent to 100 percent and also that FEMA has regularly increased its cost share in past disasters. FEMA has authorized 90% cost share in more than 20 disasters since January 2017, including wildfires, and 100% cost share in 22 disasters during the same period,the Oregon lawmakers wrote.Indeed, the administration recently amended the Major Disaster Declaration for California to authorize 100% percent cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures. A copy of the entire letter ishere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-colleagues-urge-administration-to-send-medical-staff-to-support-states-with-rise-in-coronavirus-infections-2020", "Merkley, Colleagues Urge Administration to Send Medical Staff to Support States with Rise in Coronavirus Infections", "2020-11-16", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Colleagues Urge Administration to Send Medical Staff to Support States with Rise in Coronavirus Infections \n\t\n\t\t Oregon is fighting to contain its largest spike in coronavirus infections yet \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 16, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined eight of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, urging the administration to address the unprecedented rise in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations by swiftly responding to state requests for additional medical staff.\r\nDuring the week of November 2 through November 8, Oregon recorded 5,177 new cases of COVIDup 46% from the previous week. Oregon also marked its third consecutive week of daily case counts with record high totals since the start of the pandemic. Since the beginning of this year, the pandemic has infected over 56,000 Oregoniansincluding Oregonians from each of the state's 36 countiesand claimed 761 lives.\r\n \r\nAs cases surge across the country, states require significantly more support to address pressing medical staffing shortages. If infection rates continue to rise as we enter the holiday season and people spend more time indoors, this pressing need for additional medical staff will become even more acute, the senators wrote.\r\nWe respectfully request that you take action to proactively extend the current federal support that FEMA and HHS are providing to states and swiftly send additional medical professionals to states that are experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, the senators continued.\r\n \r\nThe full text of the senators' letter can be found here and is available below.\r\n###\r\nDear Administrator Gaynor and Secretary Azar,\r\nWe write to express our concern about the rising rate of coronavirus infections in states across the nation and to respectfully request that you send additional health care professionals to states experiencing a surge in cases and a shortage of medical staff available to treat infected patients.\r\nMany states are experiencing an unprecedented rise in coronavirus cases, coupled with increasing hospitalization rates. Last week, the United States experienced a record-breaking number of new cases recorded in a single day, with more than 132,000 cases reported on November 6 alone.\r\nThe rapid increase in cases is not confined to any one part of the country23 states have recorded more cases in the past week than in any other seven-day period since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations due to coronavirus infection peaked in 16 states last Wednesday, and 20 states currently have over 1,000 patients hospitalized with coronavirus infections.\r\nThis surge in infections and hospitalizations is putting a strain on our already exhausted health care systems and essential care workers, who are not immune from the virus. These workers have been on the frontlines since the pandemic began and many have been infected with the virus or have been required to quarantine due to exposure to the virusresulting in serious health care staffing shortages across the nation. These pandemic-induced staffing shortages have shuttered clinics, emptied local health departments, and in some cases forced hospitals to ask workers exposed to the virus to continue working.\r\nWe appreciate the medical staffing support that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have already provided to states, which has been critical in helping these states treat infected patients during the pandemic. But as cases surge across the country, states require significantly more support to address pressing medical staffing shortages. If infection rates continue to rise as we enter the holiday season and people spend more time indoors, this pressing need for additional medical staff will become even more acute.\r\nTherefore, we respectfully request that you take action to proactively extend the current federal support that FEMA and HHS are providing to states and swiftly send additional medical professionals to states that are experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths.\r\nThank you for your time and attention to this important matter. We look forward to working with you to continue providing support for Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-urges-wildfire-victims-to-register-for-fema-assistance-ahead-of", "DeFazio Urges Wildfire Victims to Register for FEMA Assistance  Ahead of November 16 Deadline", "2020-11-13", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ahead of the November 16 deadline to apply for Individual Assistance, Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today urged victims of Oregon's recent wildfires to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).\nRegistration is open for those affected by wildfires in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn,and Marion counties until Monday, November 16.\nFEMA offers both home and business disaster assistance, which may include grants to helppay fortemporary housing, emergency home repairs for the primary residence, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses and medical expenses caused by thedisaster, along with other seriousdisaster-related expenses.\nDeFazio also encouraged individuals who have applied but had their applications rejected to continue working with FEMA to remedy their applications, as common errors such as misspellings can result in a rejection of otherwise eligible applications. The November 16 deadline does not apply to individuals who have already registered and are going through the appeals process with FEMA.\nWildfire victims can register by visitingwww.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or using theFEMA app.More information on why an application may have been rejected and how to use the appeals process can be found at https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/reasons-why-you-might-have-been-found-ineligible-fema.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-colleagues-call-on-trumps-justice-department-to-stop-plans-to-rebrand-purdue-pharma-as-a-public-benefit-corporation-2020", "Merkley, Colleagues Call on Trump\u2019s Justice Department to Stop Plans to Rebrand Purdue Pharma as a Public Benefit Corporation", "2020-11-11", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Colleagues Call on Trump's Justice Department to Stop Plans to Rebrand Purdue Pharma as a Public Benefit Corporation \n\t\n\t\t This is not justice for the families that have lost loved ones \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, November 11, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Following the settlement agreement announced between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Purdue Pharma (Purdue), Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and 14 of his colleagues are calling on Attorney General William Barr to stop his Department's plan to have Purdue's Oxycontin business transformed and preserved as a public trust or public benefit company. This proposal, first put forth by Purdue and the Sackler family, would make state and local governmentsincluding those that are currently suing Purdueowners of the very business that has devastated their communities.