Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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255 rows where chamber = "Senate", state = "OR" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| 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 | 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 feed… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Schrader Issued the Following Statement f t # e Washington, December 28, 2020 For Immediate Release December 28th, 2020 Contact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711 WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) issued the followingstatement today: This 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’s Waterways and Ports | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Wins for Everyone who Relies on Oregon's Waterways and Ports After last-minute legislative push, bill will increase funding to nearly all Oregon ports Wednesday, December 23, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. As 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. Much 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. The 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. The 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 provid… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Rural Communities Included in Spending Bill Merkley co-authored agriculture spending bill included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress Tuesday, December 22, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. In 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. Building 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. Merkley 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. Key elements to benefit Oregonians in the … | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in Oregon Communities Included in Spending Package The fiscal year 2021 omnibus bill passed by Congress includes investments in natural resources, small ports, transportation, housing, and more Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Washington, 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. Taken 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. 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, 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. Oregonians 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 … | 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 | 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. This 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. With 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. By 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. To 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 | 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. The 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. Even 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. This 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 Judici… | 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 | legacy | For Immediate Release December 21, 2020 Contact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711 Rep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief and 2021 Spending Bill WASHINGTON, 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. As 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. This bill has many far-reaching benefits for families and communities across Oregon. It includes: 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 Improved broadband access for rural communities: $730 million in the expansion of broadband service to provide economic development opportunities and improve… | 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’s 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 | legacy | Following Trump Team's Unprecedented Corruption, Merkley, Warren, Markey Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Set New, High Ethical Standard Monday, December 21, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. 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 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. Specific recommendations from the senators include padlocking the revolving door between special interests a… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Colleagues Push 22 Financial Services Companies to Prioritize American Health, Safety, Economic Security by Not Insuring Arctic Drilling Monday, December 21, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. 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, the lawmakers wrote. In 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. Oil 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 reput… | 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 | 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. While 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. The 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. Blumenauer stressed that hisRESTAURANTS Actis still urgently needed to keep the majority of local, independent restaurants from going out of business. For 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 defici… | 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 | 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. This 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. The legislation includes: Funding for additional stimulus payments of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples; $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; $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); Over $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 i… | 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 | 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. While 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. As Chair, DeFazio secured a number of key provisions in the legislation, including: The 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 pu… | 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 | legacy | Merkley Announces Deal on Long-Overdue Coronavirus Relief Bill The senator noted that it falls far short of Americans' need, vows to continue pushing for additional relief Sunday, December 20, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. This 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. After 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. The 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 bi… | 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 | legacy | Merkley Welcomes Appointment of Environmental Justice Champions to Key Positions Saturday, December 19, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: Our 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. Representative 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… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Sasse Unveil Urgently Needed Legislation to Crack Down on Online Sexual Exploitation Friday, December 18, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. The 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. Human 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. The 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. Platforms would be required to create an expedited system in which victims can get videos delet… | 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’s Small Food Processors | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | Merkley, Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America's Small Food Processors Friday, December 18, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. Dedicated 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. The 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. The 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 … | 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 | legacy | As Coronavirus Surges, Merkley, Underwood Propose Agenda to Support Nurses Fighting on the Frontlines Outlines key priorities for future COVID-19 relief legislation, President-elect Biden, and Congress Thursday, December 17, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. As 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. Applauding 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. With 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. The value of their contributions to our public health will only become more critical as the nation continues to gra… | 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 | 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 … | 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 | 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 Reporting revealed the Trump Administration turned down an option this summer to pre-order additional doses Pfizer's vaccine Monday, December 14, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. We 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. The 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. The letter led by Wyden, ranking member of the Se… | 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 | 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: TheSenate'snewCOVID-19reliefbillcompletely failsto provideadequateaidfor working families throughdirect cash paymentsandglosses overtargeted relief for independent restaurants the industryhithardest by this pandemic. November'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. Getting 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. Time 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. The 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 | legacy | Merkley, Western Senators Push Senate Leadership To Provide Housing Assistance To Communities Impacted by 2020 Wildfires Friday, December 11, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. State 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. The 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 rebuildin… | 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 | 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 Thursday, December 10, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: I 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. Particularly 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. Based 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… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Lowenthal, Clark Urge President-Elect Biden to Implement Comprehensive Approach to Tackle Plastic Crisis Plan could transform economy, bolster domestic infrastructure, and create jobs Wednesday, December 9, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. Plastic 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. Additionally, 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. 