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, Wyden Challenge Postal Plan to End Saturday Delivery
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined 22 other Senators in challenging the postmaster general’s authority to discontinue Saturday mail delivery later this year without congressional approval. In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the senators acknowledge the financial challenges the Postal Service is
MERKLEY INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE JOBS REPAIRING VITAL DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2013 (WIFIA). This bill would create jobs by helping local communities upgrade or replace aging and damaged water and sewer systems. Low cost financing would save homeowners and businesses money and put construction workers
Merkley Statement on Hagel Filibuster
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the GOP silent filibuster of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. “Merely weeks after the Senate came together in a good-faith effort to fix the Senate’s problems, Senate Republicans are now engaging in the first-ever filibuster of a Secretary
Senators Call for Stronger Safety Measures for Bed Rails to Protect Seniors
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and four of his colleagues called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to protect seniors by strengthening safety measures who use adult portable bed rails. Merkley was joined in today’s letter by Senators Sanders (I-VT), Harkin (D-IA), Franken (D-MN), and Blumenthal
Merkley Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced he will be serving on the following subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee: Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug
Merkley Calls for New Approach to Labor and Environmental Standards and Crackdown on Unfair Foreign Subsidies in Upcoming Trade Agreement
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today urged President Obama to include in the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement new, stronger provisions to ensure that responsible U.S. businesses that pay well and meet high labor and environmental standards are not disadvantaged and that middle class Americans benefit from trade.