Press Releases

Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number

Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Conflict Zones

WASHINGTON – Today, on Human Rights Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The lawmakers’ legislation, the Commitment to Aid Workers Act, would strengthen U.S. efforts to safeguard those who risk their

Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela: “As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power

Merkley, Wyden Announce Up to $3 Million for Solar Energy Partnership in Bend

WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that a partnership involving PV Powered, a manufacturer of photovoltaic solar inverters in Bend, Oregon, will receive up to $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop solar energy grid integration systems (SEGIS).  A portion

Merkley Amendment to Bolster Local Energy Efficiency Programs Passes Senate

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today offered an amendment to the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill to support efficiency programs to help homeowners and business owners renovate buildings to save energy and cut their bills.  The amendment was adopted unanimously.  “This amendment will enable homeowners and local

Merkley Seeks Improvements to Mortgage Modification Program

WASHINGTON, DC – As top Obama Administration officials prepare for a meeting with the nation’s mortgage servicing companies, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today urged the Administration to take a number of steps to make it easier for homeowners at risk of foreclosure to modify the terms of their mortgages. “With

Merkley Applauds Fed for Steering Payment Ban

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Ben Bernanke, announced today that the Federal Reserve is recommending new rules to benefit consumers, including a ban on yield spread premiums, also known as steering payments.  The new rules also require lenders to provide borrowers with a straightforward explanation of

Merkley, Wyden Announce $185,000 in Funding for Joseph State Airport

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded over $185,000 in Federal Aviation Administration grants to the Oregon State Department of Aviation. The funding will be used to install automated weather reporting and observing equipment, rehabilitate an

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