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 pollutio… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Help for Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal Wednesday, December 9, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. In 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. 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 senators wrote. The 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. The 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 ye… | 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 | 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. Although 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. The 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. While 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. The Medical Marijuana Research Actwill address these limitations by: Providing a pathway for researchers to study the cannabis products consumers are using from state-legal programs. Streamlining the burdensome and often duplicative license process for researchers seeking to conductmarijuanaresearch, while still maintaining all necessary safeguards against misuse and abuse. A… | 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 | 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. Global 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. We 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 | legacy | Click here for part one and click here for part two of Rep. Walden's remarks. 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. Click HERE for part one and HERE for part two of Rep. Walden's remarks on the House Floor. As 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 fo… | 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 | legacy | For Immediate Release December 8, 2020 Contact:Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711 Rep. Schrader Votes for Bipartisan, BicameralNational Defense Authorization ActConference Report WASHINGTON, 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. While 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. Building off language included last year to protect service member financial well-being, Congressman Schrader introduced a new amendment that was included in this year… | 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 | legacy | Democratic senators push for $1,200 direct payments in new coronavirus relief package Tuesday, December 8, 2020 By: Alexander Bolton A 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. Please 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. Sens.Jeff Merkley(D-Ore.),Ron Wyden(D-Ore.),Ed Markey(D-Mass.) andKirsten Gillibrand(D-N.Y.) also signed the letter. The 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. Simply 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. 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, they wrote. The remaining $560 billion are funds transferred from the CARES Act that have not yet been obligated. The 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. Unlike the $1,200 direct payment for every working class individual and $500 for each child, it provides absolutely no direct payment, they wrote. They 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. Given the enormity of the crisis today, it would be unaccepta… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley Call for Wildfire Relief Funds to be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Washington, 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. Entire 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. In 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. Specifically, the letter calls for: Local 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; Investments 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; Federal 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… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Begin Expedited Review of Klamath Dam Removal Plan 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. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. Wyden 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. Additionally, 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. 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, Wyden and Merkley wrote. In 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). The entire letter is below. Dear Secretary Bose: We write to support the amended surrender application for the Lower Klamath Project, submit… | 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 | 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. Congress 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. We 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. Cash grants to rescue independent live entertainment venues in Oregon and across the country that need help making it through the pandemic. While 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 | 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. The 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. U.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. Blumenauer's legislation to update GSP includes a number of key provisions, including: Add human rights, rule of law, good governance, and anti-corruption criteria. Include an environmental criterion that would create parity with the existing labor criterion in GSP. Require 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. Require 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. Require a periodic assessment of each GSP benefici… | 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 | 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. This legislation provides for improvements to Oregon and the nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. I 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. WRDA 2020 includes numerous provisions that benefit southwestern Oregon including: 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; Directing 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; Expediting a study of siltation at the Port of Bandon to improve navigation and safety; Authorizing … | 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 | legacy | For Immediate Release December 7, 2020 Contact: Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711 Hank Stern (Wyden)503-326-7539 Sara Hottman (Merkley)503-326-3386 Beth Schoenbach (DeFazio)202-591-6277 Danielle Cohen (Blumenauer) 202-805-4737 Molly Jenkins (Walden)202-744-7974 Natalie Crofts (Bonamici) 202-754-1649 Oregon Delegation Leads Letter to U.S. Army Concerning COVID-19 Protocol for Oregon National Guardsmen WASHINGTON, 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. Rep. 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. We 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. Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy U.S. Department of the Army 1600 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-1600 Dear Secretary McCarthy, December 3, 2020 We 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: What is the Department of the Army testing and quarant… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley urge including county payments in year-end federal funding Monday, December 7, 2020 Sens. 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. 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 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. Wyden, 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. The 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. Our 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 t… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley Urge Inclusion of County Payments in End-of-Year Federal Funding Efforts Letter led by Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch ties county payments to COVID crisis Monday, December 7, 2020 Washington, 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. 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 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. Wyden, 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. The 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. Our 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 se… | 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 | 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. Among 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. U.