\r\n \r\nWe write to raise concerns about a key element of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) settlement agreement with Purdue Pharma (Purdue) announced on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. We ask that you defer court approval of the proposed agreement until the appropriate stakeholders have addressed public policy concerns associated with the agreement which all but requires Purdue to emerge from bankruptcy as a public benefit company (PBC), to function entirely in the public interest,' with proceeds directed toward State and local governments. This arrangement ignores the objections of many of the States themselves, who have no interest in owning or operating a company that has devastated their communities with dangerous opioids, and raises significant public policy concerns. wrote the senators in their letter. \r\n \r\nTwenty-five state Attorneys General, including Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, have already expressed their opposition, noting that, A business that killed thousands of Americans should not be associated with government. Purdue's opioid marketing campaign accelerated an opioid epidemic that has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives, and generated $35 billion in revenue for Purdue.\r\n \r\nThe senators continued, DOJ should not require the States, who are attempting to rectify the harm Purdue has done to their communities, to lead Purdue's public benefit repurposing' campaign and take part in an enterprise that has contributed to thousands of American deaths. Given that this plan originated with Purdue and its owners, the Sackler family, it is more likely that its transformation to a PBC will function as a rebranding opportunity for the company and the family's public image. This is not justice for the families that have lost loved ones. We therefore ask that you defer court approval of the proposed agreement until the appropriate stakeholders have addressed these public policy concerns. Such an arrangementrequiring States to own and operate a felonious company they are currently suingis a misuse of federal authority.\r\n \r\nMerkley was joined in sending the letter by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Tina Smith (D-MN).\r\nThe full letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-rubio-issue-joint-statement-slamming-the-ousting-of-pro-democracy-lawmakers-in-hong-kong-2020", "Merkley, Rubio Issue Joint Statement Slamming the Ousting of Pro-Democracy Lawmakers in Hong Kong", "2020-11-11", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Rubio Issue Joint Statement Slamming the Ousting of Pro-Democracy Lawmakers in Hong Kong \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, November 11, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators and Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Marco Rubio (R-FL)who serve as commissioner and cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)released the following joint statement today following the ousting of four pro-democracy lawmakers from the Hong Kong Legislative Council:\r\n \r\nDemocracy in Hong Kong is gasping for air. This morning, China's unelected and unaccountable National People's Congress Standing Committee took another grave step toward stripping the people of Hong Kong of their sacred rights and freedomsthis time by ousting Alvin Yeung, Kwok Ka-ki, Dennis Kwok, and Kenneth Leung from the city's Legislative Council. These lawmakers were duly elected by their constituents, but forced out of their positions by a new directive from Beijing that disqualifies any advocate or supporter of Hong Kong's autonomywhich Beijing promised to protectfrom holding elected office.\r\nIt is critical that the United States and all allies of freedom come together to recognize and condemn the undeniable and far reaching ramifications of this authoritarian powergrab, which has wiped out what little remained of Hong Kong's democratic political system and violates China'streatyobligations. We stand in solidarity with the unseated public servants, their 15 colleagues who have resigned in protest of today's crackdown, and all Hong Kongers who have stood up time and time again in the face of a brutal regime for the sake of their city and the values they hold dear. You are heard, seen, and supported around the worldand there will be consequences for Beijing's actions.\r\n \r\nSenators Merkley and Rubio have been consistent advocates for supporting freedom and democracy in Hong Kong, including by championing theHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Actand theHong Kong Safe Harbor Act. Last fall, Senator Merkley successfully passed legislation to ban the export of crowd control munitions to Hong Kong in an effort to help protect peaceful protesters during the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations. Earlier this year, Senator Merkley teamed up with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in a bipartisan effort to press the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for a strategy to protect human rights around the globe, including in Hong Kong, during the coronavirus pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-supreme-court-hears-california-v-texas-oral-arguments-merkley-warns-of-consequences-if-gop-convinces-court-to-overturn-the-aca-2020", "As Supreme Court Hears California v. Texas Oral Arguments, Merkley Warns Of Consequences if GOP Convinces Court to Overturn the ACA", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Supreme Court Hears California v. Texas Oral Arguments, Merkley Warns Of Consequences if GOP Convinces Court to Overturn the ACA \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 10, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today, as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the California v. Texas casethe lawsuit backed by Trump and Republican lawmakers to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare:\r\n \r\nRepeated attempts by Donald Trump and his allies in Congress to repeal the ACA through legislation have sparked national outrage and have failed every time. But instead of listening to the American people who have spoken out about the lifesaving benefits of the ACA, these extreme politicians instead are asking the courtsnow stacked with right-wing ideologue judgesto terminate the law. It would be disastrousespecially in the middle of deadly global pandemicfor the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the law for their health care.\r\nIf the court strikes down the ACA, Medicare beneficiaries will be left with higher bills, over 21 million people will lose their employer-sponsored health care, adults under the age of 26 will be kicked off their parents' insurance plan, and women will once again lose access to preventive services, including birth control, STD screenings, life-saving breast cancer screenings, HIV screenings, and Pap tests. More than 130 million Americans will lose protections for their pre-existing conditionsin addition to over 10 million Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 who now have a pre-existing condition. Hundreds of thousands of American who were recently laid-off or are unemployed due to the pandemic will no longer have access to Medicaid, a critical safety-net.\r\nThese are people living in each of our communities, in each state, in every corner of Americaand they're holding their breath as today's oral arguments begin and the fate of the ACA hangs in the balance. They're sick of pharmaceutical companies gouging them for the medicines they need to live. They're tired of the Trump administration's repeated attempts to rip away their health care and raise their premiums. And they're disgusted by politicians in Washington who talk about protecting pre-existing conditions while obsessively trying to shred those protections.\r\nThe American people have made their support for the ACA clear as dayincluding electing Joe Biden to be the next President of the United States. Let's bring America together to improve health care and shut down the damaging effort to destroy it.\r\n \r\nBackground: The ACA's impact on Oregonians:\r\n \r\nThe ACA protects more than 1.6 million Oregonians who have preexisting medical conditions from being denied coverage or charged higher premiums by insurers.\r\nThe ACA would also protect the 50,000+ Oregonians who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and now have a preexisting condition.\r\nIn 2020, more than 148,000 people signed up for coverage in Oregon through the marketplace.\r\nAs of May 2020, 911,412 Oregonians were enrolled in Medicaid and 129,435 Oregon children were enrolled in CHIP, totaling 1,040,847 total Medicaid and CHIP enrollment.\r\nAs of September 2018, 557,000 Oregonians were enrolled in Medicaid expansion.\r\nOregon's Medicaid program has increased by more than 100,000 members since March 2020 from the pandemic. About 60% of these adults are covered through the ACA's Medicaid expansion, and children covered by Medicaid account for about 25% of the growth.\r\nIn 2019, 100,366 marketplace enrollees received tax credits in Oregon.\r\nAn estimated 28,000 young adults in Oregon benefited from the ACA's dependent coverage to age 26 in 2016. Private coverage among Oregonians age 18 to 24 years old increased by 6.7 percent following this ACA provision.