Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Conflict Zones
WASHINGTON – Today, on Human Rights Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The lawmakers’ legislation, the Commitment to Aid Workers Act, would strengthen U.S. efforts to safeguard those who risk their
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela: “As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power
Senators Urge CFTC, SEC to Close Major Swaps Loophole and Prevent Bailouts from Implied U.S. Guarantees on Swaps
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), as well as Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), urged the heads of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and
Merkley Calls on House to Pass Bill Giving Oregonians First Shot at Local Forestry Jobs
Springfield, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today visited Springfield to celebrate the Senate passage of his bill to end abuse in the H-2B guest worker visa program that allowed some contractors to avoid hiring Oregonians in favor of foreign labor. Yesterday, the Senate passed the comprehensive immigration bill that
Merkley Statement on Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill, including a Merkley provision to protect Oregon forest workers by closing a loophole that has been abused in the H-2B visa system. “We have known for a long time
Merkley: DOMA Decision Huge Stride Forward for Equality and Fairness
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. “This Supreme Court decision that the federal government must recognize all marriages is a huge stride forward for equality and fairness. No one should be denied
Merkley Applauds New Steps to Combat Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced new actions to combat climate change, including regulation of carbon pollution from power plants. “I applaud President Obama for acting to take on our most pressing global challenge. Already we are beginning to see the
Merkley: Voting Rights Act Decision Fundamentally Off Base
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a key section of the Voting Rights Act. “In a democracy, there is no right more fundamental than the right to vote, and yet in some places, Americans still face the threat