Padilla, Merkley, Schakowsky Introduce Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Nursing Staff Standards, Improve Patient Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on International Nurses Day, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act to improve hospital patient care and nurse retention by setting mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09)
Welch, Wyden, Merkley, Schumer, Lead Colleagues in Fight to Protect Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Social Services from Republican Budget Cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today led the Senate Democratic Caucus in sending an open letter to the public exposing the
Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Bill to Expand Access to SNAP, Repeal Republicans’ Punitive Eligibility Rules
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation that would help more Americans have access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a crucial safety net that stands between thousands of Oregonians and hunger. “Oregonians should not have to choose between putting food
Merkley Applauds Obama Initiative on Alternative Fuel Vehicles
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new proposal to spur development and deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles. The initiative mirrors many elements of Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, introduced last year with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), along with Senators Debbie Stabenow
Merkley Cosponsors Bill to Help Communities Hurt by Foreclosures
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Project Rebuild Act to help communities hard hit by a high number of foreclosures. The legislation will provide funding to purchase, rehabilitate, and/or redevelop foreclosed, abandoned, demolished, or vacant properties. Introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Project Rebuild builds on
Merkley Statement on Oregon Disaster Declaration
Washington, DC –Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued a statement shortly after President Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state of Oregon. Federal resources will be deployed to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the counties of Benton, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk,
Merkley Reintroduces Bill to Provide Relief to Americans Struggling with Medical Debt
Washington, D.C. –Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley reintroduced legislation yesterday that will prohibit companies from using paid off or settled medical debt in assessing consumer credit scores. The Medical Debt Responsibility Act will assist approximately 72 million Americans affected by medical bill problems and medical debt. “Medical debt is not a
Merkley Calls on Fed to Not Delay Volcker Rule
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that regulators will probably delay implementation of the Volcker Rule. “I am disappointed to hear Chairman Bernanke’s comments that regulators will probably not meet the statutory deadline for implementing the
Merkley Statement on Failure of Anti-Contraception Amendment
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted to reject an amendment that would have allowed employers to deny their workers contraception or other vital health care services on the basis of an employer’s “conviction:” “Today, the U.S. Senate drew a line in
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