Press Releases

Oregon Airports to Receive $14.5 Million in Federal Investments

Airports receiving federal funds include those in Ashland, Eugene, Hermiston, La Grande, Pendleton, Portland, Prineville, Salem, and Scappoose Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04) Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), announced that nine Oregon airports will receive

Merkley, Mannion Champion Legislation to Make Mental Health Care Accessible for Every Student in America 

Washington, D.C. – During Mental Health Awareness Month, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman John Mannion (NY-22) announced the reintroduction of the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, legislation that would significantly boost the availability of mental health providers in America’s public schools. Mental illness affects nearly 20 percent of American youth. This bicameral legislation would put additional mental health providers in elementary and

Forty-One Senators Push to Keep Harmful Environmental Riders Out of Appropriations Bills

Senators warn that inclusion of poison pills harming the environment would undermine Senate’s ability to pass bipartisan spending bills Washington, D.C. – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,

Merkley Statement on FDA Delay of E-Cigarette Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released the following statement after the FDA announced its new plan on tobacco regulation: “The tobacco industry produces products that kill thousands of Americans each year, and sustains

Merkley Statement on Health Bill Failure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans held a failed vote on their health care repeal bill: “Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of millions of Americans and the political courage of a few Republican Senators, the latest repeal bill is dead, as it

Merkley Blasts Trump Administration’s Pro-Discrimination Stance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Justice Department, under the leadership of Trump Administration appointees, took the unusual step of proactively filing a legal brief to argue that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is legal under federal law. Many courts have

Merkley Decries Trump Transgender Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement decrying President Trump’s newly announced ban on transgender individuals serving in the military: “Discrimination doesn’t make America safer. We should gratefully accept the contributions of all patriots who want to serve our nation. Today’s Twitter announcement is a disgraceful

Merkley Introduces More Than 100 Amendments to Health Care Debate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he has filed over 100 amendments as part of the Senate’s health care debate, forcing Republicans to reckon with the damage that their health care plans would inflict on millions of Americans. Many of the amendments touch directly on affordability

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