In The News

Biden Faces Pressure to Lead on Combating Plastics Pollution

Bloomberg Government The Biden administration has come up short in advocating meaningful steps in international talks toward curbing harmful plastic pollution, a leading Senate Democrat says. The government, led by the State Department in talks with other countries to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution before the end

Wyden, Merkley Announce $345,000 for Klamath Falls Recycled Water Supply

Gorge News Center Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Klamath Falls will receive $345,000 in federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to help conserve groundwater and increase supply of recycled potable water. “Rural communities in Oregon depend on water for everything from

Merkley introduces ENDA in Senate

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

Merkley moves to end workplace discrimination against gays

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

U.S. Senate bill allows energy savings to pay for upgrades

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.

Merkley seeks Medicare change

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

Democratic Senators Propose Medicare Drug Rebates

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

Opinion: Hermiston turns out for Jeff Merkley

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

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