Press Releases

Merkley Puts His Support Behind Van Hollen for Senate Majority Leader 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley posted the following on social media:  “Americans are desperate to restore government by and for the people, not the privileged and powerful.  “We need leadership that carries that responsibility in their heart and gut.  “Senator Chris Van Hollen is that leader. I’ve

NEW REPORT: Merkley Unveils Child Care Investigation Exposing Safety Lapses, Drain of Public Resources in Private Equity-Backed Centers

Report Identifies Four Key Findings that Validate Public Concern Over Private Equity’s Increased Role in Child Care Industry WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the cost of child care continues to skyrocket, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released a first of its kind investigation on the effect that private

Merkley Statement on EPW Chairmanship for 120th Congress

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced he intends to seek the Chairmanship of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for the 120th Congress: “I am excited to announce that I plan to seek the Chairmanship of EPW in the next Congress. “This committee has

Merkley Decries ICE Detainment of Infants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the American Immigration Council (AIC) filed a complaint with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling on ICE to release infants with their mothers from custody. Currently, at least nine infants under one year of age are being

Merkley Introduces Resolution to Prevent Military Intervention in Venezuela Without Explicit Congressional Authorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following repeated hints from the Trump Administration that it is considering a military intervention in Venezuela, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced a Senate resolution that would prohibit military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional approval. Merkley is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and

Merkley and Colleagues Offer $2 Billion Plan to Reduce Class Sizes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), today introduced bold new legislation to invest in smaller class sizes for public schools across America. Smaller class sizes increase student achievement and

Merkley, Smith Introduce Bill to Protect Rent-to-Own Tenants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) today introduced the Residential Rent-to-Own Protection Act, legislation that would create a safe, viable pathway to homeownership by reforming traditionally predatory rent-to-own housing contracts, also called land contracts or contracts-for-deed. “Rent-to-own housing agreements could provide access

Merkley Presses VA Secretary on Privatization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today pressed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie on whether new efforts to expand the privatization of VA health care could diminish resources and harm care at the VA facilities many veterans rely on. Merkley’s letter to Secretary Wilkie follows new,

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