Jeff Merkley

The Trump administration initially planned to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a major ocean research program, but reversed the decision after bipartisan senatorial intervention. While the OOI is now protected for at least a decade, other critical ocean and climate research programs like the Argo program remain at risk due to potential funding cuts.

The Trump administration reversed its decision to dismantle a deep-ocean monitoring system after bipartisan criticism. The National Science Foundation had planned to remove equipment from sites off Alaska, North Carolina, and Greenland, but bipartisan legislation now blocks funding for dismantling until a review is conducted.

Democrats allege that over $350 million from President Donald Trump’s tax cuts bill is being used for White House security, which they claim indirectly funds his new ballroom project. The funds were redirected by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, despite Trump’s assertion that the project would be privately funded.

Democrats claim over $350 million from President Donald Trump’s tax cuts bill has been redirected to White House security, which they argue is funding a controversial ballroom project. Trump insists the project is privately funded, but the article notes the project’s cost has risen to $600 million, with more than half from taxpayer money. Congress rejected a $1 billion request for the project, and legal challenges persist.

Democrats allege that over $350 million from President Donald Trump’s tax cuts bill is being used for White House security, which they claim indirectly funds his controversial ballroom project. Trump insists the project is paid for with private donations, but reports indicate more than half of the $600 million cost comes from taxpayer funds.

Lawmakers, including Democratic and Republican senators and House committees, are urging the National Science Foundation to halt its plan to dismantle the $386 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of 900 ocean sensors. They argue the decision to remove instruments by 2027 lacks scientific review and may be illegal, threatening data on ocean ecosystems, climate change, and extreme weather.

Lawmakers from both parties sent letters to the National Science Foundation opposing its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $386 million ocean monitoring network. They argued the decision lacked scientific review and legal justification, threatening coastal safety and environmental research.

Democratic lawmakers led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren urged the Education Department to provide student-debt relief to eligible borrowers and halt the transfer of defaulted accounts to the Treasury. They criticized Trump's student-loan changes, including the elimination of the SAVE plan and new repayment rules, which they argue could increase defaults. Over 7.7 million borrowers were in default by 2025, with lawmakers seeking to pause involuntary collections and clear backlogged applications.

The U.S. Senate is debating nearly $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement and deportation activities, including ICE and Border Patrol, through the end of President Trump’s term. Republicans blocked amendments to restrict a DOJ 'anti-weaponization' fund and a White House ballroom proposal, with bipartisan support for some amendments but procedural objections halting others.

The U.S. Senate is conducting a prolonged session to approve nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol. Republicans blocked amendments targeting the Department of Justice's 'anti-weaponization' fund and a proposal requiring congressional approval for a new White House ballroom. The debate includes bipartisan opposition to the fund, which faced criticism after being scrapped by the acting attorney general but later questioned by President Trump.

Six Republican senators voted with Democrats to support an amendment blocking construction of President Trump’s 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom unless Congress authorizes the project. The amendment would require congressional approval for the ballroom and prohibit federal or private funds for its construction.

U.S. Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office to provide an official cost estimate for the Iran war, citing discrepancies between administration projections and independent analyses. The senators emphasized the need for transparency and accurate information to inform legislative oversight.

Senate Democrats requested the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the 'true costs' of the Iran war, citing discrepancies between administration figures and independent projections. They emphasized the need for transparency and comprehensive legislative oversight.

Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized a Fox News Digital reporter for questioning him about Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's resurfaced vulgar Reddit posts, telling the reporter to "get a better job." Several other Democratic senators declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Platner's past social media history, which includes crude and offensive content posted between 2009 and 2021. Platner has attributed the posts to a difficult period following his military service and PTSD.

Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized a Fox News Digital reporter over questions about Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner's resurfaced vulgar Reddit posts, telling the reporter to get a better job. Several Democratic senators declined to comment on Platner's posts, which include crude content and controversial statements made between 2009-2021. Platner, whom Sanders endorsed in August 2025, has attributed the posts to PTSD from his military service.

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley is running for a fourth term in the Oregon 2026 primary election. He is seeking to continue his tenure as a senator. The election results are being closely watched.

The Senate parliamentarian rejected $1 billion in White House and Secret Service security funding tied to President Donald Trump's planned ballroom. The funding provision was part of a broader $72 billion package focused on immigration enforcement. Republicans will try to revise the legislation to gain approval.

The Senate parliamentarian ruled against a $1 billion provision to fund President Trump's White House ballroom in the budget reconciliation package. The guidance was announced by Sen. Jeff Merkley, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. The decision affects the funding for the project.

The U.S. Senate rejected a seventh attempt to force President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval for military operations in Iran, with a 49-50 vote. The war, launched on Feb. 28, has killed 13 American service members and injured 404, costing $29 billion, while a claimed ceasefire remains disputed. Senate Democrats argue hostilities continue, and House lawmakers may soon address a similar resolution.

The U.S. Senate rejected a seventh resolution to force congressional authorization for President Donald Trump’s military campaign in Iran, with a 49-50 vote. The war, launched on Feb. 28, resulted in 13 American deaths and 404 injuries, with a claimed $29 billion cost. A ceasefire remains disputed, and hostilities are described as ongoing by some lawmakers.

The US Senate rejected a war powers measure in a 49-50 vote, with some Republicans breaking rank. The resolution aimed to end American involvement in the war on Iran. Democrats had proposed the measure, led by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

Senate Democrats have finally cracked GOP unity on Trump's Iran war as Senator Lisa Murkowski flips, joining Democrats to end Operation Epic Fury, although it wasn't enough to terminate ongoing operations. The move comes after Congress blew past the 60-day deadline to weigh in on fighting in the region. Top Trump administration officials argued that the deadline was moot due to a ceasefire.

The FHFA has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to count crypto as a mortgage asset, sparking concern among Senate Democrats who warn of heightened risks of loss due to scams and cyber hacks. This move could lead to the creation of mortgage-backed securities with risky collateral. The decision has been criticized for its potential to recreate the 2008 financial crisis with blockchain technology.

Senate Democrats plan to force Republicans to vote on $1 billion in security upgrades for President Trump's new White House ballroom, which was initially supposed to be privately funded. The bill is part of a broader package aimed at funding ICE and Border Patrol through fiscal 2029. Democrats criticize the move as an outrageous betrayal of hardworking families.