url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-bonamici-wyden-oregon-leaders-unlock-14-million-in-federal-funding-for-oregon-coast-project/,"Merkley, Bonamici, Wyden, Oregon Leaders Unlock $14 Million in Federal Funding for Oregon Coast Project",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Oregon’s U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, and Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi announced that, thanks to their efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $14,567,624 in federal funds for Clatsop County and Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) to build a tsunami-resilient hospital expansion in Astoria, featuring a vertical evacuation structure for 1,900 people.

CMH had received an award for the expansion under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program—which provides grants for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards to communities—but faced roadblocks to accessing the funding after the Trump Administration suspended the BRIC program in 2025. Following legal challenges and advocacy by Oregon lawmakers, CMH’s BRIC funding has finally been released.

“You can’t wait for a disaster to happen to start preparing, and this funding finally moving forward will be transformative for disaster resiliency along the North Coast. Thanks to the partnership of state and local leaders, we held the Trump Administration accountable to deliver on the promise of this common-sense project to help Oregonians prepare for disasters and save lives,” said Senator Merkley. “I’ll keep pushing to get this project over the finish line and to deliver critical funding for disaster resiliency efforts in Oregon and communities across the country.”

“This grant funding is long overdue for Columbia Memorial Hospital and everyone who lives on or visits the Oregon Coast,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “The BRIC grant for this lifesaving vertical evacuation structure should never have been jeopardized, and we’ve fought long and hard for it to be released. I look forward to celebrating the completion of this important project with the community in Astoria.”

“Ensuring that Oregon’s coastal communities have access to health care in the wake of natural disasters is absolutely essential,” said Senator Wyden. “I am thankful we were able to get critical funding released for the Columbia Memorial Hospital after it was illegally withheld under the Trump administration’s draconian funding cuts that are putting Oregon families at risk. I’ll continue to pull out all the stops to ensure our state has the resources it needs to keep families safe.”

“This award is a critical investment in the North Coast’s ability to be resilient in the face of disasters,” said Governor Kotek. “This project can now move forward with confidence in its completion, and the families on the North Coast will benefit from reliable health care access when they need it most. Thank you to our Congressional delegation and community leaders for your persistence to get this done.”

“Disaster relief should have never been held up over partisan politics,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Oregonians’ safety is too important to play games with. That’s why we took immediate action to fight back and make sure this critically needed project will continue moving forward, providing peace of mind to the entire North Coast community.”

“Natural disasters don’t care if you’re in a red state or a blue state – FEMA shouldn’t either. So when the Trump Administration went back on its word, I promised we’d keep fighting until Columbia Memorial got what it was owed. Today that fight paid off. This funding will help our community be ready when the ground shakes or the water rises,” said Representative Javadi.

“We could not be more thrilled with the news that our BRIC grant funding has been restored! This $14 million grant completes our project budget and ensures that our community will receive a fully resilient, modern healthcare facility. The BRIC funds will help offset the cost of constructing a deep-pile foundation and a tsunami vertical evacuation structure capable of accommodating 1,900 people. The project will also locate critical infrastructure, generators, and the helipad on the roof of the new hospital—important features that will help ensure the facility can remain operational when our community needs it most. Our sincerest appreciation goes to Congresswoman Bonamici, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Oregon Attorney General Rayfield, and all our state delegates for their unwavering support and tireless efforts to secure these funds. We are incredibly grateful,” said Erik Thorsen, Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Memorial Hospital.

“Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Representative Bonamici, and Representative Bentz, this critical funding is returning to Clatsop County. This victory was made possible by a shared commitment from Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Senator Weber, Representative Javadi, and the Oregon legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee. Above all, it is a direct result of our community keeping this project front and center. I want to thank my fellow Commissioners, County Manager Don Bohn, Sheriff Matt Phillips, and Emergency Management Director Justin Gibbs, and of course the leadership of CMH and CEO Erik Thorsen. This truly was a team effort that showcased the undeniable power of local, state, and federal collaboration,” said Mark Kujala, Chair of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-mcbath-brown-champion-legislation-to-improve-educational-outcomes-and-experiences/,"Merkley, McBath, Brown Champion Legislation to Improve Educational Outcomes and Experiences",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) and Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) teamed up to reintroduce the Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act, bold legislation that would make investments to address overcrowded classrooms and set students up for success.

Research shows students achieve better academic results with more individualized attention from instructors, especially in kindergarten through third grade. However, the continued strain on our public education system from staff shortages and tighter budgets has meant class sizes have continued to grow.

Merkley, McBath, and Brown are making a bicameral push for better student outcomes with their legislation to boost funding for schools to reduce class sizes and increase individualized attention from instructors—improving the overall school experience for both students and educators.

“Every student deserves the chance to learn, participate, and get the individual attention they need to thrive,” said Merkley. “Growing up as an Oregon public school student, I remember having around 20 children in my first-grade class. When I dropped my son off for his first day of school, his class had 34 children, and I wondered how his teacher could organize and teach such a large group. It’s time to make sure our schools have the resources they need to support educators and help every child receive a quality learning experience.”

“Smaller class sizes help personalize education in ways that can fuel a child’s love of learning. When teachers have more opportunities for one-on-one time with their students, they can provide tailored instruction, individualized feedback, and the support each child needs to thrive,” said McBath. “I am deeply appreciative of Senator Merkley for his continued leadership on this important legislation and his advocacy for students and educators. Investments like these, which strengthen learning environments and support teacher well-being, are essential to improving educational outcomes and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.”

“Smaller class sizes can help ensure that every child gets the time and attention they need to succeed. I am proud to join Congresswoman McBath and Senator Merkley in reintroducing the Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act so that students get the support they need and educators are able to instruct every student. Importantly, this legislation provides school districts with an opportunity for federal funding to make smaller class sizes a reality,” said Brown.

The Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act would establish a $2 billion competitive grant program to help school districts reduce K–3 class sizes in low-income public elementary schools to not more than 18 students per class. The grants could be used to recruit, hire, and support qualified teachers; obtain additional space or renovate school buildings; or provide professional development for teachers, among other purposes.

The Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The bill is also supported by the American Federation of Teachers, First Focus Campaign for Children, National Education Association, and National Parent Teacher Association.

“Parents, students and educators all agree that overcrowded classrooms do not make a successful learning environment. Class size matters because it is directly linked to higher rates of student success: Students are more engaged and teachers can provide the individualized instruction students need and deserve. The Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley and Reps. Lucy McBath and Shontel Brown, helps all of America’s school districts reduce class size and is a vote of confidence in the future success of our nation’s public schools,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-slams-senate-republicans-for-rubberstamping-trump-arch/,Merkley Slams Senate Republicans for Rubberstamping Trump Arch,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked his bill to prevent the Trump Administration from using any federal funds for the planning and construction of the Trump Arch:

“Trump’s Arch is a monument to his own ego—a waste of our taxpayer dollars.

“This vanity project distorts our history while destroying historic views, disregards the Constitution’s separation of powers, disrupts the safety of planes in the sky and cars on the road in our nation’s capital, and disrespects the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

“The Trump Arch is a monumentally bad idea, and it is abundantly clear there is no authorization from Congress for this massive arch. I’ll keep fighting back against Trump’s efforts to use our tax dollars to fund his arch and to instead invest in the four foundations that families need to thrive—health care, housing, education, and good-paying jobs.”

As the lead Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for the Interior Department and National Park Service, the agencies that manage many of our public lands in Washington, D.C., Merkley took to the Senate Floor in an attempt to pass the No Funds for Trump’s Illegal Arch Act, which would have blocked the Trump Arch.

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.

In addition to Merkley, the No Funds for Trump’s Illegal Arch Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Throughout Trump’s second term, Merkley has led the charge to hold the Administration accountable for its vanity projects and corruption—including putting Trump’s face on gold coins, park passes, a $250 bill, and the U.S. passport.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/senate-blocks-merkley-murkowski-bill-to-prevent-trump-tearing-down-presidential-memorials/,"Senate Blocks Merkley, Murkowski Bill to Prevent Trump Tearing Down Presidential Memorials",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) blocked Merkley’s bipartisan bill with Alaska’s U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to prohibit the demolition of any national memorial to honor a U.S. president—like the Kennedy Center—without an act of Congress:

“Our congressionally authorized memorials to former presidents are a tribute to their accomplishments and service to our nation. Perhaps the greatest living memorial for a president is the Kennedy Center, in honor of our slain president who championed the arts. But now President Trump—without authorization from Congress—is trying to tear it down. First, he destroyed its programming, and now, he wants to destroy the building itself. All because the law says Trump can’t put his name on the building.

“So today, I asked for unanimous consent on a one-page bipartisan bill with Senator Murkowski to defend this extraordinary institution, the Kennedy Center, saying no memorial to any president can be torn down without explicit authorization from Congress. Unfortunately, a colleague objected to this common-sense bill.

“Trump’s threats are straight out of the authoritarian playbook and should infuriate every American who values our nation’s history and the rule of law. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars putting Trump’s name on memorials and monuments as if he is a king, we should be focused on putting money back into the pockets of working families and honoring America’s greatest cultural institutions, not destroying them.”

Merkley and Murkowski serve as the Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, respectively, which oversees funding for the Kennedy Center. Merkley took to the Senate Floor in an attempt to pass the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act, a one-page bill which would have blocked the demolition of any national memorial honoring a U.S. president—including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial—without an act of Congress.

Full text of the bipartisan bill can be found by clicking here.

In addition to Merkley and Murkowski, the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jack Reed (D-RI).

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-introduce-legislation-to-impose-sanctions-of-israeli-settlement-construction/,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Impose Sanctions of Israeli Settlement Construction",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Sanctions would target settlement construction within the E1 area of the West Bank

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to impose targeted sanctions on companies, individuals, and other entities that facilitate the development of Israeli settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank.

“Benjamin Netanyahu’s disgraceful policy of expanding West Bank settlements crosses a clear red line and makes Palestinian statehood and lasting peace even more difficult,” Wyden said. “The United States must stand up against Netanyahu’s campaign of violence and aggression against Palestinian civilians and sanction individuals and companies that are complicit in this unlawful action.”

“In my visits to the West Bank, I’ve heard numerous stories about the organized strategy of harassment and violence settlers are inflicting upon Palestinians. The Netanyahu government, meanwhile, continues to rubberstamp this dangerous agenda, and these settlements in the West Bank are designed to destroy the possibility of a future Palestinian state living peacefully alongside the state of Israel,” said Merkley. “This is unacceptable, and our bill holds the Netanyahu government accountable for its illegal, reckless, and inhumane actions in the West Bank.”

Last year, Israel approved construction of more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. In recent weeks, Israel announced proposals to let companies bid for construction of these settlements. If completed, these units could sever the West Bank in two, gravely threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials have publicly acknowledged the impact E1 settlement expansion could have on a two-state solution. Speaking at a ceremony shortly after his approval of the E1 plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated, “We said a Palestinian state will not be established – and indeed, a Palestinian state will not be established.” Following the initial announcement of the E1 settlements in August 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly stated: “The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not by slogans but by deeds. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.”

The bill would impose sanctions on any foreign person that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to have been responsible for or complicit in the construction of any Israeli settlements or related structures in the E1 area of the West Bank, including by submitting a bid for E1 tenders. It would also impose sanctions on those who attempt to organize, direct, finance, or facilitate the transfer of Israeli civilians into E1 settlements.

In addition to Wyden, the legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons, D-Del., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. In addition to Merkley, the legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jack Reed, D-R.I, Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Peter Welch, D-Vt..

The full text of the bill is here.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-bonamici-wyden-oregon-leaders-unlock-14-million-in-federal-funding-for-oregon-coast-project,"Merkley, Bonamici, Wyden, Oregon Leaders Unlock $14 Million in Federal Funding for Oregon Coast Project",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Oregon’s U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, and Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi announced that, thanks to their efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $14,567,624 in federal funds for Clatsop County and Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) to build a tsunami-resilient hospital expansion in Astoria, featuring a vertical evacuation structure for 1,900 people.

CMH had received an award for the expansion under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program—which provides grants for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards to communities—but faced roadblocks to accessing the funding after the Trump Administration suspended the BRIC program in 2025. Following legal challenges and advocacy by Oregon lawmakers, CMH’s BRIC funding has finally been released.

“You can’t wait for a disaster to happen to start preparing, and this funding finally moving forward will be transformative for disaster resiliency along the North Coast. Thanks to the partnership of state and local leaders, we held the Trump Administration accountable to deliver on the promise of this common-sense project to help Oregonians prepare for disasters and save lives,” said Senator Merkley. “I’ll keep pushing to get this project over the finish line and to deliver critical funding for disaster resiliency efforts in Oregon and communities across the country.”

“This grant funding is long overdue for Columbia Memorial Hospital and everyone who lives on or visits the Oregon Coast,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “The BRIC grant for this lifesaving vertical evacuation structure should never have been jeopardized, and we’ve fought long and hard for it to be released. I look forward to celebrating the completion of this important project with the community in Astoria.”

“Ensuring that Oregon’s coastal communities have access to health care in the wake of natural disasters is absolutely essential,” said Senator Wyden. “I am thankful we were able to get critical funding released for the Columbia Memorial Hospital after it was illegally withheld under the Trump administration’s draconian funding cuts that are putting Oregon families at risk. I’ll continue to pull out all the stops to ensure our state has the resources it needs to keep families safe.”

“This award is a critical investment in the North Coast’s ability to be resilient in the face of disasters,” said Governor Kotek. “This project can now move forward with confidence in its completion, and the families on the North Coast will benefit from reliable health care access when they need it most. Thank you to our Congressional delegation and community leaders for your persistence to get this done.”

“Disaster relief should have never been held up over partisan politics,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “Oregonians’ safety is too important to play games with. That’s why we took immediate action to fight back and make sure this critically needed project will continue moving forward, providing peace of mind to the entire North Coast community.”

“Natural disasters don’t care if you’re in a red state or a blue state - FEMA shouldn’t either. So when the Trump Administration went back on its word, I promised we’d keep fighting until Columbia Memorial got what it was owed. Today that fight paid off. This funding will help our community be ready when the ground shakes or the water rises,” said Representative Javadi.

“We could not be more thrilled with the news that our BRIC grant funding has been restored! This $14 million grant completes our project budget and ensures that our community will receive a fully resilient, modern healthcare facility. The BRIC funds will help offset the cost of constructing a deep-pile foundation and a tsunami vertical evacuation structure capable of accommodating 1,900 people. The project will also locate critical infrastructure, generators, and the helipad on the roof of the new hospital—important features that will help ensure the facility can remain operational when our community needs it most. Our sincerest appreciation goes to Congresswoman Bonamici, Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Oregon Attorney General Rayfield, and all our state delegates for their unwavering support and tireless efforts to secure these funds. We are incredibly grateful,” said Erik Thorsen, Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Memorial Hospital.

""Thanks to the tireless advocacy of Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Representative Bonamici, and Representative Bentz, this critical funding is returning to Clatsop County. This victory was made possible by a shared commitment from Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Senator Weber, Representative Javadi, and the Oregon legislature's Joint Ways and Means Committee. Above all, it is a direct result of our community keeping this project front and center. I want to thank my fellow Commissioners, County Manager Don Bohn, Sheriff Matt Phillips, and Emergency Management Director Justin Gibbs, and of course the leadership of CMH and CEO Erik Thorsen. This truly was a team effort that showcased the undeniable power of local, state, and federal collaboration,” said Mark Kujala, Chair of the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners.

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-legislation-to-impose-sanctions-of-israeli-settlement-construction,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Impose Sanctions of Israeli Settlement Construction",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Sanctions would target settlement construction within the E1 area of the West Bank

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to impose targeted sanctions on companies, individuals, and other entities that facilitate the development of Israeli settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank.

“Benjamin Netanyahu’s disgraceful policy of expanding West Bank settlements crosses a clear red line and makes Palestinian statehood and lasting peace even more difficult,” Wyden said. “The United States must stand up against Netanyahu’s campaign of violence and aggression against Palestinian civilians and sanction individuals and companies that are complicit in this unlawful action.”

“In my visits to the West Bank, I’ve heard numerous stories about the organized strategy of harassment and violence settlers are inflicting upon Palestinians. The Netanyahu government, meanwhile, continues to rubberstamp this dangerous agenda, and these settlements in the West Bank are designed to destroy the possibility of a future Palestinian state living peacefully alongside the state of Israel,” said Merkley. “This is unacceptable, and our bill holds the Netanyahu government accountable for its illegal, reckless, and inhumane actions in the West Bank.”

Last year, Israel approved construction of more than 3,000 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. In recent weeks, Israel announced proposals to let companies bid for construction of these settlements. If completed, these units could sever the West Bank in two, gravely threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials have publicly acknowledged the impact E1 settlement expansion could have on a two-state solution. Speaking at a ceremony shortly after his approval of the E1 plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated, “We said a Palestinian state will not be established – and indeed, a Palestinian state will not be established.” Following the initial announcement of the E1 settlements in August 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly stated: “The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not by slogans but by deeds. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.”

The bill would impose sanctions on any foreign person that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to have been responsible for or complicit in the construction of any Israeli settlements or related structures in the E1 area of the West Bank, including by submitting a bid for E1 tenders. It would also impose sanctions on those who attempt to organize, direct, finance, or facilitate the transfer of Israeli civilians into E1 settlements.

In addition to Wyden, the legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons, D-Del., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. In addition to Merkley, the legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jack Reed, D-R.I, Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Peter Welch, D-Vt..",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-condemns-more-pocket-rescissions-by-trump-administration/,Merkley Condemns More Pocket Rescissions by Trump Administration,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the below statement after President Donald Trump and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russ Vought issued more illegal pocket rescissions, this time clawing back nearly $1 billion in congressionally appropriated funding.

“Once again, President Trump and Russ Vought have violated the law by sending Congress more illegal pocket rescissions in the dark of night.

“We have seen this show before. Trump and Vought have a habit of ignoring Congress. That is why I have put forth several amendments that would have prevented the Trump Administration from undermining bipartisan agreements.

“It is time for my Republican colleagues to finally stand up to the Administration and reaffirm that what Congress passes—and the President signs—is the law of the land, and the funds cannot be clawed back without Congress’ approval. Enough of these Executive Branch power grabs. The law is not a suggestion, and the President is not a king,” said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-hoyle-announce-1-million-for-lane-county-emergency-communications-infrastructure/,"Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Lane County Emergency Communications Infrastructure",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Eugene, OR – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), announced $1 million in federal funding for Lane County’s Emergency Communications Resiliency and Interoperability Project. The funding will support a key portion of the project to replace aging radio communications infrastructure at Bear Mountain.

“When an emergency strikes, first responders need to know they can reach each other and coordinate a response,” said Merkley, who helped secure funding for this project as a key member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Community-initiated projects like this one are rooted in the fact that no one knows the unique needs of communities across Oregon quite like the folks who are a part of them, and that’s why I fight so hard to deliver them back to Oregon. These federal dollars will help Lane County replace aging infrastructure and build a more resilient communications network, strengthening the ability of firefighters and other emergency personnel to keep Oregonians safe when they need help most.”

“First responders being able to reliably communicate can be the difference between life and death when emergencies hit rural communities,” said Wyden. “This federal investment will replace outdated radio equipment and deploy modern network technology so rural Oregon fire agencies can maintain uninterrupted contact during crises. I’ll keep fighting to deliver the federal resources that Oregon’s local emergency crews need to stay safe and protect our communities.”

“Supporting our rural communities means investing in resilient infrastructure and modernization projects so no one gets left behind,” said Hoyle. “This $1M grant will invest in new radio systems to strengthen regional connectivity, limit service interruptions and advance emergency response capabilities across Lane County.”

The project was developed by Lane County and supported by Merkley, Wyden, and Hoyle as part of the FY24 agriculture funding bill. The $1 million federal investment will help advance upgrades at the Bear Mountain communications site, which is an important component of the county’s emergency communications infrastructure. Lane County has identified resilient communications as critical to coordinated emergency response and public safety.

“These funds will help make sure our first responders can communicate as they patrol and respond to emergencies in South Lane County,” said County Commissioner Heather Buch, whose district includes Bear Mountain. “The continued advocacy of our federal delegation is helping us make our communities safer and healthier for everyone.”

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/senators-markey-and-merkley-lead-colleagues-to-demand-trump-administration-abandon-reckless-saudi-nuclear-deal/,Senators Markey and Merkley Lead Colleagues to Demand Trump Administration Abandon Reckless Saudi Nuclear Deal,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Trump deal caves to Saudi demands, fails “Gold Standard” test

Letter Text (PDF)

Washington (September 25, 2026) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding that the Trump administration abandon its reckless nuclear deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which fails the Gold Standard nonproliferation test by surrendering two key conditions: the strictest inspection standards under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Additional Protocol and denying Saudi Arabia the means to produce weapons-grade nuclear materials through uranium enrichment and/or plutonium reprocessing. The letter was signed by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

As a U.S. Senator, Marco Rubio was among the most consistent voices warning about the dangers of giving Saudi Arabia, whose leaders have repeatedly threatened to pursue nuclear weapons, access to sensitive nuclear technology without proper safeguards.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “With this deal, the Trump Administration is departing from precedent, adopting looser restrictions, and caving to Saudi demands by agreeing to a process that is all but certain to allow Riyadh to acquire the means to enrich uranium and possibly develop nuclear weapons. If the Administration is serious about preventing that outcome, it should require Riyadh to meet the Gold Standard. And likewise, if Saudi Arabia genuinely has no intention of pursuing a nuclear weapon, it should have little objection to accepting the same commitments that the UAE and other states have made: implementing an Additional Protocol and banning enrichment and reprocessing.”

The senators continued, “Although not included in the agreement, media reports have suggested that the Saudi government would not have access to a U.S.-supplied and operated enrichment plant on Saudi soil. While there is no evidence that Saudi officials have agreed to such a ‘black box’ arrangement, if implemented, it would just raise additional concerns. It would be difficult to prevent the Kingdom from spying on a facility built on its soil and thus from gleaning sensitive information. A hypothetical black box arrangement could also commit the United States to far more than a commercial transaction. Sensitive American enrichment technology and the American personnel operating it would sit on Saudi soil, in a region at war and with the possibility of instability within the Kingdom itself. Given that an attack on the black box would be an attack on U.S. equities, we would be obliged to defend the facility. This would constitute a security guarantee by another name; an open-ended commitment to the defense of Saudi Arabia that Congress has not debated.”

The senators concluded, “President Trump launched an unconstitutional war against Iran claiming it was necessary to stop Tehran from enriching uranium. Yet, his Administration is now seeking to give Saudi Arabia access to the very technologies it says Iran must never possess. That hypocrisy undermines any chance of reaching a durable agreement with Iran. If Saudi Arabia can enrich uranium without the strongest inspections, Tehran will demand the same treatment. President Trump is weakening his own negotiating position while increasing the odds of regional nuclear proliferation.”

On September 16, Senators Markey and Merkley led a bipartisan group of Senators to press the Trump administration to declassify and publicly release the two side letters accompanying the proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, referred to as a “123 agreement.”

As a founder of the national Nuclear Freeze movement, Senator Markey has long been the Congressional leader on ending the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

On August 26, Senator Markey urged Congress to reject the Trump-Saudi nuclear deal after the Trump administration sent to Congress a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that would open the door to providing the Kingdom with the means to produce nuclear weapons materials but would not require the most stringent safeguards against the development of those weapons.

On July 31, Senators Markey and Merkley, along with Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, published an opinion piece slamming Trump’s Saudi nuclear deal, citing then-Senator Marco Rubio’s understanding that handing nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia would be disastrous.

On March 25, Senators Markey and Merkley reintroduced the No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act, legislation that would mandate that any nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia can go into effect only if it receives the affirmative vote of Congress.

On March 18, Senator Markey led his colleagues in writing to Secretary Rubio demanding the Trump administration must meet the “gold standard” of nuclear non-proliferation protections by denying Saudi Arabia the means to produce weapons-grade uranium and plutonium, materials that could be used in a nuclear bomb.

In November 2025, Senator Markey and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the Trump administration to include the strongest possible “gold standard” nonproliferation measures in any nuclear cooperation agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to foreclose any pathway to a nuclear weapon.

In November 2024, Senator Markey wrote to the Biden administration seeking answers about any agreement that would normalize relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Israel in exchange for civil nuclear energy cooperation and a U.S. defense commitment to the Kingdom.

As far back as 2017, Senator Markey pressed the first Trump administration on the status of all current and ongoing discussions between the United States and other countries, including Saudi Arabia, on 123 agreements after it was reported that former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was peddling a plan to build nuclear reactors throughout the Middle East.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/sens-markey-merkley-and-reps-jayapal-tlaib-pressley-reintroduce-legislation-to-halt-government-use-of-facial-recognition-and-other-biometric-technology/,"Sens. Markey, Merkley and Reps. Jayapal, Tlaib, Pressley Reintroduce Legislation to Halt Government Use of Facial Recognition and Other Biometric Technology",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (September 25, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), announced the reintroduction of the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, legislation to prohibit the government from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies.

The legislation responds to the federal government’s growing use of biometric recognition technology, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mobile facial recognition app, which has been used to target immigrants and intimidate communities across the country. Research shows that nearly half of U.S. adults’ faces are already stored in facial recognition databases, and that Black, Brown, and Asian individuals are up to 100 times more likely to be misidentified by a facial recognition algorithm than white men.

“Facial recognition and other biometric technologies in the hands of government agencies have become tools of authoritarianism. Agencies such as ICE and CBP are using this technology to track, target, intimidate and surveil communities across the country,” said Senator Markey. “Black and Brown communities — already subject to the most aggressive policing and immigration enforcement — are disproportionately affected and more likely to be wrongly flagged, detained, or targeted by a faulty facial recognition match. We must stop the Trump administration’s growing web of surveillance technology, and that starts with a moratorium on dangerous, discriminatory biometric recognition.”

“Every American who values their right to privacy, stands against discrimination, and believes people are innocent until proven guilty should be concerned about facial recognition technology fueling a national surveillance state,” said Senator Merkley. “Enacting a federal moratorium on this technology is critical to ensuring we can rein in inappropriate surveillance and protect our communities’ fundamental right to privacy.”

“We have to stop the constant, nonconsensual state of surveillance that we live in, and that starts with placing a moratorium on our government’s use of facial recognition technology,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “Black and Brown people are more likely to be misidentified and wrongfully put in jail because of this unregulated technology, and our government has used it to unjustly target protestors and immigrants. Putting the brakes on this technology is necessary to protect civil rights and ensure public safety.”

“Facial recognition technology is racist, misidentifying Black, Brown, and Asian residents and pinning them as suspects in crimes they did not commit,” said Representative Tlaib. “When such flawed and biased technology is used to invade our privacy, we are all less safe. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill that will ban facial recognition technology and protect all our civil liberties.”

The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would:

Place a prohibition on the use of facial recognition technology by federal entities, which can only be lifted with an act of Congress;

Place a prohibition on the use of other biometric technologies, including voice recognition, gate recognition, and recognition of other immutable physical characteristics, by federal entities, which can only be lifted with an act of Congress;

Condition federal grant funding to state and local entities, including law enforcement, on those entities enacting their own moratoria on the use of facial recognition and biometric technology;

Prohibit the use of federal dollars for biometric surveillance systems;

Prohibit the use of information collected via biometric technology in violation of the Act in any judicial proceedings;

Provide a private right of action for individuals whose biometric data is used in violation of the Act and allow for enforcement by state Attorneys General; and

Allow states and localities to enact their own laws regarding the use of facial recognition and biometric technologies.

“Face surveillance is one of the most intrusive surveillance technologies. It’s past time for the federal government to end its use. Face surveillance in the hands of the government is a fundamentally harmful technology, even under strict regulations or if the technology was 100% accurate. We thank the authors of this bill for their leadership in ending the federal government’s use of this dangerous and invasive technology,” said India McKinney, Director of Federal Affairs at Electronic Frontier Foundation.

“We can no longer afford to ignore the very real harms of AI surveillance technologies, including facial recognition. We have seen how ICE and other federal agencies utilize facial recognition to abuse immigrants, Black and Brown communities, and people participating in protests and other First Amendment protected actions. There is no more excuse for inaction or justification for allowing the continued use of this surveillance technology – the time to pass this legislation is now,” said Caitlin Seeley George (she/her), Campaigns and Managing Director at Fight for the Future.

“Facial recognition poses a significant threat to our privacy and our democracy. The technology has been shown to be biased, inaccurate, and disproportionally harmful to people of color. Even 100% accurate facial recognition poses considerable threats to our privacy and civil liberties. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act takes the right approach on this urgent issue, effectively banning its current use and ensuring Congress will give careful consideration to if and how the technology can be used in the future. EPIC is proud to support it,” said Jeramie D. Scott, Director of Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)’s Surveillance Oversight Program.

“The rapid adoption of powerful surveillance tech by our federal government benefits companies that amass billions in profits through contracts with law enforcement agencies, at the expense of our civil rights. This bill by Senator Markey couldn’t be more timely. Not only does this bill disrupt the money flow for surveillance profiteers; it prevents the use of one of the most invasive forms of surveillance and grants users a private right of action, urgently needed as we still lack federal data privacy protections and a prohibition on law enforcement purchases of sensitive data. We’ve seen how dangerous these tools can be and how easily bad actors can weaponize them against any person or community. Without proper guardrails or consideration for how our privacy will be protected, surveillance tech becomes a tool of oppression, not safety. We are proud to endorse this bill and appreciate Senator Markey’s continued leadership in this area,” said Amanda Beckham, Government Relations Director at Free Press.

“Right now, just walking down the street could allow you to be detected by AI-powered cameras and put into a database. Sen. Markey’s Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act is a critically needed safeguard against a surveillance apocalypse where the government and unaccountable corporations can collect and store your face and voice,” said Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress.“ Facial recognition technology threatens the privacy and security of all Americans. Every member of Congress who cares about invasive surveillance must support this bill.”

“We should all be free to move freely in our communities — drive to work, walk our neighborhoods, travel to see family — without constant monitoring. ICE officers and other federal agents are out in our neighborhoods targeting Black and Brown people because of the color of our skin and scanning our faces without consent to fuel a cruel mass deportation machine. They’re using the very same facial recognition technologies that regularly misidentify people of color, leading to unjust arrests and detainment. Senator Markey’s Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would put a stop to this racist invasion of privacy,” said Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Vice President of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.

The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and in the House of Representatives by Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09).

This legislation is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Fight for the Future, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Color of Change, Access Now, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Free Press, Demand Progress, and UnidosUS.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-warns-an-all-republican-fcc-could-violate-federal-law-and-cause-partisan-fcc-actions-to-be-overturned-in-court,Wyden Warns an All-Republican FCC Could Violate Federal Law and Cause Partisan FCC Actions to be Overturned in Court,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Wyden Seeks Legal Opinion From Commissioner Gomez on Whether the Communications Act Permits the Federal Communications Commission to Operate With Only Republican Commissioners

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. asked Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez to issue a legal opinion addressing whether the Communications Act permits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to legally operate with members from a single political party. Wyden warned that federal law prohibits an all-Republican RCC and that any action taken by a partisan FCC could be overturned in court, based on the statutory history of the Communications Act.

President Trump recently nominated Danielle Thumann Severs to serve as FCC Commissioner. If confirmed, she would become the Commission's third Republican. Given that the Communications Act sets a quorum at three members, there is concern that Trump will fire Commissioner Gomez, the remaining Democrat on the FCC, after Severs is confirmed, leaving the agency with an all-Republican panel.

In anticipation of Trump’s actions, Wyden’s letter to Gomez highlighted amendments enacted in 1982 that require the FCC to have political balance at any operational size: if there are three commissioners on the FCC, only two can be from the same political party.

Before 1982, the Communications Act stated that “not more than four” commissioners of a then-seven member FCC could be from the same political party. Similar language has consistently been used with other bodies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the International Trade Commission.

But in 1982, when resizing the FCC, Congress considered and rejected this numeric limit for the FCC. It instead enacted a novel mathematical formula for political balance: “The maximum number of commissioners who may be members of the same political party shall be a number equal to the least number of commissioners which constitutes a majority of the full membership of the Commission.” Congress did so in the same bill that it maintained a numeric limit for a different commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission. Under longstanding legal principles, when Congress amends language in a statute or uses different language in related provisions, courts presume that Congress enacted a distinct legal meaning. Wyden’s letter argues that these changes mean that Congress required the FCC to have political balance at any operational size.

Despite this statutory structure, if Trump were to try to operate an all-Republican commission, the practical and economic consequences could be dramatic.

“The U.S. communications sector represents hundreds of billions of dollars in economic valuation, and relies on the legal validity of these FCC actions,” said Wyden in his letter to Commissioner Gomez. “Under an all-Republican commission, every single license renewal, equipment certification, spectrum transfer, or other delegated action would be legally defective, casting a cloud of crippling legal uncertainty over the entire communications industry.”

Ensuring bipartisan representation on the commission is increasingly important, as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has abused FCC authorities in unprecedented ways to silence critics of Donald Trump and reward Trump’s allies with speedy approvals of controversial corporate mergers.

A copy of the full letter sent to Commissioner Gomez is available here.