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. It 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. If 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. Even 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 con… | 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 | legacy | Democratic lawmakers introduce a resolution to amend the 13th Amendment to end forced prison labor Friday, December 4, 2020 By: Scottie Andrew Congressional 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. Sen. 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. "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. When 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. The "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. Avi 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. It 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. "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. Congressmen call the 13th amendment's prison labor loophole 'racist' Merkle… | 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 & “Finally Abolish Slavery” | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | How Lawmakers Want To End Forced Prison Labor & Finally Abolish Slavery 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. Friday, December 4, 2020 By: Johanna Silver Congressional 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. Sen. 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. Language in the amendment banned slavery and involuntary servitude,exceptas a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. The 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. According 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. 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, Laura Pitter, deputy director of the U.S. program at Human Rights Watch,said of the proposed amen… | 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: “America’s fishing industry needs help….and NOW!” | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | Senators Wyden and Merkley: America's fishing industry needs help.and NOW! Merkley, Reed Lead Push For U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Seafood Industry With Much Needed Support Friday, December 4, 2020 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). The 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. 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,the lawmakers continued. The 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. Merkleywho serves as t… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Reed Lead Push For U.S. Department of Agriculture to Provide Seafood Industry With Much Needed Support The ongoing coronavirus crisis has decimated fisheries Friday, December 4, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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). The 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. 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, the lawmakers continued. The 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. Merkleywho serves as the top Democrat… | 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 | legacy | The House justheld a historicvoteto end the federal prohibition of cannabis. This 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. But 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. We've failed parents whose babies are tortured by extreme seizure disorders but can't access medical cannabis, the only thing thatprovides relief. We'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. We'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. We've failed the $17 billion industry that doesn't have access to financial services. This is an invitationto money laundering, theft, and tax evasion. And 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. The 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. If 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. Our 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 | legacy | The House justheld a historicvoteto end the federal prohibition of cannabis. This 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. But 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. We've failed parents whose babies are tortured by extreme seizure disorders but can't access medical cannabis, the only thing thatprovides relief. We'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. We'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. We've failed the $17 billion industry that doesn't have access to financial services. This is an invitationto money laundering, theft, and tax evasion. And 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. The 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. If 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. Our 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 | 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. Althoughcannabis 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. "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. The 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. People 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 g… | 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 | 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. In 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. SRS 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. A 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 | legacy | Merkley Sounds the Alarm Over Forced Removal of Rohingya Refugees from Mainland Bangladesh to Remote Island Thursday, December 3, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: For 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. The 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. Senator 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 | 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. Althoughcannabis 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. "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. The 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. People of color have also been historically targeted by discriminatoryprosecution andsentencing practices.Black men receivedrug sentences that are 13.1 percent longer than sentences … | 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 | legacy | Clickhereor on the image above to watch Rep. Walden's remarks. Today, 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 agai… | 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 | legacy | For Immediate Release December 3, 2020 Contact: Larkin Parker, 202-225-5711 Rep. Schrader Champions Bipartisan, Bicameral Emergency COVID Relief Package WASHINGTON, 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. As 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. The 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: State, Local, and Tribal Governments- $160 billion Additional Unemployment Insurance (UI)- $180 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) including restaurants, stages, and deductibility- $288 billion CDFI/MDI Community Lender Support- $12 billion Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit and Amtrak)- $45 billion Vaccine Development and Distribution and Testing and Tracing- $16 billion Healthcare Provider Relief Fund- $35 billion Education Funding- $82 billion Student Loans- $4 billion Housing Assistance (Rental)- $25 billion Nutrition/Agriculture- $26 billion U.S. Postal Service- $10 billion C… | 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 | legacy | US lawmakers unveil anti-slavery constitutional amendment Democrats in the House and Senate are to introduce a joint resolution Wednesday aimed at amending the 13th Amendment's ban on chattel enslavement. Wednesday, December 2, 2020 By: Aaron Morrison National 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. The 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. The 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. A 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. It 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. In 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. Constitutional 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 comm… | 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’s bills include keeping PILT funds alive | 2020-12-02 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley's bills include keeping PILT funds alive Wednesday, December 2, 2020 U.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. These 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. Merkley'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. Other 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. Final 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 | legacy | Merkley, Clay Propose Constitutional Amendment to Close Slavery Loophole in 13th Amendment Indisputably racist exception permitting slavery as punishment for crime has fueled systemic racism in criminal justice for 150 years Wednesday, December 2, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. America 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. 