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-unveils-ag-bill-with-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-in-key-investments-policy-guidance-for-wide-variety-of-oregon-agriculture-priorities-2020", "Merkley Unveils Ag Bill with Tens of Millions of Dollars in Key Investments, Policy Guidance for Wide Variety of Oregon Agriculture Priorities", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Unveils Ag Bill with Tens of Millions of Dollars in Key Investments, Policy Guidance for Wide Variety of Oregon Agriculture Priorities  \n\t\n\t\t After turbulent year, Merkley won support in the Senate agriculture funding bill for family farms, rural housing, habitat restoration, and wildfire smoke recovery  \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 10, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkleywho serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on agriculturetoday announced that he has won support in the Senate agricultural spending billfor a wide variety of agriculture, housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities that will benefit Oregon's farms and families throughout the state. Merkley will now push for this bill to pass and be signed into law as Congress negotiates a spending package to avert a government shutdown in December.\r\n \r\nEvery year, I travel to each of Oregon's 36 counties to hear from each of Oregon's diverse communities about the issues that matter most to them, said Merkley, who co-authored today's bill. In every corner of our state, I've heard about the need for affordable housing and reliable, good paying jobsespecially as the coronavirus crisis' toll on our health and economy continues to deepen. I fought hard to ensure that those insights, and the specific ideas and priorities Oregonians have shared with me, would make it into this bill, so we can strengthen the vitality of our communities and keep delivering the world-class agricultural products Oregon is known for.\r\n \r\nMerkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.\r\nKey elements to benefit Oregonians that Merkley fought to include in today's bill are:\r\nWine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: This year's unprecedented wildfire season blanketed much of the state of Oregon with dense, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted Oregon's wine grape harvest. To better understand the challenges facing Oregon's wine growers, the bill includes $3.5 million for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities, building on $2 million secured the prior appropriations cycle.\r\nRural Housing: The bill includes $1.41 billion for rental assistance and $34 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent housing crisis facing Oregon's rural communities.\r\nRural Development: The bill protects funding for a number of USDA's Rural Development programs, including rural housing and business development programs which President Trump proposed eliminating. These programs make billions of dollars of investments in rural America every year.\r\nNational Scenic Area: The bill includes $2 million to help Oregon's rural communities promote economic development through the Oregon and Washington Investment Boards, rounding out a $10 million commitment that was authorized when the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was created.\r\nSoil Health: The bill includes $1.5 million for the establishment of a Soil Carbon Research Center at OSU focused on research into current and future dryland production practices to increase profitability and yield, conserve soil, enhance soil water storage, and promote sequestration of carbon for soil health.\r\nWater Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The bill includes a $30 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations in Oregon. Funding is included for irrigation districts that need to improve water efficiency and conservation or otherwise improve fish and wildlife habitat. This program is providing critical funding for the collaborative processes underway across the state working to conserve water and keep Oregon's family farms in business while improving the habitats of endangered species. Construction has begun on several key projects to address water resource interests in Central Oregon, including in Tumalo Irrigation District and Central Oregon Irrigation District, and funding announced today will allow further expansion.\r\nPacific Shellfish: The bill includes $3.5 million of federal funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the Pacific shellfish agricultural system. This research is critical to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate chaos on the health and economies of Oregon's coastal communities.\r\nWestern Rangeland Livestock: The bill includes $3 million for the establishment of a Western Rangeland Precision Livestock center to develop precision-based nutrition strategies for rangeland-based livestock, as well as technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and productivity of Western rangeland-based livestock and the rangeland ecosystem. This funding will be split among land grant universities in Oregon, Montana, and Wisconsin.\r\nAgricultural Research: The Agricultural Research Service received an increase of $84 million in funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the nation's agricultural systems. In addition, Merkley was able to secure funding for key Oregon agriculture research programs, including funding for research on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen plaguing the south coast. Other research funding victories include research for alfalfa, barley, tree fruits, pear, wheat, hops, hemp, apple, shellfish, small fruits, seaweed, floriculture, nurseries,and rangeland ecology.\r\nSummer EBT: The bill continues funding the Summer EBT program at $35 million. This program has provided much-needed nutrition for Oregon families during the summer months when schools are not in session.\r\nFood Corps: The bill provides an increase of $1 million for Food and Agriculture Service Learning. This program helps improve education resources for healthy eating especially among children.\r\nHemp: The bill provides $16.777 million to implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill allowing for the cultivation of commercial hemp, which can be used to make everything from cloth and rope to oil and soap. Hemp has already quickly become one of Oregon's leading cash crops, and many feel has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years witha fair and reasonable regulatory framework.\r\nIn addition, the bill directs the USDA to propose amendments to the agency's Interim Final Rule on hemp to ensure that any final rule is based on science and will ensure a fair and reasonable regulatory framework for commercial hemp producers. The bill also:\r\n \r\nExtends the 2014 hemp pilot program until 2022, providing hundreds of Oregon farmers clear operating guidelines as the USDA smooths out regulatory challenges;\r\nEncourages the USDA to study the usage and impact of energy and water in hemp cultivation and to make recommendations on best practices and standards;\r\nDirects the agency to establish and maintain a hemp germplasm repository for hemp breeding purposes;\r\nProvides $2 million for the agency to conduct regionally-driven research, development, and stakeholder engagement to improve understanding of how to effectively integrate hemp into existing agricultural cropping, processing, and marketing systems; and\r\nDirects the USDA to work with institutions under its jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp producers and businesses.\r\n \r\nThe next step for the bill is merging with a counterpart bill from the U.S. House of Representatives in order to be passed by both houses and signed into law.\r\n \r\nThe importance of investing in scientific research to help address some of the most pressing issues of our agriculture and food systems has never been greater, said Dr. Alan Sams, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. With Senator Jeff Merkley's leadership, the Senate Committee on Appropriation's FY2021 agriculture spending bill would strengthen OSU partnerships with USDA ARS across the state to find solutions to challenges facing Oregon's agricultural sectors, including new research investment in precision rangeland livestock production, dryland wheat soil systems, Pacific shellfish breeding, hemp production, and wine grapes impacted by wildfire smoke. These investments would help enhance agriculture's resiliency to changing climate conditions and I look forward to working with Senator Merkley, and the rest of the Oregon delegation, to secure these research investments in a final FY2021 spending package.