Press Releases

Merkley Applauds Pentagon for Efforts to Restore Honors for Wrongfully Discharged LGBTQ+ Veterans, Continues Fight for Full Justice

Washington, D.C. – Following the Pentagon reaching a historic settlement with LGBTQ+ veterans, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley vowed to continue his longtime efforts to restore dignity to veterans and servicemembers who were unjustly discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation. It is estimated that more than 100,000 servicemembers were wrongfully discharged from the Armed Forces on the

Merkley Announces Legislation to Give Seniors a Raise

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today met with seniors at the Hollywood Senior Center and announced that he will be introducing legislation in the Senate that will increase Social Security benefits for seniors by changing the cost of living adjustment (COLA) formula to keep up with inflation.  Since

On Equal Pay Day, Merkley Calls for Renewed Action

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement to mark Equal Pay Day – the day each year when women’s earnings catch up to men’s earnings in the previous year. “It is simply outrageous that in the year 2014, every American does not receive equal pay for

Senate Passes Merkley-Backed Extension of Emergency Unemployment Insurance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today passed legislation cosponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan group of Senators to extend emergency federal unemployment benefits. The bipartisan legislation covers workers who have been looking for work for more than six months and includes retroactive payments to those who were

Merkley-Backed Bipartisan Unemployment Deal Moves Toward Final Passage in Senate

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the bipartisan legislation to extend emergency unemployment benefits overcame its final filibuster in the U.S. Senate with 61 votes, allowing a majority-rules vote on final passage on Monday: “In Oregon and across the nation, families looking for work need

Merkley Announces Fourteen Oregonians Accepted to U.S. Military Academies

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that fourteen of the approximately 35 nominations that he put forward to the four military academies have been accepted as students for the next year. America’s military academies are among the most selective and difficult to earn admission to among higher

Merkley: Ryan Budget Would Be a Deadly Blow to the American Dream

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Congressman Paul Ryan released his 2015 budget blueprint: “The budget put forth by Congressman Paul Ryan is another attempt to balance the budget on the backs of hardworking middle class families, students and seniors.  The Ryan budget would end

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