###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-baldwin-leads-25-colleagues-in-rejecting-the-trump-admins-latest-move-to-politicize-and-undermine-education-funding/,"Merkley, Baldwin Leads 25 Colleagues in Rejecting the Trump Admin’s Latest Move to Politicize and Undermine Education Funding",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"New effort would allow Trump appointees to cut off funding to states, colleges, and schools, even after grants have been awarded, with no justification

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee, led 25 of their Senate colleagues in slamming the Department of Education’s (ED) latest move to further undermine the Department and jeopardize billions of dollars in funding for schools. Specifically, the Senators outlined their concerns with ED’s proposed changes to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that would allow the President’s political appointees to cancel grants to local schools for any reason – putting everything from school-based mental health programs to teacher training programs under constant threat of being defunded at any point. The Senators also raise concerns that, if implemented, the rule would lead to weaker evidence-based standards for programs that serve students, hinder student achievement, and defy Congressional intent. This rule comes on top of a tumultuous funding process under the Trump Administration, which has continued to try to entirely shut down the Department of Education.

“This proposed rule is unnecessarily broad and vague, would undermine the stability of educational programs, and does nothing to improve educational outcomes for students,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Secretary McMahon. “As the Trump Administration continues its illegal attempt to dismantle the Department, this proposed rule will only serve to increase chaos and uncertainty for schools, states, institutions of higher education and families across the Country.”

Specifically, the Trump administration’s proposed rule allows the department to terminate a grant “for convenience.” This would allow Trump’s political appointees to terminate grants, even ones that have been awarded, with no justification.

“Schools and other grant recipients need a meaningful degree of certainty to properly plan their budgets and provide services to students,” the Senators continued. “Broad, unwarranted termination and discontinuation authority makes it difficult, if not impossible, for recipients to responsibly plan and spend these funds. In section 75.253(c), the proposal also would remove a priority to continue previously awarded grants over awarding new grants. These changes will increase funding uncertainty which may discourage recipients from undertaking ambitious projects.”

“We know high-quality education has the ability to raise families out of poverty and meaningfully improve future earnings. However, at a time when student achievement is falling and families are struggling with rising costs, this proposed rule only serves to undermine efforts to improve outcomes for students and raise costs by creating financial uncertainty for schools and educational programs,” the Senators concluded. “This damage and uncertainty will only hurt student populations that federal funding intended to support.”

The letter was also co-led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and signed by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Edward Markey (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon,

We write in opposition to the proposed rule, “Education Department General Administrative Regulations” (EDGAR) (Docket ID ED-2026-OPEPD-2542),1 which would make fundamental changes to the administration of formula and competitive grants Congress has authorized and funded through the U.S. Department of Education (“the Department”). This proposed rule is unnecessarily broad and vague, would undermine the stability of educational programs, and does nothing to improve educational outcomes for students. As the Trump Administration continues its illegal attempt to dismantle the Department, this proposed rule will only serve to increase chaos and uncertainty for schools, states, institutions of higher education and families across the country. One of the key functions of the Department is to award and administer both formula and competitive grants. These grants range from Title I-A, which provide additional funding for elementary and secondary education programs serving students from low-income communities, to TRIO grants providing support to first generation college students, to Innovative Approaches to Literacy grants which promote literacy programs in low-income communities, and every education stage in-between. The funding provided to the Department for programs authorized by Congress is essential to ensure schools and communities across the country are able to provide every child, regardless of their zip code, a high-quality education.

Political Interference in Grant Awards and Administration

The proposed rule (Section 75.901) would give the Department free rein to end already awarded grants “for convenience,” without substantive reason or justification or connection to performance under a grant. Grants provided by the Department frequently support multiyear contracts involving the hiring of staff who provide services to students, research activities, and commitments to students and families that cannot be easily unwound. Schools and other grant recipients need a meaningful degree of certainty to properly plan their budgets and provide services to students. Broad, unwarranted termination and discontinuation authority makes it difficult, if not impossible, for recipients to responsibly plan and spend these funds. In section 75.253(c), the proposal also would remove a priority to continue previously awarded grants over awarding new grants. These changes will increase funding uncertainty which may discourage recipients from undertaking ambitious projects.

The proposed indirect-cost provision (section 75.228) will only add to this financial instability and uncertainty. This proposal could create a race to the bottom with an incentive structure where applicants are not encouraged to create programs based on value and merit but instead based on how much institutional costs they can absorb themselves. This will disadvantage entities that are not well-resourced, such as entities in rural communities or on tribal lands. Furthermore, lowering the amount of funds that can be used on indirect costs will not actually lower those costs for programs. Capping the amount of funds will not lower the cost of rent or electricity for an after-school program or a rural college serving first-generation students.

Undermining Congressional Intent in Serving Underserved Students and Communities

The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) governs the administration of the Department and its grant programs. Section 427(b) of GEPA requires the Secretary to ensure each applicant for federal education funding describe how the applicant will ensure equitable access and participation to all students and teachers in federally funded education programs including “based on gender, race, color, national origin, disability, and age.”2 This demonstrates a clear Congressional intent that federal education programs help provide assistance to students and communities that have been historically underserved in our nation, including students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, and LGBT students. This proposed rule would further gut the intent of GEPA Sec. 427, which the Department has undermined by not renewing the information collection it previously collected from its applicants for grant programs.

Section 75.210(d) of the proposal weakens compliance by removing the current EDGAR requirement for the Secretary to consider equitable and adequate access on the basis of economic disadvantage, gender, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, age, language, migration, living in a rural location, experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, involvement in the justice system, pregnancy, parenting or caregiver status, and sexual orientation. In addition to section 427 of GEPA, many federal laws3 authorized on a bipartisan basis direct federal education programs to focus on many of these underserved student populations. Removing this provision from EDGAR goes against Congressional intent not only in GEPA, but in these core foundational education laws.

This Proposed Rule Will Lead to a Weaker Evidence Base for Education Programs

The proposed rule also suggests a number of changes that would weaken evidence standards that govern Department programs. In changes detailed in section 77.1(c), the proposed rule would permit unknown, non-governmental organizations to determine whether grantees’ strategies and interventions meet the different levels of evidence established in EDGAR. This would break from how evidence standards are determined now by IES through a transparent and rigorous process. This could result in these important evidence standards being applied inconsistently within grant competitions. The evidence standards established in federal legislation and implementing regulations are critical to ensuring limited federal funds are spent on meaningful interventions that improve student outcomes. We are concerned that such goals are undermined by having unknown third parties judge applicants’ grant applications for whether or not they meet such evidence standards without a clear, rigorous, consistent, and transparent evaluation process.

We know high-quality education has the ability to raise families out of poverty and meaningfully improve future earnings. However, at a time when student achievement is falling and families are struggling with rising costs, this proposed rule only serves to undermine efforts to improve outcomes for students and raise costs by creating financial uncertainty for schools and educational programs. This damage and uncertainty will only hurt student populations that federal funding intended to support.

We urge you to withdraw the proposed rule.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-decries-senate-republicans-opposition-to-his-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-prcs-transnational-repression/,Merkley Decries Senate Republicans’ Opposition to His Bipartisan Resolution Condemning PRC’s Transnational Repression,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked his bipartisan resolution condemning the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for engaging in repression, coercion, and intimidation beyond its own borders, targeting citizens of other nations, including in the United States:

“Journalists, activists, and everyday people who have spoken truth to power about China’s oppression are being bullied, intimidated, and targeted far beyond China’s borders. As long as the PRC continues this campaign of oppression, the United States cannot remain silent.

“Senate Republicans, however, blocked my resolution to condemn the Chinese government for this repression, which targets Americans too. Donald Trump is rolling out the red carpet for Xi Jinping as he visits the U.S. this week, and this rejection absolutely sends the wrong message.

“I’ll keep making the case to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that we must oppose all acts of transnational repression—no matter the perpetrator.”

Merkley has led the charge to strengthen U.S. policy to hold foreign governments and individuals accountable when they stalk, intimidate, or assault people in America and across borders. He leads the Transnational Repression Policy Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would tackle the growing threat of transnational repression, elevate countering transnational repression as a key U.S. foreign policy priority, and promote diplomacy that addresses it as part of a broader strategy to advance democratic principles and human rights at home and abroad.

Full text of Merkley’s bipartisan resolution that passed out of committee can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-bonamici-hoyle-salinas-dexter-bynum-support-kotek-demanding-emergency-federal-assistance-for-east-evans-fire/,"Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Dexter, Bynum Support Kotek Demanding Emergency Federal Assistance for East Evans Fire",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Medford, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) to support Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urgently reconsider the agency’s denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the East Evans Creek Fire north of Rogue River, OR.

At the time of the initial application earlier this year, the fire had reached more than 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 “Go Now” Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

“This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident,” wrote the lawmakers. “Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders.”

The State of Oregon requested financial assistance from FEMA through the FMAG program, which helps cover costs relating to emergencies and firefighting activities for fires that have the potential to become major disasters. FEMA’s decision to deny this specific FMAG came as Oregon was facing a record-setting 2026 fire season, ultimately resulting in firefighters responding to 1,873 distinct fires that burned more than 2.5 million acres.

“Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident,” the lawmakers continued. “We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered. “

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Administrator Hamilton and Mr. Maykovich:

We write in support of the State of Oregon’s appeal of the denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) application on July 22, 2026 for the East Evans Creek Fire, located 14 miles northeast of Rogue River, Oregon in Jackson County. The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 10, 2026, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

We believe that Oregon’s appeal demonstrates that the costs associated with the mitigation, management and control of the East Evans Creek Fire on public and private forest land threatened destruction to the degree that it constituted a major disaster. At the time of the state’s request, the East Evans Creek fire demonstrated substantial and escalating threats under Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) criteria. In their appeal, the State provided further clarity and evidence supporting the need and criteria met under the FMAG program.

At the time of the initial application, the fire had reached over 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 “Go Now” Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident. Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders.

Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident.

We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-bonamici-hoyle-salinas-dexter-bynum-support-kotek-demanding-emergency-federal-assistance-for-east-evans-fire,"Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Dexter, Bynum Support Kotek Demanding Emergency Federal Assistance for East Evans Fire",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Medford, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) to support Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urgently reconsider the agency’s denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the East Evans Creek Fire north of Rogue River, OR.

At the time of the initial application earlier this year, the fire had reached more than 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 “Go Now” Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

“This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers, and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident,” wrote the lawmakers. “Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders.”

The State of Oregon requested financial assistance from FEMA through the FMAG program, which helps cover costs relating to emergencies and firefighting activities for fires that have the potential to become major disasters. FEMA’s decision to deny this specific FMAG came as Oregon was facing a record-setting 2026 fire season, ultimately resulting in firefighters responding to 1,873 distinct fires that burned more than 2.5 million acres.

“Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident,” the lawmakers continued. “We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered. “

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Administrator Hamilton and Mr. Maykovich:

We write in support of the State of Oregon’s appeal of the denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) application on July 22, 2026, for the East Evans Creek Fire, located 14 miles northeast of Rogue River, Oregon in Jackson County. The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 10, 2026, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

We believe that Oregon’s appeal demonstrates that the costs associated with the mitigation, management and control of the East Evans Creek Fire on public and private forest land threatened destruction to the degree that it constituted a major disaster. At the time of the state’s request, the East Evans Creek fire demonstrated substantial and escalating threats under Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) criteria. In their appeal, the State provided further clarity and evidence supporting the need and criteria met under the FMAG program.

At the time of the initial application, the fire had reached over 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 “Go Now” Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident. Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders.

Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident.

We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-proposes-housing-downpayment-savings-initiative/,Merkley Proposes Housing Downpayment Savings Initiative,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Senator leads groundbreaking new legislation to give federal match for money saved by first-time homebuyers for a downpayment on a home

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced new legislation to help support the dream of homeownership for Americans by ensuring working families have a credible path to save up for a downpayment sufficient to purchase a modest home by age 30. Oregon’s U.S. Senator Ron Wyden cosponsored the legislation.

The Homeownership Promise Act would create Homeownership Promise Accounts, a basic new standard for Americans that would allow any first-time homebuyer who saves $1 for a downpayment on a house to get a $5 match from the federal government. As young Americans struggle to purchase their first home—with the median age of first-time homebuyers rising to 40 years old in 2025—Merkley’s legislation is essential to restoring the dream of homeownership for millions of families nationwide.

“Working families should be able to afford a decent home in a decent community,” said Merkley. “For millions of young Americans, homeownership remains further out of reach than ever before, keeping them from establishing the foundation that has enabled middle-class families to build equity for generations.”

“My new Homeownership Promise Act would restore the promise of homeownership—one of the foundations that working families need to thrive—by allowing all Americans to save for a home and live that piece of the American Dream,” Merkley concluded.

The Homeownership Promise Act would:

Direct the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a matching downpayment grant, called a Homeownership Promise Account, that supports first-time homebuyers purchasing a median-priced principal residence.

Establish an overall maximum contribution limit of $60,000 ($10,000 maximum combined personal, employer, and nonprofit contributions in addition to $50,000 maximum federal matching funds).

Merkley, earlier in his career, led Portland Habitat for Humanity and has continued to fight for affordable housing at every level of government.

In the Senate, Merkley, when serving on the Banking Committee, led the charge to end predatory mortgages that had turned the dream of homeownership into a nightmare. This ban was passed into law as part of the Dodd–Frank Act in 2010.

More recently, he has led the fight to kick hedge funds out of the housing market. His efforts produced the first-ever ban on hedge funds buying up single-family homes as part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which recently became law.

Full text of the Homeownership Promise Act can be found by clicking here.

A one-page summary of the Homeownership Promise Act can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-kotek-announce-7-45-million-for-affordable-housing-support-in-oregon/,"Merkley, Wyden, Kotek Announce $7.45 Million for Affordable Housing Support in Oregon",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek—today announced that $7,450,000 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help people with disabilities access affordable housing and a range of supportive services.

“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, and these funds will support public housing authorities across Oregon in better serving people with disabilities,” said Senator Merkley. “As communities across our state face the biggest housing affordability crisis in decades—with rents dramatically outpacing incomes—we must do everything we can to ensure our families have a decent roof overhead. I’ll keep fighting to deliver critical resources to help ease the burden on all Oregonians searching for a place to call home.”

“Housing is a human right, and it’s crucial that federal investments support that statement with action in Oregon and nationwide,” said Senator Wyden. “These resources help advance toward that goal in our state by investing in public housing that’s affordable and accessible for people with disabilities. And I’ll keep battling for similar housing investments throughout Oregon for all communities.”

“This funding is one more win for providing more affordable housing and supportive services for Oregonians with disabilities and their families,” said Governor Kotek. “We’re staying true to our values by making sure all of our neighbors have access to core basic needs that make life more affordable and create opportunities to thrive.”

The federal funds are being awarded to the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services (OHCS) in the form of new Section 811 Housing Choice Vouchers. Known as Mainstream Vouchers, they enable people with disabilities to access both affordable housing and supportive services—provided through partnership agreements between public housing authorities and local agencies—to enable individuals to live independently in the community.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-kotek-announce-745-million-for-affordable-housing-support-in-oregon,"Merkley, Wyden, Kotek Announce $7.45 Million for Affordable Housing Support in Oregon",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek—today announced that $7,450,000 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help people with disabilities access affordable housing and a range of supportive services.

“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, and these funds will support public housing authorities across Oregon in better serving people with disabilities,” said Senator Merkley. “As communities across our state face the biggest housing affordability crisis in decades—with rents dramatically outpacing incomes—we must do everything we can to ensure our families have a decent roof overhead. I’ll keep fighting to deliver critical resources to help ease the burden on all Oregonians searching for a place to call home.”

“Housing is a human right, and it’s crucial that federal investments support that statement with action in Oregon and nationwide,” said Senator Wyden. “These resources help advance toward that goal in our state by investing in public housing that’s affordable and accessible for people with disabilities. And I’ll keep battling for similar housing investments throughout Oregon for all communities.”

“This funding is one more win for providing more affordable housing and supportive services for Oregonians with disabilities and their families,” said Governor Kotek. “We’re staying true to our values by making sure all of our neighbors have access to core basic needs that make life more affordable and create opportunities to thrive.”

The federal funds are being awarded to the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services (OHCS) in the form of new Section 811 Housing Choice Vouchers. Known as Mainstream Vouchers, they enable people with disabilities to access both affordable housing and supportive services—provided through partnership agreements between public housing authorities and local agencies—to enable individuals to live independently in the community.

###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/ahead-of-xis-visit-to-the-united-states-merkley-mcgovern-urge-trump-admin-to-stand-up-to-prc-for-its-treatment-of-political-prisoners-transnational-repression/,"Ahead of Xi’s Visit to the United States, Merkley & McGovern Urge Trump Admin to Stand Up to PRC for its Treatment of Political Prisoners, Transnational Repression",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative James P. McGovern (MA-02)—Ranking Members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—led Congressional Democrats in calling attention to the Chinese government’s treatment of political prisoners and its ongoing campaign of transnational repression. They sent two letters ahead of People’s Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States this week and his expected meeting with President Donald Trump.

The lawmakers urged Trump to use this summit as an opportunity to secure the release of those wrongfully detained in China, including American citizen Min Zin, and stressed, “Even a single mention of a detainee’s name by a senior U.S. official, let alone by yourself, can significantly increase that individual’s chances of clemency or improved treatment. We urge you to be their champion during President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit.”

Joining McGovern and Merkley in signing this letter were U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), as well as U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03).

Full text of the letter to President Trump on political prisoners can be found by clicking here.

In a separate letter to Trump Administration officials on transnational repression, the lawmakers wrote, “President Xi’s visit comes at a time when China’s transnational repression has intensified. It is therefore essential that your agencies work together to prevent and respond to any effort by the Chinese government and its agents to use these tactics to interfere with the speech and advocacy of those living in the United States or to retaliate against relatives inside the People’s Republic of China.”

Joining Merkley and McGovern in signing this letter were U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03).

Full text of the letter to the Trump Administration on transnational repression can be found by clicking here.

Merkley and McGovern have led the charge to free those unjustly detained by the PRC and to strengthen U.S. policy to hold foreign governments and individuals accountable when they stalk, intimidate, or assault people in America and across borders. They lead the Transnational Repression Policy Act, bipartisan legislation that would tackle the growing threat of transnational repression, elevate countering transnational repression as a key U.S. foreign policy priority, and promote diplomacy that addresses it as part of a broader strategy to advance democratic principles and human rights at home and abroad.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-demand-trump-administration-release-energy-bill-assistance-for-low-income-americans/,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Release Energy Bill Assistance for Low-Income Americans",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Key federal heating assistance program targeted for budget, staffing cuts by Trump administration as energy costs soar

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to release all available funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of the November 1, 2026 deadline as cold weather sets in.

LIHEAP is a lifeline that provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners and renters to help cover the cost of energy bills. This program is more important than ever as energy costs continue to skyrocket under Trump’s war in Iran, and cancellation of new wind and solar energy projects.

Donald Trump has repeatedly tried to undermine LIHEAP. Last year, he fired the federal employees overseeing the program. The previous two years, Trump’s budget has zeroed out funding for the program entirely. Earlier this year, legislators appropriated roughly $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds available for the coming year that must be released no later than November 1, 2026.

“As you know, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (P.L. 119-103) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute no less than 90 percent of its total LIHEAP allotment by November 1, 2026. Given the extraordinary pressure consumers will face this winter, we ask that you make this distribution well before the deadline,” the senators wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year, and more households may need heating assistance this winter as temperatures drop while the cost of oil, gas, propane, and other residential fuels rise. Heating oil costs are projected to soar by 31.3 percent this winter, the largest increase among the major heating fuels. Overall, the average U.S. household is projected to spend an average of $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, an 8.7 percent increase over last year.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Jack Reed, D-R.I., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela D. Alsobrooks, D-Md., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Chris Coons, D-Del. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Mark Warner, D-Va., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Angus S. King, Jr., I-Maine, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-N.M., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.

The full text of the letter is here.

###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-demand-trump-administration-release-energy-bill-assistance-for-low-income-americans,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Release Energy Bill Assistance for Low-Income Americans",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Key federal heating assistance program targeted for budget, staffing cuts by Trump administration as energy costs soar

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they joined Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to release all available funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of the November 1, 2026 deadline as cold weather sets in.

LIHEAP is a lifeline that provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners and renters to help cover the cost of energy bills. This program is more important than ever as energy costs continue to skyrocket under Trump’s war in Iran, and cancellation of new wind and solar energy projects.

Donald Trump has repeatedly tried to undermine LIHEAP. Last year, he fired the federal employees overseeing the program. The previous two years, Trump’s budget has zeroed out funding for the program entirely. Earlier this year, legislators appropriated roughly $4 billion in federal LIHEAP funds available for the coming year that must be released no later than November 1, 2026.

“As you know, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (P.L. 119-103) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute no less than 90 percent of its total LIHEAP allotment by November 1, 2026. Given the extraordinary pressure consumers will face this winter, we ask that you make this distribution well before the deadline,” the senators wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr.

Nationwide, an estimated 6 million households received assistance with heating and cooling costs through LIHEAP over the last year, and more households may need heating assistance this winter as temperatures drop while the cost of oil, gas, propane, and other residential fuels rise. Heating oil costs are projected to soar by 31.3 percent this winter, the largest increase among the major heating fuels. Overall, the average U.S. household is projected to spend an average of $1,030 to heat their homes this winter, an 8.7 percent increase over last year.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Jack Reed, D-R.I., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela D. Alsobrooks, D-Md., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Chris Coons, D-Del. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Mark Warner, D-Va., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Angus S. King, Jr., I-Maine, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-N.M., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/mcgovern-merkley-duckworth-walkinshaw-urge-trump-administration-do-not-deport-people-back-to-persecution-and-torture-in-china/,"McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, Walkinshaw Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Lawmakers Make Letter Public So Attorneys Can Use It to Support At-Risk Uyghur, Hong Konger, Tibetan and Chinese Asylum Seekers Held in ICE Detention

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the Trump Administration to protect people who have fled repression in China and could face persecution or torture if they are sent back.

McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, and Walkinshaw all serve on the CECC—a congressional commission that monitors and documents human rights violations in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

In the letter, the lawmakers called on the U.S. government to stop the practice of detaining at-risk individuals, release those currently in detention, prohibit them from being deported to the PRC, and give fair and timely consideration of their applications for asylum.

“Many people who have fled persecution in the PRC come to the United States with an expectation that they can find refuge,” the Members wrote. “They should be given every opportunity to apply for asylum if they have not yet done so and given fair and timely consideration of such application for asylum or other protection. Under no circumstances should at-risk individuals be deported to the PRC.”

The Members also made the letter public so immigration attorneys and advocates can use it in cases involving Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans and others who fear persecution if returned to China.

“There are likely many more detainees at ICE facilities, perhaps lacking representation, who fear deportation to a country run by a government that seeks to do them harm,” the Members continued. “There are perhaps others who have already been sent back to the PRC who are now experiencing persecution, torture or worse. Thus, we see value in making this letter and its message public.”

The letter notes that the U.S. government deporting an individual to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened (also known as “refoulement”) would violate both United States and international law, and would also be a betrayal of that promise by then-Senator Marco Rubio to provide refuge to those subject to the repression of the Chinese Communist Party, when he introduced the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act and the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act.

The full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-leads-oregon-washington-lawmakers-to-urge-continued-support-for-west-coast-fishermen-and-oregons-seafood-industry/,"Merkley Leads Oregon, Washington Lawmakers to Urge Continued Support for West Coast Fishermen and Oregon’s Seafood Industry",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led a bipartisan group of Oregon and Washington lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins that calls on the USDA to deliver critical federal support to West Coast fishermen and seafood harvesters, processors, and distributors by purchasing Pacific Hake (whiting) fillets under its Section 32 purchase program.

“Historically, Pacific whiting exports to Ukraine, one of the largest whiting fillet markets, reached up to nearly $95 million per year, but instability in the region as a result of war has put that market in jeopardy and caused significant impacts to the supply chain. Compounded by trade embargoes, increased imported competition from low-cost proteins, inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and more, these factors threaten the long-term stability and viability of this once-booming market and create uncertainty for coastal economies that rely on the whiting fishery’s success for their livelihoods,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers’ bipartisan letter calls on USDA to include whiting in this year’s Section 32 purchases, supporting harvesters, processors, and coastal economies along the West Coast during a period of significant market disruption and strengthening the resiliency of America’s food systems by supporting domestic protein production and distribution.

They stressed, “Over the last several years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has worked with the West Coast seafood industry to support domestic distribution of surplus product and ensure that our food supply chain and fisheries operations aren’t wholly disrupted by fluctuations or complete loss of markets abroad. We ask the USDA to continue that partnership by addressing these sustained market losses that have created vast economic strains and challenges for our seafood industry.”

In addition to Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Emily Randall (WA-06).

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-randall-lead-bicameral-resolution-to-honor-americas-lgbtq-veterans-and-servicemembers/,"Merkley, Randall Lead Bicameral Resolution to Honor America’s LGBTQ+ Veterans and Servicemembers",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Marking September 20th as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers & Veterans Day

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Emily Randall (WA-06) introduced a resolution recognizing September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day.

National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day falls on the anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in 2011 and recognizes the courage and contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans who have served our nation. It is estimated that more than 100,000 servicemembers were discharged from the Armed Forces on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity between World War II and 2011.

“America’s servicemembers and veterans come from all walks of life, but they all share a common commitment to serve our nation,” said Merkley. “These heroes put on their uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they are, deny who they love, or punish them simply for living openly. For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve, and we should honor their service and acknowledge the discrimination they endured.”

“Service members and Veterans who’ve proudly served our country deserve respect and care no matter who they are or who they love. But this Administration continues to push out trans and queer service members using discriminatory policies that don’t make our military more prepared or our nation more secure. Unacceptable,” said Randall. “Today, on the 15-year anniversary of the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ – the long-standing policy that kept LGBTQ+ service members in the closet – we honor all LGBTQ+ Americans who have bravely served our country. Today we recommit to fighting for every veteran to receive the dignity, support, and benefits they’ve earned.”

The resolution calls for greater awareness of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, including discriminatory military policies, unjust discharges, and bans on transgender military service and health care. It also urges the federal government to support LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans and ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their service.

The Trump Administration continues to pursue policies restricting transgender Americans’ ability to serve openly in the military. The ban on transgender military service and additional restrictions on gender-affirming care continue to be litigated in federal court, with the Trump Administration asking the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on transgender troops, threatening the careers of thousands of servicemembers who serve in critical national security roles.

Merkley and Randall have led the charge in Congress to support our military readiness and national security by prohibiting discrimination against our servicemembers. Previously, Merkley wrote the No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act, which would ensure that Trump’s hateful anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including the ban on transgender servicemembers, have no force or effect, and that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders.

In addition to Merkley and Randall, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08).

This resolution is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, Advocates for Transgender Equality, Out in National Security, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Black Veterans Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and SPARTA Pride.

“For generations, LGBTQ+ Americans have felt called to service in the U.S. Armed Forces, even as they were prevented from serving openly until recent years. The dire predictions – lately resurrected by anti-equality figures – that claimed that recognizing LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans would somehow harm military readiness or effectiveness, have been conclusively and forever debunked. At a time when transgender servicemembers are seeing their service cut short for no good reason, it’s good to remember we all owe a debt of gratitude to our LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, and we thank Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall for this resolution to honor them,” said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Government Affairs.

“LGBTQ+ Americans have answered the call to serve this country for generations, often at extraordinary cost to themselves, their families, and their futures,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America. “They put on the uniform knowing their country would likely ask them to hide who they were, deny who they loved, or punish them simply for living openly. LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day is our declaration that our service will not be erased and our sacrifices will not be forgotten. We honor those who served, we reckon with what has been done to them in the name of national defense, and we demand a country worthy of the people who have always been willing to defend it.”

“Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) is proud to endorse the National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day Resolution. LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans have defended our nation with courage and distinction in every generation, often while confronting discrimination and barriers simply because of who they are. Even when our nation did not always afford them the dignity or recognition they deserved, they continued to serve and sacrifice. Their service, sacrifice, and stories are an essential part of American military history. We also recognize the families who have supported them and the importance of ensuring servicemembers, veterans, and their families have access to the care they need, including gender-affirming care. This resolution provides an important opportunity to recognize their contributions, acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory policies, and honor and preserve their legacy for generations to come. MMAA is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community in honoring their service, sacrifice, and enduring contributions to our nation,” said Hale Allegretti, Modern Military Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. (ret.).

“LGBTQ+ Americans have served our country from the founding of the Republic, including during decades when their government asked for their service while denying them equal treatment. National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day honors that service and sacrifice, recognizes the costs of exclusion, and affirms that everyone who raises their hand to serve deserves dignity, respect, and the benefits they have earned. We are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representative Randall for recognizing the generations of LGBTQ+ Americans who have worn the uniform,” said Lucas F. Schleusener, CEO of Out in National Security.

“At a time of immense national security challenges, tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people are answering the call and proudly serving our nation through military service,” said Brian Dittmeier, Director of LGBTQI+ Equality at the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund. “Their selfless service is undermined by the ongoing attacks by the Trump administration, which is forcing trans people out of military careers and ripping away the benefits they’ve earned through their service. LGBTQIA+ service members and veterans have had to overcome a long legacy of discrimination and exclusion in the military, but despite these challenges, they have continued to excel and rise through the ranks. Now, more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who are willing to stand with our service members and veterans as the administration senselessly undermines our military’s recruitment and readiness. This resolution, led by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Randall, is an important step in ensuring that anyone can put themselves forth to serve this country, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-join-bipartisan-congressional-push-to-stop-proposed-yosemite-land-transfer-to-trump-donor/,"Merkley, Wyden Join Bipartisan Congressional Push to Stop Proposed Yosemite Land Transfer to Trump Donor",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, the lead Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and former Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, respectively, joined a bipartisan group of over 150 lawmakers in urging DOI to abandon a proposed transfer of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park that would facilitate private access to and development of an 83-acre parcel adjacent to the park known as Hazel Green Ranch.

In their letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers condemned recent reporting that indicated the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite to facilitate access to private property owned by Kingsbarn, a company whose chief executive officer began making a series of donations to Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee in late 2024 — shortly after Kingsbarn acquired the Hazel Green Ranch property.

“At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans,” wrote the lawmakers. “Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.”

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Department’s proposal to use Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate the exchange. The letter noted that the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward with the project due to congressional objections.

“Public lands belong in public hands,” concluded the lawmakers. “Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life.”

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, along with U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Full letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Burgum:

Yosemite National Park is a cornerstone of the National Park System and is one of California’s crown jewels. President Theodore Roosevelt once said that “nothing in the world is more beautiful than the Yosemite” and that our national parks should be “preserved” and “their majestic beauty all unmarred.” Yosemite is a national treasure preserved for the benefit of the American people. Its continued beauty, status as a wildlife sanctuary, and source of enjoyment is contingent upon preservation and proper maintenance of its land—not parts being sold off to enrich nearby private property owners. We are extremely concerned that the Department of the Interior is considering selling off portions of the park to private development and we strongly oppose the proposed land transfer.

Recent reporting indicates that since early 2025, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service have been considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park to facilitate access to an 83-acre privately owned ranch. This is not the first time this property has sought to have private access to Yosemite, with federal courts blocking this right to access in both 2007 and 2012. Now that the ranch has a new owner, they are once again seeking to acquire this land to enhance the value of their property, and the political leadership at DOI is pressuring career staff to approve the exchange.

At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans. This transaction does not seek to expand public access to Yosemite, improve visitor services, or address transportation deficiencies in park access. Rather, this land exchange seeks to merely cut down on driving time for a select few on private property. Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.

We were alarmed that the Department submitted to Congress a proposal to use money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate this exchange. That fund exists to acquire and protect public lands for the benefit of the American public—not sell them off to corporate developers. In response to the Department’s request to fund this exchange through the LWCF, the Senate Interior Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward on this project due to our objection.

Further, in response to inquiries from Congress, the Department indicated that it has not identified any land to be exchanged for the parcel of Yosemite National Park that the Department is seeking to sell to the private developer. This gives further credence to the notion that this exchange is not being done in the public interest, but rather solely to benefit a private developer. In its justification for the LWCF proposal, the Department indicated that this exchange was a “priority,” while providing no compelling explanation for why it was in the interest of the United States to pursue this exchange. Instead, when explaining the need for the project, the Department simply stated that the private landowner requested an interest in federally owned property within the national park.

Public lands belong in public hands. Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life. We oppose any effort to privatize, sell off, give away, or otherwise undermine the continued existence of public lands, in Yosemite or across the country. We ask that you honor congressional objections and abandon this effort to sell off a piece of Yosemite National Park.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-demand-investigation-into-trump-administration-voter-data-misconduct/,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Investigation into Trump Administration Voter Data Misconduct",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Oregon senators seek “thorough and objective” investigation into new whistleblower disclosure revealing DHS officers were directed to illegally access sensitive voter data and create law enforcement records based on unreliable data compiled with “supplemental magic”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately and independently investigate wrongdoings detailed in a recent whistleblower’s disclosure alleging DHS is directing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security officers to impersonate voters in violation of state laws to access online voter data as part of its effort aimed at manufacturing evidence for Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.”

“The DHS Office of Inspector General’s mission is ‘[t]o provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS,’” wrote Wyden, Merkley along with 16 other senators. “We urge you to carry out that mission by immediately opening an independent investigation into the alleged wrongdoings detailed in the whistleblower’s claims, which describe agency leadership directing officers to violate the law and DHS standards of integrity.”

