Press Releases

Padilla, Merkley, Schakowsky Introduce Bicameral Bill to Strengthen Nursing Staff Standards, Improve Patient Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on International Nurses Day, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act to improve hospital patient care and nurse retention by setting mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09)

Welch, Wyden, Merkley, Schumer, Lead Colleagues in Fight to Protect Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Social Services from Republican Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today led the Senate Democratic Caucus in sending an open letter to the public exposing the

Merkley: Oregon Unemployment Continues to Climb, Recovery Act to Spur Job Growth

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released a statement following the Oregon Employment Department’s announcement that the state’s unemployment rate climbed to almost 10 percent in January: “While the entire nation is feeling the effects of the current economic crisis, Oregon industries have been hit especially hard,” said Senator

Merkley: Obama Budget Lays Out Path For Future Growth

Washington, DC – Today, the Obama Administration put forward its budget blueprint for fiscal year 2010.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley lauded the document as a good first step in setting national priorities over the coming year, particularly noting the inclusion of a robust cap-and-trade system to address global climate change.

Merkley Reaction to President Obama’s Address Before Joint Session of Congress

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement reacting to President Barack Obama’s address before the Joint Session of Congress this evening:  “Over the past few weeks, the Senate has worked with the Obama Administration to address the vicious vortex of economic challenges facing working Americans: the

Merkley Record Unemployment Numbers Show Importance of Investments in Job Creation

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released a statement following the Labor Department’s announcement that almost 5 million workers were receiving unemployment checks, a record high:  “The new unemployment numbers released today are a reminder of the already obvious economic challenge facing the nation.  Five million Americans are collecting

Merkley Working Towards Solutions to Keep People In Their Homes

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley brought together national housing experts, financial professionals, and community members today in Portland to discuss solutions to the escalating mortgage crisis facing millions of American families.    Merkley and other participants at the Mortgage and Foreclosure Solutions Summit discussed ideas including allowing homeowners

Merkley: Economic Growth Package Contains Significant Help For Workers and States

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley expressed his support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act prior to today’s Senate vote on the final package.  The bill will create jobs, invest in America’s infrastructure, provide assistance to states and promote the production and development of green energy.   “America

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