\r\nA new Soil Carbon Research Center will provide Oregon wheat growers with valuable research to recognize and expand agricultural practices scientifically proven as a benefit to the economics of wheat farming and the environment,\" saidAmanda Hoey, CEO, Oregon Wheat Growers League. \"It will assure data specific to the regional differences in Oregon and will ultimately lead to increased profitability and crop yieldgood for our agricultural economy, our environmental stewardship, and our rural economies. We thank Senator Merkley for working to include this important funding for Oregon agriculture.\r\nThe continued dedication of Senator Merkley to find a way to bring needed access to capital for the Scenic Area is appreciated by all of us working towards a thriving Gorge economy, said Jessica Metta, Executive Director, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District.\r\nI really believe, based on science done so far, dry land farmers in the Pacific Northwest can be part of a solution for all of us, said Greg Goad, Pendleton wheat grower and familiar with the local agricultural research station. Preliminary work suggests systems may exist which can enhance carbon sequestering while simultaneously increasing soil health for the resilience of future generations of farm families, in the face of hotter, dryer growing conditions of the climate extremes. We want to be a bigger part of the solution; we just need the science to show us how. This $1.5 million in funds for a new Carbon Center will bring us closer to success, for all society's benefit.\r\nThe Global Hemp Innovation Center welcomes Senator Merkley's continued championing of American hemp, said Dr. Jay Noller, Director of the Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University. We are at a critical time for the newly emerging American hemp industry that depends on research for science-based decision-making to accelerate progress towards stable production and dependable markets. This funding will help ensure coordinated research is conducted between USDA agencies and leading land grant institutions such as Oregon State University to find the most sustainable ways to incorporate hemp into American agriculture.\r\nWater management solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment come from the rural communities that rely on efficient irrigation infrastructure, said Julie Davies O'Shea, Executive Director, Farmers Conservation Alliance. With the support in this bill, we can bring together local partnerships to address the demands that persistent droughts, declining fish populations, and an expanding population put on aging irrigation systems. Here, we don't see these challenges as a partisan issue, it's a matter of community. Working together, with this funding, we can create a more resilient agriculture system for generations to come.\r\n\"We applaud Senator Merkley for his outstanding leadership and support for domestic hemp production programs, said Courney Moran, President, Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association. We appreciate him listening to the needs of farmers and agribusiness owners and taking action to protect their interests. Securing an extension of the 2014 Farm Bill authorityuntil January 2021 will help farmers and state departmentsof agriculture transition smoothly to the 2018 Farm Bill and USDA program rules, saving farmers from an abrupt change in regulation mid-production season. We look forward to using this additional time to continue ourcollaboration with Congress and USDA for adoption of practical federal program rules that work for farmers in their fields nationwide and provide a framework that sets thecommercial hemp industry up for success. Additionally, allocating much-needed funding to USDA for implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill and targeted research and development efforts to integrate hemp into traditional agriculturalsystems will further establish hemp as a true agricultural commodity. The future of the hemp industry is bright with this support from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture!\r\nAs the threat of wildfires increase, understanding how smoke compounds affect wine grape quality has become critically important to our wineries and growers, said Alex Sokol Blosser, President, Oregon Winegrowers Association. Our industry drives significant economic activity and jobs in rural areas and we commend Senator Merkley for securing funding to study this issue impacting our viability.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-nearly-600000-in-federal-funding-for-partnership-including-sustainable-indoor-agriculture-research-center-in-oregon-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $600,000 in Federal Funding for Partnership Including Sustainable Indoor Agriculture Research Center in Oregon", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $600,000 in Federal Funding for Partnership Including Sustainable Indoor Agriculture Research Center in Oregon \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 10, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that nearly $600,000 in federal funds are headed to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and Oregon-based Resource Innovation Institute to support sustainable indoor agriculture research.\r\nThe funding is being administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, and will fund research into key performance indicators, baseline data, and facility level benchmarking for controlled environmental agricultural facilities. This research will result in critical data tools, in addition to a strategy to address barriers in energy conservation and energy-efficient technologies, to improve access to energy use data and best practices.\r\n \r\nAgricultural innovation has long played a key role in Oregon's rural economy, and has made countless contributions to our state for generations,said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. I'm pleased that this funding will help Oregonians keep us at the cutting edge of the newest technology in sustainableagriculture, and Iwill continue to partner with our state's researchers and farmers to make sure Oregon agriculture continues to thrive.\r\n\"Tackling the climate crisis head on through smart, sustainable farming practices is a must with both farmers and the environment standing to benefit,\" Wyden said. \"This welcomeinvestment in Oregon's farmers and researchers will further strengthenOregon's agriculture economy and bring us one stepcloser toa sustainable future.\"\r\n\"Resource Innovation Institute was born in Oregon in early 2016, and now, with this USDA backing, we will extend our mission to support producers with horticultural efficiency services in additional resource-intensive agriculturalmarkets throughout the United States,\" said Derek Smith, Executive Director of RII. We look forward to working in our home state with the support of Sen. Merkley, the coordination of the Northwest Power & Conservation Council, and the partnership of the Oregon Association of Nurseries and Portland-based Equilibrium Capital.\"\r\nThe nursery and greenhouse industry are innovators, and being responsible stewards of sustainable agricultural practices makes sense both practically, and also for businesses' bottom line, said Jeff Stone, Executive Director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries.We applaud Senators Merkley and Wyden for working for to get this funding to Oregon, which will help reduce barriers to energy efficiency.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-cannabis-caucus-co-chairs-urge-colleagues-pass-federal", "Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Urge Colleagues to Pass Federal Cannabis Reform Following Sweeping Ballot Measure Victories", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, sent a letter to their House colleagues urging strong support of comprehensive federal cannabis reform legislation that will be voted on this year.\nThe letter comes after resounding victories last week in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota and Mississippi, where voters approved a series of cannabis ballot measures. Cannabis will now be legalized for adult use in 15 states and medical use in 36 states.\nOne of the biggest winners of the 2020 election was cannabis reform. Americans in five very different states voted overwhelmingly to liberalize their cannabis policies, and it is clearer than ever that the American people are demanding a change to outdated cannabis laws, Blumenauer and Lee wrote. There's no question: cannabis prohibition will end soon. We should lead the way by passing H.R.3884 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.