The senators highlighted the whistleblower’s allegations and potential impacts on eligible voters and other lawfully present noncitizens, such as directing USCIS personnel to make false certifications to access sensitive voter information, create erroneous federal law enforcement records known as “TECS records,” require reckless performance quotas of reviewing 40 subjects per day, and rely on unreliable source data compiled with “supplemental magic.”

In addition to opening an investigation, the senators urged the OIG to take immediate action to prevent additional wrongdoing, writing: “In addition to your investigation, please use every tool at your disposal, including a management alert, to address this immediately and prevent any additional wrongdoing or misuse of agency personnel and resources while the investigation is ongoing.”

“Given the time-sensitive nature of these claims, and the potential for misuse of this information for political purposes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, please provide weekly updates on the status of your investigation to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Senate Committee on the Judiciary,” the senators concluded. “Finally, recognizing the special provisions concerning the DHS Secretary’s authority over certain DHS OIG audits and investigations, if the Secretary refuses to cooperate with an audit or investigation, please notify us immediately.”

The DHS whistleblower disclosure has also prompted outside watchdog organizations to conduct their own investigations into the Trump administration’s wrongdoings, including an investigation launched by American Oversight to obtain DHS and USCIS records under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the administration’s so-called “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and alleged DHS directives to violate state laws.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, other senators signing the letter led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Timothy Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

The entire letter is here.

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-join-bipartisan-congressional-push-to-stop-proposed-yosemite-land-transfer-to-trump-donor,"Merkley, Wyden Join Bipartisan Congressional Push to Stop Proposed Yosemite Land Transfer to Trump Donor",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, the lead Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and former Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, respectively, joined a bipartisan group of over 150 lawmakers in urging DOI to abandon a proposed transfer of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park that would facilitate private access to and development of an 83-acre parcel adjacent to the park known as Hazel Green Ranch.

In their letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers condemned recent reporting that indicated the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite to facilitate access to private property owned by Kingsbarn, a company whose chief executive officer began making a series of donations to Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee in late 2024 — shortly after Kingsbarn acquired the Hazel Green Ranch property.

“At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans,” wrote the lawmakers. “Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.”

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Department’s proposal to use Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate the exchange. The letter noted that the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward with the project due to congressional objections.

“Public lands belong in public hands,” concluded the lawmakers. “Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life.”

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, along with U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Full letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Burgum:

Yosemite National Park is a cornerstone of the National Park System and is one of California’s crown jewels. President Theodore Roosevelt once said that “nothing in the world is more beautiful than the Yosemite” and that our national parks should be “preserved” and “their majestic beauty all unmarred.” Yosemite is a national treasure preserved for the benefit of the American people. Its continued beauty, status as a wildlife sanctuary, and source of enjoyment is contingent upon preservation and proper maintenance of its land—not parts being sold off to enrich nearby private property owners. We are extremely concerned that the Department of the Interior is considering selling off portions of the park to private development and we strongly oppose the proposed land transfer.

Recent reporting indicates that since early 2025, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service have been considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park to facilitate access to an 83-acre privately owned ranch. This is not the first time this property has sought to have private access to Yosemite, with federal courts blocking this right to access in both 2007 and 2012. Now that the ranch has a new owner, they are once again seeking to acquire this land to enhance the value of their property, and the political leadership at DOI is pressuring career staff to approve the exchange.

At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans. This transaction does not seek to expand public access to Yosemite, improve visitor services, or address transportation deficiencies in park access. Rather, this land exchange seeks to merely cut down on driving time for a select few on private property. Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.

We were alarmed that the Department submitted to Congress a proposal to use money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate this exchange. That fund exists to acquire and protect public lands for the benefit of the American public—not sell them off to corporate developers. In response to the Department’s request to fund this exchange through the LWCF, the Senate Interior Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward on this project due to our objection.

Further, in response to inquiries from Congress, the Department indicated that it has not identified any land to be exchanged for the parcel of Yosemite National Park that the Department is seeking to sell to the private developer. This gives further credence to the notion that this exchange is not being done in the public interest, but rather solely to benefit a private developer. In its justification for the LWCF proposal, the Department indicated that this exchange was a “priority,” while providing no compelling explanation for why it was in the interest of the United States to pursue this exchange. Instead, when explaining the need for the project, the Department simply stated that the private landowner requested an interest in federally owned property within the national park.

Public lands belong in public hands. Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life. We oppose any effort to privatize, sell off, give away, or otherwise undermine the continued existence of public lands, in Yosemite or across the country. We ask that you honor congressional objections and abandon this effort to sell off a piece of Yosemite National Park.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-demand-investigation-into-trump-administration-voter-data-misconduct,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Investigation into Trump Administration Voter Data Misconduct",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon senators seek “thorough and objective” investigation into new whistleblower disclosure revealing DHS officers were directed to illegally access sensitive voter data and create law enforcement records based on unreliable data compiled with “supplemental magic”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately and independently investigate wrongdoings detailed in a recent whistleblower’s disclosure alleging DHS is directing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security officers to impersonate voters in violation of state laws to access online voter data as part of its effort aimed at manufacturing evidence for Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.”

“The DHS Office of Inspector General’s mission is ‘[t]o provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS,’” wrote Wyden, Merkley along with 16 other senators.“We urge you to carry out that mission by immediately opening an independent investigation into the alleged wrongdoings detailed in the whistleblower’s claims, which describe agency leadership directing officers to violate the law and DHS standards of integrity.”

The senators highlighted the whistleblower’s allegations and potential impacts on eligible voters and other lawfully present noncitizens, such as directing USCIS personnel to make false certifications to access sensitive voter information, create erroneous federal law enforcement records known as “TECS records,” require reckless performance quotas of reviewing 40 subjects per day, and rely on unreliable source data compiled with “supplemental magic.”

In addition to opening an investigation, the senators urged the OIG to take immediate action to prevent additional wrongdoing, writing: “In addition to your investigation, please use every tool at your disposal, including a management alert, to address this immediately and prevent any additional wrongdoing or misuse of agency personnel and resources while the investigation is ongoing.”

“Given the time-sensitive nature of these claims, and the potential for misuse of this information for political purposes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, please provide weekly updates on the status of your investigation to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Senate Committee on the Judiciary,” the senators concluded.“Finally, recognizing the special provisions concerning the DHS Secretary’s authority over certain DHS OIG audits and investigations, if the Secretary refuses to cooperate with an audit or investigation, please notify us immediately.”

The DHS whistleblower disclosure has also prompted outside watchdog organizations to conduct their own investigations into the Trump administration’s wrongdoings, including an investigation launched by American Oversight to obtain DHS and USCIS records under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the administration’s so-called “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and alleged DHS directives to violate state laws.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, other senators signing the letter led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Timothy Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/dexter-merkley-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-comprehensive-legislation-to-protect-wildland-firefighters-health/,"Dexter, Merkley Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Wildland Firefighters’ Health",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act establishes first-of-its-kind respiratory protections, strengthens health monitoring and improves care for federal wildland firefighters.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (D-OR), Reps. Huffman (D-CA) and Gallagher (R-CA), and Sens. Merkley (D-OR), Padilla (D-CA), Curtis (R-UT), Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect wildland firefighters from the serious health risks associated with smoke, toxic substances and other hazards they encounter on the job.

For nearly 30 years, federal agencies have had data documenting the serious health risks wildland firefighters face. Structural firefighters began using respiratory protection in the 1970s, yet wildland firefighters are still routinely sent into dangerous conditions without adequate respiratory protection.

Developed in partnership with firefighters, unions and health experts, Dexter’s legislation would establish federal respiratory protection standards, strengthen long-term health monitoring, improve decontamination practices and ensure firefighters have better support when seeking federal workers’ compensation for job-related illnesses.

“As a pulmonologist and critical care physician, I’ve cared for firefighters with acute smoke and burn injuries, as well as chronic lung disease and cancer caused by repeated smoke exposure,” Congresswoman Dexter said. “It is devastating, and it is preventable. Our wildland firefighters deserve more than our gratitude—they deserve a government that protects them as fiercely as they protect all of us. The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act is legislation that will finally close critical gaps in protecting wildland firefighter health. It is built upon a simple principle: protecting firefighters’ health must be an operational priority, not an afterthought.”

“As climate chaos fuels an even more ferocious fire season, our wildland firefighters are on the front lines, battling deadly blazes to protect our communities,” said Senator Merkley. “These heroes deserve adequate resources and strong protections from the dangers posed by smoke exposure and other contaminants. Our bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act is critical to ensuring these firefighters get the support they need because they put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s our job to step up to keep them safe.”

“Every day, wildland firefighters face tremendous health risks at work, where they protect our communities, defend the environment, and save lives,” said Senator Padilla. “As California faces an increasing threat from devastating wildfires, we have a responsibility to make sure the heroes fighting these fires have the resources, safety equipment, and support needed to do their jobs safely. The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act takes an important step toward closing longstanding gaps in health and safety protections, giving our wildland firefighters the equipment, resources, and support they need to stay healthy while they brave dangerous conditions to save lives.”

“Our wildland firefighters are facing one of the worst fire seasons on record. Rep. Dexter and I have heard directly from these first responders on the dangers they face on the fire line and the health risks they take on every day as they fight these increasingly catastrophic fires. Young, healthy firefighters are developing cancer and lung disease at alarming rates, and some are paying with their lives,” said Ranking Member Huffman, House Natural Resources Committee – Democrats. “These folks keep our communities standing and our forests healthy. The least we owe them is the pay, the protective gear, and the health care to live long, healthy lives, and I am going to make sure Congress delivers.”

“Wildland firefighters run toward danger battling some of the biggest blazes we have ever seen,” said Congressman Gallagher. “We must take the health risks that come with that job seriously. The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act ensures that our firefighters have the right protocols, equipment, and working conditions to better protect them during and after a wildland fire.”

“NFFE-IAM strongly supports the Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act and its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of federal wildland firefighters who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and public lands,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). “Wildland firefighters face extraordinary occupational hazards, including toxic smoke, extreme heat, injuries, fatigue, and mental health challenges. They deserve the best available prevention, treatment, and protective technologies. Investing in their long-term health will save lives, retain experienced firefighters, strengthen workforce readiness, and help ensure these dedicated public servants can enjoy long, healthy lives after their service.”

“Wildland firefighters and fire support personnel are exposed to a variety of hazards, including wildfire smoke, on the job. Understanding the significant impacts of these hazards, the Commission called for investments in the physical and mental health of fire personnel as well as improved mitigation techniques for wildfire smoke exposure,” said Annie Schmidt, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Partnerships for Alliance for Wildfire Resilience. “The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act’s creation of a Federal Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program makes an important and necessary investment in the health and safety of those who serve us all by responding to wildfires. We applaud Reps. Dexter and Gallagher as well as Senators Padilla, Merkley, Sheehy, and Curtis on their efforts to protect wildland fire personnel.”

“There is a huge gap between the safety risks and health hazards that wildland firefighters face, including risk of severe musculoskeletal damage and rare cancers, and the inadequate level of medical care they are provided. The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act will go a long way towards narrowing this gap in their health care, providing support for crews whose work-related injuries and illnesses sometimes appear long after they’ve disengaged from the firelines,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, Executive Director of FUSEE: Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology.

“Our firefighters put everything on the line to protect us, and they deserve the same commitment in return. This bill takes an important step toward ensuring firefighters get the healthcare, benefits, and long-term support they’ve earned,” said Matt Weiner, founder and CEO of Megafire Action. “Congresswoman Dexter is a leader on this issue and Megafire Action looks forward to advancing this long-overdue commitment to those who protect our communities.”

The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act would:

Establish a Wildland Firefighter Health Task Force and Program

Create an interagency Wildland Firefighter Health Task Force and an advisory panel of outside stakeholders to coordinate efforts to reduce harmful exposures, pilot respiratory technologies and develop an updated Wildland Firefighter Health Strategy every three years.

Codify and fund the Federal Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program to support firefighters’ long-term health and safety.

Establish Respiratory Protection Standards

Permanently establish a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Office of Firefighter Health and Safety to develop criteria for new Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and support long-term health surveillance.

Establish a two-year pilot program to test respiratory protection technologies under real-world wildland firefighting conditions.

Require OSHA to issue an interim final standard for wildland firefighter health protection, followed by a final standard within five years of the pilot program’s report.

Protect Firefighters During and After the Job

Require paid duty time during operations for firefighters to shower, decontaminate gear and clean vehicles following exposure to smoke or PFAS.

Require fire facilities to provide commercial-grade washing machines for contaminated gear, designated decontamination areas and access to showers.

Create a dedicated Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs claims unit with specialized training on firefighting exposures to reduce processing delays and improve coordination for firefighters seeking benefits.

The Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act is endorsed by the National Federation of Federal Employees, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Fire Protection Association, Megafire, and Firefighters United for Safety.

Read bill text here.

Watch Rep. Dexter’s remarks here.

Watch full Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act press conference here.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-salinas-oregon-lawmakers-introduce-grand-ronde-land-transfer-act/,"Merkley, Salinas, Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led their Oregon Congressional Delegation colleagues—including Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—to introduce the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act. The bicameral bill would transfer 18,626 acres of federal land from the U.S. Forest Service into trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The Tribe will maintain all public and recreational access to the area.

“With the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act, we will enable the Grand Ronde to enhance their self-determination and ability to sustainably steward ancestral lands, while boosting economic opportunity across the region,” said Merkley. “This is long-overdue, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure the federal government upholds its commitment to Tribal communities across Oregon.”

“For too long, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has faced historic injustices that stripped them of their ancestral lands,” said Salinas. “This legislation is a meaningful step towards righting those wrongs. By transferring these 18,626 acres to the Tribe’s stewardship, we honor their deep connection to this land and their leadership in strengthening forest health, wildfire resilience, and community safety for all Oregonians.”

“This bill takes a big step toward helping the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to support services and provide opportunities that will enhance quality of life in the surrounding community,” said Wyden. “I’m proud to support this legislation and will keep battling for all Tribes in Oregon to have the federal government working with them every step of the way as they exercise their sovereignty.”

“Oregonians know that responsible conservation and resource stewardship improve ecosystem health, reduce wildfire risks, and preserve healthy forests for future generations,” said Bonamici. “This land transfer will enhance long-term forest health, expand public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance reconciliation among the tribal, state, and federal governments. I’m grateful for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde’s commitment to sustainable land management and will continue to advocate for tribal rights and justice.”

“This bill rights a historic wrong for the Grand Ronde who have worked tirelessly to return a just fraction of its ancestral territory,” said Hoyle. “The Grand Ronde Tribe are experts in sustainable forestry management and Indigenous ecology. They are the best stewards of these federal forest lands, and will continue to do so for all Oregonians, as they have done since time immemorial.”

“For generations, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have cared for the lands within their ancestral territory,” said Dexter. “This legislation recognizes the Tribe’s deep connection to these lands and its generations of experience protecting Oregon’s forests and natural resources. Placing these lands in the Tribe’s care will honor that connection and help keep Oregon’s forests healthy for future generations. I will continue working to deliver on our commitments to Oregon’s tribal communities.”

“The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has shown that it is a responsible steward of Oregon’s natural resources, and I’m proud to support this effort,” said Bynum. “This bill transfers over 18,000 acres of forest land in Tillamook and Yamhill Counties to the Tribe, strengthening tribal sovereignty and ensuring the land is managed for conservation, recreation, and sustainable harvest for generations to come. I’ll keep working to honor our commitments to Oregon’s tribal communities.”

The Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act is supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Tillamook County, Yamhill County, Oregon Department of Forestry, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, The Nature Conservancy, Sustainable Northwest, The Stewardship Project, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.

“We are grateful to Senator Merkley for introducing this bill and standing with Grand Ronde,” said Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy. “The transfer of these lands helps us rebuild the reservation, community and economy we lost as a result of termination. We will care for these forests with the knowledge our people have carried for generations, the same way we care for the nearly 16,000 acres we manage today. Under our care, this land will stay healthy for generations to come.”

Full text of the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act can be found by clicking here.

A map detailing the land transfer can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-hoyle-dexter-announce-12-million-to-oregon-for-habitat-restoration-projects/,"Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $12 Million to Oregon for Habitat Restoration Projects",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) today to announce $12 million in federal funds for Oregon habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects through the Community-based Restoration Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program provides technical assistance and funding to partners implementing habitat restoration projects in coastal communities around the country. These projects will recover and sustain our nation’s fisheries by ensuring fish have access to high-quality habitat.

“Thanks to the Community-based Restoration Program, $12 million in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help protect and improve critical habitat for native Oregon fish, including the iconic coho salmon,” said Merkley. “Oregon’s native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial. I’ll keep pushing for necessary federal investments to protect Oregon’s ecosystems for generations to come.”

“Salmon and steelhead are a huge part of what makes Oregon recreation and our state’s natural wonders renowned around the world,” said Wyden. “This $12 million federal investment will help ensure those native fish keep flourishing along the coast and in the Sandy River Basin. I’ll always keep battling for resources just like these that are so vital for economic well-being and Tribal traditions.”

“Salmon sustain fishing jobs, support Tribes and help our local economies thrive,” said Hoyle. “NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program supports habitat preservation up and down the Oregon coast. This funding will support habitat restoration for Coho Salmon right here in the 4th Congressional district.”

“I’m deeply grateful our community is receiving $6.1 million in NOAA funding to support habitat restoration for salmon and steelhead in the Sandy River Basin,” said Dexter. “At a time when these threatened species face constant threats from climate change, I will continue advocating for funding that helps protect this irreplaceable part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem.”

The $12 million in federal funds will be distributed in Oregon as follows:

The Freshwater Trust – Restoring habitat to support salmon and steelhead in the Sandy River Basin: $6.1 million

Wild Salmon Center – Restoring habitat for coho salmon across four Oregon Coast watersheds: $5.9 million

“When we helped secure Endangered Species Act protection for these fish decades ago, the goal wasn’t to put them on some sacred list and mourn—it was to recover them. The Sandy program shows what can happen when you work at the scale of the whole basin, put effort into projects that matter most, and measure success by outcomes: spring Chinook and winter steelhead returns are now consistently surpassing ESA delisting abundance targets. This basin is one of the only spots in America where that’s actually happening. This NOAA investment lets us keep doing what works until the job is done,” said Joe Whitworth, President & CEO, The Freshwater Trust.

“This investment in a unique Oregon partnership with a winning formula will help to further recover threatened Oregon Coast coho. By following science, building consensus across agencies and communities, and deploying local knowledge and workers, the Coast Coho Partnership is reconnecting the most important streams, wetlands, and estuaries for coho up and down the coast. Coho abundance is trending upward once again. Thanks to this funding and the leadership of the NOAA Restoration Center, we continue to recover a fish that is central to life on the Oregon Coast,” said Mark Trenholm, Vice President for Conservation, Wild Salmon Center.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-hoyle-dexter-announce-12-million-to-oregon-for-habitat-restoration-projects,"Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle, Dexter Announce $12 Million to Oregon for Habitat Restoration Projects",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) today to announce $12 million in federal funds for Oregon habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects through the Community-based Restoration Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program provides technical assistance and funding to partners implementing habitat restoration projects in coastal communities around the country. These projects will recover and sustain our nation’s fisheries by ensuring fish have access to high-quality habitat.

“Thanks to the Community-based Restoration Program, $12 million in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help protect and improve critical habitat for native Oregon fish, including the iconic coho salmon,” said Merkley. “Oregon’s native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial. I’ll keep pushing for necessary federal investments to protect Oregon’s ecosystems for generations to come.”

“Salmon and steelhead are a huge part of what makes Oregon recreation and our state’s natural wonders renowned around the world,” said Wyden. “This $12 million federal investment will help ensure those native fish keep flourishing along the coast and in the Sandy River Basin. I’ll always keep battling for resources just like these that are so vital for economic well-being and Tribal traditions.”

""Salmon sustain fishing jobs, support Tribes and help our local economies thrive,"" said Hoyle. ""NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program supports habitat preservation up and down the Oregon coast. This funding will support habitat restoration for Coho Salmon right here in the 4th Congressional district.""

“I’m deeply grateful our community is receiving $6.1 million in NOAA funding to support habitat restoration for salmon and steelhead in the Sandy River Basin,” said Dexter. ""At a time when these threatened species face constant threats from climate change, I will continue advocating for funding that helps protect this irreplaceable part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem.”

The $12 million in federal funds will be distributed in Oregon as follows:

The Freshwater Trust – Restoring habitat to support salmon and steelhead in the Sandy River Basin: $6.1 million

Wild Salmon Center – Restoring habitat for coho salmon across four Oregon Coast watersheds: $5.9 million

""When we helped secure Endangered Species Act protection for these fish decades ago, the goal wasn’t to put them on some sacred list and mourn—it was to recover them. The Sandy program shows what can happen when you work at the scale of the whole basin, put effort into projects that matter most, and measure success by outcomes: spring Chinook and winter steelhead returns are now consistently surpassing ESA delisting abundance targets. This basin is one of the only spots in America where that’s actually happening. This NOAA investment lets us keep doing what works until the job is done,” said Joe Whitworth, President & CEO, The Freshwater Trust.

""This investment in a unique Oregon partnership with a winning formula will help to further recover threatened Oregon Coast coho. By following science, building consensus across agencies and communities, and deploying local knowledge and workers, the Coast Coho Partnership is reconnecting the most important streams, wetlands, and estuaries for coho up and down the coast. Coho abundance is trending upward once again. Thanks to this funding and the leadership of the NOAA Restoration Center, we continue to recover a fish that is central to life on the Oregon Coast,"" said Mark Trenholm, Vice President for Conservation, Wild Salmon Center.

###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-schiff-press-flock-ceo-for-answers-on-troubling-abuse-of-technology-amid-surveillance-network-concerns-push-to-protect-americans-privacy,"Wyden, Schiff Press Flock CEO for Answers on Troubling Abuse of Technology Amid Surveillance Network Concerns, Push to Protect Americans’ Privacy",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said today they are pressing Flock for information regarding allegations of abuse of its surveillance platforms and whether its existing protocols are failing to protect Americans’ privacy.

The inquiry follows increasingly troubling and documented reports of law enforcement officials abusing Flock’s nationwide license plate readers, camera network and sensors to carry out extensive, unauthorized surveillance.

“Despite a professed public commitment to responsible governance, Flock has repeatedly failed to implement the safeguards necessary to protect Americans’ civil liberties,” Wyden and Schiff wrote Flock CEO Garrett Langley.

Multiple organizations and news reporting have revealed alarming concerns of unauthorized surveillance by Flock cameras. Organizations have come forward to express concern that states restricting reproductive health care access are using Flock data to track down patients traveling to other states for care while other reports indicate Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are conducting immigration-related searches of Flock databases to pursue individuals without warrants. An analysis of police and court reports by The Washington Post revealed that at least 50 law enforcement officers have been charged or accused of misusing Flock’s surveillance system for unauthorized purposes.

In their inquiry, the senators express concern over how Flock has repeatedly failed to implement the safeguards necessary to protect Americans’ civil liberties and demand answers on how the company is protecting against misuse by law enforcement and others, as well as its compliance with existing privacy laws. They also direct Flock to preserve all records between the company, employees, consultants, and state, local, and federal agents regarding Flock cameras.

Wyden has been a staunch advocate for privacy rights and holding Flock accountable. In October 2025, Wyden questioned Flock regarding its massive license plate recognition network and data-sharing practices. He criticized the company for misleading local law enforcement customers and enabling the sharing of sensitive vehicle tracking data with federal immigration authorities or out-of-state agencies enforcing anti-abortion laws. Wyden also slammed the platform's ineffective safeguards, noting that officers could easily bypass accountability by sharing passwords or entering generic, meaningless reasons for data searches. Following his initial investigation, Wyden urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Flock and hold the company responsible for negligent cybersecurity practices such as failing to require multi-factor authentication leaving millions of Americans' personal data vulnerable to hackers.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/curtis-merkley-wildfire-emissions-prevention-bill-unanimously-passes-committee/,"Curtis, Merkley Wildfire Emissions Prevention Bill Unanimously Passes Committee",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today applauded the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s unanimous passage of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA), bipartisan legislation to streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner. The bill—led by Senator Curtis—is cosponsored by EPW Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

“Today’s unanimous approval by the Committee brings us one step closer to addressing the glaring irony in our current environmental regulations: They deter prescribed burns due to pollution concerns, practically guaranteeing catastrophic wildfires that emit far more carbon than proactive management ever would,” said Senator Curtis. “I thank my colleagues for their work and support and look forward to the bill’s passage by the full Senate.”

“As climate chaos fuels longer, hotter, and more dangerous wildfire seasons, our communities need to have all the necessary resources to mitigate wildfire threats. Prescribed fire and cultural burning on the landscape are one such tool by reducing hazardous fuels,” said Senator Merkley. “This bipartisan bill would streamline the use of prescribed burns and establish the Smoke Ready Communities Program, which is based on provisions from my Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act. As our Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act moves closer to becoming law, we are on the way to supporting more prescribed fire on the landscape—an essential forest management activity—while giving our communities the resources to plan and prepare for smoke events, protecting public health and saving lives.”

“The unanimous passage of the WEPA through the EPW Committee represents a key step toward implementing common-sense solutions that will help states more effectively prevent wildfires and protect their land and communities. I am grateful to Senator Curtis and Senator Merkley for their leadership on this bill, and I look forward to supporting its passage through the full Senate,” said Chair Capito.

“Empowering states to proactively manage forests will reduce the frequency and devastation that wildfires increasingly inflict on communities. I am pleased the EPW Committee reached strong, bipartisan consensus around this commonsense solution and appreciate Sen. Curtis’ leadership on this critical issue,” said Senator Boozman.

“Year after year, increasingly devastating wildfires ravage our public lands and communities, so it’s critical we act with urgency,” said Senator Padilla. “Today’s unanimous Committee vote to advance WEPA will allow more prescribed fire to be deployed on the landscape and help prevent or mitigate wildfires. I am proud to see our bill advance as we work to be proactive in responding to the wildfire crisis instead of waiting to respond after disaster strikes.”

“In Arizona, we know just how catastrophic wildfires can be. One of the best tools we have to reduce wildfire risk and the damage it wreaks is prescribed fires. But right now, federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fire proactively,” said Senator Kelly. “The WEPA gives states greater certainty that they won’t be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce the risk of a much larger and more destructive wildfires. This is a commonsense change that will help us keep our communities safe and our forests healthy.”

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would:

Make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to prevent wildfire emissions;

Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitat;

Provide certainty that states won’t be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires;

Promote the efficient use of state air quality resources; and

Make our forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.

A one-pager on the bill is available here, and the full bill text is available here.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-booker-grassley-hinson-and-adams-lead-bipartisan-push-for-stillbirth-prevention-and-awareness/,"Merkley, Booker, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Lead Bipartisan Push for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) partnered with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. With almost one-fourth of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the importance of advancing evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts in the United States.

“Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,” said Merkley. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.”

“Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,” said Booker. “Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.”

“No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there’s still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives,” said Grassley.

“Improving prenatal education and access to maternal care—especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider—is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths. Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth,” said Hinson.

“It has already taken way too long for Congress to wake up to the tragedy that is our country’s stillbirth crisis,” said Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “We have made some great progress, but there is so much more to be done. We already have many innovative solutions to reduce stillbirth — our country just hasn’t invested in them at a national scale. We can, and we must do better for our moms.”

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, one out of every 183 U.S. births—more than 20,000 per year—tragically results in a stillbirth, which is more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. Parents who experience stillbirth are also at an increased risk for severe maternal morbidity, depression, and mortality.

In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In the House, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01).

The bipartisan, bicameral resolution is supported by 46 organizations, including Healthy Birth Day, Inc., March of Dimes, and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

“Nearly five thousand babies’ lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts. National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn’t have to be this way,” said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day, Inc. CEO.

“The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses applauds Senator Jeff Merkley for introducing the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution and for elevating awareness of an issue that affects thousands of families across the United States each year. Stillbirth is a devastating loss with lasting emotional, physical, and psychological impacts on parents, families, and communities. While not all stillbirths can be prevented, research continues to demonstrate that increased awareness, equitable access to high-quality prenatal care, evidence-based clinical practices, and timely recognition of warning signs can help reduce the risk of preventable stillbirths. This resolution helps shine a spotlight on the urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts, support families who have experienced loss, and address persistent disparities in maternal and infant health,” said Elizabeth A. McIntire, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, C-EFM, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses President.

“Every year, thousands of families experience the devastating loss of a stillborn baby with lasting impacts on mom and her health,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, March of Dimes Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs. “Yet, research shows that many stillbirths are potentially preventable. We must do more to support moms, protect babies, and care for their families. March of Dimes is proud to endorse the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution and urges action to advance research, strengthen prevention, address maternal health risks, and ensure families have access to the care and resources they need.”

In 2024, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act—led by Merkley in the Senate and Hinson and Adams in the House—was signed into law to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America. Senators Booker and Merkley also lead the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, which would improve data collection, research, education, and public awareness around stillbirth.

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-markey-bipartisan-group-of-senators-trump-administration-must-release-all-documents-from-u-s-saudi-nuclear-deal/,"Merkley, Markey, Bipartisan Group of Senators: Trump Administration Must Release All Documents from U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Massachusetts’ U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey led a bipartisan group of Senators to press the Trump Administration to declassify and publicly release the two side letters accompanying the proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, referred to as a “123 agreement.”

The Trump Administration recently submitted the 123 agreement to Congress—as is required by law—but while the agreement references the side letters, the letters themselves are classified at the lowest possible level, which is unprecedented. Because the side letters affect the obligations and operation of the underlying agreement, Congress and the public cannot fully assess what the United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed to without seeing them.

“Congress has a statutory responsibility under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act to review the proposed nuclear deal, which seeks to facilitate nuclear cooperation with significant implications for U.S. national security interests. Access to the full text is required for the Senate and the public to have a clear understanding of the commitments being made on the nation’s behalf and those being made by Saudi Arabia to the United States,” wrote the bipartisan group of Senators in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The side letters affect the obligations and operations of the underlying agreement and cannot be viewed in isolation from it; the President’s own transmission letter to Congress states that the agreement ‘…was concluded with two accompanying side letters.’ Their public release would also allow civil society, independent experts, and other affected stakeholders to scrutinize the deal.”

They emphasized, “Transparency and open debate are cornerstones of our democracy. Congress and the American public must have a meaningful opportunity to review and debate the key components of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal before it potentially enters into force. To that end, we call on you to declassify and release the two side letters without delay.”

Joining Merkley and Markey in signing the letter were U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), John Kennedy (R-LA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

As co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, Merkley and Markey have raised concerns about the proposed details of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal. Merkley began his career in public service as a nuclear weapons policy analyst at the Pentagon and the Congressional Budget Office and, along with Markey, has advocated for strong nuclear arms control in Congress.

Full text of the bipartisan letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Wright:

We write to urge you to immediately declassify and publicly release the two side letters associated with the Trump Administration’s proposed U.S.-Saudi 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement. While the text of the agreement and the bilateral safeguards agreement are now publicly available in unclassified form, the two side letters remain classified at the lowest possible level.

In previous 123 agreements, the Executive Branch publicly released the agreement along with side letters and related documents. Releasing the agreement text without the side letters here leaves that practice only half met. We are aware of no precedent for classifying and withholding the side letters, particularly when the stated purpose is peaceful nuclear cooperation.

Congress has a statutory responsibility under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act to review the proposed nuclear deal, which seeks to facilitate nuclear cooperation with significant implications for U.S. national security interests. Access to the full text is required for the Senate and the public to have a clear understanding of the commitments being made on the nation’s behalf and those being made by Saudi Arabia to the United States. The side letters affect the obligations and operations of the underlying agreement and cannot be viewed in isolation from it; the President’s own transmission letter to Congress states that the agreement “…was concluded with two accompanying side letters.” Their public release would also allow civil society, independent experts, and other affected stakeholders to scrutinize the deal.

Transparency and open debate are cornerstones of our democracy. Congress and the American public must have a meaningful opportunity to review and debate the key components of the U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal before it potentially enters into force. To that end, we call on you to declassify and release the two side letters without delay.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/sheehy-merkleys-air-traffic-situational-awareness-enhancement-act-advances-through-senate-commerce-committee/,"Sheehy, Merkley’s Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act Advances through Senate Commerce Committee",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy’s Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act today advanced out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill, co-led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), provides air traffic controllers more tools and training to keep American airspace safe. It now heads to the Senate floor for full consideration.

“America has long set the gold standard in aviation, but a lack of resources and outdated technology puts public safety at risk. It’s crucial that we ensure our Air Traffic Controllers in airports across the country, including regional and rural airports, have the training and tools they need to enhance their situational awareness and keep our airspace safe. This practical, bipartisan legislation makes sure our technology is upgraded to meet our modern aviation safety needs, and I’m pleased to see it head to the Senate floor,” said Senator Sheehy.

“Oregon’s small and regional airports are an important partner in keeping the flying public safe. Our simple bipartisan bill—which just cleared a key hurdle—will unlock resources for these airports to make critical safety upgrades if they need them, something we should all get behind,” said Senator Merkley.

Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined Sheehy and Merkley in introducing the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act in February. The bill is supported by the Regional Airline Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, and National Business Aviation Association.

