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: Rejection of DISCLOSE Act is an Assault on Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senate Republicans voted to block Senate debate of the DISCLOSE Act, allowing unlimited secret funding of campaign advertisements by corporations.  Senator Merkley, an original co-sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act, released the following statement after the vote: “Today’s rejection of the DISCLOSE Act is a dagger aimed

Merkley: Drought Relief Headed to Southern Oregon

Washington, D.C. – This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an emergency supplemental spending bill that includes $10 million in drought relief for farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin.  The bill passed the Senate earlier and will now go to the President for his signature.  Senator Merkley released

Merkley Statement on 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this week: “Twenty years ago, our nation took a stand for opportunity and inclusion by passing the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Before that time, millions of Americans living

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