Merkley, Blackburn Concerned with NBA’s Deepening Ties to Rwanda’s Authoritarian Government
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) pressed the National Basketball Association (NBA) on its continued commercial relationship with the Rwandan government, despite being in contrast with U.S. policy toward Kigali. “We are increasingly alarmed by the NBA’s deepening relationship with Rwanda despite its invasion of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), its continued
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Dexter Announce $12.4 Million for Affordable Housing in Portland
Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, as well as U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03), today announced that $12,418,414 in federal funds are coming to Portland to help Oregonians continue to access affordable housing. The funds to Home Forward of Portland will ensure there
Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: $205 Million Federal Investment Coming to Port of Coos Bay Rail Project
Coos Bay, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) today to announce $204,771,601 in federal funds for the Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) Upgrades Project in support of the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project (PCIP). This funding will go towards final design and
Merkley Introduces Bill to Stop Deceptive Loan Checks
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Deceptive Loan Check Elimination Act, which would prohibit companies from sending “live” loan checks to consumers. In these schemes, financial institutions send unsuspecting customers a check made out to them. Customers often assume that their financial institutions have sent refunds or
Senators Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Online Payday Loans
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act. The SAFE Lending Act would crack down on the worst practices of the online payday lending industry and
Senators Introduce Bill to Help Americans Struggling with Medical Debt
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation to prohibit companies from using paid off or settled medical debt in assessing consumer credit scores. The Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Robert Menendez
Merkley Statement on Senate Rules Compromise
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after a deal was struck to modify Senate rules. “The Senate spoke clearly today: the paralysis of the Senate is unacceptable. Senators of both parties have recognized the need for change, and supported several steps to make the Senate more
Merkley Statement on Status of Rules Reform
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after today’s caucus meeting focused on rules reform. “Leader Reid has left open two paths to rules changes. While I’ve always thought that improving how the Senate works should be an area ripe for bipartisan agreement, it is clear
Merkley Applauds New Mortgage Rules
Washington, DC – Today, after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced sweeping new rules to the nation’s mortgage market, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley applauded the CFPB for putting an end to interest-only loans, “no doc” loans, and loans based on an initial “teaser” interest rate. Merkley has been a leading