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
Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Bill to Expand Access to SNAP, Repeal Republicans’ Punitive Eligibility Rules
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation that would help more Americans have access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a crucial safety net that stands between thousands of Oregonians and hunger. “Oregonians should not have to choose between putting food
Merkley Urges Use of Financial Service Funds to Help Troubled Homeowners
Washington, DC – As the incoming Administration seeks the release of $350 billion in funds designated to help financial service firms, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley is urging President-Elect Barack Obama to use half the funds to directly aid troubled homeowners. Last fall, Congress passed a $700 billion bailout of the
Merkley: Public Lands Bill Clears Important First Hurdle
Washington, DC – A long-delayed public lands bill took a major step toward final passage today. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley cast his first vote in the U.S. Senate in support of moving forward on this important piece of legislation. “Oregonians are rightly proud of our long tradition of protecting our
Merkley: Today’s Job Numbers Another Sign We Need Immediate Action to Put Our Nation Back to Work
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor released new job numbers showing the loss of another half million jobs and the unemployment rate skyrocketing to 7.2% in December. In Oregon, the rate already tops 8%. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement: “Last fall, Congress passed a
Merkley: Congress Must Act to Protect Victims of Employment Discrimination
Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley signed onto two bills today to ensure fairness to those facing unfair job discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act are the first two bills Merkley has co-sponsored as a U.S. Senator. “At a time when so many
Merkley Supports Quick Action on Public Lands Bill
Washington, DC – Today, Energy and National Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman reintroduced legislation to protect important public lands in Oregon, including an expansion of the Mt. Hood Wilderness Area. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley applauded the move and pledged to support passage of the legislation. “Mt. Hood has long been one
Merkley: It’s Time For Bold Action to Address Nation’s Challenges
Jeff Merkley was sworn in today as Oregon’s U.S. Senator. Senator Merkley issued the following statement outlining the challenges that face the new Congress and our nation and the work that must be done. A telephone quality actuality of the statement is available. “Three decades ago, when I came to
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