Background:

Many airports, particularly smaller and rural ones under the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program, still lack modern situational awareness technology such as Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or other radar-integrated displays. Of the 266 Federal Contract Towers, more than 90 lack any surveillance tools. In towers at these airports, controllers rely on visual observation and radio calls, tools that can become strained during periods of high traffic, complex mixed operations, or reduced visibility. This technology gap can contribute to missed traffic conflicts or delayed recognition of emerging hazards.

As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve technology to improve operational situational awareness at FCTs, after years of requests from airports asking for assistance in addressing this technological gap.

Last summer, the FAA approved the first Airborne Position Reference Tool (APRT), which uses ADS-B data to present controllers with a real-time display of local airspace. Since then, APRTs have already been deployed at several airports around the country, and controllers and operators report that APRTs significantly enhance situational awareness and improve controller confidence, bolstering safety.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/warren-hoyle-wyden-merkley-ocasio-cortez-subramanyam-introduce-bill-to-ban-the-corporate-practice-of-medicine/,"Warren, Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, Ocasio-Cortez, Subramanyam Introduce Bill to Ban the Corporate Practice of Medicine",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“Patients want to know that decisions about their health are being made by their doctors, not by Wall Street investors,” said Senator Warren. “If we’re going to lower costs and un-rig the health care system, we need to stop the corporate takeover of medicine.”

“Billionaire corporations are using sick patients to turn healthy profits, and Americans are fed up,” said Senator Merkley. “In Oregon, we passed one of the most comprehensive corporate practice of medicine laws in the country, standing up for patients and health care providers. It’s time we take on corporate greed in health care at the federal level by passing our Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act, cracking down on these takeovers that are destroying our health care system.”

“Americans want medical decisions to stay between patients and their doctor, not dictated by corporate actors and private equity firms focused on maximizing profits,” said Senator Wyden. “I’m proud of Oregon’s pioneering state law that has been used by doctors to protect their independence, and it’s time to take that model to the federal level. Corporate medicine is making health care more expensive for everyone, and safeguards must be put in place to ensure health care decisions stay in the hands of physicians.”

“80% of doctors in the U.S. are employed by corporate entities, up from 62% in 2019,” said Representative Hoyle. “Healthcare should not be a line item in a spreadsheet. The Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act will ensure proper protections are in place, so our healthcare systems serve the best interests of our patients, not corporations.”

“Americans want medical decisions to stay between patients and their doctors, not dictated solely by the pursuit of maximizing profits. States have passed laws to protect the independence of physicians, and it’s time to take that model to the federal level. Corporate medicine is making health care more expensive for everyone, and safeguards must be put in place to ensure health care decisions stay in the hands of physicians,” said Representative Subramanyam.

“Across the country, private equity firms and corporate conglomerates are buying up American physician offices. To increase shareholder profits, these entities often cut corners, leading to patients paying more for significantly worse care,” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez. “I’m proud to co-lead the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act to get Wall Street out of Americans’ doctors’ offices and ban predatory noncompete agreements for healthcare workers.”

“With big bipartisan majorities, Oregon passed the strongest ban on the corporate practice of medicine in the country,” Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman said, the author and chief sponsor of Oregon Senate Bill 951 (2025). “Oregon has shown that it’s possible to stand up to corporate profiteering in healthcare and win. Now it’s time to take that fight nationwide.”

“The American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) believes that local physician ownership of their practice is the best arrangement for the physicians, the medical staff, the hospital and, most importantly, for the patient,” said Vicki Norton, MD, FAAEM, President of the AAEM. “That’s why the AAEM strongly supports The Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act of 2026. The bill would prohibit the corporate practice of medicine and allow physicians to work unencumbered, focusing on patients. There is no greater policy imperative for AAEM than protecting patient safety and quality of care in emergency departments through efforts such as this bill.”

“The Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act will strengthen long-standing bans on the corporate practice of medicine, ensuring clinical decisions are made by licensed professionals sworn to care for patients, not corporations beholden to shareholders,” said Emma Freer, Senior Fellow for Health Care at the American Economic Liberties Project. “It’s an essential step toward breaking up Big Medicine, which drives costs up, quality down, and independent practitioners out of business.”

“States established prohibitions against the corporate practice of medicine a century ago for a simple reason: when corporations start making medical decisions instead of doctors, everyone loses. Care gets worse and more expensive for patients, working conditions get worse for doctors and their staff, and communities lose the unique benefits of high-quality, independent care,” said Joe Van Wye, Policy Director at Coalition for Patient-Centered Care. “We commend the sponsors of the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act for introducing today’s legislation, which will enshrine our nation’s strongest and most effective protections against the corporate practice of medicine into federal law for the benefit of all Americans, and hope it is enacted quickly.”

“Across America, physician’s private practices have been bought up by shadowy corporations and private equity groups with the sole goal of profit. Putting patients first is out — monopolizing local physician services, driving up fees, and shortening hours is in. This has made life worse for Americans across the country. The Bull Moose Project has long sounded the alarm about these shady practices, such as in cancer care. The ‘‘Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act of 2026″ can halt these appalling practices once and for all by making it illegal for big corporations to vacuum up private clinics,” said Aiden Buzzetti, President, Bull Moose Project.

“The Association for Independent Medicine strongly supports the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act, and we’re grateful to Senators Warren, Wyden, and Merkley and Representatives Hoyle, Subramanyam, and Ocasio-Cortez for championing it. A prohibition is only as strong as its enforcement, and this bill backs its corporate practice of medicine prohibition with three enforcement paths: the FTC, state attorneys general suing on behalf of residents, and physicians themselves through a private right of action with treble damages. That layered enforcement, paired with mandatory divestment, is what gives this bill teeth that earlier CPOM laws have often lacked,” said Dr. Marco Fernandez, President and Co-Founder, Association for Independent Medicine.

“Patients are best served when clinical decisions and practice operations remain under the control of licensed healthcare professionals, not private equity firms or management companies whose primary obligation may be to investors,” says Dr. Jill Tanzi, President of the Alliance of Independent Dentists. “The threats posed by corporate consolidation are not unique to medicine; dentists and their patients deserve these same protections. This bill’s protections against corporate control and interference are critical safeguards for both clinicians and patients, and we commend its sponsors for working to protect independent medicine.”

“Private equity firms and other corporate investors should not get to decide how doctors practice medicine. When investors dictate staffing levels or how much time doctors can spend with patients, they are directing patient care. Doctors need the authority to make those decisions based on what their patients need. We support the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act and urge Congress to put enforceable limits on corporate control of medical practices,” said Michael Fenne, Senior Policy Coordinator at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.

“For too long, private corporations have overridden physicians’ clinical judgment, prioritizing shareholder returns and profits over patient care. This legislation would end that practice. Patients deserve care decisions made by clinicians, not by investors managing a portfolio. We thank Senators Warren, Wyden, and Merkley and Representatives Hoyle, Subramanyam, and Ocasio-Cortez for introducing this vital legislation and urge Congress to pass it without delay,” said Rachel Madley, PhD, Executive Director, Center for Health and Democracy

“Our health care system is perfectly designed to concentrate wealth and power into corporate entities and increasingly badly designed to actually care for patients. The Oncology Practices of ONCare Alliance are dedicated to helping oncologists remain independent of private equity and other corporate structures that pull needed resources away from patient care into their profit margins,” said Barbara McAneny, Co-Chair of the OnCARE Alliance. “We strongly oppose the corporate practice of medicine and commend the sponsors of the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act for introducing this important bill that will help doctors design our practices to make the best treatment plans with our patients.”

“As doctors, we have a duty to put the needs of our patients first,” said Hugh Bassewitz, M.D., the OrthoForum. “That’s much harder when a practice is run by corporate executives focused on increasing returns for their shareholders, not by physicians focused on helping people who need us. We’re glad to see Congress acting to help doctors provide patient-centric care, and thank the sponsors for their work on this important legislation.”

“This groundbreaking legislation is absolutely needed to give health providers and patients a fighting chance against corporate greed. Congress must stop private equity from ripping the copper wires out of American healthcare and put patients first. Social Security Works is proud to endorse this legislation,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director, Social Security Works.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-hoyle-salinas-announce-9-1-million-for-affordable-housing-and-water-infrastructure-upgrades/,"Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle, Salinas Announce $9.1 Million for Affordable Housing and Water Infrastructure Upgrades",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties to benefit.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas, today announced $9.1 million in federal awards and loans for water infrastructure and affordable housing projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties.

“Every Oregonian deserves access to clean, reliable drinking water and an affordable place to call home,” Wyden said. “This federal investment will directly support rural communities across our state by upgrading critical water infrastructure in Brookings, and preserving affordable housing for working families and seniors in Newberg and La Grande. This is good news, and I’ll keep fighting to secure similar federal resources that improve everyday life for all Oregonians.”

“This federal investment will help support both housing and water infrastructure – two critical needs that I’ve heard about time and time again from Oregon’s rural communities,” said Merkley, the former top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds USDA. “These funds from USDA will help ensure seniors and families in rural Oregon have access to affordable housing and clean, safe drinking water.”

“It’s a great day when we see strong investments on the ground in our communities,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This funding directly invests in our water infrastructure and expands affordable housing. In Congress, I’ll continue fighting for funding that reinvests in our communities and brings taxpayer dollars back to Oregon.”

“Oregon is already about 140,000 homes short of what we need. That shortage is driving up costs and making it harder for families to find a home they can afford,” said Rep. Salinas. “We need to build more housing while preserving the affordable homes we already have. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding to renovate these homes in Newberg that will improve living conditions for families and make sure rural Oregonians can continue to live with dignity in the communities they call home.”

The $9.1 million in federal awards from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program and will be distributed as follows:

$1 million grant to the City of Brookings to support the replacement of a portion of its water distribution system along Easy Street that contains asbestos concrete and cast iron pipe. Fire hydrants along the route will also be replaced with new water services to the existing water meters and will include new touch read water meter boxes.

$5.6 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in Newberg to renovate and maintain an affordable multifamily housing complex that supports 10 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units.

$2.5 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in La Grande to renovate and maintain an affordable senior housing complex that supports 39 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units.

“The preservation of these properties is really focused on the households. Not only are we extending the federal rent assistance long term, the scope of the rehab will bring the projects up to a ‘like new’ condition, and of course, we hope that this will be a home they will be proud to bring their friends and family to,” said Shelly Cullin, Director of Development for Chrisman Development, Inc.

###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-hoyle-salinas-announce-91-million-for-affordable-housing-and-water-infrastructure-upgrades,"Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle, Salinas Announce $9.1 Million for Affordable Housing and Water Infrastructure Upgrades",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties to benefit.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas, today announced $9.1 million in federal awards and loans for water infrastructure and affordable housing projects in Curry, Yamhill and Union counties.

“Every Oregonian deserves access to clean, reliable drinking water and an affordable place to call home,” Wyden said. “This federal investment will directly support rural communities across our state by upgrading critical water infrastructure in Brookings, and preserving affordable housing for working families and seniors in Newberg and La Grande. This is good news, and I’ll keep fighting to secure similar federal resources that improve everyday life for all Oregonians.”

“This federal investment will help support both housing and water infrastructure – two critical needs that I’ve heard about time and time again from Oregon’s rural communities,” said Merkley, the former top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds USDA. “These funds from USDA will help ensure seniors and families in rural Oregon have access to affordable housing and clean, safe drinking water.”

""It's a great day when we see strong investments on the ground in our communities,"" said Rep. Hoyle. ""This funding directly invests in our water infrastructure and expands affordable housing. In Congress, I'll continue fighting for funding that reinvests in our communities and brings taxpayer dollars back to Oregon.""

“Oregon is already about 140,000 homes short of what we need. That shortage is driving up costs and making it harder for families to find a home they can afford,” said Rep. Salinas. “We need to build more housing while preserving the affordable homes we already have. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding to renovate these homes in Newberg that will improve living conditions for families and make sure rural Oregonians can continue to live with dignity in the communities they call home.”

The $9.1 million in federal awards from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program and will be distributed as follows:

$1 million grant to the City of Brookings to support the replacement of a portion of its water distribution system along Easy Street that contains asbestos concrete and cast iron pipe. Fire hydrants along the route will also be replaced with new water services to the existing water meters and will include new touch read water meter boxes.

$5.6 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in Newberg to renovate and maintain an affordable multifamily housing complex that supports 10 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units.

$2.5 million loan to Cascade Peaks Apartments in La Grande to renovate and maintain an affordable senior housing complex that supports 39 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-williams-booker-lead-push-to-close-constitutional-loophole-allowing-for-slavery/,"Merkley, Williams, Booker Lead Push to Close Constitutional Loophole Allowing for Slavery",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (GA-05) today teamed up with New Jersey’s U.S. Senator Cory Booker to reintroduce the End the Exception Amendment. The bicameral resolution would strike the ‘Slavery Clause’ of the 13th Amendment, a constitutional loophole that allows slavery “as a punishment for crime” in the United States.

“For over 160 years, the 13th Amendment has sought to ensure our democratic republic lives up to the principles of equality and justice that America was founded on, but our work still remains to fully confront the horrific legacies of slavery and white supremacy,” said Merkley. “For too long, the sinister Slavery Clause in our Constitution has denied the dream of a more perfect union, stripping millions of people—particularly people of color—of their most basic human rights and preventing true justice and equality for all. We must pass the End the Exception Amendment to eliminate the loophole that drove legal slavery long past passage of the 13th Amendment.”

“Slavery was wrong from day one, and we should have abolished it when the 13th Amendment was ratified,” said Williams. “I will keep pushing, no matter how long it takes, for Congress to close the Slavery Loophole in the Constitution, finally ending slavery in America in every form, once and for all. It’s been one hundred sixty years since we passed the 13th Amendment. We’ve waited long enough. The time to pass the End the Exception Amendment is now.”

“Over one hundred and sixty years after Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, the law has failed to fully fulfill its promise of freedom for all. A loophole in the Thirteenth Amendment allows individuals to be sentenced to forced labor as ‘punishment for a crime,’” said Booker. “We cannot claim to be a free country while allowing people to be enslaved—it is a violation of our founding principles that continues to disproportionately impact Black Americans. It is time we eliminate slavery in every form and pass the End the Exception Amendment so we can live up to our country’s foundational principles of liberty, justice, and equality for all.”

Immediately following the 1865 ratification of the 13th Amendment—including the Slavery Clause—Southern jurisdictions passed what became known as “Black Codes,” laws that allowed the arrest of Black Americans in large numbers for minor crimes like loitering or vagrancy. The Slavery Clause was then used by sheriffs to lease out imprisoned Black individuals to work landowners’ fields, which in some cases included the very same plantations where the prisoners had previously been enslaved. The practice grew in prevalence and scope to the point that, for example, by 1898, 73 percent of Alabama’s state revenue came from renting out the forced labor of Black Americans. Throughout the Jim Crow era, the Slavery Clause continued to incentivize minor crime convictions and drove the over-incarceration of Black Americans on infamous prison plantations, like Parchman, in Mississippi, and Angola, in Louisiana.

The End the Exception Amendment would finally correct this historic constitutional loophole and send a clear message: a ban on slavery cannot come with exceptions. While communities across the nation wait for federal action, nine states across the country—including Oregon—have banned slavery as a form of punishment.

The bicameral resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D‑CT), Tammy Duckworth (D‑IL), Dick Durbin (D‑IL), Mazie Hirono (D‑HI), Edward J. Markey (D‑MA), Alex Padilla (D‑CA), Chris Van Hollen (D‑MD), Raphael Warnock (D‑GA), Elizabeth Warren (D‑MA), Peter Welch (D‑VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager‑Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Susie Lee (NV-03), Summer Lee (PA-12), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

Merkley, Williams, and Booker’s End the Exception Amendment is supported by 90 organizations, including Worth Rises, Vera Institute of Justice, and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

“Slavery is wrong under all circumstances. Yet more than 160 years after the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified, an exception still allows governments and corporations to exploit incarcerated people for their labor. Congress has a moral obligation to finish the work of abolition by passing the End the Exception Amendment. No slavery, no exceptions,” said Celina Chapin, Chief Advocacy Officer, Worth Rises.

A one-page summary of the End the Exception Amendment can be found by clicking here.

Full text of the End the Exception Amendment can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-bonamici-dexter-nearly-8-million-coming-to-portland-area-airports-for-infrastructure-improvements/,"Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Dexter: Nearly $8 Million Coming to Portland-Area Airports for Infrastructure Improvements",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), announced that the Port of Portland has been awarded $7,657,874 in federal funding for Hillsboro Airport and Portland International Airport (PDX).

“Portland’s airports connect our communities, businesses, and travelers to the rest of the world,” said Merkley. “As Hillsboro Airport and PDX continue to grow, we must invest in critical airport improvements—such as runways, taxiways, and innovative groundwater management—to allow these hubs to keep driving our economy forward and growing local tourism.”

“These two metro-area airports play an essential role in building an even stronger quality of life for Oregonians and for economic development statewide,” said Wyden. “Vital infrastructure such as Portland International Airport and Hillsboro Airport requires investments just like these that keep them safe for travelers and modern for years to come.”

“I’m grateful for the federal funding going to the Portland and Hillsboro airports,” said Bonamici. “These investments will help maintain and update critical infrastructure and keep the runways safe.”

“PDX is the best airport in the country,” said Dexter. “I am grateful to have fought for this funding to improve airport infrastructure and secure a transformative groundwater management system to keep our travelers, workers, and communities safe.”

“From the terminal to the taxiways, we work to keep every inch of our airports safe and efficient,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “These federal investments will fund essential runway and taxiway maintenance at Hillsboro Airport and support a pilot program for an innovative groundwater management system for construction projects at PDX. Projects like these are core to maintaining smooth airport operations, and I’m grateful for the Oregon delegation’s continued commitment to keeping our critical infrastructure first-class.”

The awards—totaling nearly $8 million from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—for the Port of Portland are as follows:

$7,057,474 for Hillsboro Airport to reconstruct 550 feet of existing paved Runway 13R/31L that has reached the end of its useful life. This project reconstructs 1,500 feet of existing paved Taxiway A, A8, A9, and B pavement that have reached the end of their useful lives.

$600,400 for Portland International Airport (PDX) to help construct a portable groundwater PFAS treatment system for on-airport water quality mitigation as part of the Federal Aviation Administration environmental mitigation pilot program.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/new-trumps-war-in-iran-cost-dod-nearly-40-billion-and-drove-nearly-half-of-inflation-according-to-cbo-report/,"NEW: Trump’s War in Iran Cost DoD Nearly $40 Billion and Drove Nearly Half of Inflation, According to CBO Report",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Text of Report (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to an inquiry led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, along with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released new data on the cost of President Trump’s war in Iran.

The major findings include:

Trump’s war with Iran cost the Department of Defense (DoD) nearly $40 billion as of Aug 1 – without including the cost of damage to “hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases” in the region.

The U.S. military will not be able to replace munitions destroyed in the war for at least five years.

CBO estimates that more than 40% of inflation from the second quarter of 2026 is a consequence of Trump’s war.

CBO estimates that inflation will be 0.5 percentage points higher in the first quarter of 2027 than it would have been without the war—ultimately driving interest rates higher and increasing borrowing costs for American families and businesses.

CBO estimates that it will take “at least five years—even if production was increased” to replace the munitions destroyed.

CBO’s estimate did not include $113 million in costs incurred by State, including $79.2 million “to respond to contingencies stemming from the Iran conflict.” Additionally, given that the macroeconomic projections were based on data through August 17, 2026, and global oil prices and futures have increased since then, it’s likely that these estimates do not capture the full extent of the war’s continued impact on inflation.

“Trump’s illegal war with Iran is a one-two punch that’s burning a hole in Americans’ pockets and burning a hole in our munitions supply, hurting our military readiness,” said Senator Warren. “This war is a betrayal of the American people, and it needs to end.”

“After months of the Trump Administration hiding the true cost of his illegal war of choice with Iran, the American people are finally getting independent and objective answers on the cost of the conflict,” said Senator Merkley. “As prices for everything from groceries to gas skyrocket, we must end this abuse of taxpayer dollars and double down on ending Trump’s illegal war. It has cost America dearly.”

Senator Warren has fought to hold the Trump administration accountable for waging an illegal war in Iran:

On July 30, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, led 11 members of Congress in opening an investigation into reports that the DoD failed to provide adequate medical care to service members injured in a March drone strike on a U.S. military post at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.

On April 22, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) pressed General Randall Reed, Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), on the Trump administration’s failures in evacuating Americans from the Middle East at the start of President Trump’s illegal war in Iran.

On April 20, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Van Hollen (D-Md.) led nine senators in opening a new investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran.

On April 7, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) released a new video condemning President Trump’s threat to wipe out the “whole civilization” of Iran and called for Majority Leader Thune to bring the Senate back into session immediately to vote to stop Trump’s war.

On March 20, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, wrote to Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent and other members of the Trump administration, raising concerns about the financial costs for American families from President Trump’s illegal and reckless war with Iran.

On March 20, 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) sounded the alarm about the Trump administration’s sidelining of the military’s Judge Advocate General Corps, who are responsible for providing independent legal advice to commanders. Senator Warren pressed the commanders of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command about the impact the sidelining of JAGs has on civilian harm as the war against Iran continues.

On March 11, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kaine (D-Va.), Schatz (D-Hawaii), Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 41 colleagues pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a full investigation into the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran, and other civilian casualties in the Trump administration’s war on Iran.

On March 12, 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned the Director of the Congressional Budget Office on the financial implications of the Iran war and highlighted that the enormous financial cost could instead be used to lower the cost of health care.

On March 5, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) led the entire Massachusetts delegation in pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explain the Trump administration’s “complete failure” to evacuate U.S. citizens — including Massachusetts residents — from the Middle East following the administration’s starting a reckless war in Iran.

On March 3, 2026, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to call on Congress to end President Donald Trump’s reckless war in Iran and demand accountability.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-protect-agricultural-water-access-amid-worsening-drought-in-oregon/,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Agricultural Water Access Amid Worsening Drought in Oregon",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Legislation would help upgrade outdated water infrastructure systems to support agriculture

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would help improve water resilience in communities across Oregon and the West as drought in the region persists after last year’s record-low snowpack.

“Water scarcity in the West isn’t a question of if, it’s when,” Wyden said. “The federal government needs to get serious about protecting water resources before it’s too late, and my legislation will help Oregon’s farmers and producers remain even more resilient against growing drought conditions.”

“As climate chaos fuels hotter and drier summers, we must ensure that we have reliable, resilient water infrastructure that every farmer, Tribe, and community in our state can count on,” said Merkley, whose Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act is included in this bill. “Passing this bill will provide more opportunities for crucial investments and innovative solutions to support communities facing persistent drought conditions.”

The Western Water Reinvestment Act would improve water access for agriculture and conservation by supporting projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds and benefit agricultural and urban water users.

Most regions of Oregon have just one-third of their average annual snowpack, and many parts of the state remain under extreme drought conditions.

Legislative text is here.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-bonamici-dexter-nearly-8-million-coming-to-portland-area-airports-for-infrastructure-improvements,"Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Dexter: Nearly $8 Million Coming to Portland-Area Airports for Infrastructure Improvements",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), announced that the Port of Portland has been awarded $7,657,874 in federal funding for Hillsboro Airport and Portland International Airport (PDX).

“Portland’s airports connect our communities, businesses, and travelers to the rest of the world,” said Merkley. “As Hillsboro Airport and PDX continue to grow, we must invest in critical airport improvements—such as runways, taxiways, and innovative groundwater management—to allow these hubs to keep driving our economy forward and growing local tourism.”

“These two metro-area airports play an essential role in building an even stronger quality of life for Oregonians and for economic development statewide,” said Wyden. “Vital infrastructure such as Portland International Airport and Hillsboro Airport requires investments just like these that keep them safe for travelers and modern for years to come.”

“I'm grateful for the federal funding going to the Portland and Hillsboro airports,” said Bonamici. “These investments will help maintain and update critical infrastructure and keep the runways safe.”

“PDX is the best airport in the country,” said Dexter. “I am grateful to have fought for this funding to improve airport infrastructure and secure a transformative groundwater management system to keep our travelers, workers, and communities safe.”

“From the terminal to the taxiways, we work to keep every inch of our airports safe and efficient,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “These federal investments will fund essential runway and taxiway maintenance at Hillsboro Airport and support a pilot program for an innovative groundwater management system for construction projects at PDX. Projects like these are core to maintaining smooth airport operations, and I’m grateful for the Oregon delegation's continued commitment to keeping our critical infrastructure first-class.”

The awards—totaling nearly $8 million from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—for the Port of Portland are as follows:

$7,057,474 for Hillsboro Airport to reconstruct 550 feet of existing paved Runway 13R/31L that has reached the end of its useful life. This project reconstructs 1,500 feet of existing paved Taxiway A, A8, A9, and B pavement that have reached the end of their useful lives.

$600,400 for Portland International Airport (PDX) to help construct a portable groundwater PFAS treatment system for on-airport water quality mitigation as part of the Federal Aviation Administration environmental mitigation pilot program.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bill-to-protect-agricultural-water-access-amid-worsening-drought-in-oregon,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Agricultural Water Access Amid Worsening Drought in Oregon",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Legislation would help upgrade outdated water infrastructure systems to support agriculture

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would help improve water resilience in communities across Oregon and the West as drought in the region persists after last year’s record-low snowpack.

“Water scarcity in the West isn’t a question of if, it’s when,” Wyden said. “The federal government needs to get serious about protecting water resources before it’s too late, and my legislation will help Oregon’s farmers and producers remain even more resilient against growing drought conditions.”

“As climate chaos fuels hotter and drier summers, we must ensure that we have reliable, resilient water infrastructure that every farmer, Tribe, and community in our state can count on,” said Merkley, whose Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act is included in this bill. “Passing this bill will provide more opportunities for crucial investments and innovative solutions to support communities facing persistent drought conditions.”

The Western Water Reinvestment Act would improve water access for agriculture and conservation by supporting projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds and benefit agricultural and urban water users.

Most regions of Oregon have just one-third of their average annual snowpack, and many parts of the state remain under extreme drought conditions.",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-veasey-introduce-resolution-recognizing-september-as-national-voting-rights-month-ahead-of-midterm-elections,"Wyden, Veasey Introduce Resolution Recognizing September as National Voting Rights Month Ahead of Midterm Elections",2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Resolution comes amid efforts by Donald Trump and Republicans to upend vote-by-mail and make voting harder for Americans

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, D-Texas, announced today they have introduced a bicameral resolution recognizing September as “National Voting Rights Month.”

“Trump is doing everything he can to disenfranchise American voters in this year’s midterms because he’s afraid his platform of jacking up costs is about to lose Republicans the midterms,” Wyden said. “Access to the ballot and the right to vote are the bedrock of our democracy, and Congressman Veasey and I will continue fighting to protect this fundamental right for all Americans.”

“Over the past year, we’ve seen our fundamental right to vote eroded and access to critical information about the voting process worsen. In my home state alone, we’ve seen efforts to redistrict mid-decade, introduce restrictive voter ID laws, and reduce the number of polling locations available to voters,” said Representative Veasey.

“Now more than ever, it is essential for Americans to understand their voting rights, stay informed about what is happening around them, and help to keep their communities informed. That’s why I’m proud to introduce a resolution alongside Sen. Wyden to designate September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month - a step towards raising awareness, encouraging civic participation, and ensuring that Americans have the information they need to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard in November,” Representative Veasey continued.

Since the start of his second term, Donald Trump has tried at every opportunity to undermine election systems nationwide. From appointing election deniers to key positions, to firing all members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, and attempting to limit mail-in voting.

Wyden and Veasey’s resolution encourages voter registration in the month of September and calls on Congress to preserve the right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the Democracy Restoration Act, and by restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Chris Coons, D-Del., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawai’i., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Mark Warner, D-Va. ,Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

“Donald Trump is attacking the freedom to vote on multiple fronts––from attempting to turn the postal service into a gatekeeper for voting to pushing red states into a mid-decade redistricting scheme, emboldened by a Supreme Court that gutted the Voting Rights Act. The stakes for our democracy couldn’t be higher, and we need champions in Congress to stand up for every American’s voice,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America. “Senator Wyden and Representative Veasey have long been on the frontlines of the fight for the freedom to vote, and we’re grateful for their continued leadership when we need it most.”

The text of the resolution is here.

###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-supreme-court-to-block-postal-service-rule-limiting-mail-in-voting/,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Supreme Court to Block Postal Service Rule Limiting Mail-In Voting",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"261 Members and former Members file bicameral, bipartisan brief as court order barring Postal Service rule limiting mail voting is being challenged by Trump’s DOJ

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 261 current and former Members of Congress challenging the legality of President Trump’s Executive Order and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule seeking to exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Millions of Americans cast their ballots with vote-by-mail, and Donald Trump is trying to make it harder for folks to vote just weeks before an election,” said Merkley. “At Trump’s bidding, this new USPS rule would upend procedures that states and voters rely on and create confusion about whether ballots will be delivered and counted. Trump doesn’t have unilateral authority to rewrite the rules for voting, and we’re urging the Supreme Court to protect the constitutional role of Congress and states in administering our free and fair elections.”

“Donald Trump is plotting in plain sight to rig the upcoming election by weaponizing the Postal Service to undermine vote-by-mail in Oregon and nationwide,” said Wyden. “Vote-by-mail has long proven to be fair and effective, which of course means Trump hates it and is scheming to create confusion weeks before ballots go out. His actions are illegal, and our court brief asks the Supreme Court to follow the clear language of the Constitution and protect elections throughout America.”

The coalition of 261 current and former Members of Congress filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter of State of California, et al. v. United States Postal Service, et al., a lawsuit brought by a coalition of State Attorneys General against the USPS. The court case challenges a final rule issued by the USPS pursuant to Trump’s directive that imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail.

Nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary.

In the court filing, the amici curiae argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14399 and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and usurp congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over election administration.

The amici also pointed to a recent federal court ruling blocking the USPS from implementing its newly finalized mail ballot rule for the midterm elections, saying the agency lacked the authority to implement the rule and that its actions are “substantively unconstitutional and contrary to law.”

The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal incursion on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote.

The amicus brief was led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), along with Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, and Co-Chairs of the House Democrats’ Litigation Task Force Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Assistant Leader Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), and Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08).

In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the brief was joined by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, current Members of Congress, and former Members of Congress from both parties.

Merkley and Wyden have consistently supported access to voting by mail and have previously urged USPS to follow federal law and protect voters’ ability to cast their ballots by mail.

Full text of the amicus brief can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-urge-supreme-court-to-block-postal-service-rule-limiting-mail-in-voting,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Urge Supreme Court to Block Postal Service Rule Limiting Mail-In Voting",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"261 Members and former Members file bicameral, bipartisan brief as court order barring Postal Service rule limiting mail voting is being challenged by Trump’s DOJ

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 261 current and former Members of Congress challenging the legality of President Trump’s Executive Order and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rule seeking to exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Millions of Americans cast their ballots with vote-by-mail, and Donald Trump is trying to make it harder for folks to vote just weeks before an election,” said Merkley. “At Trump’s bidding, this new USPS rule would upend procedures that states and voters rely on and create confusion about whether ballots will be delivered and counted. Trump doesn’t have unilateral authority to rewrite the rules for voting, and we’re urging the Supreme Court to protect the constitutional role of Congress and states in administering our free and fair elections.”

“Donald Trump is plotting in plain sight to rig the upcoming election by weaponizing the Postal Service to undermine vote-by-mail in Oregon and nationwide,” said Wyden. “Vote-by-mail has long proven to be fair and effective, which of course means Trump hates it and is scheming to create confusion weeks before ballots go out. His actions are illegal, and our court brief asks the Supreme Court to follow the clear language of the Constitution and protect elections throughout America.”

The coalition of 261 current and former Members of Congress filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the matter of State of California, et al. v. United States Postal Service, et al., a lawsuit brought by a coalition of State Attorneys General against the USPS. The court case challenges a final rule issued by the USPS pursuant to Trump’s directive that imposes unconstitutional and unworkable restrictions on mail-in voting, including requiring states to provide a “citizenship verification list” and attempting to give USPS control over who can vote by mail.

Nearly one-third of Americans have voted by mail in recent elections — a voting practice Trump himself used as recently as August 2026, when he voted in Florida’s Republican primary.

In the court filing, the amici curiae argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14399 and USPS’s final rule violate the separation of powers and usurp congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the States and Congress exclusive authority over election administration.

The amici also pointed to a recent federal court ruling blocking the USPS from implementing its newly finalized mail ballot rule for the midterm elections, saying the agency lacked the authority to implement the rule and that its actions are “substantively unconstitutional and contrary to law.”

The lawmakers concluded by asserting States’ power to administer elections and Congress’s power to make or alter rules regulating elections, which the Supreme Court itself has described as an “override” authority. Trump’s illegal incursion on this authority is an attempt to disenfranchise people who depend on mail-in ballots to vote.

The amicus brief was led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), along with Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, and Co-Chairs of the House Democrats’ Litigation Task Force Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Assistant Leader Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), and Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08).

In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the brief was joined by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, current Members of Congress, and former Members of Congress from both parties.

Merkley and Wyden have consistently supported access to voting by mail and have previously urged USPS to follow federal law and protect voters’ ability to cast their ballots by mail.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-statement-on-25th-anniversary-of-september-11-terrorist-attacks/,Merkley Statement on 25th Anniversary of September 11 Terrorist Attacks,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001:

“I will never forget that day 25 years ago: the clear blue morning sky, the billowing black smoke, the clouds of white ash, and everywhere, the confusion and fear. Our nation watched in shock and horror as an unprecedented act of terrorism on Americans was carried out in cold blood. Nearly 3,000 people were taken from us, including courageous first responders who raced toward danger to save others.

