Republican Blockade of Student Loan Bill Leaves Students and Economy Behind
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Republicans in the Senate filibustered a bill that would allow students and graduates to refinance student loans into lower interest rates: “When the people’s representatives put millionaires and billionaires before middle-class students who are struggling under the weight of
Merkley Calls on Federal Reserve to Close Loophole that Allows Big Banks to Own and Manipulate Commodities
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is calling on the Federal Reserve to close a loophole that allows big banks to own and control physical commodities—such as oil, aluminum, and electricity—raising prices for consumers and threatening the stability of the financial system. The Federal Reserve has been taking public comments
Merkley Urges Fed to Restrict U.S. Bank Ownership of Commodities
(Bloomberg) — Senator Jeff Merkley called on the Federal Reserve to prohibit U.S. bank-holding companies from engaging in physical commodities. Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, sent a letter to the Federal Reserve urging the regulator to prohibit banks from owning physical commodities. In cases where the Fed permits banks to engage
Merkley Welcomes Expansion of Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Options
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley welcomed the announcement from the White House today that the administration will expand income-based repayment options for federal student loans, making higher education more affordable for as many as 5 million Americans. The new plan will expand a 2010 law that allows students with
Merkley Announces Wins for Oregon Jobs as Two Appropriations Bills Pass Through Committee
WASHINGTON – With two more appropriations bills moving through the Senate Appropriations Committee today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley continued to deliver key wins in the appropriations process that will help create jobs in Oregon. Last year, Merkley became the first Oregon Senator to sit on the powerful Appropriations Committee since
Merkley Announces $1.55 Million in Federal Grants to Create Jobs by Revitalizing and Redeveloping Oregon Communities
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that five Oregon communities will receive $1.55 million in new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to redevelop brownfield sites. Communities that were awarded grants include Linn County, Tillamook County, and the cities of Salem, Sherwood and Tigard. These grants will