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.No American should ever be subject to involuntary servitude, even if they are incarcerated, said Congressman Clay. As we take on the long and … | 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’s Kilkich Reservation | 2020-12-01 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | OR | Jeff Merkley | M001176 | www.merkley.senate.gov | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Funding to Improve Health Care on Coquille Tribe's Kilkich Reservation Tuesday, December 1, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. Tribal 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. The 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. "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. The federal grant will be combined with a match of $75,000 in local funding, and is expected to create 18 new jobs… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Ensure More Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Washington, 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. Wyden 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. "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." When 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. The Wildfire Resilient Power Grid Act of 2020: Establishes a $1 billion-per-year matching grant program for power companies through the Department of Energy to reduce the risk of power linesand… | 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 | legacy | Merkley Announces Critical Investments in Every Corner of Oregon through Senate Appropriations Bills Senate spending roadmap includes key provisions for Oregon's forests, housing, coastal and rural communities Monday, November 30, 2020 Washington, 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. Every 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. Merkley 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. The U.S. Department of Interior Appropriations bill includes funding to support wildfire manag… | 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 | legacy | Merkley Applauds Appointment of Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary Monday, November 30, 2020 Oregon'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: Now 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. Throughout 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. ### | 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 | legacy | Oregon Delegation Press to Extend Open Enrollment Period to Dec. 31 In the face of COVID-19 and historic wildfires this year, Oregonians face massive barriers enrolling in affordable health coverage by Dec. 15 Monday, November 30, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. At 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. The 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. Extending 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 peop… | 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 | 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. In 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. Walter 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. DarcelleXV 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. The 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 | 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: I'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. The 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. In 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 | 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… | 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 | 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. As 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. I 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. The 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 | legacy | Merkley Welcomes Announcement of Blinken, Thomas-Greenfield As Top Diplomats Monday, November 23, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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): Today'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. At 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 | legacy | Merkley Welcomes Appointment of John Kerry to Lead American Climate Efforts Monday, November 23, 2020 Oregon'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: Our 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. John 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Call on GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay, Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden Delay in providing resources to Biden transition creates unacceptable risks to pandemic response and national security Monday, November 23, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. 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, continued the senators. Under 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… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Urge Justice Department to Ensure Portland Police Compliance with Use-of-Force Settlement Agreement The 2014 settlement agreement addressed the bureau's use of force against people with actual or perceived mental illness Monday, November 23, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. The 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. One 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. This 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 du… | 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 | 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. Despite 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. Article 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. We 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 Chairm… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Blumenthal, Jayapal, Ocasio-Cortez Demand Trump Administration Halt Deportations of Victims of Medical Malpractice by ICE Doctor Lawmakers denounce coverup preventing women from providing crucial evidence in ongoing investigations Thursday, November 19, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. Merkley, 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). Reports 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. In 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 pro… | 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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to Receive $350,000 Federal Grant Transportation resources will fund purchase of two transit vehicles Thursday, November 19, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. Good 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. The $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 | 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. At 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. What 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. If you haven't already read the editorial, you can click here to read it. With 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. We'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. My 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 | 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. This 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. Oregon 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. Our 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. This 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 cov… | 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 | 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 | 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 | legacy | Merkley Calls for Trump Administration to Support Nationwide Capacity for Shipping, Handling, and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Requiring Ultra-Cold Storage Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Oregon'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. This 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. The 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. While 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 p… | 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 | legacy | Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts Lawmakers' letter seeking more aid for debris removal, emergency protective measures comes as state's total disaster costs expected to exceed $1 billion Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Washington, 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. The 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. 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/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 | legacy | Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Dam Removal Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley released the following statement on today's Klamath Dam announcement by Oregon and California: Oregon 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 | 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. Earlier 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). Democrats in Congress have tried multiple times to continue and expand these programs but were shot down by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. As 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. Congress must once again come together to provideassistancetothose who are being impacted by ournecessaryfight against the virus. In 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. We 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. I 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). No 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 | 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. This 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. Typically, 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. To watch Chair DeFazio's floor speech in support of H.R. 8266, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020, click here. Additional Information: In 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. In 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 nati… | 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 | 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. 