“But alongside the devastation, we witnessed extraordinary acts of courage and compassion. Police officers, firefighters, and rescue workers put their lives on the line for strangers. Passengers aboard Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers. Across the country, neighbors reached out to one another, gathering in communities and at candlelight vigils to share their grief and offer comfort. While facing unimaginable tragedy, Americans came together. The divisions that so often separate us fell away as people helped one another simply because help was needed.

“September 11 will always be a solemn day of remembrance. We honor the irreplaceable lives lost, the families and loved ones who continue to carry those losses, and all those whose bravery and service offered hope amid darkness.

“On this anniversary, we hold those memories close and renew our commitment to one another. The spirit of service, community, and common purpose we witnessed that day and the days that followed remains a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together. May we continue striving to build a country worthy of the sacrifice of those we lost, guided by the enduring values of freedom, equality, justice, and care for our fellow Americans.”

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-davidson-to-uk-spy-court-let-apple-tell-congress-about-reported-uk-secret-demand-for-encryption-backdoor,Wyden and Davidson to UK Spy Court: Let Apple Tell Congress About Reported UK Secret Demand for Encryption Backdoor,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan Members of Congress Warn the Secret Order Threatens UK-US Relationship; Weakening Encryption Puts Americans’ Safety and US National Security at Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, urged a U.K. court to lift the secrecy around a reported order from the U.K. government that Apple create a secret backdoor in its products to allow surveillance.

Wyden and Davidson urged the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which oversees government surveillance in the UK, to allow more transparency in the matter, in a letter sent today.

“The U.K. government’s unprecedented demands for secrecy in this matter undermine democratic governance in both the United States and the U.K., and needlessly strain the relationship between our two nations,” Wyden and Davidson wrote.

In their letter, Wyden and Davidson revealed that Apple informed Congress that it is challenging the U.K. government’s authority to issue surveillance directives and that it was denied permission to discuss the issue in detail with both the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. Apple informed congressional staff that the U.K. government granted the company permission to brief the U.S. Attorney General, the Vice President and key staffers, but blocked the company from discussing the issue in detail with Congress.

The U.K. has reportedly sought to weaken security features of Apple’s iCloud service, which stores private messages, passwords, photos and other files, since last year. While the U.K. government’s first order would have impacted American Apple users, it reportedly revised its request in response to pushback from the U.S. government, including a letter by Wyden and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., that warned of the risks to privacy and national security.

The full scope of the current request is unknown, both to the public and members of Congress, due to secrecy mandated by the U.K. government.

Wyden and Davidson echoed a warning from the prior Director of National Intelligence that secretly undermining encryption would leave individual Americans and our country at risk of hacks.

“Weakening encryption in consumer software introduces critical vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hostile foreign actors,” the lawmakers wrote. “Congress cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to evaluate and mitigate these national security threats if foreign non-disclosure orders are weaponized to prevent U.S. technology companies from answering inquiries from duly elected lawmakers.”

Wyden and Biggs previously urged the Investigative Powers Tribunal to provide more transparency about its surveillance orders, which observers have credited with influencing the court to release more information about its proceedings last year.

The full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-presses-trump-administration-on-lack-of-firefighting-resources-during-the-2026-wildfire-season,Wyden Presses Trump Administration on Lack of Firefighting Resources During the 2026 Wildfire Season,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he and four other senators are calling out the Trump administration’s failures to prepare and adequately respond to the ongoing 2026 fire season throughout the West.

A record 2.5 million acres-plus have burned in Oregon so far this year, and temperatures for much of Oregon next week are forecast to be in the 80s.

“[...] Record-breaking high temperatures and historic drought have led to catastrophic fires across the West, destroying thousands of homes, wreaking havoc on the economies of rural communities, stressing the budgets of local governments, and leading to the loss of four wildland firefighters and two pilots,” Wyden and the other senators wrote Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Between July 18 and September 4, 2026, the national firefighting force was at preparedness level 5 with federal resources fully committed to combating wildland fires across the country. So far this year, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Wildland Fire Service has dedicated more than $6 billion to fire suppression budget authority, spending nearly the entire fire suppression budget as of September 2, 2026. The West is expected to remain in peak fire season with hot, dry, and windy conditions for at least the next two months, raising concerns that federal wildfire resources and suppression funds could run out entirely.

“In light of these concerns, the capacity of the federal government to sustain operations is critical. We are concerned that the agencies simply do not have enough highly qualified personnel, Incident Management Teams, and supervisory staff to sustain operations,” the senators wrote. “Our offices have received reports that teams have worked more fires than is safe, using temporary supervisory structures because fully qualified personnel are not available. We have also heard that locally-led initial attack was affected by national mobilization, and that personnel have worked repeated or extended assignments. This is exceptionally concerning given that the worst of the fire season is likely yet to come and the high wildland firefighter fatality rate this season.”

In addition to Wyden, other senators signing the letter led by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) are Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-requests-ai-camera-firm-explain-use-of-portland-footage-in-promotional-video,Wyden Requests AI Camera Firm Explain Use of Portland Footage In Promotional Video,2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked Portland technology firm Sightline Intelligence to answer questions raised by Oregonians about how it trains AI software it produces for use in high-resolution cameras, in a letter sent this week.

Constituents raised privacy concerns about the firm’s actions after footage of Oregon Health and Science University was included in a promotional video posted by Sightline, without permission of the institution. Sightline representatives have said the company did not use the footage to train its AI models.

Fostering high-tech jobs in Oregon that reduce dependence on foreign drone technology is beneficial to America’s economy and security, Wyden said, but companies need to ensure Americans’ privacy is protected.

“Companies like yours are producing cutting-edge technologies to advance America’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry and supply chain, which help the United States reduce its reliance on foreign sources for UAV technologies utilized in search-and-rescue missions and military operations,” Wyden wrote in his letter. “While the development of these technologies is beneficial to the United States, it is also ripe for abuse, and I have heard firsthand in my town halls that Oregonians are particularly concerned about the misuse of such technologies to surveil Americans, harm civilians, and enable human rights abuses.

Wyden requested Sightline respond to the following questions in writing by no later than September 30:

Will you confirm that footage retained by Sightline Intelligence of the OHSU tram, or any other footage filmed in Oregon, was not used in the development of any technologies, including in training, tuning, or testing models for object classification?

Will you commit to permanently deleting the OHSU tram footage and any other footage that Sightline Intelligence retains of Oregonians who did not consent to filming?

I recognize Sightline Intelligence creates AI-video processing software for target recognition, utilized in autonomous aircraft and other defense applications. Does Sightline Intelligence also collect its own video footage and images, in Oregon or elsewhere, to train, tune, or test its models and other technologies?

Does Sightline Intelligence follow all applicable U.S. laws and regulatory frameworks associated with exporting its technologies to its customers overseas?

Does Sightline Intelligence follow U.S. laws with regard to sanctioned entities?

Related Files",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-tout-nearly-10-million-for-oregon-tribes-affordable-housing-efforts/,"Merkley, Wyden Tout Nearly $10 Million For Oregon Tribes’ Affordable Housing Efforts",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a combined nearly $9,917,680 to the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Warm Springs Housing Authority to build more affordable housing for Tribal members.

“It’s critical that Tribal families have affordable, safe places to live that will foster community and connect them to their land,” said Merkley. “This nearly $10 million in federal funding will help Tribes work to overcome their affordable housing shortage. I will keep working to deliver the necessary housing resources to ensure everyone in our state can thrive and live safe, healthy lives.”

“Housing is a basic human right, and Tribal communities across Oregon urgently need safe, affordable places for families to live and grow,” Wyden said. “I applaud the Warm Springs Housing Authority and the Cow Creek Band for winning this federal investment that will support constructing new homes and building out essential infrastructure. I will keep fighting to ensure Tribal nations in Oregon and across the nation have the federal resources required to support their citizens and build strong futures.”

The Warm Springs Housing authority is receiving $5 million for the new construction of seven three-bedroom homes for low-income families. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is receiving $4,917,680 for the new construction of seven single-family homes and the infrastructure needed to support another new construction housing project. The nearly $10 million announced today comes from the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program, which provides federal funds to eligible Tribes and Tribally Designated Entities to support affordable housing projects in Tribal communities. Priority is given to new construction and housing rehabilitation projects.

“We are grateful for HUD’s significant investment in our Nation that will help us provide new affordable housing for Warm Springs families who need safe, stable homes,” said Edward R. Henderson, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon. “We appreciate Housing Director Danielle Wood’s effort to secure this award for our community.”

“Affordable housing for our Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal citizens is such a crucial component of self-sufficiency,” said Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians Chair Carla Keene. “It helps families and individuals feel a sense of security, stability, traditions and provides a place for lasting, living memories. We are thrilled to receive this generous grant and look forward to the positive contributions it will make in Douglas County.”

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-harrigan-and-whitehouse-call-on-commerce-department-to-sanction-mercenary-foreign-hacking-firms,"Wyden, Harrigan and Whitehouse Call on Commerce Department to Sanction Mercenary Foreign Hacking Firms",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Bipartisan Members of Congress Urge Secretary Lutnick to Take Action Against Three Indian Companies Linked to Hacks of Thousands of Americans and U.S. Companies; Hacking Companies Silenced U.S. Journalists, News Outlets and Technology Companies In Foreign Courts To Censor Reporting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D- R.I. and Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., called for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to take action against three companies based in India that have hacked and stolen data from thousands of Americans and U.S. companies.

“Several India-based cyber-mercenary groups have spent more than fifteen years conducting targeted espionage against U.S. citizens, businesses and the lawyers representing them,” Wyden, Harrigan and Whitehouse wrote to Lutnick. “Compounding this security threat, these cyber mercenaries and their associates have engaged in an aggressive campaign of global lawfare to censor investigative reporting by prominent American media organizations. This coordinated effort effectively allows foreign entities to use foreign courts to keep the American public in the dark about cyber threats to their own country and undermines the fundamental constitutional rights of U.S. citizens.”

According to investigations by Reuters and The Citizen Lab, these companies conducted widespread hacking campaigns targeting private equity firms, pharmaceutical companies, and more than 1,000 attorneys across major U.S. law firms to manipulate ongoing litigation. There is evidence that these groups have operated at the behest of the Qatari government, targeting opponents of Qatar’s World Cup bid and the family of a former Republican Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

These same companies also have attempted to censor reporting about their hacking campaigns by abusing foreign courts — at one point forcing a global takedown of Reuters’ investigation. The Indian companies have ongoing lawsuits against U.S. technology and media companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft and The New Yorker to silence criticism and bury facts about their illegal hacking campaigns.

The members called on the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security to add three companies identified by Reuters and Citizen Lab as the perpetrators of these major hacking operations— to the Entity List to cut off their access to American software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity tools:

Sunkissed Organic Farms Pvt. Ltd. (formerly known as “Appin Technology Pvt. Ltd.”) and its subsidiaries, including:

Adaptive Control Security Global Corporate Pvt. Ltd. (formerly known as “Appin Software Security Pvt. Ltd.” or “Appin Security Group”)

ABP Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (formerly known as “KGW Appin Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd.”)

BellTroX Pvt. Ltd.

CyberRoot Pvt. Ltd.

The full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-tout-nearly-10-million-for-oregon-tribes-affordable-housing-efforts,"Merkley, Wyden Tout Nearly $10 Million For Oregon Tribes’ Affordable Housing Efforts",2026-09-09,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a combined nearly $9,917,680 to the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Warm Springs Housing Authority to build more affordable housing for Tribal members.

“It’s critical that Tribal families have affordable, safe places to live that will foster community and connect them to their land,” said Merkley. “This nearly $10 million in federal funding will help Tribes work to overcome their affordable housing shortage. I will keep working to deliver the necessary housing resources to ensure everyone in our state can thrive and live safe, healthy lives.”

“Housing is a basic human right, and Tribal communities across Oregon urgently need safe, affordable places for families to live and grow,” Wyden said. “I applaud the Warm Springs Housing Authority and the Cow Creek Band for winning this federal investment that will support constructing new homes and building out essential infrastructure. I will keep fighting to ensure Tribal nations in Oregon and across the nation have the federal resources required to support their citizens and build strong futures.”

The Warm Springs Housing authority is receiving $5 million for the new construction of seven three-bedroom homes for low-income families. The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is receiving $4,917,680 for the new construction of seven single-family homes and the infrastructure needed to support another new construction housing project. The nearly $10 million announced today comes from the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program, which provides federal funds to eligible Tribes and Tribally Designated Entities to support affordable housing projects in Tribal communities. Priority is given to new construction and housing rehabilitation projects.

""We are grateful for HUD's significant investment in our Nation that will help us provide new affordable housing for Warm Springs families who need safe, stable homes,"" said Edward R. Henderson, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon. ""We appreciate Housing Director Danielle Wood's effort to secure this award for our community.""",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/america-in-jeopardy-puts-spotlight-on-trumps-corruption-chaos-and-costs-to-american-families/,"“America in Jeopardy” Puts Spotlight on Trump’s Corruption, Chaos, and Costs to American Families",2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“Donald Trump has turned the White House into a cesspool of corruption. ‘America in Jeopardy’ names just a handful of ways that American families are paying the price while Donald Trump pads his own pockets,” said Senator Warren.

“Donald Trump has turned the White House into a pay-to-play casino where the billionaire class profits and working Americans suffer. Trump’s corruption isn’t a game though and it’s on a scale we have never seen before. We must continue to shine a light on all of their schemes,” said Senator Van Hollen.",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-statement-on-smithsonian-secretary-lonnie-g-bunch-iii/,Merkley Statement on Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“As Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie Bunch sought to make the Institution more than a place for tourists to see artifacts, and he succeeded by ensuring the collections reflect the vastness of the American experience. As the first historian to serve as Secretary, Lonnie brought studied research and independence to extend the Institution’s mission to share America’s journey in all its dimensions with visitors across the country and the world. As his crown jewel, he brought the National Museum of African American History and Culture from an idea to an extraordinary addition to the National Mall, establishing an enduring institution to tell the story of the African-American experience as an integral part of the American experience.

“Lonnie’s legacy will be standing up for the Smithsonian’s independence and dedication to telling the whole American story. I congratulate Lonnie on an incredible career – including nearly 40 years at the Smithsonian – and thank him for his leadership and wisdom in telling the complete American story.”",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-harrigan-call-for-investigation-into-dod-efforts-to-protect-us-servicemembers-from-commercial-location-data-threats,Wyden and Harrigan Call for Investigation into DOD Efforts to Protect US Servicemembers from Commercial Location Data Threats,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Joint Investigation Reveals New Details About US Military Policies Intended to Stop Sales of Troop Data; Raises Questions About How Adversaries are Obtaining Location Data of American Personnel in Combat Zones

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., called for an investigation by the Inspector General into the Defense Department’s policies intended to protect U.S. servicemembers from being tracked and targeted by adversaries based on commercial location data collected from cell phones.

Wyden, Harrigan and 12 other members of Congress revealed in May that adversaries targeted U.S. servicemembers in the Middle East using commercial location data, which can be harvested from phones and is sold by data brokers. The members released memos from multiple components of the U.S. military — the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command — revealing that they have all adopted a widely recommended anti-tracking defense, by disabling unique mobile advertising IDs assigned to each smartphone by the manufacturer, on government-issued smartphones. The members also provided the inspector general with a non-public report produced by a U.S. defense contractor demonstrating how commercial data can easily track movements from sensitive DOD facilities.

“We commend these service branches for implementing this cybersecurity defensive best practice on government devices,” Wyden and Harrigan wrote. “However, recent reports regarding the continued availability of commercial location data originating from DoD facilities raise troubling questions.”

The members asked the DOD inspector general to look into how location data from DOD personnel continues to be available for sale, in spite of DOD’s efforts. The members suggested data could continue to be available for several reasons, including that commercial data available originates from personal devices, not government phones, that are carried by servicemembers and government contractors.

Wyden and Harrigan called on the DOD inspector general to examine commercial location data that DOD and other government agencies have already purchased to determine why existing policies have not prevented servicemembers location data from being sold online, and to recommend policy changes to better protect U.S. personnel.

A copy of the full letter and responses from DOD components is available here.

###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/warren-merkley-booker-van-hollen-question-ed-secretary-mcmahon-on-lack-of-transparency-guardrails-for-1-billion-student-loan-administration-fund/,"Warren, Merkley, Booker, Van Hollen Question ED Secretary McMahon on Lack of Transparency, Guardrails for $1 Billion Student Loan Administration Fund",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“(T)he agency has displayed a worrying lack of public transparency about what this vast sum of money has been spent on or will be spent on in the future.”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) raised their concerns in a letter to Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon about ED’s use of the $1 billion that Republicans’ One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) allocated to ED for student loan administration. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined the letter as well.

Student loan borrowers are facing the largest default and delinquency crisis in recorded history. While OBBBA allocated $1 billion to be used to cover “administrative costs” of the federal student loan program, the law created no accountability, oversight, or transparency measures regarding how the money is spent. ED has reported that it spent approximately $216 million of this fund by the start of Fiscal Year 2026, but it has not disclosed to the public what it has spent this money on or its future plans for the fund, leaving borrowers, advocates, and lawmakers in the dark.

“While ED has disclosed that it has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund, the agency has displayed a worrying lack of public transparency about what this vast sum of money has been spent on or will be spent on in the future,” wrote the senators.

In addition to pushing for increased transparency regarding the student loan administration fund, the senators urged Secretary McMahon to use the money to address the ongoing student loan default crisis, such as by expanding outreach to borrowers at risk of defaulting or who have already defaulted, improving Federal Student Aid customer service, and rehiring ED’s servicer oversight team to ensure that servicer errors do not raise the risk of default.

“ED should spend the money on whatever measures are necessary to address the default crisis by bringing borrowers out of default and preventing additional borrowers from defaulting,” wrote the senators.

The senators asked McMahon to provide answers to their questions regarding how ED has used — and intends to use — this $1 billion fund no later than September 16, 2026.

Senator Warren has led the fight to make our higher education system more affordable, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable for incompetence and malfeasance. She launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:

On August 27, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a group of senators in investigating federal student loan servicer MOHELA on the company’s plans to address the false delinquency notices that it reportedly sent to numerous student loan borrowers.

On July 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s bipartisan 21-1 vote to advance Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) College Transparency Act out of committee, Senator Warren released the following statement.

On July 21, 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced the Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026 (AREAA). The legislation would take steps to reduce student debt and protect students and taxpayers by reforming higher education accreditation and centering student outcomes and consumer protection. On July 16, 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Francis Brooke, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Treasury, to answer basic questions about the largest student loan default crisis in recorded history, which the Treasury Department has now inherited as part of President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Mr. Brooke was unable to answer questions about the size of the default crisis and potential effects on Social Security benefits for seniors with defaulted loans.

On July 6, 2026, in response to a May 2026 request from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent government watchdog, confirmed it would investigate whether the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) is harming ED’s ability to root out waste, fraud, and abuse of Title IV financial aid funds.

On June 8, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Merkley (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Pressley (D-Mass.) and Carson (D-Ind.), led 62 members of Congress in pressing the Department of Education to immediately address the largest student loan default and delinquency crisis on record, which has been made worse by the Trump administration’s policies.

On May 28, 2026, in response to a request from Senator Warren (D-Mass.), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent government watchdog, confirmed the expansion of its investigation into the Department of Education’s (ED) transfer of critical programs to other agencies through interagency agreements (IAAs), including the transfer of student loan default collections to the Department of the Treasury. GAO previously confirmed it had initiated an investigation into ED’s transfer of grant programs for career and technical education and adult education to the Department of Labor.

On May 21, 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to open a new investigation into whether the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) is harming ED’s ability to root out waste, fraud, and abuse of Title IV financial aid funds.

On May 4, 2026, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released new responses from the Department of Education and the Treasury Department demonstrating that the agencies cannot articulate a clear purpose or plan for implementing their illegal interagency agreement (IAA) transferring the administration of federal student loans to the Treasury.

On April 28, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pressed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Student Loan Ombudsman, Geoffrey Gradler, on his plan to protect student loan borrowers, especially given his past censorship of a key student loan report at the CFPB and his background as a lobbyist for lenders. The senators also asked him to recuse himself from past clients’ matters that might come before his office at the CFPB.

On April 2, 2026, Senators Warren, Sanders, Wyden, Murray, and Baldwin—all top Democrats on influential education committees—pressed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to rescind their plans to move the administration of federal student loans to the Treasury Department, the latest move in the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.

On February 23, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, along with Representative Ayanna Pressley, released a response from the Department of Education to their November letter regarding a potential sale of the federal student debt portfolio. In the response, ED confirms for the first time publicly that they are weighing a sale of the federal student loan portfolio.

On February 19, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) pushed Education Secretary Linda McMahon on concerns that the U.S. Department of Education is apparently obstructing Congressional efforts to hold federal student loan servicers accountable for underperformance.

On February 2, 2026, Senator Warren released a new report revealing the findings of their investigation into how private student loan lenders will reap the benefits from cuts to federal student loan access enacted in Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBBA). The report is the first Congressional analysis of the impacts of the OBBBA’s student loan restrictions on the private lending market.

On January 22, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) led their Senate colleagues in demanding answers from Trump Education Secretary Linda McMahon about the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate affordable student loan repayment options for millions of Americans.

On December 8, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in writing to the federal student loan servicers to ensure they are providing borrowers with the customer service they deserve in the wake of the Trump administration’s student loan policy whiplash. The senators sent letters to MOHELA, Nelnet, EdFinancial, Maximus, and CRI.

On December 1, 2025, Senator Warren published an op-ed in USA Today calling for Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to resign following the recent news that President Trump and Secretary McMahon plan to further dismantle the Department of Education (ED).

On November 17, 2025, Senator Warren led over 40 of her colleagues in a letter urging Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to immediately end any plans to sell or transfer the federal student loan portfolio to the private market.

On November 10, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in a letter urging the Trump administration to use the IRS’s existing legal authorities to stop the looming “tax bomb” facing borrowers who obtain income-driven repayment (IDR) discharges of their student loan debt.

On October 15, 2025, Senator Warren and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) led 70 members of Congress in a letter calling on the Trump administration to address the ongoing and unprecedented wave of student loan delinquencies and defaults, which threatens the financial stability of millions of people and could have disastrous effects on the American economy.

On September 19, 2025, following a push by Senator Warren and nine other senators, the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education agreed to open an investigation into DOGE’s infiltration of internal systems, including the scope of its access to sensitive student loan borrower information and its impact on borrowers’ rights and privacy.

On August 26, 2025, Senator Warren led colleagues in sending a follow-up letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon condemning the Department of Education for deliberately hiding the “Submit a Complaint” button on the Office of Federal Student Aid’s website, firing employees responsible for providing customer service to borrowers and families and misleading Congress about the scope of these firings.

On August 4, 2025, Senator Warren led eight Senators in pressing major private student loan lenders on their plans to serve the incoming surge of borrowers who will be pushed to the industry because of Republicans’ recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

On July 17, 2025, Senator Warren released a new 23-page report, “Education At Risk: Frontline Impacts of Trump’s War on Students,” highlighting warnings from 11 major national education and civil rights organizations on the impact of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) and slashing support to millions of American students, primary and secondary school teachers, administrators, parents, and student loan borrowers.

On July 15, 2025, Senators Warren and Sanders, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging her to reverse the interest hike on student loan borrowers in the SAVE forbearance.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-announce-650000-loan-for-improvements-at-anthony-lakes-ski-area-to-enhance-safety-and-support-local-economy/,"Wyden, Merkley Announce $650,000 Loan for Improvements at Anthony Lakes Ski Area to Enhance Safety and Support Local Economy",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal loan of $650,000 for the Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association (ALORA) to build a new rental shop to support ski programs and the local economy.

“Anthony Lakes is a crown jewel of Eastern Oregon drawing skiers, snowshoers, and outdoor enthusiasts whose visits directly fuel the local economy in Baker and Union counties,” Wyden said. “Investing in this new rental shop ensures ALORA can continue expanding its community ski programs and welcoming visitors with top-tier facilities. I will keep pushing for federal investments like these that protect Oregon’s outdoor recreation opportunities and keep our rural economies moving forward.”

“Anthony Lakes is a treasured part of Eastern Oregon, bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors and supporting the small businesses in surrounding rural communities,” said Merkley. “This federal loan will help Anthony Lakes continue welcoming visitors from across the region and providing affordable skiing opportunities for Baker County youth and veterans—ensuring this special place can serve Eastern Oregon for generations to come.”

This $650,000 investment to ALORA is from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program in partnership with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has been in operation for more than 85 years and is owned and operated by the nonprofit. This investment along with funds from additional community contributors and donations will replace the current 70-year-old structure with a new two-story facility capable of holding retail space, the repair shop, and seasonal staff accommodations.

“OTEC and the USDA have helped make this very important project possible. The Rural Economic Development Loan program will allow Anthony Lakes to continue offering current programs as we see the building project through. The new building is an investment in the future of outdoor recreation in our region and provides an amazing space to create more opportunities for our local youth. ALORA is beyond grateful for the support from OTEC, the USDA, almost 200 community members and businesses, and the grant funds received to make this project a reality,” said Chelsea Judy, Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association Marketing Director.

###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-announce-650000-loan-for-improvements-at-anthony-lakes-ski-area-to-enhance-safety-and-support-local-economy,"Wyden, Merkley Announce $650,000 Loan for Improvements at Anthony Lakes Ski Area to Enhance Safety and Support Local Economy",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal loan of $650,000 for the Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association (ALORA) to build a new rental shop to support ski programs and the local economy.

“Anthony Lakes is a crown jewel of Eastern Oregon drawing skiers, snowshoers, and outdoor enthusiasts whose visits directly fuel the local economy in Baker and Union counties,” Wyden said. “Investing in this new rental shop ensures ALORA can continue expanding its community ski programs and welcoming visitors with top-tier facilities. I will keep pushing for federal investments like these that protect Oregon's outdoor recreation opportunities and keep our rural economies moving forward.”

“Anthony Lakes is a treasured part of Eastern Oregon, bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors and supporting the small businesses in surrounding rural communities,” said Merkley. “This federal loan will help Anthony Lakes continue welcoming visitors from across the region and providing affordable skiing opportunities for Baker County youth and veterans—ensuring this special place can serve Eastern Oregon for generations to come.”

This $650,000 investment to ALORA is from the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program in partnership with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative. Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has been in operation for more than 85 years and is owned and operated by the nonprofit. This investment along with funds from additional community contributors and donations will replace the current 70-year-old structure with a new two-story facility capable of holding retail space, the repair shop, and seasonal staff accommodations.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/khanna-moolenaar-merkley-mcgovern-smith-and-thompson-request-homeland-security-briefing-on-uyghur-forced-labor-prevention-act-uflpa-implementation/,"Khanna, Moolenaar, Merkley, McGovern, Smith, and Thompson Request Homeland Security Briefing on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Implementation",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), alongside Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ), CECC Ranking Members Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and Select Committee Members Young Kim (R-CA) and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin requesting a briefing on the Department’s implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The lawmakers also request information on the enforcement of additional U.S. trade laws preventing the influx of illegally traded goods originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that harm American industries and workers.

“Congress enacted these laws to ensure that illegally traded goods, particularly those made with forced labor, do not enter U.S. commerce and do not make American consumers complicit in atrocities, including genocide, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR),” the lawmakers write. “Strong enforcement protects human rights, supports American workers, and helps ensure that U.S. businesses are not undercut by illegal and unfair trade practices.”

“Publicly available information raises concerns about recent enforcement trends,” the lawmakers continue. “Reports of substantially declining detention activity in key high-risk sectors, combined with continued imports from known transshipment hubs and PRC-linked supply chains, make it important for Congress to understand how DHS is setting enforcement priorities, measuring results, and identifying gaps in enforcement capacity.”

The lawmakers request a briefing within 30 days addressing the following:

Current DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force enforcement priorities across high-risk and priority enforcement sectors, including consumer goods, seafood, textiles and apparel, steel and aluminum, polysilicon, silane gas, silicon-carbon materials, critical minerals, and other advanced materials;

Enforcement measures addressing forced labor exposure in seafood supply chains, including vessel-based labor abuses, transshipment practices, and coordination with other federal agencies;

The status of efforts to update and expand the UFLPA Entity List and any barriers or resource constraints to the listing of additional entities;

Data on shipments detained, released, excluded, or seized under UFLPA and Section 307 authorities, including trends over the past year, sector-specific data, and country-of-shipment data;

Current evidentiary standards required for importers to rebut the UFLPA presumption, including the types of supply-chain tracing, documentation, and verification CBP currently requires;

Staffing levels and resources at CBP and DHS dedicated to UFLPA enforcement and FLETF duties, including any changes since 2024;

How DHS is evaluating emerging supply chains, including silicon-carbon battery anodes, critical minerals, and other advanced materials, for forced-labor exposure;

DHS’s efforts to investigate forced labor violations and other trade-related crimes, including in partnership with the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force launched in August 2025 and other relevant federal agencies;

DHS’s bilateral and multilateral engagements with foreign governments to promote enforceable forced-labor import bans, reduce diversion and transshipment, and strengthen international supply-chain accountability; and

How DHS is leveraging artificial intelligence to validate shipment country-of-origin and supply-chain documentation to identify potential UFLPA violations or other inconsistencies in shipment data.

Full text of the letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-calls-on-nsa-to-update-federal-cybersecurity-guidance-for-vpns,Wyden Calls on NSA to Update Federal Cybersecurity Guidance for VPNs,2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Following a CRS memo, Wyden presses the NSA for answers on protecting Americans’ communications from foreign surveillance

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today urged General Joshua M. Rudd, the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) to update federal cybersecurity guidance for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to address surveillance threats posed by foreign intelligence agencies.

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) memo, requested by Senator Wyden and released along with the letter, highlights the vulnerability of consumer VPNs to surveillance by intelligence agencies capable of monitoring large swaths of the internet. The CRS memo cautions that “encryption strength alone does not protect users from an advanced, persistent threat conducting bulk data traffic collection.” Even when data traffic is encrypted, it can reveal metadata – such as its source, destination, timing, and volume – that foreign adversaries can analyze and correlate across networks to potentially identify and track users’ internet browsing without breaking the encryption

The CRS memo notes that other technologies, including Apple iCloud Private Relay, Tor, Nym can better protect users from such surveillance by sending their data through multiple servers, often in different jurisdictions.

“Americans facing advanced foreign threats—including government personnel, defense contractors, journalists, and human rights defenders—deserve clear, honest advice about how best to protect their communications from surveillance by foreign adversaries,” Wyden wrote to General Joshua M. Rudd.

Wyden also released a letter he received in July from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which recommends VPNs as part of basic cyber hygiene but stressed the importance of VPN providers’ data retention and encryption practices. The DNI guidance did not address the vulnerability of consumer VPNs to foreign surveillance or the relative benefits of multi-server technologies like Apple iCloud Private Relay, Tor and Nym. In addition to requesting that NSA update its existing guidance related to VPNs, Wyden requested that NSA provide unclassified responses to the following questions by September 20, 2026:

Are standard, single-hop commercial VPNs sufficient to protect Americans’ sensitive digital footprints from foreign adversaries monitoring internet backbones?

Does the NSA recommend multi-hop tools such as Apple Private Relay, Tor, or Nym over standard VPNs for Americans facing heightened surveillance threats?

What technical features, such as random delays, padding, and cover traffic, are needed to defend against sophisticated surveillance, and how does the NSA assess multi-hop systems like Apple Private Relay compared with Tor and Nym?

Wyden has been at the forefront of this issue, urging the Trump administration last month to end its use of insecure remote access software.

A copy of the full letter sent to General Rudd, the CRS memo and the letter sent to Senator Wyden from the ODNI is available here.

###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-bringing-stop-the-corruption-town-hall-meetings-to-portland-springfield-medford/,"Merkley Bringing ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings’ to Portland, Springfield, Medford",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he will hold ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings’ in Portland, Springfield, and Medford on Thursday, September 10.

“Our democratic republic works best when elected officials work for the public good, not the elected official’s personal profit,” said Merkley. “Trump and his family abuse his office and official connections to rake in billions for themselves at every turn, while making life more expensive for hard-working Americans. During the ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meetings,’ we invite Oregonians to come share their ideas for how to restore ‘government by and for the people.’”

At each event, Merkley will provide a brief update about the extent of corruption and discuss proposed solutions, before turning to attendees to discuss the impact of corruption and why it must be stopped.

In the U.S. Senate, Merkley has led the charge to end public corruption—including preventing lawmakers from trading stocks, banning cryptocurrency-related corruption by elected officials at the highest levels of the federal government, cracking down on the dangers that prediction markets pose to our democracy, getting dark money out of politics, and reforming the Supreme Court.

