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,

Senators Call on President to Shift Strategy in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and 24 other senators sent a letter to President Obama today calling for a shift in strategy in Afghanistan ahead of next month’s announced deadline to begin an accelerated transition to Afghan security forces. In the letter, the senators

Merkley, Snowe, Reed, Whitehouse Offer Amendment to End Worst Mortgage Abuses

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered the Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011 as an amendment to the Public Works and Economic Development Reauthorization Bill.  The mortgage servicing bill would help homeowners stay in their homes by ending

Merkley: We Must Act Now to Stop Falling Home Prices

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news that home prices have fallen to their lowest level since the collapse of the housing market: “Nearly three years after an economic collapse caused by the actions of Wall Street, the big financial firms are back on

Merkley Statement on Memorial Day

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement to recognize Memorial Day: “Today is a day to commemorate the sacrifice and courage of the patriots that have paid the ultimate price for our nation. I, along with all Oregonians, am grateful for the valiant service of those

White House Aide Praises Merkley-Alexander Electric Vehicles Bill, Suggests It As Possible Basis for Bipartisan Progress on Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the following statement after a White House energy advisor stated this morning that the Merkley-Alexander Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, S. 948, could form the basis for bipartisan energy legislation: “I appreciate the White House’s positive comments about our electric vehicles bill

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