Press Releases

Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Congress has a responsibility to

Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways

Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways.The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program

Merkley, Wyden Announce More Than $15 Million in Federal Grants to Support Oregon Wood Product Industry, Rural Economies, Jobs

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is investing $15,091,037 in 20 wood innovations projects in Oregon that support active management of national forests and grasslands, promote wood and energy infrastructure by increasing manufacturing capacity and operational efficiencies, and

Merkley Statement on Student Loans Deal

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a deal to keep student loan rates from doubling.   “Access to affordable higher education is one the main pillars of restoring and strengthening the middle class. Anyone who is talented and hardworking, regardless of

Merkley Statement on Senate Agreement to Confirm Nominees

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate voted 71-29 to end a Republican filibuster on the nomination of Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  Facing a possible change in Senate rules to prevent filibusters of executive branch nominees, Senate

Merkley Introduces Legislation to Boost Career and Technical Education in K-12 Schools

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced the introduction of the BUILD (Building Understanding, Investment, Learning, and Direction) Career and Technical Education Act of 2013. This new legislation will provide grants to support state efforts to restart career and technical education programs that have been scaled back or eliminated.

Merkley Applauds Committee Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after his bill to end employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, was passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on a bipartisan vote.  “All Americans deserve the right

Merkley: ENDA Markup a Historic Step Forward for Equal Protection

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senator Tom Harkin, Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, announced that the Committee will hold a markup of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) next Wednesday, July 10. ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis

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