Details about Merkley’s ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’ are as follows, with additional details to be sent to local media ahead of each event:

Thursday, September 10:

Portland ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 9:00 am PT

Location: East Portland Community Center – Gym

740 SE 106th Ave, Portland, OR 97216

Springfield ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 12:45 pm PT

Location: Bob Keefer Center – Gym

250 S 32nd St, Springfield, OR 97478

Medford ‘Stop the Corruption Town Hall Meeting’

Time: 5:15 pm PT

Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary – Gym

3101 McLoughlin Dr, Medford, OR 97504

###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-and-jayapal-call-for-gao-investigation-of-dhs-surveillance-courts-must-protect-public-from-subpoena-abuses-and-government-intimidation-tactics-used-to-keep-surveillance-of-americans-secret,Wyden and Jayapal Call for GAO Investigation of DHS Surveillance; Courts Must Protect Public from Subpoena Abuses and Government Intimidation Tactics Used to Keep Surveillance of Americans Secret,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Private companies and other entities often receive subpoenas from federal law enforcement containing vague, boilerplate nondisclosure provisions that can carry threats of legal consequences for noncompliance

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called for an investigation into decades-long abuses of authority by federal law enforcement agencies to coerce silence from subpoenaed private companies and on federal courts to protect the public from misleading demands for secrecy related to government surveillance.

In a letter to Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS), John Roberts, and Acting Comptroller of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Orice W. Brown, Wyden and Jayapal requested action to address federal agencies’ abuse of subpoena powers to surveil Americans. It has been the routine practice of federal law enforcement agencies to demand secrecy from companies that have received government subpoenas for customer records. But under federal law, only courts have that power. The agencies may not gag recipients of subpoenas, except in a few limited circumstances in which a court order is granted.

“While these secrecy demands carry no force of law, their coercive effect is extremely successful,” Wyden and Jayapal said. “This leaves customers entirely in the dark about government incursions into their personal data.”

Unfortunately, this practice has become institutionalized across multiple agencies including: Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Drug Enforcement Association (DEA), and Department of Justice (DOJ).

ICE frequently makes boilerplate requests for indefinite silence through its administrative subpoenas, including its customs summons and immigration subpoenas. For example, on July 8, 2025, Harvard University received three immigration subpoenas from ICE regarding international students with boilerplate requests for silence. The next day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release celebrating the same enforcement action it had just directed Harvard to keep secret.

DOJ has also treated extra-legal gag requests as standard operating procedure, regularly instructing the recipients of grand jury subpoenas not to disclose the government's demands. DOJ’s letters often include boilerplate language demanding recipients to ""not disclose the existence of this subpoena or the fact of your compliance for a period of 90 days... Any such disclosure could seriously impede the investigation being conducted and, thereby, interfere with the enforcement of the federal criminal law.""

As a result of these brazen abuses of authority, Wyden requests that the GAO initiate a comprehensive audit of the DOJ, DHS, and their relevant component agencies –including DEA, ICE, and HSI–regarding the use of non-disclosure language in subpoenas.

The text of the letter is here.

###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-urges-google-meta-and-tiktok-to-stop-putting-small-businesses-at-risk-of-violating-state-privacy-laws,"Wyden Urges Google, Meta and TikTok To Stop Putting Small Businesses At Risk of Violating State Privacy Laws",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Surveillance Ad Tracking Tools Collect Users’ Sensitive Information by Default, Big Tech Tracking Tools Won’t to Follow Universal Opt-Out required by Oregon California and Colorado

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged major tech companies to stop putting small businesses at risk of violating state privacy laws and to let Americans more easily opt-out of invasive surveillance by their advertising tracking tools, in a letter sent on Tuesday.

Writing to the heads of Google, Meta and TikTok, Wyden noted that the companies’ advertising tracking tools are designed to collect information on users by default to capture what websites they view, and what sensitive information they enter into sites online. That information is sent back to tech companies to fuel targeted advertising algorithms. These big tech companies all offer alternate modes that limit the data that is collected and shared by their trackers to comply with strict privacy laws enacted by a number of states, but these settings are disabled by default, and must be enabled by each business that embeds the companies’ trackers on their website or app.

“By making privacy-invasive tracking that is banned in several states the default, your platforms shift the entire burden of legal compliance onto small businesses, non-profits, and local organizations that lack the specialized legal teams or engineering resources to recognize their legal peril,” Wyden wrote. “When a local shop, a community healthcare provider, or a main-street business in Oregon deploys your tracking tools using your standard out-of-the-box configurations, they understandably expect that your tools allow them to comply with state or local laws out of the box — and do not expect that they are needlessly placed in severe legal jeopardy if they don’t take further action.”

Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, and Utah all have state privacy laws that restrict how businesses can process sensitive data. Oregon, California and Colorado require sites to respect the Global Privacy Control, a one-click way to opt-out of surveillance advertising trackers. Google Ads, the TikTok Pixel and the Meta Pixel, however, don’t recognize and respect the global privacy control, instead forcing small business owners to add functionality to their websites to recognize the privacy signal and then trigger the relevant setting in the companies’ tracking tools.

Wyden has been a leader in the Senate pushing for stronger consumer privacy protections. His Mind Your Own Business Act was the first Senate bill that would have required sites to respect one-click privacy signals like the Global Privacy Control, and was an inspiration for California’s privacy law. He is the lead Senate sponsor of the Banning Surveillance Advertising Act, which would outlaw targeted advertising to protect Americans’ privacy.

A copy of the full letter is available here.

###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-klobuchar-heinrich-demand-answers-from-trump-official-that-diverted-federal-firefighting-resources-to-private-ranch,"Wyden, Klobuchar, Heinrich Demand Answers from Trump Official that Diverted Federal Firefighting Resources to Private Ranch",2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Amid record wildfire season in Western U.S., top Trump official at USDA diverted scarce firefighting resources to a 7 acre fire near his private ranch in Idaho

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Finance, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, today demanded answers from the Trump administration following reports that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, Michael Boren, diverted federal firefighting resources away from active wildfires, in order to fight a seven acre fire near his personal ranch in Idaho.

“Mr. Boren’s actions constitute potentially a misuse of taxpayer funds and put American families at further risk by diverting scarce resources from high-priority wildfires threatening communities elsewhere in the region and country,” the Senators wrote in their letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We request a full investigation into the nature and extent of Boren’s involvement in response to the Cabin Creek Fire and a detailed accounting of the safeguards the agency has implemented or plans to implement to prevent political interference and conflicts of interest in wildfire response.”

Earlier this month, it was reported that Mr. Boren used his position to pressure U.S. Forest Service personnel to divert already scarce firefighting resources away from other fires to suppress a small fire near his 480-acre ranch in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Nine aircraft were reportedly assigned to the fire, an extremely high number for a fire of this size. Western states are already facing a shortage of firefighting personnel and resources as a direct result of the Trump administration’s staffing and funding cuts. During this record setting fire season, fires of much larger size threatening American lives and homes have not received even a fraction of the same commitment of resources.

In their letter, the senators requested details on how the Department would prevent similar interference by administration officials for personal gain in the future, and requested the findings of a Department investigation of the incident be provided to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The full letter is here.

###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkleys-response-to-trumps-submission-of-u-s-saudi-nuclear-deal-to-congress/,Merkley’s Response to Trump’s Submission of U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress,2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“With this deal, President Trump is not only triggering a nuclear arms race in the Middle East but also weakening America’s security and standing on the world stage.

“The President’s decision to provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear deal that does not meet the bipartisan Gold Standard nor mandate the Additional Protocol, both necessary to ensure sensitive U.S. technology is not used to help build a nuclear bomb, is dangerous and a strategic mistake for our national security.

“That Trump chose to submit the agreement in the middle of his unauthorized war against Iran is yet another blunder. The Administration must explain how agreeing to a deal that weakens nonproliferation safeguards will prevent Iran from seeking a nuclear bomb, including why Iran would accept a stricter agreement than Saudi Arabia. We know that Saudi Arabia’s leaders have previously threatened to pursue a bomb if Iran develops one.

“The deal could even open the nuclear floodgates beyond Iran. The 2009 U.S.-UAE nuclear deal included the Gold Standard but allowed the Emirates to renegotiate if the U.S. reached a more favorable nuclear agreement with another Middle East state.

“The President also claims that the deal is ‘subject to’ Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, but it is unclear how this goal will be enforced. The agreement will go into effect after 90 days unless Congress acts to stop it. The President also had the opportunity to negotiate Saudi-Israel normalization, including an irreversible pathway towards a Palestinian state as part of the initial negotiations under his Administration, but chose not to do so.",1,2026-08-29T11:31:28Z,2026-08-29T11:32:37Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-urge-netanyahu-to-immediately-halt-settler-violence-in-west-bank,"Wyden, Merkley Urge Netanyahu to Immediately Halt Settler Violence in West Bank",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Oregon Senators call for those responsible for violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, to be held accountable

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 45 of their Senate colleagues, urged Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take immediate actions to reduce violence in the West Bank and prevent further incidents amidst a significant increase in harassment, threats, and acts of violence in recent weeks. They also called on the government of Israel to complete investigations into the deaths of nine American citizens who have been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank in recent years.

“We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Continued settlement expansion and fighting in the West Bank will harm Israel’s long-term security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously expressed their opposition to annexation of and violence in the West Bank, which the Israeli government has failed to address.

“Like you, the safety and security of our constituents is of paramount importance. We urge your government to ensure that Americans in the Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank are able to enjoy the security and protection of property to which they are entitled. We also hope to see the conditions improved so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live in peace with each other without the fear of terrorism or lawless violence,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt-Rochester, D-Del., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Chris Coons, D-Del., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/warren-merkley-senators-investigate-federal-student-loan-servicer-mohela-for-false-delinquency-notices-allegedly-sent-to-borrowers/,"Warren, Merkley, Senators Investigate Federal Student Loan Servicer MOHELA for False Delinquency Notices Allegedly Sent to Borrowers",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"According to reports, MOHELA falsely told borrowers they were thousands of dollars behind on their student loans and nearing default

“It is currently unclear how many borrowers received these false notices, whether any borrowers paid the incorrect amounts, and to what extent the issue has been fixed”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a group of senators in investigating federal student loan servicer MOHELA on the company’s plans to address the false delinquency notices that it reportedly sent to numerous student loan borrowers. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) joined the letter as well.

This month, Forbes reported that MOHELA sent a large number of delinquency notices to student loan borrowers not actually delinquent on their loans. The emails mistakenly warned borrowers that their loans were “severely past due” and told borrowers that they were at risk of wage garnishment and other consequences of default.

According to reports, borrowers who received these notices and logged into their MOHELA account were incorrectly shown that their loans were past due for many months of payments and shown documents incorrectly indicating that they owed a “past due amount” and “total amount due,” which, in some cases, was over $10,000. MOHELA’s customer service representatives also allegedly failed to speedily resolve this issue for borrowers.

“This error is a failure that has not only been highly distressing for borrowers but could have led to direct financial harm,” wrote the senators. “If a borrower does not realize that their false delinquency notice was issued in error and believes that they are on the verge of default, they might make the payment MOHELA has claimed they are responsible for, unnecessarily spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars.”

MOHELA has a long history of making significant errors at the expense of borrowers, including allegedly reporting millions of loan transfers to credit bureaus incorrectly, sending inaccurate billing statements to hundreds of thousands of borrowers and late billing statements to millions, and failing to process hundreds of thousands of borrowers’ applications for affordable repayment plans in a timely manner.

The senators noted the Trump administration has stripped away key safeguards to prevent federal student loan servicers’ errors. The dismantling of the Education Department (ED) has included the elimination of ED’s entire servicer oversight team, which had been responsible for identifying and addressing servicer errors.

“The Trump administration’s policy is to look the other way when servicers fail at their job, and borrowers are suffering the consequences,” wrote the senators.

The senators pushed MOHELA to provide answers to their questions regarding these false delinquency notices no later than September 10, 2026. The senators also called on ED to rehire the servicer oversight team and follow the Government Accountability Office’s recommendation to resume assessing servicer accuracy.

Senator Warren has led the fight to make our higher education system more affordable, cancel student loan debt, and hold student loan servicers accountable for incompetence and malfeasance. She launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:

On July 30, 2026, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s bipartisan 21-1 vote to advance Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) College Transparency Act out of committee, Senator Warren released the following statement.

On July 21, 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced the Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026 (AREAA). The legislation would take steps to reduce student debt and protect students and taxpayers by reforming higher education accreditation and centering student outcomes and consumer protection. On July 16, 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Francis Brooke, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Treasury, to answer basic questions about the largest student loan default crisis in recorded history, which the Treasury Department has now inherited as part of President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. Mr. Brooke was unable to answer questions about the size of the default crisis and potential effects on Social Security benefits for seniors with defaulted loans.

On July 6, 2026, in response to a May 2026 request from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent government watchdog, confirmed it would investigate whether the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) is harming ED’s ability to root out waste, fraud, and abuse of Title IV financial aid funds.

On June 8, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Merkley (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Pressley (D-Mass.) and Carson (D-Ind.), led 62 members of Congress in pressing the Department of Education to immediately address the largest student loan default and delinquency crisis on record, which has been made worse by the Trump administration’s policies.

On May 28, 2026, in response to a request from Senator Warren (D-Mass.), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent government watchdog, confirmed the expansion of its investigation into the Department of Education’s (ED) transfer of critical programs to other agencies through interagency agreements (IAAs), including the transfer of student loan default collections to the Department of the Treasury. GAO previously confirmed it had initiated an investigation into ED’s transfer of grant programs for career and technical education and adult education to the Department of Labor.

On May 21, 2026, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to open a new investigation into whether the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) is harming ED’s ability to root out waste, fraud, and abuse of Title IV financial aid funds.

On May 4, 2026, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released new responses from the Department of Education and the Treasury Department demonstrating that the agencies cannot articulate a clear purpose or plan for implementing their illegal interagency agreement (IAA) transferring the administration of federal student loans to the Treasury.

On April 28, 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pressed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Student Loan Ombudsman, Geoffrey Gradler, on his plan to protect student loan borrowers, especially given his past censorship of a key student loan report at the CFPB and his background as a lobbyist for lenders. The senators also asked him to recuse himself from past clients’ matters that might come before his office at the CFPB.

On April 2, 2026, Senators Warren, Sanders, Wyden, Murray, and Baldwin—all top Democrats on influential education committees—pressed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to rescind their plans to move the administration of federal student loans to the Treasury Department, the latest move in the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.

On February 23, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, along with Representative Ayanna Pressley, released a response from the Department of Education to their November letter regarding a potential sale of the federal student debt portfolio. In the response, ED confirms for the first time publicly that they are weighing a sale of the federal student loan portfolio.

On February 19, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) pushed Education Secretary Linda McMahon on concerns that the U.S. Department of Education is apparently obstructing Congressional efforts to hold federal student loan servicers accountable for underperformance.

On February 2, 2026, Senator Warren released a new report revealing the findings of their investigation into how private student loan lenders will reap the benefits from cuts to federal student loan access enacted in Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBBA). The report is the first Congressional analysis of the impacts of the OBBBA’s student loan restrictions on the private lending market.

On January 22, 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) led their Senate colleagues in demanding answers from Trump Education Secretary Linda McMahon about the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate affordable student loan repayment options for millions of Americans.

On December 8, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in writing to the federal student loan servicers to ensure they are providing borrowers with the customer service they deserve in the wake of the Trump administration’s student loan policy whiplash. The senators sent letters to MOHELA, Nelnet, EdFinancial, Maximus, and CRI.

On December 1, 2025, Senator Warren published an op-ed in USA Today calling for Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to resign following the recent news that President Trump and Secretary McMahon plan to further dismantle the Department of Education (ED).

On November 17, 2025, Senator Warren led over 40 of her colleagues in a letter urging Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to immediately end any plans to sell or transfer the federal student loan portfolio to the private market.

On November 10, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in a letter urging the Trump administration to use the IRS’s existing legal authorities to stop the looming “tax bomb” facing borrowers who obtain income-driven repayment (IDR) discharges of their student loan debt.

On October 15, 2025, Senator Warren and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) led 70 members of Congress in a letter calling on the Trump administration to address the ongoing and unprecedented wave of student loan delinquencies and defaults, which threatens the financial stability of millions of people and could have disastrous effects on the American economy.

On September 19, 2025, following a push by Senator Warren and nine other senators, the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education agreed to open an investigation into DOGE’s infiltration of internal systems, including the scope of its access to sensitive student loan borrower information and its impact on borrowers’ rights and privacy.

On August 26, 2025, Senator Warren led colleagues in sending a follow-up letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon condemning the Department of Education for deliberately hiding the “Submit a Complaint” button on the Office of Federal Student Aid’s website, firing employees responsible for providing customer service to borrowers and families and misleading Congress about the scope of these firings.

On August 4, 2025, Senator Warren led eight Senators in pressing major private student loan lenders on their plans to serve the incoming surge of borrowers who will be pushed to the industry because of Republicans’ recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

On July 17, 2025, Senator Warren released a new 23-page report, “Education At Risk: Frontline Impacts of Trump’s War on Students,” highlighting warnings from 11 major national education and civil rights organizations on the impact of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED) and slashing support to millions of American students, primary and secondary school teachers, administrators, parents, and student loan borrowers.

On July 15, 2025, Senators Warren and Sanders, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging her to reverse the interest hike on student loan borrowers in the SAVE forbearance.

###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-reverse-unlawful-cuts-to-school-based-mental-health-services/,"Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Reverse Unlawful Cuts to School-Based Mental Health Services",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues to demand the Department of Education disburse funds that were abruptly and unlawfully canceled for School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration (MHSP) grant programs and halt its attempts to end the grant programs.

Upon canceling over 200 of these grants in April 2025, the Trump administration attempted to justify their cuts to school-based mental health funding by claiming that grant programs promoted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and did not adhere to the administration’s policy priorities. The senators pushed back against this false claim pointing to the significant impact to mental health staffing and resources that thousands of students relied on.

“The Department’s recent actions create significant operational uncertainty for local school districts, interrupting student access to care and stalling the recruitment of future school-based mental health care professionals. These choices will increase the financial and administrative barriers to obtaining a quality education. We therefore demand that the Department disburse the funds grantees are contractually owed in a timely manner to ensure local school programs face no further disruption,” the senators wrote in their letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

These grant programs – part of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – address the shortage of mental health professionals, social workers and services in our nation’s schools, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

“Despite these grants’ clear effectiveness, the Department sent boilerplate notices in April 2025 to 70 SBMH and 153 MHSP recipients claiming that these grantees did not adhere to the Trump Administration’s priorities and policy preferences. The notices failed to provide specific, individualized explanations for why the grants were abruptly discontinued. Consequently, grantees were forced to pause hiring and training and lay off school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. MHSP-supported graduate programs could also no longer fund the scholarships needed to recruit students,” the lawmakers continued.

After a court-ordered injunction and restraining order stemming the grant cancellations, the Trump administration imposed additional requirements upon grantees before deciding to release funding for the second half of the year – causing greater uncertainty for schools. The administration is now attempting to fully terminate these programs, placing their future in jeopardy.

“We insist that the Department honor the statutory funding directives enacted by Congress, resolve the administrative barriers affecting the pipeline of mental health professionals in our nation’s schools, and ensure that students have access to these crucial services. To cut, delay, and otherwise obstruct these grants is not only unlawful, but also unconscionable in light of the mental health crisis facing our youth. It’s not an exaggeration to say that young lives are at stake. Please step in to help,” the senators concluded.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Angus King, I-Maine. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

Merkley leads and Wyden cosponsors the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation that would significantly boost the availability of mental health providers in America’s public schools.

The text of the letter is here.

###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-urge-netanyahu-to-immediately-halt-settler-violence-in-west-bank/,"Wyden, Merkley Urge Netanyahu to Immediately Halt Settler Violence in West Bank",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Oregon Senators call for those responsible for violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, to be held accountable

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 45 of their Senate colleagues, urged Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take immediate actions to reduce violence in the West Bank and prevent further incidents amidst a significant increase in harassment, threats, and acts of violence in recent weeks. They also called on the government of Israel to complete investigations into the deaths of nine American citizens who have been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank in recent years.

“We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Continued settlement expansion and fighting in the West Bank will harm Israel’s long-term security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously expressed their opposition to annexation of and violence in the West Bank, which the Israeli government has failed to address.

“Like you, the safety and security of our constituents is of paramount importance. We urge your government to ensure that Americans in the Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank are able to enjoy the security and protection of property to which they are entitled. We also hope to see the conditions improved so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live in peace with each other without the fear of terrorism or lawless violence,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt-Rochester, D-Del., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Chris Coons, D-Del., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

The text of the letter is here.

###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-colleagues-demand-trump-administration-reverse-unlawful-cuts-to-school-based-mental-health-services,"Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Reverse Unlawful Cuts to School-Based Mental Health Services",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues to demand the Department of Education disburse funds that were abruptly and unlawfully canceled for School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration (MHSP) grant programs and halt its attempts to end the grant programs.

Upon canceling over 200 of these grants in April 2025, the Trump administration attempted to justify their cuts to school-based mental health funding by claiming that grant programs promoted diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and did not adhere to the administration’s policy priorities. The senators pushed back against this false claim pointing to the significant impact to mental health staffing and resources that thousands of students relied on.

“The Department’s recent actions create significant operational uncertainty for local school districts, interrupting student access to care and stalling the recruitment of future school-based mental health care professionals. These choices will increase the financial and administrative barriers to obtaining a quality education. We therefore demand that the Department disburse the funds grantees are contractually owed in a timely manner to ensure local school programs face no further disruption,” the senators wrote in their letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

These grant programs – part of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – address the shortage of mental health professionals, social workers and services in our nation’s schools, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

“Despite these grants’ clear effectiveness, the Department sent boilerplate notices in April 2025 to 70 SBMH and 153 MHSP recipients claiming that these grantees did not adhere to the Trump Administration’s priorities and policy preferences. The notices failed to provide specific, individualized explanations for why the grants were abruptly discontinued. Consequently, grantees were forced to pause hiring and training and lay off school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. MHSP-supported graduate programs could also no longer fund the scholarships needed to recruit students,” the lawmakers continued.

After a court-ordered injunction and restraining order stemming the grant cancellations, the Trump administration imposed additional requirements upon grantees before deciding to release funding for the second half of the year – causing greater uncertainty for schools. The administration is now attempting to fully terminate these programs, placing their future in jeopardy.

“We insist that the Department honor the statutory funding directives enacted by Congress, resolve the administrative barriers affecting the pipeline of mental health professionals in our nation’s schools, and ensure that students have access to these crucial services. To cut, delay, and otherwise obstruct these grants is not only unlawful, but also unconscionable in light of the mental health crisis facing our youth. It’s not an exaggeration to say that young lives are at stake. Please step in to help,” the senators concluded.

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Angus King, I-Maine. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

Merkley leads and Wyden cosponsors the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation that would significantly boost the availability of mental health providers in America’s public schools.",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bonamici-announce-nearly-6-million-to-support-oregon-entrepreneurs-and-university-startups/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Announce Nearly $6 Million to Support Oregon Entrepreneurs and University Startups",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Federal award to Portland State University will help turn academic research into commercial products, startups, and community solutions.

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today announced a federal investment of $5.9 million to Portland State University to help turn institutional research into commercial products.

“Oregon’s public universities produce top-tier scientific breakthroughs, and lab discoveries shouldn’t sit on a shelf when they could be creating good-paying jobs and growing our local economy,” Wyden said. “This federal award will help reward faculty who turn campus discoveries into viable startups, vibrant local industry partnerships, and practical solutions. It’s a tremendous win for Oregon’s innovation ecosystem and for training the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs.”

“Institutions of higher education like PSU are at the forefront of Oregon’s innovation—supporting and growing small businesses across our state,” said Merkley. “This nearly $6 million federal award will supercharge PSU’s work by expanding its capabilities and ability to utilize its research in real-world practical situations, ensuring Oregon continues to be a hub of ideas and economic development for decades to come.”

“I am thrilled that this grant will meaningfully support innovation and entrepreneurship projects across NW Oregon and empower faculty and students to learn, test, and demonstrate the groundbreaking products and services that will drive our scientific future. This investment will enable the next generation of scientific leaders to bring discoveries to market and fuel our region’s research economy,” Bonamici said.

The $5,973,981 federal investment through the National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation program will be used by PSU to update promotion and tenure rules to reward applied work, provide seed grants for commercial projects, train students in entrepreneurship, and offer business coaching to launch local partnerships and university spin-offs.

“PSU’s motto is Let Knowledge Serve the City, and this award puts that commitment to work for our regional economy. Our researchers are producing discoveries with real commercial and civic value. This investment helps us turn more of that work into Oregon companies, Oregon jobs, and Oregon solutions,” said Portland State University President Ann Cudd.

###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-brown-seek-gao-investigation-into-dot-failure-to-protect-airline-passenger-data,"Wyden, Brown Seek GAO Investigation Into DOT Failure to Protect Airline Passenger Data",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Following Major Privacy Incidents Affecting Hundreds of Millions of Air Travelers, Lawmakers Demand Answers on DOT Backtracking on Pledge to Act To Enforce Passenger Data Privacy and Security

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Ranking Member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio., requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) ongoing failure to protect passenger privacy using its authority to regulate the practices of commercial airlines and ticket agents.

DOT has had the sole authority to protect passenger data for more than 40 years, yet, according to a review by the Congressional Research Service, it has never taken a privacy enforcement action—even after major incidents affecting hundreds of millions of travelers. This inaction has left sensitive personal travel data vulnerable to corporate exploitation, government surveillance, and potential threats from foreign adversaries.

“DOT’s abdication of its role as a privacy regulator has left the sensitive personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans exposed to corporate exploitation, warrantless government surveillance, and warrantless seizure of money and other property, ” the lawmakers wrote in letter to Acting Comptroller General Orice W. Brown. “In addition to harming the public, DOT’s regulatory inaction also potentially threatens national security. Travel data held by airlines and travel agencies may be of interest to foreign adversaries, who could exploit such information to track U.S. military, diplomatic, and other U.S. government personnel.”

Historically, DOT has taken a reactive approach to airline privacy, relying on consumer complaints instead of proactively auditing airlines’ privacy practices. In March 2024 Senator Wyden partnered with the DOT to launch a first-ever industry-wide review into the privacy practices of the nation’s 10 largest airlines. More than two years later, DOT has not publicly released its findings or announced any enforcement actions.

The need for stronger DOT oversight is clear. For years, a data broker collectively owned by major U.S. airlines, the Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) provided federal agencies access to roughly 722 million passenger travel records without warrants or judicial oversight. ARC shut down the program in November 2025, but DHS has since sought a replacement passenger-surveillance system.

Wyden and Brown asked the GAO to launch a comprehensive investigation into the DOT’s systemic failure to fulfill its consumer privacy enforcement responsibilities, by answering the following questions:

Status of the 2024 Airline Privacy Review: Provide a full accounting of the status, findings, and disposition of the industry-wide review launched on March 21, 2024.

Audit of Agency Personnel and Technical Expertise: Identify the exact number of full-time personnel within the OACP currently dedicated exclusively to privacy enforcement, including the number of technologists.

Audit of Interagency Coordination on DEA Informants: Review the interagency coordination between DOT and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over airline employees selling passenger data to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), including any delays and actions taken to hold airlines accountable.

Agency Response to Widespread Public Scandals: Evaluate whether DOT independently investigated ARC’s sale of passenger records or took action only after congressional and media pressure led to the program’s closure in November 2025.

Structural Nature of the Complaint-Driven Model: Examine why DOT relies on a complaint-driven model instead of routine privacy audits.

Assessment of Insider Threat Mitigation and Data Governance: Evaluate whether the DOT has established guidelines regarding airlines’ protection of Passenger Name Record (PNR) databases against insider threats.

International Data Commitments: Explain how DOT’s domestic privacy enforcement since July 2023 aligns with its commitments to the European Commission under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

The lawmakers asked GAO to respond with legislative recommendations to strengthen DOT’s enforcement authority and better protect travelers’ privacy rights.

“If the DOT continues to neglect its domestic regulatory obligations, it risks undermining the integrity of this entire agreement, potentially collapsing transatlantic data flows and destroying vital economic benefits for U.S. companies,” the law makers concluded.

A copy of the full letter sent to the GAO is available here.

###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-announce-nearly-6-million-to-support-oregon-entrepreneurs-and-university-startups,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Announce Nearly $6 Million to Support Oregon Entrepreneurs and University Startups",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Federal award to Portland State University will help turn academic research into commercial products, startups, and community solutions.

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today announced a federal investment of $5.9 million to Portland State University to help turn institutional research into commercial products.

“Oregon’s public universities produce top-tier scientific breakthroughs, and lab discoveries shouldn't sit on a shelf when they could be creating good-paying jobs and growing our local economy,” Wyden said. “This federal award will help reward faculty who turn campus discoveries into viable startups, vibrant local industry partnerships, and practical solutions. It's a tremendous win for Oregon's innovation ecosystem and for training the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs.”

“Institutions of higher education like PSU are at the forefront of Oregon’s innovation—supporting and growing small businesses across our state,” said Merkley. “This nearly $6 million federal award will supercharge PSU’s work by expanding its capabilities and ability to utilize its research in real-world practical situations, ensuring Oregon continues to be a hub of ideas and economic development for decades to come.”

“I am thrilled that this grant will meaningfully support innovation and entrepreneurship projects across NW Oregon and empower faculty and students to learn, test, and demonstrate the groundbreaking products and services that will drive our scientific future. This investment will enable the next generation of scientific leaders to bring discoveries to market and fuel our region’s research economy,” Bonamici said.

The $5,973,981 federal investment through the National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation program will be used by PSU to update promotion and tenure rules to reward applied work, provide seed grants for commercial projects, train students in entrepreneurship, and offer business coaching to launch local partnerships and university spin-offs.",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-bonamici-hoyle-dexter-colleagues-oppose-rescission-of-key-energy-leasing-and-public-lands-protections/,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle, Dexter, Colleagues Oppose Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections",2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Maxine Dexter, today opposed the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention that will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs.

In the first of two letters, the Oregon lawmakers denounce the BLM’s proposal to rescind the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule).

“[…] BLM’s newly proposed rule threatens to dismantle this common-sense progress. We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes shift cleanup liabilities back to the public, restrict community and private landowner participation, and distort the balance required to manage America’s public lands responsibly,” the Senate and House members wrote to Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

The 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule ensured that the concerns of states, Tribes, and local communities were included in decision-making and was a long-overdue correction to decades of BLM policies that favored oil and gas development over other uses. This led to tens of thousands of dangerous abandoned wells that became the financial responsibility of taxpayers instead of the oil and gas companies. The 2024 rule had immense public support and established a balanced framework that saved taxpayer money, ensured multiple use management of public lands and protected cultural resources and rural communities that depend on public lands. In their letter, the lawmakers ask that the administration specifically reconsider oil and gas bonding requirements; public participation, Tribal consultation, and landowner involvement; and leasing preference criteria.

The first letter was led by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, D-Calif. In addition to Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle and Dexter, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Cory Booker, D-N.J., as well as U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., Ed Case, D-Hawaii, Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IlI., Susie Lee, D-Nev., Mike Levin, D-Calif., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Dave Min, D-Calif., Joe Neguse, D-Colo., Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Emily Randall, D-Wash., Mary Gay, Scanlon, D-Pa., Lateefah Simon, D-Calif., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Juan Vargas, D-Calif.

The Oregon lawmakers outlined in the second letter their strong opposition to BLM’s proposal to overturn the 2024 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule. The BLM’s reversal of this rule will increase pollution on public lands, reduce domestic energy supply, expose nearby communities to avoidable health risks and waste publicly owned natural gas costing Americans tens of millions in foregone revenue.

“We strongly urge BLM to reject this proposed rescission and maintain the 2024 Waste Prevention rule. The oil and gas resources on these lands belong to the American public and Tribal nations, and they deserve to benefit from the full value and benefits of responsible resource stewardship,” the lawmakers wrote.

The second letter was led by Bennet and Huffman. In addition to Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle and Dexter, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Luján, Angus King, I-Maine, Whitehouse, Hickenlooper, Heinrich, Markey, and Booker, as well as U.S. Representatives Ansari, Brownley, Carbajal, Sean Casten, D-IlI., Cohen, Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, DeGette, Dingell, Grijalva, Jacobs, Krishnamoorthi, Magaziner, McCollum, Min, Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Neguse, Pallone, Scott Peters, D-Calif., Randall, Scanlon, Simon, and Vargas.

The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule is here.

The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Waste Prevention Rule is here.

###",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-members-of-congress-call-on-commerce-department-to-block-americans-from-working-for-russian-and-chinese-intelligence-agencies,Bipartisan Members of Congress Call on Commerce Department to Block Americans from Working For Russian and Chinese Intelligence Agencies,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Wyden, Cornyn, Welch, Harrigan, Jacobs and McCaul Urge Secretary Lutnick to Implement Rules Passed by Congress in 2022 to Stop American Companies and Citizens from Supporting Intelligence Agencies in Foreign Countries of Concern

Washington, D.C. –Bipartisan members of Congress today called on the Commerce Department to stop American companies and citizens from aiding Russian and Chinese civilian intelligence agencies, by implementing a 2022 bipartisan law that the executive branch has never fully enforced.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Sen. Peter Welch, Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to close loopholes in U.S. export control rules that currently allow Americans to work with civilian intelligence agencies in China, Russia and other countries of concern. Without new controls against helping adversary nations, U.S. national security could be at risk.

“As a result, foreign intelligence agencies in many countries can still legally hire consultants in the United States and buy advanced U.S. surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence technology, for use in their intelligence operations to target Americans, and operate against American national security and foreign policy interests,” the members wrote.