\nYesterday, House leadership asserted that the MORE Act  landmark legislation to remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act and enact restorative justice for communities of color most impacted by the failed cannabis prohibition  would receive a vote on the House floor next month, which Blumenauer and Lee are urging their colleagues to support.\nThe recent success of cannabis reform in states around the country should give us a new sense of urgency to ensure Congress catches up with the American people, Blumenauer and Lee added. This is a critical issue of racial justice, and the failed war on drugs has devastated communities of color, especially Black and brown communities. We can no longer ignore our duty to repair the damage that this harmful form of systemic racism has done.\nA PDF copy of the letter sent today by Blumenauer and Lee is available here.\nFollowing is the full text:\nDear Colleague: \nOne of the biggest winners of the 2020 election was cannabis reform. Americans in five very different states voted overwhelmingly to liberalize their cannabis policies and it is clearer than ever that the American people are demanding a change to outdated cannabis laws. There's no question: cannabis prohibition will end soon. We should lead the way by passing H.R.3884 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. \nLast week's results reaffirm the strong bipartisan support to reform our failed cannabis prohibition. Even in states where Republicans easily swept elections, like in Mississippi and South Dakota, cannabis-related ballot measures passed with strong support. The success in Arizona, Montana, Mississippi, New Jersey and South Dakota means that cannabis will be legal for adult use in 15 states and medical use in 36 states. More than 109 million people will live in states where cannabis is legal for adults to use, that is more than one in three Americans. In total, almost 99% of Americans will live in states with some form of legal cannabis. We cannot ignore the will of the people any longer.  \nThis comes as no surprisenational support for federal cannabis legalization is at an all-time high, and trends show that support will continue to grow. Polling from the Pew Research Center shows that 67% of registered voters think the use of cannabis should be made legal, and the Center for American Progress found that 73% support expunging the records of those previously convicted of cannabis-related offenses. This finding is confirmed by the fact that in the last three elections, 16 of the 18 pro-cannabis reform ballot initiatives were successfuleven in places like Utah and Mississippi. \nThis past election further demonstrated that cannabis reform is popular, non-partisan, and the just thing to do as states have also made clear their commitment to restorative justice. Montana, which ranks first in the country for having the largest racial disparities for cannabis arrests will allow an individual currently serving a sentence for a prior low-level cannabis offense to apply for resentencing or an expungement of the conviction. \nThe recent success of cannabis reform in states around the country should give us a new sense of urgency to ensure Congress catches up with the American people. This is a critical issue of racial justice, and the failed war on drugs has devastated communities of color, especially Black and Brown communities. We can no longer ignore our duty to repair the damage that this harmful form of systemic racism has done.\nThe House was poised to vote on the MORE Act, the most comprehensive federal cannabis reform legislation we've ever seen, back in September. As the House kept our focus on providing struggling Americans with relief from COVID-19, we received commitment from our Caucus leadership that Congress would take steps to end the failed war on drugs by voting on the MORE Act before the year was over.  \nWe have an opportunity and duty to correct course now. As we head into the lame-duck session, we must remember the promise we made to the American people to pass the MORE Act. \nThank you for your urgency.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-applauds-biden-victory-calls-for-americans-to-keep-up-the-fight-to-help-working-families-and-revive-american-democracy-2020", "Merkley Applauds Biden Victory, Calls for Americans to Keep Up the Fight to Help Working Families and Revive American Democracy", "2020-11-07", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley Applauds Biden Victory, Calls for Americans to Keep Up the Fight to Help Working Families and Revive American Democracy  \n\t\n\t\n\tSaturday, November 7, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after former Vice President Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in the presidential race:\r\n \r\nAmerican voters have rendered their judgment: Donald Trump, you're fired!\r\nPresident Trump failed our nation in many ways. He failed to lead a national response to COVID-19, neglecting to initiate a plan for the PPE, testing, tracing, and social distancing that would have saved a hundred thousand American lives.\r\nTrump failed to build a better health care system, promising but failing to end the gouging of Americans on drug prices while working to destroy insurance for 20 million Americans and the health care bill of rights that includes coverage of pre-existing conditions.\r\nTrump failed us by promoting hate and racism, dividing rather than uniting Americans. Black lives do matter! All people are created equal regardless of who they are, where they come from, or whom they love.\r\nTrump failed us on affordable housing, on a quality education for all children, on a fair tax system, on equality of opportunity, and on tackling the climate chaos ravaging our nation and planet.\r\nTrump failed our country on the most basic test of human decency, by deliberately harming refugee children seeking a better life, ripping them out of their parents' arms.\r\nAnd Trump failed us by assaulting the checks and balances of our Constitution, the rule of law, and the integrity of our electionsthe foundation of our democratic republic. Our foreign adversaries have not and could not level as damaging an attack on our nation's institutions as Donald Trump has done from the Oval Office.\r\nTrump's failures have left us with many challenges. Together, as a nation, we must work with great urgency to change course and create a better future for working families. I look forward to working with President-elect Biden and his administration to put America back on track.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/merkley-wyden-announce-32m-in-federal-investments", "Merkley, Wyden announce $3.2M in federal investments", "2020-11-06", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden announce $3.2M in federal investments \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFriday, November 6, 2020\r\n\r\n\t\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Thursday, Nov. 5, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development is allocating $3.2 million among 15 agricultural producers in Oregon, helping businesses develop and market new products.\r\nAgricultural innovation has long played an essential role to the vitality of rural economies throughout our state, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA. I'm pleased that these investments are headed to Oregon to help grow the small businesses and farms that continue to be trailblazers in producing the sustainable and creative products we're known for. Especially as we continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, I will continue to look for every available opportunity to support our agricultural producers as they create more jobs, expand their operations, and find new markets.\r\nA strong quality of life in rural Oregon depends on continuing to invest in these innovative agricultural businesses that generate good jobs and world-class products in every nook and cranny of our state, Wyden said. Those investments are especially vital during this pandemic to help farms and small businesses statewide weather this economic storm, and I'm glad these signature Oregon enterprises have secured these federal resources. This is good news for these businesses and I am committed to finding and funding more winning investments throughout Oregon.\r\nThe funding awardees are as follows:\r\n Friends Farm, LLCor the Deck Family Farmin Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its marketing and scale of pasture-raised poultry.\r\n Chalice Vineyards LLC in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its sustainably produced wine.