An Oregon lawmaker made history Wednesday by introducing a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. Senate, marking the first time ever that a trans-inclusive bill has been considered in that chamber of Congress. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a first-term Democratic senator, told the Blade he’s sponsoring the legislation
WASHINGTON — Reprising yet another battle fought as a member of the Oregon Legislature, Sen. Jeff Merkley is offering legislation that would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act seeks to realize a long and so-far unsuccessful goal by gay rights advocates to
WASHINGTON — Making a house more energy efficient saves money and the environment in the long-run — as long as the homeowner can afford the upfront costs. That’s been a major barrier to things like solar panels on homes, new water heaters and other upgrades that make financial sense, U.S.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., made his own mark on the health care debate this week, gathering 21 signatures on a letter asking for a major reform of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, as part of any health care overhaul bill. Merkley, joined by a bevy of mostly
WASHINGTON — Freshman Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and 21 other Democrats have asked Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus to require pharmaceutical companies to pay the government rebates on certain drugs provided under Medicare, as a way of helping fund a health-care overhaul. Under the proposed rebates, drug makers would
Earlier this month U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, attracted a large, vocal crowd in Hermiston for a town hall meeting. By my count, more than 130 people took the time to listen and talk their senator at the event. It was an impressive turnout by Umatilla County residents Health care
Salem, Ore. — When Jeff Merkley moved his family from Oregon to Washington, D.C., as a new U.S. senator, he transported his belongings himself — driving a big U-Haul across the country with his son in the passenger seat. “It was fun, because you sit up so high,” Merkley said,
The U.S. Senate’s Health, Labor, and Pensions committee continues its retooling of Senator Ted Kennedy’s health care policy bill. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is concentrating his efforts on an amendment that would allow more small businesses to take part in an insurance exchange. That’s a system that offers a basic
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, rolled out new legislation Tuesday targeted at business start-ups. Speaking to approximately 50 business people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Oswego, Merkley announced the Small Business Jump Start Act of 2009 to members of the Lake Oswego and West Linn chambers of commerce. The
Almost 40 people gathered on Sunday in the Lebanon Senior Center to listen to and ask questions of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). A number of issues were brought up, the most popular topic being health care reform. Health care The audience represented a number of viewpoints. An ENTEK employee
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