The Trump Administration imposed export controls on U.S. persons doing business with military intelligence agencies in China, Russia, and other countries of concern in 2021. But the law at the time only allowed such restrictions to be applied to military intelligence agencies. In 2022, Congress closed the civilian intelligence loophole in a 2022 law, allowing the government to impose export controls on foreign civilian intelligence and security agencies too. While the Biden Administration proposed draft regulations imposing export controls in 2024, those regulations were never finalized.

“Implementing these crucial enhancements to fully close this loophole is vital to preventing foreign adversaries from leveraging American tools and expertise against the U.S. government, our citizens and strategic interests,” the members wrote.

The members urged the administration to include recommendations by Wyden, national security and human rights experts, including:

Extending export controls to cover all serial human rights abusers and espionage threats. The country lists proposed by the last administration omitted numerous repressive regimes and nations that conduct espionage against the United States. BIS should establish a “trusted countries list” composed of nations with strong track records of respecting human rights and that do not surveil the United States. A license should be required for U.S. persons to do business with intelligence and security agencies in all countries not on that list

Close due diligence loopholes for private surveillance contractors. Private spyware and cyber-surveillance firms frequently mask their client lists to bypass regulations. BIS must close this loophole by explicitly applying export restrictions to all foreign surveillance technology companies unless they provide their U.S. suppliers with a sworn attestation confirming that their clients do not include any intelligence or security end-users outside the trusted countries list.

Control the export of all biometric surveillance and classification technologies: Although the 2024 draft rule proposed adding facial recognition to the EAR’s Commerce Control List (CCL), oppressive regimes rely on a wider array of digital tracking tools. The final regulations must expand this category to include broader biometric identification technologies—such as gait or cardiac signature recognition—as well as biometric classification technologies used to sort individuals by demographic traits such as race, sex, or ethnicity.

A copy of the full letter sent to the GAO is available here.

###",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-bonamici-hoyle-dexter-colleagues-oppose-rescission-of-key-energy-leasing-and-public-lands-protections,"Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle, Dexter, Colleagues Oppose Rescission of Key Energy Leasing and Public Lands Protections",2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle and Maxine Dexter, today opposed the recent rescission of two key Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas rules on leasing and waste prevention that will harm public lands, reduce community input, increase pollution, and raise taxpayer costs.

In the first of two letters, the Oregon lawmakers denounce the BLM’s proposal to rescind the 2024 Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule).

“[...] BLM’s newly proposed rule threatens to dismantle this common-sense progress. We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes shift cleanup liabilities back to the public, restrict community and private landowner participation, and distort the balance required to manage America’s public lands responsibly,” the Senate and House members wrote to Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

The 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule ensured that the concerns of states, Tribes, and local communities were included in decision-making and was a long-overdue correction to decades of BLM policies that favored oil and gas development over other uses. This led to tens of thousands of dangerous abandoned wells that became the financial responsibility of taxpayers instead of the oil and gas companies. The 2024 rule had immense public support and established a balanced framework that saved taxpayer money, ensured multiple use management of public lands and protected cultural resources and rural communities that depend on public lands. In their letter, the lawmakers ask that the administration specifically reconsider oil and gas bonding requirements; public participation, Tribal consultation, and landowner involvement; and leasing preference criteria.

The first letter was led by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, D-Calif. In addition to Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle and Dexter, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Cory Booker, D-N.J., as well as U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., Ed Case, D-Hawaii, Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IlI., Susie Lee, D-Nev., Mike Levin, D-Calif., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Dave Min, D-Calif., Joe Neguse, D-Colo., Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Emily Randall, D-Wash., Mary Gay, Scanlon, D-Pa., Lateefah Simon, D-Calif., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Juan Vargas, D-Calif.

The Oregon lawmakers outlined in the second letter their strong opposition to BLM’s proposal to overturn the 2024 Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation rule. The BLM’s reversal of this rule will increase pollution on public lands, reduce domestic energy supply, expose nearby communities to avoidable health risks and waste publicly owned natural gas costing Americans tens of millions in foregone revenue.

“We strongly urge BLM to reject this proposed rescission and maintain the 2024 Waste Prevention rule. The oil and gas resources on these lands belong to the American public and Tribal nations, and they deserve to benefit from the full value and benefits of responsible resource stewardship,” the lawmakers wrote.

The second letter was led by Bennet and Huffman. In addition to Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle and Dexter, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Luján, Angus King, I-Maine, Whitehouse, Hickenlooper, Heinrich, Markey, and Booker, as well as U.S. Representatives Ansari, Brownley, Carbajal, Sean Casten, D-IlI., Cohen, Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, DeGette, Dingell, Grijalva, Jacobs, Krishnamoorthi, Magaziner, McCollum, Min, Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Neguse, Pallone, Scott Peters, D-Calif., Randall, Scanlon, Simon, and Vargas.

The text of the letter opposing the rescission of the 2024 Onshore Leasing Rule is here.",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/179-members-of-congress-urge-supreme-court-to-protect-preschoolers-from-discrimination/,179 Members of Congress Urge Supreme Court to Protect Preschoolers from Discrimination,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano: “Public dollars are for the good of the public, and this publicly-funded program’s nondiscrimination policy reflects that.

Washington, DC — Today, Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) led 179 Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief at the Supreme Court in the case of St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, where religious preschools are seeking an exemption from the nondiscrimination provision in Colorado’s universal preschool program so they can refuse to admit LGBTQ+ children or the children of LGBTQ+ people while still receiving public funding.

The members’ brief urges the Supreme Court to uphold the nondiscrimination provision and not grant a religious exemption. The brief argues that 1) The Supreme Court defers to legislatures and the political process when assessing exemptions from neutral, generally-applicable laws; 2) Petitioners’ rule would endanger a myriad of federal nondiscrimination laws that Congress has carefully crafted over decades; and 3) The Court should be mindful not to destabilize or undermine that legislative role by effectively legislating ad hoc exemptions to nondiscrimination laws.

The brief was joined by 166 Representatives and 13 Senators, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin (IL), and every Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.

“In 2020, Coloradans voted to ensure every child in the state would be able to benefit from a publicly-funded universal pre-school program, but the schools in this case want to take these funds and turn away LGBTQ+ kids and kids of LGBTQ+ parents—despite the program’s nondiscrimination policy. This is wrong,” said Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and House lead of the amicus brief. “Public dollars are for the good of the public, and this publicly-funded program’s nondiscrimination policy reflects that. A court ruling creating a new religious exemption would fly in the face of established precedent and would endanger a myriad of other carefully-crafted laws that have been designed to protect Americans from discrimination. I’m thankful to Senators Baldwin and Merkley for helping me lead this bicameral coalition in urging the Court to uphold Colorado’s nondiscrimination protections and ensure that no young child is being denied entry to a Colorado preschool receiving public funds.”

“Discriminating against anyone – let alone preschoolers is simply wrong and betrays some of our most fundamental and enduring beliefs as Americans,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), co-founder of the Congressional Equality Caucus and Senate co-lead of the amicus brief. “If you want to get taxpayer dollars to educate our kids, you cannot discriminate against them or their parents for who they are or who they love. Our country has taken great strides in the march for true equality, and the Supreme Court should stop such blatant discrimination that would take us an unmistakable step backwards.”

“Discrimination against preschoolers and parents who are part of the LGBTQ+ community has no place in America,” said Senator Jeff Merkley (OR), Senate co-lead of the amicus brief. “To fully realize the promise of the United States as a land of freedom and equality for all, the Court must send a clear message that our LGBTQ+ friends, family members, and neighbors deserve full and equal treatment under the law. Back in 2007, I led the fight to secure this future for Oregonians, and I’ll keep pushing in Congress to do the same for all LGBTQ+ Americans by passing our Equality Act.”

“Colorado’s non-discrimination protections are critical for families with LGBTQ+ parents or children in accessing the same educational opportunities that any other family enjoys. To let certain schools accept public funding while excluding students solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, or those of their parents, contradicts the very purpose of nondiscrimination laws, and is even more inappropriate when we are talking about programs funded by taxpayer dollars,” said Sharon McGowan, Senior Vice President of Policy and Litigation at the Human Rights Campaign. “We thank the Members of Congress for forcefully defending the important role that nondiscrimination laws play in ensuring equal opportunity in education and other spheres of life.”

The amicus is available to read here.

###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-joins-effort-to-help-state-local-tribal-agencies-monitor-air-pollution-from-wildfires/,"Merkley Joins Effort to Help State, Local, Tribal Agencies Monitor Air Pollution from Wildfires",2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.– Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined his Senate colleagues to introduce new legislation that would help state, local, and Tribal government agencies monitor worsening air pollution caused by wildfires and make more informed public health decisions.

“When the 2020 Labor Day fires swept across Oregon, I drove over 600 miles and never once escaped the smoke that blanketed our state. Oregonians are facing yet another deadly fire season this year, and it is essential that our communities have all the necessary tools to respond to wildfires and smoke-related threats,” said Merkley. “Our bill helps communities plan for and cope with hazardous air quality caused by wildfire smoke, which threatens public health, disrupts daily life, and shows just how devastating climate chaos-fueled fires can be.”

Merkley cosponsored the Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act—led by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)—that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to create and expand new and existing grant and loan programs allowing agencies to purchase and operate portable air sensors. Portable air sensors are a low-cost technology that can measure and detect harmful pollutants caused by wildfire smoke. Increasing access to air quality information will help leaders make better decisions for public health and wildfire response.

Merkley has been a longtime leader in the fight to prepare for and mitigate the worst impacts of wildfires. He leads a series of bills to support mills processing hazardous fuels coming off public lands, train the new generation of wildland firefighters, aid toxic debris cleanup following wildfires, bolster collaborative forest management, promote renewable fuels to boost wildfire resiliency, and streamline the use of prescribed burns. He also wrote the Wildfire Insurance Affordability Act to lower home insurance rates in communities at risk of fires and the Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act to strengthen federal support in the face of wildfire smoke threats.

Full text of the Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-protect-domestic-violence-survivors-from-gun-violence/,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors from Gun Violence",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they have joined their Senate and House colleagues in introducing legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows domestic abusers to legally obtain firearms.

“Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers is common sense,” Wyden said. “It’s past time to help end the cycle of gun violence and provide domestic violence survivors with bare minimum protection against their abusers, and our bill is the way to do it.”

“Common-sense measures to ensure abusers and violent offenders are barred from accessing firearms are the least we can do to protect the safety of both domestic abuse survivors and our broader communities,” said Merkley. “Domestic abuse survivors shouldn’t have to worry that their abusers can obtain a gun either during or after they escape abusive situations.”

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act prohibits individuals subject to temporary restraining orders from purchasing or possessing firearms and extends protections to domestic violence survivors who have been abused by dating partners. The bill is named in memory of Lori Jackson, an American mother who was tragically shot and killed by her estranged husband who had legally obtained a handgun even though he was subject to a temporary restraining order, and Nicolette Elias, a mother who, despite securing restraining orders and temporary stalking orders against her estranged and abusive ex-husband, was murdered by her former spouse in front of their children with a handgun that he refused to relinquish.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the legislation is also led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Representative Jim Himes, D-Conn. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Chris Coons, D-Del., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, including Brady, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Everytown, Jewish Women International, March for Our Lives, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The text of the bill is here.

###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-casar-demand-gao-investigation-into-federal-law-enforcements-use-of-hacking-and-spyware-on-americans,"Wyden, Casar Demand GAO Investigation Into Federal Law Enforcement’s Use of Hacking and Spyware on Americans",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Members highlight need for transparency and effective oversight to protect Americans’ privacy, prevent abuses, and guard against cybersecurity risks

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Ranking Member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Greg Casar, D-Tex., requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of federal law enforcement agencies’ hacking of Americans’ electronic devices.

In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the need for transparency from federal law enforcement regarding its use of hacking and spyware, which it has used for more than 25 years as investigative tools. Little is known about the scope or frequency of the government’s use of these technologies, nor the presence of operational safeguards.

“Spyware and other hacking tools grant expansive access to personal devices, including webcams, location data, stored files, and encrypted communications. Unrestricted access to such invasive surveillance capabilities invites abuse by rogue agency personnel,” the lawmakers wrote in letter to Acting Comptroller General Orice W. Brown. “To enable informed public debate, ensure appropriate operational safeguards, and assist Congress in crafting future legislation, we request that the GAO conduct a review of federal law enforcement hacking and publish an unclassified report detailing its findings.”

Wyden and Casar asked the GAO to review the practices and policies of federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations in three areas:

Internal Misuse, Audit Protocols, and Safeguards Against Abuse: There are countless documented examples of government employees abusing sensitive surveillance databases and tools for unauthorized personal purposes. The lawmakers asked the GAO to review documented cases of misuse of hacking tools as well as how such cases are detected, monitored, and punished.

Cybersecurity Risks, Vulnerability Management, and Tool Proliferation: These hacking tools can fall into criminal and foreign adversary hands in myriad ways. The members asked the GAO to investigate cybersecurity measures around both internal and external use of the tools.

Judicial Candor, Authorization Transparency, and Risk Disclosure: Given the invasiveness and collateral risks of hacking tools, it is imperative that the government provide courts with sufficient information to evaluate the risks when the government seeks approval for hacking operations.

Wyden and Casar requested that that response from GAO be in an unclassified report, including recommendations for legislative and executive reforms to ensure that the necessary guardrails and oversight are placed on these dangerous and invasive surveillance methods to ensure the safety and privacy of Americans are respected.

A copy of the full letter sent to the GAO is available here.

###",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-protect-domestic-violence-survivors-from-gun-violence,"Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors from Gun Violence",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said they have joined their Senate and House colleagues in introducing legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows domestic abusers to legally obtain firearms.

“Keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers is common sense,” Wyden said. “It's past time to help end the cycle of gun violence and provide domestic violence survivors with bare minimum protection against their abusers, and our bill is the way to do it.”

“Common-sense measures to ensure abusers and violent offenders are barred from accessing firearms are the least we can do to protect the safety of both domestic abuse survivors and our broader communities,” said Merkley. “Domestic abuse survivors shouldn’t have to worry that their abusers can obtain a gun either during or after they escape abusive situations.”

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act prohibits individuals subject to temporary restraining orders from purchasing or possessing firearms and extends protections to domestic violence survivors who have been abused by dating partners. The bill is named in memory of Lori Jackson, an American mother who was tragically shot and killed by her estranged husband who had legally obtained a handgun even though he was subject to a temporary restraining order, and Nicolette Elias, a mother who, despite securing restraining orders and temporary stalking orders against her estranged and abusive ex-husband, was murdered by her former spouse in front of their children with a handgun that he refused to relinquish.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the legislation is also led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Representative Jim Himes, D-Conn. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Chris Coons, D-Del., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, including Brady, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Everytown, Jewish Women International, March for Our Lives, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence.",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-senators-call-on-watchdog-to-probe-tax-subsidies-for-lng-exporters/,"Merkley, Senators Call on Watchdog to Probe Tax Subsidies for LNG Exporters",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in urging the Acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to launch an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) providing tax breaks for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters and determine whether the IRS’ decision was intended to reward President Trump’s political donors.

The Senators stressed that providing LNG tankers with Alternative Fuel Excise Tax (AFET) credits would favor fossil fuel companies—at an unfair cost to the average taxpayer—and do nothing to protect our environment, reduce costs for working families, or lessen America’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“Despite these facts, news reports and public financial filings suggest the IRS has allowed taxpayers to claim the AFET credit for fuel used on LNG tankers, without publishing any updated guidance. Therefore, we request TIGTA investigate whether the IRS has made a determination that fuel used on LNG tankers is eligible for the AFET credit, and, if so, how the IRS made this determination and what guidance, if any, was provided to taxpayers,” wrote the Senators in a letter to the TIGTA.

They emphasized, “We would further urge the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to investigate the extent to which Secretary Bessent was involved in any decision to make LNG tankers eligible for the AFET, who Secretary Bessent may have discussed this issue with at the IRS, whether Secretary Bessent communicated with any impacted party about LNG tankers being motorboats under the AFET, and to what extent Secretary Bessent or his staff communicated with anyone in the White House, including President Trump, about a request for AFET credits for LNG tankers.”

Previously, Merkley led a group of Senators to press the IRS on its decision to give Cheniere Energy—the largest LNG exporter in the United States—a questionable $370 million tax break for using LNG as “alternative” fuel.

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Acting Inspector General Hill,

We are writing to request you open an investigation into reports the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has improperly determined that companies using liquefied natural gas (LNG) for propelling LNG tankers qualify for credits under the Alternative Fuel Excise Tax (AFET) and whether the determination was intended to reward the President’s campaign contributors.

Providing LNG tankers with AFET credits would unnecessarily waste taxpayer money while doing nothing to protect the environment, reduce costs for everyday Americans, or lessen the United States’ dependence on oil. The AFET credit was created to decrease oil dependence by subsidizing the use of alternative fuels. The AFET credit provided 50 cents for every gallon equivalent of a nonliquid alternative fuel sold for use in a motorboat used by the taxpayer for the same purpose. While the tax code does not define “motorboats,” federal shipping regulations have defined “motorboats” as ships no more than 65 feet long since 1965. It is safe to assume that in drafting the AFET credit, Congress understood motorboat to retain the meaning that had been in federal regulations for almost 50 years.

LNG Tankers are typically 1,000 feet or more in length. The more appropriate descriptor for an LNG tanker is the term “vessel,” which Congress explicitly defined in section 4221 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as ships employed in fishing, whaling, foreign trade, or war. Vessels already receive special tax free treatment for using alternative fuels if they are “engaged in foreign trade or trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States or between the United States and any of its possessions.” Vessels, as defined in the IRC, are not referenced in the AFET credit, implying that Congress did not intend for these ships to qualify for this tax credit.

The AFET credit was intended to encourage new and expanded use of alternative fuels but allowing taxpayers to claim the AFET for LNG tankers would allow companies to claim a tax credit for an activity they would have done regardless, on vessels that seemingly should not have qualified. Many LNG tankers are designed to operate by burning their own cargo, as LNG in tankers is continuously evaporating, and the gas must be removed, or “boiled-off,” from the tanks in order to maintain safe tank pressure. The boiled-off gas is often used to fuel the tanker; if it were not removed, the gas would have to be flared or vented into the atmosphere or reliquefied back into LNG. Tankers burn this gas for propulsion because it allows for the utilization of a valuable resource that would be otherwise wasted and potentially hazardous.

Despite these facts, news reports and public financial filings suggest the IRS has allowed taxpayers to claim the AFET credit for fuel used on LNG tankers, without publishing any updated guidance. Therefore, we request TIGTA investigate whether the IRS has made a determination that fuel used on LNG tankers is eligible for the AFET credit, and, if so, how the IRS made this determination and what guidance, if any, was provided to taxpayers.

We would further urge the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to investigate the extent to which Secretary Bessent was involved in any decision to make LNG tankers eligible for the AFET, who Secretary Bessent may have discussed this issue with at the IRS, whether Secretary Bessent communicated with any impacted party about LNG tankers being motorboats under the AFET, and to what extent Secretary Bessent or his staff communicated with anyone in the White House, including President Trump, about a request for AFET credits for LNG tankers.

The IRS is designed to operate impartially to ensure that all taxpayers pay their fair share. We urge you to thoroughly investigate this matter.

###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/blumenthal-durbin-hirono-merkley-demand-answers-after-unqualified-organization-with-close-ties-to-ice-receives-no-bid-contract-to-provide-legal-services-to-migrant-children/,"BLUMENTHAL, DURBIN, HIRONO, & MERKLEY DEMAND ANSWERS AFTER UNQUALIFIED ORGANIZATION WITH CLOSE TIES TO ICE RECEIVES NO-BID CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO MIGRANT CHILDREN",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“This award is concerning given the incredible lack of details provided in the award notice, the nonexistence of legal services provided by your organization, the Trump Administration’s continued use of no-bid awards…and the Trump Administration’s staggering disregard for the welfare of children in immigration enforcement.”

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today pressed Our Rescue, an anti-human trafficking and child exploitation organization with close ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for answers after the organization received a no-bid contract of up to $244 million to provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant children.

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joined Blumenthal in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of Our Rescue, Derek Benner, and the Chairman of Our Rescue’s Board of Directors, Sean Vassilaros. In their letter, the Senators raised concerns that the organization lacks experience as a legal services provider and demanded records and information about its vague contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“This award is concerning given the incredible lack of details provided in the award notice, the nonexistence of legal services provided by your organization, the Trump Administration’s continued use of no-bid awards to steer taxpayer dollars to President Trump’s friends, family, and associates, and the Trump Administration’s staggering disregard for the welfare of children in immigration enforcement,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators continued, “Unfortunately, Our Rescue is not a legal services provider. A review of your public-facing materials confirms this, revealing no mention of providing legal services to unaccompanied migrant children, nor even to survivors of human trafficking or child exploitation in the United States. While your organization’s stated mission of combatting human trafficking and child exploitation is laudable, you appear to address those issues in the United States in ways that are different from legal representation. Thus, it gives us apprehension that your organization is potentially being tasked with administering essential legal services to children whose cases require highly specialized expertise.”

The Senators raised concerns that Our Rescue’s documented ties to ICE could undermine confidentiality regarding unaccompanied migrant children: “Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Congress deliberately assigned the care of and services for unaccompanied migrant children to ORR, wholly separate from the immigration enforcement functions the Act assigned to the Department of Homeland Security. This was done specifically to ensure that ORR functioned as a child welfare agency guided by unaccompanied migrant children’s best interests rather than deportation quotas or other immigration enforcement priorities. Yet under the Trump Administration, ORR has increasingly abandoned this statutory mandate in service of ICE’s enforcement agenda, including by routinely providing ICE formerly firewalled information about unaccompanied migrant children and their loved ones.”

“Given these historical facts, Mr. Benner’s nexus to ICE as the former leader of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the lack of a publicly available description of the contract, we must ask exactly what information on unaccompanied migrant children Our Rescue may have agreed to provide to ORR. It is critical that Our Rescue and ORR maintain transparency about any information-sharing the contract requires,” the Senators concluded.

The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Benner and Chair Vassilaros:

We write to request records and information regarding the recent contract of up to $244 million, of which $158.1 million has already been disbursed, that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded your organization to “ensure the continuity of legal services for unaccompanied alien children.” This award is concerning given the incredible lack of details provided in the award notice, the nonexistence of legal services provided by your organization, the Trump Administration’s continued use of no-bid awards to steer taxpayer dollars to President Trump’s friends, family, and associates, and the Trump Administration’s staggering disregard for the welfare of children in immigration enforcement. We request that you immediately provide information and records to allow us to assess whether this contract is yet another waste of taxpayer dollars meant to harm migrant children.

Unaccompanied migrant children are a uniquely vulnerable population with unique legal needs both in Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody and once released. Those needs may include, but are not limited to, direct representation in legal proceedings; orientations on legal rights and the immigration process in the United States; and legal screenings to identify a child’s legal needs, rights, and options. These needs require effective advocates with a working knowledge of immigration law—a complex and intricate legal landscape that is constantly changing.

Unfortunately, Our Rescue is not a legal services provider. A review of your public-facing materials confirms this, revealing no mention of providing legal services to unaccompanied migrant children, nor even to survivors of human trafficking or child exploitation in the United States. While your organization’s stated mission of combatting human trafficking and child exploitation is laudable, you appear to address those issues in the United States in ways that are different from legal representation. Thus, it gives us apprehension that your organization is potentially being tasked with administering essential legal services to children whose cases require highly specialized expertise.

Adding to that apprehension is the complete lack of detail on exactly what your organization’s legal services will entail. Ensuring “the continuity of legal services for unaccompanied alien children” is vague and could mean the provision of legal services directly by your organization or referrals by your organization to other providers of legal services, or both. There is also no detail as to whether these services will be provided to unaccompanied migrant children only while they are in ORR custody or if legal services will be provided post-release as well.

Our Rescue’s close ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raises additional questions about confidentiality regarding unaccompanied migrant children. Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Congress deliberately assigned the care of and services for unaccompanied migrant children to ORR, wholly separate from the immigration enforcement functions the Act assigned to the Department of Homeland Security. This was done specifically to ensure that ORR functioned as a child welfare agency guided by unaccompanied migrant children’s best interests rather than deportation quotas or other immigration enforcement priorities. Yet under the Trump Administration, ORR has increasingly abandoned this statutory mandate in service of ICE’s enforcement agenda, including by routinely providing ICE formerly firewalled information about unaccompanied migrant children and their loved ones. On the basis of this information, ICE has arrested more than 12,000 unaccompanied migrant children and other individuals while sowing fear and panic in communities across the nation. In addition, from December 2025 to August 2026, ORR illegally refused to reimburse legal services providers under a prior contract unless they transmitted sensitive information to ORR about their clients that could have violated attorney-client privilege—information that ORR could then have imparted to ICE in turn. Only after a federal court ruled that these withheld payments contravened a standing preliminary injunction did ORR initiate repayments.

Given these historical facts, Mr. Benner’s nexus to ICE as the former leader of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the lack of a publicly available description of the contract, we must ask exactly what information on unaccompanied migrant children Our Rescue may have agreed to provide to ORR. It is critical that Our Rescue and ORR maintain transparency about any information-sharing the contract requires.

So that we can understand why Our Rescue is qualified to receive up to $244 million servicing unaccompanied migrant children, and exactly what the contract entails, please provide the following information by September 1, 2026:

Please provide an overview of what “continuity of legal services for unaccompanied alien children” entails;

Please indicate whether “continuity of legal services for unaccompanied alien children” encompasses children detained in ORR custody or children released from ORR custody, or both;

Please indicate whether Our Rescue will be directly providing legal services to unaccompanied alien children;

Will Our Rescue be subcontracting to legal services providers or otherwise referring cases to a network of such providers?

Please identify all existing and planned subcontractors or other organizations with which Our Rescue will partner to implement this contract;

Please provide the number of attorneys currently employed by Our Rescue with an active bar license and for each attorney the jurisdiction in which they are barred;

Please list any attorneys at Our Rescue who have ever participated in an immigration proceeding in any capacity;

Please list any experience and qualifications among Our Rescue attorneys in providing trauma-informed representation to unaccompanied migrant children;

Please provide a list of Our Rescue’s current office locations;

Please indicate whether Our Rescue will be fulfilling the terms of its contract virtually or in person; and

Please describe what information, if any, Our Rescue will provide to ORR and/or ICE concerning unaccompanied migrant children clients and their cases in performance of this contract

Please share Our Rescue’s analysis of why any such information-sharing does or does not violate attorney-client privilege or other ethical considerations under the bar codes of all states in which Our Rescue will administer legal service pursuant to the contract.

Please also provide us with the following records by September 1, 2026:

All records regarding the solicitation of the $244 million to ensure continuity of legal services for unaccompanied alien children;

All communications regarding the awarding of the $244 million contract and the disbursement of the $158.1 million, including but not limited to communications with the Executive Office of the President, President Trump, the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; and

All communications regarding how clients will be serviced in locations where Our Rescue personnel and/or attorneys are not located.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-secure-federal-funding-to-expand-pollinator-habitat-along-oregon-highways/,"Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways.The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (also known as the Roadside Pollinator Program), will allow native seed mixes and adjusted mowing practices to improve roadside pollinator habitats.

“Pollinators need healthy habitats to survive and benefit Oregon’s farms, forests, and natural landscapes,” said Merkley. “This project is a great example of how we can make our roadsides work even better for Oregon, creating habitat for iconic species such as the Western Monarch and native bees while building greater resilience to drought. I’ll keep pushing for federal investments that strengthen our communities and ecosystems.”

“Bees and butterflies will all benefit from this fresh federal investment in pollinator health that’s a key to fighting drought and supporting landscapes native to Oregon,” said Wyden. “I very much look forward as I travel our state’s highways all over Oregon to witnessing the results of this innovative effort.”

“This sort of project delivers so many benefits,” said Chris Warner, Interim ODOT Director. “We’re creating healthier habitat for pollinators like native bees and Monarch butterflies, while increasing drought and fire resiliency, all while reducing the long-term need for pesticide use to control weeds. This work serves as an example of how our transportation system can work for people, the environment and the communities we serve.”

For years, Merkley has led the charge to revive the populations of monarchs and other pollinators. He leads the bipartisan Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act, which builds upon the success of his bipartisan Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act that was signed into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and created the Roadside Pollinator Program.

Merkley also wrote the Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat (MONARCH) Act—which is cosponsored by Wyden—to help prevent the extinction of the Western Monarch butterfly and other critically important pollinators. Previously, Merkley hosted two Monarch Butterfly Summits, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the first of which announced a $1 million investment in the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pollinator Fund and established a Pollinator Conservation Center at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As former Chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Interior Department, Merkley has secured more than $18 million in dedicated funding for monarch and pollinator conservation.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wyden-merkley-demand-federal-agencies-stop-sharing-medicaid-data-with-ice/,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the personal health information of the tens of millions of people who rely on Medicaid is protected and that HHS and CMS comply with federal court orders,,” the Oregon senators wrote HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator. “Medicaid enrollees have a right to expect that their private information will be safeguarded and not employed for mass deportation campaigns.”

“Each person whose information was inappropriately disclosed is entitled to know what happened to it, and Congress is entitled to know how a federal agency came to violate the same court order three times in six months,” the senators added. “And HHS must suspend all Medicaid data transfers to ICE and DHS pending a comprehensive review of HHS’s controls and the court’s continuing oversight.”

In July 2025, CMS and ICE entered into an agreement to give immigration enforcement officials access to the personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees, including immigration status and addresses. In December 2025, a federal court set guardrails on the types of information CMS could share with ICE. HHS has now acknowledged that it transferred protected Medicaid information—including data on U.S. citizens—to immigration enforcement authorities three times in violation of the court order. These data transfers form part of a larger pattern of information-sharing to advance the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda, at the expense of Americans’ privacy and the statutory protections Congress built into these programs.

The lawmakers request answers to questions by Friday, September 4, 2026, including:

How many Medicaid records of U.S. citizens or nationals have HHS or CMS provided to ICE or DHS since January 2025?

Can HHS or CMS identify every transfer of Medicaid data it has made to ICE or DHS since June 2025?

Which HHS or CMS officials are responsible for overseeing the transfer of Medicaid data to other agencies?

Wyden has been leading the charge in the Senate to sound the alarm on privacy violations by Trump’s ICE. Earlier this year, he demanded answers from the Treasury Department about sharing taxpayer data with ICE. He also led 70 congressional Democrats, including Merkley, in calling for an investigation into ICE and DHS buying Americans’ location data without a warrant.

Previously, Merkley and Wyden introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act to limit ICE’s use of facial recognition technology.

Wyden led today’s letter with U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). In addition to Merkley, other senators signing the letter are Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

The letter to HHS and CMS is here. The letter to DHS is here.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-secure-federal-funding-to-expand-pollinator-habitat-along-oregon-highways,"Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways. The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (also known as the Roadside Pollinator Program), will allow native seed mixes and adjusted mowing practices to improve roadside pollinator habitats.

“Pollinators need healthy habitats to survive and benefit Oregon’s farms, forests, and natural landscapes,” said Merkley. “This project is a great example of how we can make our roadsides work even better for Oregon, creating habitat for iconic species such as the Western Monarch and native bees while building greater resilience to drought. I’ll keep pushing for federal investments that strengthen our communities and ecosystems.”

“Bees and butterflies will all benefit from this fresh federal investment in pollinator health that’s a key to fighting drought and supporting landscapes native to Oregon,” said Wyden. “I very much look forward as I travel our state’s highways all over Oregon to witnessing the results of this innovative effort.”

“This sort of project delivers so many benefits,” said Chris Warner, Interim ODOT Director. “We’re creating healthier habitat for pollinators like native bees and Monarch butterflies, while increasing drought and fire resiliency, all while reducing the long-term need for pesticide use to control weeds. This work serves as an example of how our transportation system can work for people, the environment and the communities we serve.”

For years, Merkley has led the charge to revive the populations of monarchs and other pollinators. He leads the bipartisan Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act, which builds upon the success of his bipartisan Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act that was signed into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and created the Roadside Pollinator Program.

Merkley also wrote the Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat (MONARCH) Act—which is cosponsored by Wyden—to help prevent the extinction of the Western Monarch butterfly and other critically important pollinators. Previously, Merkley hosted two Monarch Butterfly Summits, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the first of which announced a $1 million investment in the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pollinator Fund and established a Pollinator Conservation Center at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As former Chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Interior Department, Merkley has secured more than $18 million in dedicated funding for monarch and pollinator conservation.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-demand-federal-agencies-stop-sharing-medicaid-data-with-ice,"Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the personal health information of the tens of millions of people who rely on Medicaid is protected and that HHS and CMS comply with federal court orders,,” the Oregon senators wrote HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator. “Medicaid enrollees have a right to expect that their private information will be safeguarded and not employed for mass deportation campaigns.”

“Each person whose information was inappropriately disclosed is entitled to know what happened to it, and Congress is entitled to know how a federal agency came to violate the same court order three times in six months,” the senators added. “And HHS must suspend all Medicaid data transfers to ICE and DHS pending a comprehensive review of HHS’s controls and the court’s continuing oversight.”

In July 2025, CMS and ICE entered into an agreement to give immigration enforcement officials access to the personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees, including immigration status and addresses. In December 2025, a federal court set guardrails on the types of information CMS could share with ICE. HHS has now acknowledged that it transferred protected Medicaid information—including data on U.S. citizens—to immigration enforcement authorities three times in violation of the court order. These data transfers form part of a larger pattern of information-sharing to advance the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda, at the expense of Americans’ privacy and the statutory protections Congress built into these programs.