\r\n Mt. Hood Forest Products LLC will receive $250,000 in Hood River County to expand its processing, marketing, and sales of specialty dimensional lumber.\r\n Uproot Meats LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its meat production and customer base.\r\n Sunshine Mountain Vineyards LLC in Wasco County will receive $250,000 to expand its customer base.\r\n Tillamook County Creamery Associationin Tillamook County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its cheese and ice cream products into the Singapore market.\r\n Whistling Duck Farm LLC in Josephine County will receive $250,000 to increase its marketing of fermented vegetable products.\r\n Territorial Vineyards in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production and wholesale distribution.\r\n B&B Organics LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production, marketing, and sales.\r\n District Row LLC in Marion County will receive $247,250 to expand its wine sales.\r\n Scott Henry's Winery Corp. in Douglas County will receive $244,000 to expand its retail and direct-to-customer wines.\r\n Kitamura Farms Inc. in Malheur County will receive $235,725 to expand its sale of specialty brined and pickled onions.\r\n Thompson Creek Organics in Jackson County will receive $100,000 to produce and market a new hard cider.\r\n Firebird Farms LLC in Jackson County will receive $150,429 to expand its sale of artisan yak charcuterie.\r\n Sokol Blosser Winery in Yamhill County will receive $49,500 to expand the customer base for its organic, sustainably-crafted wines.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/media/statements/bonamici-statement-portland-protests", "Bonamici Statement on Portland Protests", "2020-11-06", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The right to protest is fundamental to American democracy. Protest has been at the heart of movements for social and racial justice throughout this country's history. Protest is essential and effective. It unites people seeking justice, brings attention to pressing moral issues, and can hold elected officials accountable.\nBut senseless property damage is counterproductive and does not advance any message or movement. By damaging a place of worship that supports homeless people, the home of a policymaker, or small businesses that are already struggling, a small group in Portland is undermining decades of hard work toward justice. The nightly property destruction needs to stop so we can focus on the urgent work of ending police violence and racism.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://defazio.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/defazio-pushes-fema-administrator-peter-gaynor-to-support-direct-housing", "DeFazio Pushes FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor to Support Direct Housing Mission in Lane County", "2020-11-06", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Peter DeFazio", "D000191", "defazio.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "More than a month after the State of Oregon requestedthe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approve aDirectHousingMission in Lane County,Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today wrote to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynorpushing FEMA to approve the state's requestfollowing September's devastating wildfires.\n579 housing unitswere lost in September's Holiday Farm Fire, and impacted Lane County residents are still awaiting stable housing arrangements.\nIn the letter, DeFazio wrote, The holiday season is now upon us with Thanksgiving fewer than three weeks away and the return to normalcy feels further away now than it did a month ago. FEMA has been able to approve temporary housing missions in three counties so far with no action in Lane County. It is beyond time for FEMA to approve the State's request for a temporary housing mission in Lane County.\n  InOctober, the Oregon delegationwrote to the FEMA Administratorurging support for aDirectHousing Mission in Lane County. While FEMA has approved similar missions inJackson, Linn and MarionCounties, the request for Lane County is still pending.A Direct Housing Mission allows FEMA to procure housing options including mobile homes and trailers for disaster survivors who have been displaced as a result of a major disaster.\nFor a PDF version of the letter,click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-32-million-in-federal-investments-to-help-agricultural-producers-in-oregon-develop-market-new-innovations-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.2 Million in Federal Investments to Help Agricultural Producers in Oregon Develop, Market New Innovations", "2020-11-05", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.2 Million in Federal Investments to Help Agricultural Producers in Oregon Develop, Market New Innovations \n\t\n\t\t Funding is headed to 15 businesses \n\t\n\t\n\tThursday, November 5, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development is allocating $3.2 million among 15 agricultural producers in Oregon, helping businesses develop and market new products.\r\n \r\nAgricultural innovation has long played an essential role to the vitality of rural economies throughout our state, said Merkley, who servesas the top Democraton the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the USDA.I'm pleased that these investments are headed to Oregon to help grow the small businesses and farms that continue to be trailblazers in producing the sustainable and creative products we're known for. Especially as we continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, I will continue to look for every available opportunity to support our agricultural producers as they create more jobs, expand their operations, and find new markets.\r\nA strong quality of life in rural Oregon depends on continuing to invest in these innovative agricultural businesses that generate good jobs and world-class products in every nook and cranny of our state, Wyden said. Those investments are especially vital during this pandemic to help farms and small businesses statewide weather this economic storm, and I'm glad these signature Oregon enterprises have secured these federal resources. This is good news for these businesses and I am committed to finding and funding more winning investments throughout Oregon.\r\n \r\nThe funding awardees are as follows:\r\n \r\nFriends Farm, LLCor the Deck Family Farmin Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its marketing and scale of pasture-raised poultry.\r\nChalice Vineyards LLC in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its sustainably produced wine.\r\nMt. Hood Forest Products LLC will receive $250,000 in Hood River County to expand its processing, marketing, and sales of specialty dimensional lumber.\r\nUproot Meats LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its meat production and customer base.\r\nSunshine Mountain Vineyards LLC in Wasco County will receive $250,000 to expand its customer base.\r\nTillamook County Creamery Association in Tillamook County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its cheese and ice cream products into the Singapore market.\r\nWhistling Duck Farm LLC in Josephine County will receive $250,000 to increase its marketing of fermented vegetable products.\r\nTerritorial Vineyards in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production and wholesale distribution.\r\nB&B Organics LLC in Jackson County will receive $250,000 to expand its wine production, marketing, and sales.\r\nDistrict Row LLC in Marion County will receive $247,250 to expand its wine sales.\r\nScott Henry's Winery Corp. in Douglas County will receive $244,000 to expand its retail and direct-to-customer wines.\r\nKitamura Farms Inc. in Malheur County will receive $235,725 to expand its sale of specialty brined and pickled onions.\r\nThompson Creek Organics in Jackson County will receive $100,000 to produce and market a new hard cider.\r\nFirebird Farms LLC in Jackson County will receive $150,429 to expand its sale of artisan yak charcuterie.\r\nSokol Blosser Winery in Yamhill County will receive $49,500 to expand the customer base for its organic, sustainably-crafted wines.