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. 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 is here. A 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 | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Colleagues Urge Administration to Send Medical Staff to Support States with Rise in Coronavirus Infections Oregon is fighting to contain its largest spike in coronavirus infections yet Monday, November 16, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. During 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. 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, the senators wrote. 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, the senators continued. The full text of the senators' letter can be found here and is available below. ### Dear Administrator Gaynor and Secretary Azar, We 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 cas… | 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 | 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). Registration is open for those affected by wildfires in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn,and Marion counties until Monday, November 16. FEMA 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. DeFazio 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. Wildfire 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’s 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 | legacy | Merkley, Colleagues Call on Trump's Justice Department to Stop Plans to Rebrand Purdue Pharma as a Public Benefit Corporation This is not justice for the families that have lost loved ones Wednesday, November 11, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. We 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. Twenty-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. The sen… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Rubio Issue Joint Statement Slamming the Ousting of Pro-Democracy Lawmakers in Hong Kong Wednesday, November 11, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: Democracy 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. It 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. Senators 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 … | 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 | legacy | As Supreme Court Hears California v. Texas Oral Arguments, Merkley Warns Of Consequences if GOP Convinces Court to Overturn the ACA Tuesday, November 10, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: Repeated 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. If 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. These 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… | 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 | legacy | Merkley Unveils Ag Bill with Tens of Millions of Dollars in Key Investments, Policy Guidance for Wide Variety of Oregon Agriculture Priorities After turbulent year, Merkley won support in the Senate agriculture funding bill for family farms, rural housing, habitat restoration, and wildfire smoke recovery Tuesday, November 10, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. Every 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. Merkley 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. Key elements to benefit Oregonians that Merkley fought to include in today's bill are: Wine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: This year's unprecedented wildfire s… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $600,000 in Federal Funding for Partnership Including Sustainable Indoor Agriculture Research Center in Oregon Tuesday, November 10, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. Agricultural 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. "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." "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 throug… | 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 | 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. The 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. One 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. Yesterday, 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. The 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. A PDF copy of the letter sent today by Blumenauer and Lee is available here. Following is the full text: Dear Colleague: One of the biggest winners of the 2020 election was cannabis reform. Americans in five very different states voted overwhelmingly to … | 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 | legacy | Merkley Applauds Biden Victory, Calls for Americans to Keep Up the Fight to Help Working Families and Revive American Democracy Saturday, November 7, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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: American voters have rendered their judgment: Donald Trump, you're fired! President 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. Trump 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. Trump 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. Trump 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. Trump 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. And 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. Trump'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… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden announce $3.2M in federal investments Friday, November 6, 2020 Oregon'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. Agricultural 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. A 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. The funding awardees are as follows: Friends Farm, LLCor the Deck Family Farmin Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its marketing and scale of pasture-raised poultry. Chalice Vineyards LLC in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its sustainably produced wine. Mt. Hood Forest Products LLC will receive $250,000 in Hood River County to expand its processing, marketing, and sales of specialty dimen… | 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 | 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. But 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 | 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. 579 housing unitswere lost in September's Holiday Farm Fire, and impacted Lane County residents are still awaiting stable housing arrangements. In 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. 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. For 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce $3.2 Million in Federal Investments to Help Agricultural Producers in Oregon Develop, Market New Innovations Funding is headed to 15 businesses Thursday, November 5, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. Agricultural 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. A 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. The funding awardees are as follows: Friends Farm, LLCor the Deck Family Farmin Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand its marketing and scale of pasture-raised poultry. Chalice Vineyards LLC in Lane County will receive $250,000 to expand the sale of its sustainably produced wine. Mt. Hood Forest Product… | 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 | legacy | As Nation Awaits Presidential Election Results, Merkley Calls for Every Vote to Be Counted Wednesday, November 4, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement as the nation awaits the final results of the presidential race: As 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. While 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. I 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 att… | 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 | 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. Although 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. And 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. As 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden Announce $3 Million Energy Investment in Umatilla County Tuesday, November 3, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. Throughout 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. When 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 | legacy | Merkley, Gillibrand, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Put Politics Aside, End Plans to Withhold Funding for Critical Transportation Projects Administration plotting to withhold funding to punish cities where residents have protested the administration Monday, November 2, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. The 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. Tying 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. To ensure that critical funding for critical transportation programs are delivered, the senators are requested that DOT explain whether thepresi… | 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 | legacy | Merkley, Wyden, Walden Announce Official Signing of Critical Fix to Help Klamath Irrigators The technical correction to the Water Resources Development Act gives basin irrigators access to up to $10 million in drought relief Monday, November 2, 2020 WASHINGTON, 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. Between 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. Oregonians 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. "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 Presiden… | 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 | 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 |
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