Press Releases

Merkley Honors Senator Mark Hatfield, Peace Tree in New Video

Washington, D.C. – In celebration of what would have been the 103rd birthday of the late Oregon U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield, Oregon’s current U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released a new video reflecting on Hatfield’s legacy and The Peace Tree he planted on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Watch Merkley’s

Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Ensure Americans Get Hired for Forest Work

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced The American Jobs in American Forests Act to tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. Last year, a Department of Labor investigation found federal stimulus

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

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