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-nation-awaits-presidential-election-results-merkley-calls-for-every-vote-to-be-counted-2020", "As Nation Awaits Presidential Election Results, Merkley Calls for Every Vote to Be Counted", "2020-11-04", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Nation Awaits Presidential Election Results, Merkley Calls for Every Vote to Be Counted \n\t\n\t\n\tWednesday, November 4, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement as the nation awaits the final results of the presidential race:\r\n \r\nAs impatient as we all are to know the results of this election, of first and most importance is that every vote is counted. Americans' voices must be heard. Americans should know that, right now, the system is working as intended, and elections officials across the country are working hard to ensure that the final result accurately represents the will of voters.\r\nWhile this experience may be new to many of our friends and neighbors across America, in Oregon, we're used to being patient for our election results. Oregon has voted by mail for over two decades, with a system that is highly popular, secure, and has great integrity. When I was first elected to the Senate in 2008, it took several days for the ballots to be counted and the result to be announced. In due time, though, the count came in and the will of the voters was clear. All Americans should ready themselves for a similar process today, and know that this is normal and expected in an election with massive turnout in which many more voters than ever before cast their ballots by mail. It's also important for Americans to know that it is normal in these circumstancesespecially this year, when the president spent months disparaging vote-by-mail to his supportersfor the late-counted mail-in ballots to trend differently from earlier ballots. Based on everything we know right now about the remaining ballots in key states, it appears likely that Vice President Biden is on track to be the rightful winner.\r\nI urge every election official, public leader, and media outlet across the nation to respect our democratic process and encourage patience while results come in. The right to vote is our most fundamental sacred right in our We the People' system of governance. President Trump's attack on validly cast ballots and his attempt to declare a winner before all the votes are counted are blows that strike at the very core of our democratic republic. Count every vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/media/statements/bonamici-statement-withdrawal-paris-climate-agreement", "Bonamici Statement on Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement", "2020-11-04", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For the past four years, the Trump Administration has demonstrated a consistent and coordinated attack on climate science that increases risk to our planet and most vulnerable communities. The climate crisis is an existential threat and a national emergency, yet today, because of Donald Trump's actions, the United States officially exited from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement. This decision is reprehensible, and demonstrates a gross failure of leadership that will continue to harm our country and the planet.\n\nAlthough the withdrawal is now official, there is still hope. Earlier this year, I joined several of my colleagues on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in releasing a bold, comprehensive, science-based Climate Action Plan to set our nation on a path to reach net-zero emissions no later than mid-century and net-negative thereafter.\n\nAnd even though the Trump administration announced its intent to withdraw from this historic agreement, leaders in Oregon and across our country have continued to take ambitious steps to address the climate crisis. I joined Speaker Pelosi at the COP25 in Madrid to demonstrate to the world that the United States should not give up its seat at the table when this issue affects the entire world. Additionally the House passed the Climate Action Now Act, which would keep the U.S in the Paris Agreement and develop a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.\n\nAs a Member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I will continue fighting for comprehensive policies to reduce emissions, accelerate our transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, create good-paying jobs, support frontline communities, and build more resilient communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-3-million-energy-investment-in-umatilla-county-2020", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3 Million Energy Investment in Umatilla County", "2020-11-03", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden Announce $3 Million Energy Investment in Umatilla County \n\t\n\t\n\tTuesday, November 3, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperation Association has received a $3 million federal loan to finance major energy efficiency upgrades that will reduce energy waste and cut costs for residents of Umatilla County.\r\nThe 20 year loan is being administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)a program designed by Senator Merkley to allow rural electric co-ops to offer their customers low-interest loans to provide affordable financing for energy efficiency improvements. Customers then pay back the loans through the savings on their electric bills.\r\n \r\nThroughout this year, the coronavirus crisis has claimed Oregonians' lives and livelihoodsupending every aspect of our lives, said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the USDA. Now is the time to do all that we can to build a road to recovery, and that road must include the state-of-the-art infrastructure investments our rural communities need to access essential utilities, cut costs, and thrive. I'm pleased that this loan will help pave that road, and will continue to fight for more of these investments for rural areas in every corner of our state.\r\nWhen I was in Pendleton last month, I heard both during my online town hall and in a meeting with local economic development officials how COVID-19 and the February floods have combined in 2020 to wallop Eastern Oregon, Wyden said. Smart investments like this loan for the Umatilla Electric Cooperative to help low-income customers make their homes more affordable to heat this winter are a must for rural Oregonians to weather this economic storm, and I'll keep battling for communities throughout our state to secure resources like this so they too can be helped in their recovery.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-gillibrand-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-put-politics-aside-end-plans-to-withhold-funding-for-critical-transportation-projects-2020", "Merkley, Gillibrand, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Put Politics Aside, End Plans to Withhold Funding for Critical Transportation Projects", "2020-11-02", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Gillibrand, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Put Politics Aside, End Plans to Withhold Funding for Critical Transportation Projects  \n\t\n\t\t Administration plotting to withhold funding to punish cities where residents have protested the administration \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 2, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today led Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) in pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that Democratic-leaning cities will not be excluded from federal funding for transportation projects as a form of political vengeance. President Trump and Attorney General Barr have threatened to withhold federal funding as part of a politically-motivated scheme to punish Americans in Democratic-leaning cities where residents have been protesting for racial justice.\r\nThe Trump administration's threats were outlined in a September 2, 2020 memorandum that targeted Portland, Oregon; Seattle; New York City; and Washington, D.C. for retribution to advance the administration's goal of cracking down on areas where Americans have exercised their constitutional right to protest systemic racism.\r\n \r\nTying federal funds for local transit agencies to an arbitrary definition of anarchist jurisdictions' is of questionable legality and an appalling abuse of power, particularly in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic recession,the senators wrote in their letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit transit agencies particularly hard, and many face dire financial circumstances. We are disturbed by the DOT's decision to potentially disqualify major American cities, including the home of the nation's largest transit agency, from federal funding during this unprecedented time.\r\n \r\nTo ensure that critical funding for critical transportation programs are delivered, the senators are requested that DOT explain whether thepresident's September 2, 2020 memorandum will influence any DOT decisions regarding the granting or withholding of Federal Transit Administration funds, and whether the DOT plans to implement thepresident's memorandum in any form.