The lawmakers request answers to questions by Friday, September 4, 2026, including:

How many Medicaid records of U.S. citizens or nationals have HHS or CMS provided to ICE or DHS since January 2025?

Can HHS or CMS identify every transfer of Medicaid data it has made to ICE or DHS since June 2025?

Which HHS or CMS officials are responsible for overseeing the transfer of Medicaid data to other agencies?

Wyden has been leading the charge in the Senate to sound the alarm on privacy violations by Trump’s ICE. Earlier this year, he demanded answers from the Treasury Department about sharing taxpayer data with ICE. He also led 70 congressional Democrats, including Merkley, in calling for an investigation into ICE and DHS buying Americans’ location data without a warrant.

Previously, Merkley and Wyden introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act to limit ICE’s use of facial recognition technology.

Wyden led today’s letter with U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). In addition to Merkley, other senators signing the letter are Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-announce-more-than-15-million-in-federal-grants-to-support-oregon-wood-product-industry-rural-economies-jobs/,"Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $15 Million in Federal Grants to Support Oregon Wood Product Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $15,091,037 in 20 wood innovations projects in Oregon that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and support rural economic prosperity and jobs. This federal funding is critical to ensuring the state’s leadership in the wood products industry, while helping to restore healthy forests and reduce wildfire risk.

“Oregon has the best wood products in the world, and federal support helps keep our state at the forefront of timber innovation while uplifting our rural communities,” said Merkley, the lead Democrat on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the USFS. “These projects are a win-win to develop new Oregon-made wood products and reduce wildfire risk in our forests.”

“Our state’s world-renowned wood products industry only gets stronger with federal investments like these that sharpen its cutting edge, keep generating jobs and lessen the dangers from wildfires,” Wyden said. “This is more than $15 million worth of good news for Oregon, and I’ll continue working to secure similar key investments statewide.”

Merkley leads and Wyden cosponsors the Mass Timber FederalBuildings Act to promote the use of mass timber in federal building projects and military construction. Merkley also leads the Supporting American Wood and Mill Infrastructure with Loans for Longevity (SAWMILL) Act to unlock federal dollars to support mills retooling or modernizing their infrastructure, enabling them to process hazardous fuels coming off public lands.

These investments in Oregon are part of a broader suite of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USFS Wood Innovations Program grants for public, private, and non-profit sectors, totaling $105.5 millionfor projects across the country this year.

The 20 projects selected in Oregon are being funded in three Wood Innovations Program Grants categories, which are as follows:

Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA)

$2,000,000 for Prairie Wood Products LLC in Prairie City for restarting and upgrading an existing sawmill facility to process low value logs in Eastern Oregon.

$2,000,000 for Malheur Forest Products LLC in John Day for retrofitting, modernizing and reopening an idle sawmill to handle small diameter and low value logs.

$265,809 for Forestry First LLC in Gilchrist to add a lug loader to an existing sawmill to increase efficiency of mill operations.

$2,000,000 for Co-Gen CO. LLC in Prairie City to reopen and upgrade a combined heat and power biomass energy system co-located with a sawmill to provide fuel.

$2,000,000 for Wren Hill Lumber LLC in Philomath to upgrade a sawmill to increase capacity and efficiency, and to allow use of small diameter logs.

$2,000,000 for Biodynamics LLC in Hines to restart idle equipment and install new equipment to integrate product lines and provide more markets for small diameter and low value logs.

Wood Innovations Grants:

$300,000 for FIX Infrastructure, LLC in Gaston to complete engineering and design to co-locate a wood energy and biochar production system at a sawmill to expand markets for mill residuals.

$200,000 for Single Widget, LLC in Portland to advance production of wood wool wall building products to increase utilization of low-value biomass.

$346,712 for Stimson Lumber Company in Tillamook to upgrade sawmill production equipment to increase lumber production.

$295,292 for World Forestry Center in Portland to design and engineer a publicly accessible mass timber pavilion to accelerate domestic wood product markets.

$150,000 for Malheur Forest Products LLC in John Day to complete permitting and other requirements to reopen sawmill facility.

$243,610 for Mount Hood Forest Products in Hood River to upgrade lumber production technologies.

$247,922 for Wyeast Timber Services LLC in Hood River to install wood processing equipment to expand small diameter wood utilization.

$300,000 for Cedarstone LLC in Eugene to develop production processes and products to increase mass timber in prefabricated homes.

$300,000 for the University of Oregon in Eugene to accelerate adoption of mass timber by addressing acoustical considerations.

$300,000 for Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC in Sweet Home to automate wood pellet processing to increase biomass utilization.

$300,000 for Solid Carbon, Inc. in McMinnville to create a market pathway for bioenergy waste in the western US.

Community Wood Grants

$1,000,000 for Brink Brothers Inc to install a wood-fired kiln system utilizing low value materials to produce dried firewood.

$577,231 for Roseburg Forest Products Company to retrofit a manual laminated veneer lumber (LVL) layup line with commercially proven automated layup equipment to improve efficiency.

$264,461 for Neiman Enterprises, Inc. to restore a biomass cogeneration system offline since 2020, converting wood residuals into renewable on-site heat and electricity.

“This investment will help move our Prairie City projects forward, beginning with restarting the cogeneration facility and continuing to evaluate opportunities for the sawmill. Together, these efforts have the potential to create and sustain family-wage jobs, improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and strengthen Oregon’s forest products industry,” said Jodi Westbrooks, President of DR Johnson Lumber and Prairie Wood Products.

“This award lets us put idle equipment at our Hines mill back to work, converting small-diameter and salvage logs from the Malheur National Forest into wood pellets and other valuable products. We’re grateful to the U.S. Forest Service for investing in this kind of local processing capacity, and to Senators Merkley and Wyden for standing behind a project that brings year-round manufacturing jobs to Harney County,” said Chuck Eggert, Biodynamics, LLC.

“We’ve fought through some difficult years to keep people working and keep the forest products industry alive in Grant County. When times were tough, we stayed, we kept investing, and we kept believing in this community. This $2+ million investment will help us build on that commitment by putting Malheur Forest Products back to work, creating family-wage jobs and strengthening the infrastructure needed to actively manage our forests. We’re grateful to USDA and Senators Wyden and Merkley for investing with us in the future of Grant County,” said Russ Young, Malheur Forest Products.

###",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-more-than-15-million-in-federal-grants-to-support-oregon-wood-product-industry-rural-economies-jobs,"Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $15 Million in Federal Grants to Support Oregon Wood Product Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $15,091,037 in 20 wood innovations projects in Oregon that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and support rural economic prosperity and jobs. This federal funding is critical to ensuring the state’s leadership in the wood products industry, while helping to restore healthy forests and reduce wildfire risk.

“Oregon has the best wood products in the world, and federal support helps keep our state at the forefront of timber innovation while uplifting our rural communities,” said Merkley, the lead Democrat on the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the USFS. “These projects are a win-win to develop new Oregon-made wood products and reduce wildfire risk in our forests.”

“Our state’s world-renowned wood products industry only gets stronger with federal investments like these that sharpen its cutting edge, keep generating jobs and lessen the dangers from wildfires,” Wyden said. “This is more than $15 million worth of good news for Oregon, and I’ll continue working to secure similar key investments statewide.”

Merkley leads and Wyden cosponsors the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act to promote the use of mass timber in federal building projects and military construction. Merkley also leads the Supporting American Wood and Mill Infrastructure with Loans for Longevity (SAWMILL) Act to unlock federal dollars to support mills retooling or modernizing their infrastructure, enabling them to process hazardous fuels coming off public lands.

These investments in Oregon are part of a broader suite of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USFS Wood Innovations Program grants for public, private, and non-profit sectors, totaling $105.5 million for projects across the country this year.

The 20 projects selected in Oregon are being funded in three Wood Innovations Program Grants categories, which are as follows:

Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA)

$2,000,000 for Prairie Wood Products LLC in Prairie City for restarting and upgrading an existing sawmill facility to process low value logs in Eastern Oregon.

$2,000,000 for Malheur Forest Products LLC in John Day for retrofitting, modernizing and reopening an idle sawmill to handle small diameter and low value logs.

$265,809 for Forestry First LLC in Gilchrist to add a lug loader to an existing sawmill to increase efficiency of mill operations.

$2,000,000 for Co-Gen CO. LLC in Prairie City to reopen and upgrade a combined heat and power biomass energy system co-located with a sawmill to provide fuel.

$2,000,000 for Wren Hill Lumber LLC in Philomath to upgrade a sawmill to increase capacity and efficiency, and to allow use of small diameter logs.

$2,000,000 for Biodynamics LLC in Hines to restart idle equipment and install new equipment to integrate product lines and provide more markets for small diameter and low value logs.

Wood Innovations Grants:

$300,000 for FIX Infrastructure, LLC in Gaston to complete engineering and design to co-locate a wood energy and biochar production system at a sawmill to expand markets for mill residuals.

$200,000 for Single Widget, LLC in Portland to advance production of wood wool wall building products to increase utilization of low-value biomass.

$346,712 for Stimson Lumber Company in Tillamook to upgrade sawmill production equipment to increase lumber production.

$295,292 for World Forestry Center in Portland to design and engineer a publicly accessible mass timber pavilion to accelerate domestic wood product markets.

$150,000 for Malheur Forest Products LLC in John Day to complete permitting and other requirements to reopen sawmill facility.

$243,610 for Mount Hood Forest Products in Hood River to upgrade lumber production technologies.

$247,922 for Wyeast Timber Services LLC in Hood River to install wood processing equipment to expand small diameter wood utilization.

$300,000 for Cedarstone LLC in Eugene to develop production processes and products to increase mass timber in prefabricated homes.

$300,000 for the University of Oregon in Eugene to accelerate adoption of mass timber by addressing acoustical considerations.

$300,000 for Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC in Sweet Home to automate wood pellet processing to increase biomass utilization.

$300,000 for Solid Carbon, Inc. in McMinnville to create a market pathway for bioenergy waste in the western US.

Community Wood Grants

$1,000,000 for Brink Brothers Inc to install a wood-fired kiln system utilizing low value materials to produce dried firewood.

$577,231 for Roseburg Forest Products Company to retrofit a manual laminated veneer lumber (LVL) layup line with commercially proven automated layup equipment to improve efficiency.

$264,461 for Neiman Enterprises, Inc. to restore a biomass cogeneration system offline since 2020, converting wood residuals into renewable on-site heat and electricity.

“This investment will help move our Prairie City projects forward, beginning with restarting the cogeneration facility and continuing to evaluate opportunities for the sawmill. Together, these efforts have the potential to create and sustain family-wage jobs, improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and strengthen Oregon’s forest products industry,” said Jodi Westbrooks, President of DR Johnson Lumber and Prairie Wood Products.

""This award lets us put idle equipment at our Hines mill back to work, converting small-diameter and salvage logs from the Malheur National Forest into wood pellets and other valuable products. We're grateful to the U.S. Forest Service for investing in this kind of local processing capacity, and to Senators Merkley and Wyden for standing behind a project that brings year-round manufacturing jobs to Harney County,"" said Chuck Eggert, Biodynamics, LLC.

""We’ve fought through some difficult years to keep people working and keep the forest products industry alive in Grant County. When times were tough, we stayed, we kept investing, and we kept believing in this community. This $2+ million investment will help us build on that commitment by putting Malheur Forest Products back to work, creating family-wage jobs and strengthening the infrastructure needed to actively manage our forests. We’re grateful to USDA and Senators Wyden and Merkley for investing with us in the future of Grant County,"" said Russ Young, Malheur Forest Products.

###",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-wyden-colleagues-press-trump-administration-on-proposed-forest-research-and-development-facility-closures-demand-transparency/,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Press Trump Administration on Proposed Forest Research and Development Facility Closures, Demand Transparency",2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to provide Congress with a full breakdown of the Service’s decision to potentially close up to 57 U.S. Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) Facilities, including the Portland-based Pacific Northwest Research Station. This lab provides critical data for air quality and forest management, including forest products, tree inventory, and combating pests and diseases across the region.

Despite multiple inquiries from both the Senate and House of Representatives, the U.S. Forest Service has still failed to provide Congress with a comprehensive accounting of the framework used to evaluate facilities slated for closure. In a letter to Chief Schultz, the Senators demanded the Administration provide them with the information Congress has been requesting for the past several months.

“Since announcing the list of facilities being evaluated for possible closure in March, very little detail or analysis has been provided to Congress or the public on the factors being considered for each facility,” wrote the Senators. “Instead, official responses rely on broad assurances- stating only that the agency is assessing ‘operating costs, amount of space, utilization rate, number of employees’ and proximate facilities – without revealing the actual methodology or criteria driving these determinations.”

Since 1905, Forest Service R&D has used forests as “living laboratories” to help researchers, governments, and communities better understand their surrounding natural environments. The 57 Forest Service Research and Development sites that are expected to close span 31 states and each perform critical, specialized research that cannot be easily replicated or relocated.

In their letter, the Senators also highlighted the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Wenatchee—both in Washington State—and how they conduct crucial wildfire research and forecasting for the Pacific Northwest region, which is currently experiencing a record wildfire season.

“We are very concerned that missing from the list of considerations are factors such as current benefits of research services provided to surrounding communities, what research services would be lost with facility closures, estimate of travel expenses resulting from facility closures, estimate on the number of staff unwilling or unable to relocate or travel an additional distance as a result of closing a facility, the replacement costs of each facility, etc.,” the Senators continued.

The Senators concluded their letter by emphasizing the importance of consulting with local communities and governments when analyzing sites for closure, raising alarm that such community collaboration has not, to their knowledge, occurred.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

To read the full letter, click here or below:

Dear Chief Schultz:

We write to request a detailed breakdown of all criteria and factors driving the decision to potentially close the 57 U.S. Forest Service Research and Development Facilities announced on March 31, 2026. Spanning 31 states, these facilities perform critical, specialized research that cannot be easily replicated or relocated – nor can it be terminated without jeopardizing long-term environmental and economic priorities.

Despite repeated inquiries from both the House and Senate, the U.S. Forest Service has failed to provide a transparent, detailed accounting of the analytical framework used to evaluate these facilities. Instead, official responses rely on broad assurances- stating only that the agency is assessing ‘operating costs, amount of space, utilization rate, number of employees’ and proximate facilities – without revealing the actual methodology or criteria driving these determinations.

The establishment of many of these facilities took decades of thoughtful work by numerous experts and stakeholders. They were designed to serve a specific purpose and fill a critical gap in forestry needs within their geographic region. For example, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry facility in Hawaii took roughly 60 years to be realized and serves the islanded forestry needs of the entire Pacific Region. The next closest U.S. Forest Service-owned office space is in California. Similarly, the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Wenatchee conduct crucial wildfire research and forecasting for the Pacific Northwest region. Closing both of those facilities in Washington State will leave numerous communities throughout that entire region vulnerable to increasing wildfire threats. In fact, according to reporting, 20 of the 57 facilities being considered for closure conduct important wildfire prevention research.

Since announcing the list of facilities being evaluated for possible closure in March, very little detail or analysis has been provided to Congress or the public on the factors being considered for each facility. We are very concerned that missing from the list of considerations are factors such as current benefits of research services provided to surrounding communities, what research services would be lost with facility closures, estimate of travel expenses resulting from facility closures, estimate on the number of staff unwilling or unable to relocate or travel an additional distance as a result of closing a facility, the replacement costs of each facility, etc.

Decisions as significant as closing 57 facilities across 31 states must include consultation with local communities and governments. To the best of our knowledge, these consultations have not occurred. Indeed, community outcry has been so great that the Forest Service was forced to walk back their initial March 31 announcement that these facilities would close and instead announced that these facilities are being analyzed for closure.

To help us and impacted communities all across the nation better understand what factors you are utilizing to determine whether to close these facilities, please avail your staff for a briefing on, or provide in writing, the complete list of criteria that you are using for each of the 57 facilities, a list of local stakeholders that you are consulting with on each of these determinations, and a timeline for which you expect to make a determination for each facility no later than August 19, 2026.

Sincerely,

###",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-colleagues-press-trump-administration-on-proposed-forest-research-and-development-facility-closures-demand-transparency,"Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Press Trump Administration on Proposed Forest Research and Development Facility Closures, Demand Transparency",2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined their Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to provide Congress with a full breakdown of the Service’s decision to potentially close up to 57 U.S. Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) Facilities, including the Portland-based Pacific Northwest Research Station. This lab provides critical data for air quality and forest management, including forest products, tree inventory, and combating pests and diseases across the region.

Despite multiple inquiries from both the Senate and House of Representatives, the U.S. Forest Service has still failed to provide Congress with a comprehensive accounting of the framework used to evaluate facilities slated for closure. In a letter to Chief Schultz, the Senators demanded the Administration provide them with the information Congress has been requesting for the past several months.

“Since announcing the list of facilities being evaluated for possible closure in March, very little detail or analysis has been provided to Congress or the public on the factors being considered for each facility,” wrote the Senators. “Instead, official responses rely on broad assurances- stating only that the agency is assessing ‘operating costs, amount of space, utilization rate, number of employees’ and proximate facilities – without revealing the actual methodology or criteria driving these determinations.”

Since 1905, Forest Service R&D has used forests as “living laboratories” to help researchers, governments, and communities better understand their surrounding natural environments. The 57 Forest Service Research and Development sites that are expected to close span 31 states and each perform critical, specialized research that cannot be easily replicated or relocated.

In their letter, the Senators also highlighted the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Wenatchee—both in Washington State—and how they conduct crucial wildfire research and forecasting for the Pacific Northwest region, which is currently experiencing a record wildfire season.

“We are very concerned that missing from the list of considerations are factors such as current benefits of research services provided to surrounding communities, what research services would be lost with facility closures, estimate of travel expenses resulting from facility closures, estimate on the number of staff unwilling or unable to relocate or travel an additional distance as a result of closing a facility, the replacement costs of each facility, etc.,” the Senators continued.

The Senators concluded their letter by emphasizing the importance of consulting with local communities and governments when analyzing sites for closure, raising alarm that such community collaboration has not, to their knowledge, occurred.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

To read the full letter, click here or below:

Dear Chief Schultz:

We write to request a detailed breakdown of all criteria and factors driving the decision to potentially close the 57 U.S. Forest Service Research and Development Facilities announced on March 31, 2026. Spanning 31 states, these facilities perform critical, specialized research that cannot be easily replicated or relocated – nor can it be terminated without jeopardizing long-term environmental and economic priorities.

Despite repeated inquiries from both the House and Senate, the U.S. Forest Service has failed to provide a transparent, detailed accounting of the analytical framework used to evaluate these facilities. Instead, official responses rely on broad assurances- stating only that the agency is assessing ‘operating costs, amount of space, utilization rate, number of employees’ and proximate facilities – without revealing the actual methodology or criteria driving these determinations.

The establishment of many of these facilities took decades of thoughtful work by numerous experts and stakeholders. They were designed to serve a specific purpose and fill a critical gap in forestry needs within their geographic region. For example, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry facility in Hawaii took roughly 60 years to be realized and serves the islanded forestry needs of the entire Pacific Region. The next closest U.S. Forest Service-owned office space is in California. Similarly, the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Wenatchee conduct crucial wildfire research and forecasting for the Pacific Northwest region. Closing both of those facilities in Washington State will leave numerous communities throughout that entire region vulnerable to increasing wildfire threats. In fact, according to reporting, 20 of the 57 facilities being considered for closure conduct important wildfire prevention research.

Since announcing the list of facilities being evaluated for possible closure in March, very little detail or analysis has been provided to Congress or the public on the factors being considered for each facility. We are very concerned that missing from the list of considerations are factors such as current benefits of research services provided to surrounding communities, what research services would be lost with facility closures, estimate of travel expenses resulting from facility closures, estimate on the number of staff unwilling or unable to relocate or travel an additional distance as a result of closing a facility, the replacement costs of each facility, etc.

Decisions as significant as closing 57 facilities across 31 states must include consultation with local communities and governments. To the best of our knowledge, these consultations have not occurred. Indeed, community outcry has been so great that the Forest Service was forced to walk back their initial March 31 announcement that these facilities would close and instead announced that these facilities are being analyzed for closure.

To help us and impacted communities all across the nation better understand what factors you are utilizing to determine whether to close these facilities, please avail your staff for a briefing on, or provide in writing, the complete list of criteria that you are using for each of the 57 facilities, a list of local stakeholders that you are consulting with on each of these determinations, and a timeline for which you expect to make a determination for each facility no later than August 19, 2026.

Sincerely,",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-schumer-top-senate-democrats-with-jurisdiction-over-trumps-gilded-ballroom-boondoggle-call-on-watchdog-to-conduct-a-full-audit-of-the-project/,"Merkley, Schumer, Top Senate Democrats with Jurisdiction Over Trump’s Gilded Ballroom Boondoggle Call on Watchdog to Conduct a Full Audit of the Project",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Dear Acting Comptroller General Williams Brown:

Many of us in Congress have watched with alarm as the Trump administration unilaterally made the decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House—an historic and symbolic structure—without congressional authorization, meaningful public engagement, or following long-established practice for government facilities modernization and historic preservation. The subsequent construction of a new White House ballroom represents one of the most sweeping alterations to the White House complex in modern history. The scale of this project, the destruction of historic architecture, the opaque and unorthodox combination of public funds with private funding sources, and the absence of standard federal review processes raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and stewardship of this national landmark.

Congress has neither authorized nor appropriated funding for the “East Wing Modernization Project,” nor has Congress been provided any planning details or justifications that would allow for informed consideration of the White House’s plans that would be a prerequisite for authorization or appropriation of funds. The lack of congressional authorization has been central to the ongoing litigation challenging the ballroom project, National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service. This month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed that President Trump lacks the legal authority to construct a White House ballroom without congressional authorization. Simply put, no president has the authority to unilaterally demolish and remodel the country’s White House in such a significant manner without congressional approval.

President Trump repeatedly claimed that the demolition of the East Wing and construction of a dramatically expanded gilded ballroom would be carried out solely using private donations, and that no taxpayer funds would be used. Despite those assurances, the administration first tried and failed[1] to secure $1 billion in federal funding for the ballroom through a partisan Republican reconciliation bill, then shifted tact to inappropriately and illegally pay for over half of the $600 million ballroom with previously appropriated funding not intended for this project. It has also been reported that the Trump Administration is utilizing a $500 million no-bid contract to fund the construction of the ballroom—funding that Congress did not approve.[2]

The Trump administration has not provided transparency into the use of federal funds for the East Wing project, and they have limited congressional oversight, meaningful public input, and adherence to established federal processes.

To support Congress’s oversight responsibilities, we request that GAO conduct an audit and assessment of the White House ballroom project and related documentation, including the following:

Planning, Review and Approval Processes: What design, review, and construction approval processes are being applied to the ballroom project? How do these processes and timelines compare to those used for other similar federal construction efforts involving the White House, other historic properties, executive facilities, or national security sensitive sites? Please assess whether required architectural, preservation, environmental, and interagency reviews were conducted and whether any were bypassed, abbreviated or ignored. What documents, if any, were filed with required approval entities prior to initiation of work?

Funding Sources and Cost Transparency: How is the project being funded, including appropriated funds, reconciliation funds, transfers, reprogramming actions, or donated materials and services? Was an initial cost estimate prepared and if so, by what agency or entity and what were the projections from that estimate? What are the total estimated project costs, how much has been obligated and expended to date, and what is the anticipated timeline for completion? What cost control measures were specified for use under this project? Are the funds that were transferred from U.S. Secret Service account to a “White House Repair and Restoration” account within the Executive Residence at the White House, as reported by the Office of Management and Budget, intended for use in the East Wing Modernization Project? Have any federal agencies involved in the East Wing Modernization Project included funding for this project in spend plans submitted to the Office of Management and Budget?

Security Related Components and Interagency Roles: Which elements of the project have been designated as national security related, what criteria were used to make those determinations, and what funding sources are being used for those components? How have appropriate congressional committees been updated on cost and design planning considerations? What is the role of the U.S. Secret Service, the White House Military Office, the White House Communications Agency and the Department of Defense in planning, approving, and coordinating construction activities (including facility communications upgrades and installation of security equipment and other non-construction features), and how are these agencies collaborating among themselves and with other federal entities?

Public Input and Transparency: What opportunities, if any, were provided for public input, expert consultation, or stakeholder engagement prior to demolition of the East Wing and initiation of the ballroom project? Please assess whether federal agencies followed standard public notice and comment practices for major alterations to historic federal properties, whether relevant preservation and advisory bodies were consulted, and how the level of public transparency compares to similar federal construction projects involving historic or iconic sites.

Contractor Donations, Potential Corruption, and Safeguards: Recent public reporting indicates that several contractors and donors associated with the ballroom project have subsequently received substantial federal contract awards, reportedly totaling more than $50 billion. Please assess what safeguards, if any, federal agencies applied to prevent conflicts of interest, preferential treatment, or corruption related to contractors who donated materials, services, or funds to the project. Specifically, what controls exist to ensure that contributions to the project did not influence contract award decisions, and how do these safeguards compare to standard federal procurement integrity requirements? What evaluation criteria were used in identifying and selecting contractors for this effort? Please evaluate whether agencies documented their rationale for contract awards to donor contractors and whether any deviations from standard competitive procedures occurred.

Given the scale, visibility, and long-term implications of this project, an independent GAO review is essential to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsible management of federal resources and historic assets. We request that you provide an update on your proposed plan for this audit by no later than December 1, 2026, with subsequent updates and a final report to be provided at a mutually agreed upon date.

Sincerely,",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-colleagues-demand-state-department-process-student-visas-without-delays,"Wyden, Colleagues Demand State Department Process Student Visas Without Delays",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Ron Wyden,W000779,www.wyden.senate.gov,wyden,https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to express concern about the lack of student and exchange visitor visa appointments in time for the start of the academic year in Oregon and nationwide.

Wyden and his fellow senators demanded the Trump administration answer questions about delays processing these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates.

“We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competitiveness,” the senators wrote. “Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates. This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students’ visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies.”

The lawmakers highlighted the vital contributions international students make to universities and communities nationwide, including expanding opportunities for American students, generating economic activity, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and building international partnerships.

“International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year. Even though international students make up only six percent of the total higher education population, their enrollment creates opportunities for American students,” the senators continued. “International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.”

The senators urged the State Department to ensure the timely review and processing of student and exchange visitor visas, extend interview waivers for vetted returning student applicants, provide sufficient staffing for visa processing, and improve transparency and engagement with stakeholders. The senators also requested an explanation within 30 days about the causes of the delays and the measures being implemented to ensure student and exchange visitor visa applications are processed in a timely manner moving forward.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif. In addition to Wyden, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Chris Coons, D-Del., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-matsui-kiggans-champion-bipartisan-legislation-to-keep-americas-nurses-and-patients-safe/,"Merkley, Matsui, Kiggans Champion Bipartisan Legislation to Keep America’s Nurses and Patients Safe",2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), announced the reintroduction of their Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act.

To tackle staffing-related challenges, nurses are often forced to work mandatory overtime beyond their scheduled shift, which can endanger the safety of both patients and nurses. To address these challenges, the bicameral, bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would provide nurses with stronger federal workplace safeguards.

“We know that when truck drivers or pilots are pushed past the point of exhaustion, lives are put at risk. The same is true for nurses, and they should not be forced to work to the point that patient safety is jeopardized,” said Merkley. “As the husband of a nurse, I know these heroes take care of us when we are in need, and we need to take care of them. Our bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would protect lives by limiting mandatory overtime and ensuring nurses have the support, respect, and working conditions they need and deserve.”

“Nurses perform lifesaving work every day, providing patients with the care, comfort and support they need during their most vulnerable moments,” said Matsui. “But persistent staffing shortages have forced too many nurses to work excessive hours, contributing to exhaustion and burnout while putting patient safety at risk. California and 17 other states have already acted to limit mandatory overtime. The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would establish commonsense protections nationwide so nurses can provide the highest quality care without being pushed beyond safe limits.”

“We can’t solve America’s nursing shortage until we address the workplace challenges driving talented nurses away from this important field. These workforce shortages have left many nurses working excessive overtime, leading to fatigue and less time with their families. As a nurse practitioner, I recognize the importance of fostering a work environment that is beneficial for both our caregivers and their patients. I’m proud to join Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Matsui to introduce the Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act to establish much-needed overtime regulations in place to limit burnout and improve access to quality healthcare,” said Kiggans.

To date, 18 states have passed legislation or issued regulations restricting mandatory overtime for nurses. The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would provide strong protections at the federal level for the 5.2 million registered nurses in the United States—the single largest group of health care professionals in the nation, as well as nearly 1 million licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses.

The bicameral, bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would:

Limit mandatory overtime for nurses by prohibiting health care facilities from requiring nurses to work with certain exceptions;

Adopt whistleblower and nondiscrimination protections to protect nurses against retaliation; and

Impose civil penalties for each known violation.

The bill is endorsed by over 50 organizations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA), AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, National Nurses United, SEIU, and Oregon Nurses Association. A full list of supporting organizations can be found here.

“Senator Merkley and Representatives Matsui and Kiggans understand what’s at stake: patient safety starts with nurse safety,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “Mandatory overtime is not a staffing strategy. It is a symptom of systemic workforce challenges that put nurses in impossible positions and increase risk at the bedside through physical fatigue and burnout. ANA supports federal action that sets clear limits, strengthens protections for nurses who speak up, and helps create the safe work environments nurses and patients deserve.”

“We see our hospital employers abuse mandated overtime all the time to exploit nurses who already work long and often grueling shifts to care for their patients,” said Jamie Brown, RN, National Nurses United President. “This is dangerous for patient safety and exacerbates the staffing crisis that is causing nurses to leave the bedside at astonishingly high rates due to poor working conditions. We applaud Senator Merkley for introducing this bill to protect nurses from mandatory overtime and hold big hospital corporations accountable. National Nurses United strongly urges every U.S. Senator to stand alongside our registered nurses by cosponsoring this legislation and passing it expeditiously.”

“Too many hospitals have high patient loads and persistent understaffing; but instead of hiring more nurses, management is forcing mandatory overtime on current staff. The longer days lead to burnout and nurses leaving the bedside for other jobs. The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act will protect nurses who can’t take on the mandatory overtime while safely allocating more hours for nurses who want them. This legislation is crucial to maintaining working conditions for AFT nurses and improving patient care. I thank Sen. Merkley for his leadership,” said Randi Weingarten, President, AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services.

“Nurses are constantly forced to make impossible, gut-wrenching decisions,” said Jody Demineck, RN, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU 1107, the largest healthcare and public sector union in Nevada, and a pediatric nurse at HCA Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. “It feels like playing a frantic game of medical whack-a-mole, running from the most threatening crisis to the next. When you repeatedly see patient suffering that could be avoided, that absolutely breaks you. This legislation is needed to address the crisis and retain workers so we can protect our vulnerable patients.”

In the Senate, the Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.

A summary of the bill can be found by clicking here.

A section-by-section outline of the bill can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-risch-lead-bipartisan-push-to-strengthen-the-united-states-commitment-to-tibet/,"Merkley, Risch Lead Bipartisan Push to Strengthen the United States’ Commitment to Tibet",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Democrat,Senate,OR,Jeff Merkley,M001176,www.merkley.senate.gov,merkley,https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) partnered with Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to lead the introduction of the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act. The bipartisan bill would strengthen U.S. engagement with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the democratically elected representative of the Tibetan people, and ensure that American support for Tibet endures beyond the lifetime of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

“Human rights and basic dignity for the people of Tibet cannot be ignored. Our bipartisan bill sends a clear message that the United States will stand with Tibet in its fight for these fundamental freedoms and the promise of tomorrow,” said Merkley. “As long as the People’s Republic of China continues to ignore the rights of Tibet under international law, America will not abandon the Tibetan people.”

“The Chinese Communist Party has sought to erase Tibetan culture, religion, and language, among other grievous actions. What Beijing has done to Tibet, they want to do elsewhere to anyone who defies the CCP,” said Risch. “This bill supports the Tibetan people, key partners in pushing back against China’s authoritarianism, and counters China’s malign influence at the United Nations.”

The Assuring the Future of Tibet Act would:

Recognize the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people and the continuity of governance established by the Dalai Lama, and direct the Secretary of State to engage with the Sikyong and designated representatives at the most senior levels;

Support the Tibetan people’s human rights and right to self-determination by advocating at the UN for CTA observer status and equal access across the UN system;

Build international recognition of the CTA by pressing for its inclusion in relevant international bodies and organizing like-minded partners and allies behind that effort;

Elevate the Sikyong’s standing by extending appropriate diplomatic courtesies, including security consistent with that afforded to a head of government, and considering privileges and immunities for CTA officials;

Affirm that resolving the Tibet-China dispute is a U.S. strategic interest and urge the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to address Tibetan aspirations for their distinct identity;

Name the Gaden Phodrang Trust the sole authority to recognize Dalai Lamas, ensuring U.S. support endures beyond the 14th Dalai Lama; and

Require a report to Congress on implementation, which may be consolidated into existing State Department reporting.

The bipartisan Assuring the Future of Tibet Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rick Scott (R-FL).

As a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), Merkley has led the charge to shine a light on human rights struggles under the Chinese government, which oppresses Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, dissidents, and others. Merkley’s bipartisan Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act was signed into law to support Tibetan self-determination and promote dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute between Tibet and China.

Full text of the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act can be found by clicking here.

###",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z