Opening the Doors of Opportunity Through Education

Merkley Statement on Congress Passing Childhood Nutrition Bill

Washington, D.C. – The House overwhelmingly passed the childhood nutrition bill yesterday, sending it to President Obama’s desk for signature.  The Senate passed the bill unanimously last August. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving child nutrition.  The bill will also provide

Merkley visits after-school program, helps solve homework debate

“If I were the senator and I had homework, I would choose just one piece of homework, one day a week,” says Macen Richards, a third-grade student at Hiteon Elementary School. When U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley visits and asks the students what kinds of changes they’d like to see at

Merkley: $117 Million to Prevent Teacher Layoffs on the Way to Oregon

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education announced this week that $117 million to help prevent mass teacher layoffs will be arriving in Oregon within a matter of days.  The emergency funding will save the jobs of approximately 1,600 Oregon teachers and help improve education for children throughout the

Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Nutrition Programs and Fight Childhood Obesity

Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed legislation today to reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving children’s nutrition.  The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will provide $4.5 billion to improving the National School Lunch Program, promote the health benefits of breastfeeding, and establish new national nutritional standards to help

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