\r\nAdditionally, the senators requested any internal memoranda, e-mails, directives, or communications explaining how DOT offices should implement the President's September 2, 2020 memorandum and subsequent OMB guidance, as well as a list of all DOT funding opportunities that will be affected by this policy\r\nA copy of the senators' letter follows below.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nNovember 2, 2020\r\nMadame Secretary:\r\nOn October 8, 2020, the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) alerting local governments and transit agencies of the availability of the Public Transportation COVID19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. We write in strong opposition to the inclusion in the NOFO of language stating that the Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice in accordance with the President's September 2, 2020 memorandum, entitled Memorandum on Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds that Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities.[1]\r\nPresident Trump announced this policy on September 2, 2020 to ensure that Federal funds are neither unduly wasted nor spent in a manner that directly violates our Government's promise to protect life, liberty, and property. The policy further stated that it is imperative that the Federal Government review the use of Federal funds by jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America's cities. In a September 21, 2020 memorandum, the White House directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the United States Department of Justice to review federal funding to state and local governments. This memorandum specifically targets Portland, OR; New York City, NY; and Seattle, WA. The October 8 NOFO notes that FTA will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to the White House memorandum.\r\nTying federal funds for local transit agencies to an arbitrary definition of anarchist jurisdictions is of questionable legality and an appalling abuse of power, particularly in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic recession. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit transit agencies particularly hard, and many face dire financial circumstances. We are disturbed by the DOT's decision to potentially disqualify major American cities, including the home of the nation's largest transit agency, from federal funding during this unprecedented time.\r\nWe fear that this NOFO is simply the first public announcement of DOT's implementation of President Trump's politically-motivated memorandum. As such, we respectfully request the following information from your agency:\r\n \r\nWill the President's September 2, 2020 memorandum influence any DOT decisions regarding the granting or withholding of FTA funds to the above-named cities?\r\n  \r\nHow does DOT plan to implement the President's memorandum?\r\n \r\nAdditionally, we respectfully request any internal memoranda, e-mails, directives, or communications explaining how DOT offices should implement the President's September 2, 2020 memorandum and subsequent OMB guidance, as well as a list of all DOT funding opportunities that will be affected by this policy.\r\nThank you for your consideration of this matter. We look forward to your prompt response.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-walden-announce-official-signing-of-critical-fix-to-help-klamath-irrigators-2020", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce Official Signing of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators", "2020-11-02", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Jeff Merkley", "M001176", "www.merkley.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce Official Signing of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators \n\t\n\t\t The technical correction to the Water Resources Development Act gives basin irrigators access to up to $10 million in drought relief \n\t\n\t\n\tMonday, November 2, 2020\n\t\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representative Greg Walden (R-OR-2), today announced that a critically needed fix to the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)which will provide relief to Klamath Basin irrigators who have been hard-hit by droughthas been signed into law.\r\n \r\nBetween this year's unprecedented wildfires, a severe drought, and the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus crisisthis has been a difficult time for the Klamath Basin, Merkley said. But through it all, irrigators have consistently come together to work collaboratively with one another to make headway with longstanding water challenges that have only become more complicated during this particularly difficult season. I'm pleased that this correction will allow farmers to swiftly access much-needed resources, so we can continue working toward long-term solutions to support the region's water needs for generations to come.\r\nOregonians don't shrink from challenges  we work together to find solutions that work for everybody, Wyden said. That Oregon Way approach guided this legislation freeing up resources for Klamath Basin farmers and ranchers to take a good step forward in this tough year of drought, wildfires and the coronavirus' economic fallout toward a long-term resolution to longstanding water supply challenges.\r\n\"This is welcome news for irrigators in the Klamath Basin, who are enduring another drought-stricken year, unprecedented wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic all at the same time, Walden said. This legislation will ensure they have the tools they need to get through these hard times as well as prepare irrigators in the Klamath Basin if they are hit with severe drought in the years ahead. I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing this bill into law and taking care of the hardworking farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin.\r\n \r\nMerkley used his seat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to include the language in the Senate's Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization. With WRDA stalled, Merkley pivoted and introduced the language with Wyden as a stand-alone bill, which was passed by the Senate in July. Walden introduced companion legislation in the House, which passed in October.\r\nThe original language authorized up to $10 million a year for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to work with the farming and ranching community to develop and implement strategies to align water demand with available supply. This technical correction clarifies the authority for irrigators to access the funds for strategies such as land idling and groundwater pumping in times of drought.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-democrats-rebuke-devos-over-racial-policies", "House Democrats Rebuke DeVos Over Racial Policies", "2020-11-02", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Such actions not only threaten to exacerbate existing structures of racism in the education system and broader society, but also infringe on an ideal the Department regularly invokes -- free speech, wrote Education and Labor Committee chairman Bobby Scott and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, chair of the panel's civil rights and human services subcommittee. It is also inappropriate for the department to wield its oversight powers to limit free and open discourse, even if leadership at the department does not agree with that discourse, wrote Scott, of Virginia, and Bonamici, of Oregon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 255, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "OR", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 235, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 20, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 255, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=OR&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "OR", "label": "OR", "count": 255, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 255, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-11-02,https~3A~2F~2Fbonamici~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fin-the-news~2Fhouse-democrats-rebuke-devos-over-racial-policies", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=OR&year=2020&_next=2020-11-02%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fbonamici~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fin-the-news~2Fhouse-democrats-rebuke-devos-over-racial-policies&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 210.5191950686276, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}