Jeff is committed to protecting the health, rights, and liberties of all women. Throughout his career, Jeff has fought for equal pay, working to restore the balance of power between workers and employees by providing legal protections to women who face pay discrimination. He believes that millions of hardworking American women should have the ability to properly care for themselves and their families, without worrying about their economic security. Jeff also led the successful fight that created the first set of national rights for new mothers who want to continue to breastfeed after returning to work, and he continues to push to expand those rights.
Jeff has fought to protect a woman’s constitutional right to the full scope of comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, and will continue to stand up against efforts that would allow the government to make personal health care decisions for a woman and her family. He has worked to create a society that is safe for women—one that is free of violence and harassment—and continues to speak out against those who use their positions of power to victimize individuals and silence women.
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Guarantee Abortion Coverage Regardless of a Patient’s Insurance
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have reintroduced a bill to guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. “The government should not have control of women’s bodies,” Wyden said. “Ending the unconscionable Hyde Amendment is a key to protecting a
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Jeff Merkley and Representative Gwen Moore Introduce Legislation to Diversify the Perinatal Workforce and Improve Access to Maternity Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI) today introduced legislation to improve access to maternity care and grow and diversify the perinatal health workforce. The
Merkley, Wyden, Democrats Call for Reversal Of Trump-Pence Administration’s Gag Rule
Portland, Ore. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined 40 of their fellow Democratic senators in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar slamming the Trump-Pence Administration’s new “gag rule” that compromises the Title X family planning program. This rule dictates
Merkley, Wyden Announce Investments in Health Care, Education in Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced key provisions in education and health care in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill that will help Oregon communities. The bill passed the full Senate on Tuesday and is expected to pass the U.S.
Merkley, Senate Democrats Stand with Saudi Women, Push for Human Rights Progress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced the introduction of a resolution standing with Saudi women and pushing for human rights progress in Saudi Arabia. Merkley was joined on the resolution by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten
Merkley, Duckworth Lead Senate Resolution Marking World Breastfeeding Week, National Breastfeeding Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced today that they are leading a Senate resolution marking the first week of August as “World Breastfeeding Week” and the month of August as “National Breastfeeding Month.” Joining Merkley and Duckworth on the resolution are Senators Richard
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