Oregon Delegation Demands Immediate Restoration of Critical FEMA Program
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation—Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—in calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately restore Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants. These federal grants are critical to ensuring that Oregon’s communities—especially in
In Open Letter to the American Public, Wyden, Merkley, Senate Democrats Warn Against Republican Cuts to Health Care to Pay for Tax Handouts for Billionaires
As Republicans Consider Budget Measure to Fast Track Health Care Cuts, Democrats Urge Americans to Stand Up and Speak Out Text of the Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Senate Democrats sent an open letter to the American public today, warning families across the nation about Republicans’ efforts in Congress to
Merkley, Wyden Get Behind Legislation to Strengthen Rights of Public Sector Workers to Join Unions, Bargain Collectively
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues to reintroduce the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public sector employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. This
Merkley Leads Over 200 Members of Congress in Calling for Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workers from Workplace Discrimination
(Updated March 20, 2014) WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today sent a letter signed by more than 200 Senators and Representatives to President Barack Obama calling on him to issue an executive order banning contractors from receiving federal government contracts unless they have a policy prohibiting discrimination based
Congress Passes Bipartisan Flood Insurance Fix Based on Merkley Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation based on a proposal by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that will delay flood insurance rate hikes threatening Oregon homes and businesses. The legislation heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. In September, Merkley held a hearing in his Economic
Merkley Helps Reach Bipartisan Agreement to Restore Emergency Unemployment Insurance
Washington, DC –Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined four fellow Democrats and five Republicans in announcing an agreement to reauthorize expired emergency unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for 5 months. The bill is cosponsored by Merkley and Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark
Merkley Holds Hearing on the State of Retirement Security
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Economic Policy, today held a hearing on the state of retirement security to explore the major challenges facing Americans in preparing financially for retirement. The hearing, titled “The State of U.S. Retirement Security: Can the Middle Class
MEDIA ADVISORY: Merkley to Join All-Night Senate Session Calling for Climate Change Action
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will join 28 senators in a rare all-night session to call for action on climate change. Merkley will speak on the Senate Floor at approximately 8:30pm Pacific tonight to highlight the costs of carbon pollution on Oregon’s economy, particularly farming, fishing and forests,
Merkley Cosponsors Bill to Protect Medicare for Seniors
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Medicare Protection Act, legislation that expresses strong opposition to changes in Medicare that would reduce or eliminate guaranteed benefits or raise the eligibility age for hard-working seniors. Today, more than 46 million Americans rely on Medicare. “Raising the Medicare eligibility