April 22, 2021 3:20 a.m.

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley urged Biden administration officials during Tuesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, to ensure that the American Jobs Plan will include a transformative investment in affordable housing across America, assist western states recover from and prevent catastrophic wildfires, and provide water infrastructure funding for states, Tribes, territories and disadvantaged communities.

Merkley, who is the Chair of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, said, “Every American – regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code or their income – deserves to be healthy and safe”. Merkley said its impossible to thrive when your community is ravaged by wildfires, there aren’t any affordable places to live, or there isn’t reliable access to clean drinking water. Merkley said, “As we set out to rebuild our country and create jobs in the wake of this pandemic, delivering and investing in these core pillars must be a top priority”.

Merkley’s release said he has been a leader in advocating for the forest management policies, climate action, and recovery assistance that communities throughout the west need to get back on their feet following a series of catastrophic wildfires.

Video of Merkley’s remarks and questions are linked: https://merkley.app.box.com/s/4hc8ta5sdixw7qpkmu3yu7zhr2ruoxlb