Press Releases

Merkley, Van Hollen, Colleagues: Trump’s Military Actions in Yemen Must Follow the Law

Washington, D.C. – As President Trump visits the Middle East this week, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Maryland’s U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen—both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—today led their colleagues in demanding answers from the administration about its military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen and

Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy 

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore) today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation that would ban so-called “conversion therapy,” a practice fraudulently claiming to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.  “Forcing Americans into sham therapy for a non-existent illness is medieval quackery, not modern

Padilla, Merkley, Schakowsky Introduce Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Nursing Staff Standards, Improve Patient Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on International Nurses Day, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act to improve hospital patient care and nurse retention by setting mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09)

Wyden, Merkley Statement on Interior Department’s Support of Klamath River Dam Removal

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today issued the following statement after news that Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell will formally support the applications for removal of four dams along the Klamath River, another crucial step toward addressing water issues affecting the region: “Today’s letter from

Merkley Decries Inadequate Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Social Security Administration announced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of only .3 percent for 2017. This news follows a COLA of zero for 2016. “With today’s announcement, the Social Security Administration is saying that seniors only need about

Merkley Joins with Central Oregon Irrigators to Discuss Water Conservation Progress

BEND, OR – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined with Central Oregon irrigators and fish and wildlife advocates in Bend to highlight progress that is being made on water conservation in the upper Deschutes Basin. The gathering discussed how federal funding that Merkley is fighting for can further support efforts to

Merkley to Host Public Meeting on Proposal to Expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

ASHLAND, OR – On Friday, October 14th at 2:00 P.M. PT, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold a public meeting at Southern Oregon University in Ashland to discuss the Senator’s proposal to expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael Connor will attend the public meeting along with Mayor John Stromberg of Ashand

Merkley, Franken Call for Criminal Investigation into Actions of Wells Fargo

PORTLAND, OR – Today, at a news conference outside a Wells Fargo branch in Portland, Oregon, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Al Franken (D-MN) announced that they are calling on federal officials to pursue a robust criminal investigation into the actions of the bank and its executives.  Last month,

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