Press Releases

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 DENOUNCES SENATE AMENDMENT THAT ATTACKS WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley gathered with women’s health advocates today to denounce a Senate amendment that would deny health insurance coverage to women for birth control and any essential, preventive health care service if their employer has a religious or moral objection.  Senator Merkley stressed that this

Merkley: “Unconscionable” if Americans not Hired for Local Forest Jobs

Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley sent a letter to Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, urging him to take steps to ensure Americans will be hired with the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program projects announced on February 2, 2012.  In particular, Merkley urged the Chief not

Merkley Statement on Payroll Tax and Unemployment Insurance Compromise

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the passage of the conference report of the extension of the payroll tax cut and continuation of unemployment insurance.  “I am pleased that the House and the Senate have come to a deal on the extension of the

Merkley Introduces Bipartisan Amendment to Help Oregon Farmers and Ranchers

Portland, OR– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced a bipartisan amendment to the transportation bill currently on the Senate floor that would cut red tape for farmers and ranchers transporting their products. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senator’s Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), would allow farmers and ranchers who

Merkley: 2013 Budget Lays Groundwork for Success of America’s Middle Class

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the release of President Obama’s budget for the fiscal year 2013. “The budget put forth by the President lays out a plan for America’s success by prioritizing the success of America’s middle class.  It puts our economic focus

Merkley, Senators Urge Continuation of Unemployment Insurance

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley led a group of fourteen Senators calling on the conference committee negotiating the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act to renew federal unemployment insurance provisions through the end of the year without new barriers to participation or new burdensome requirements for states. 

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