Foster, Merkley Introduce Bicameral Investor Choice Act
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Investor Choice Act, legislation to prohibit pre-dispute mandatory, or “forced,” arbitration agreements and preserve customers’ ability to bring or join class action lawsuits in certain financial sectors. “Individuals shouldn’t need to surrender their legal rights because
Blumenthal & Merkley Lead Colleagues in Push to End CFTC Assault on State Prediction Markets Oversight
“Through engaging in this campaign of litigation and intimidation, the CFTC risks becoming an instrument and enabler of online prediction markets’ efforts to bypass states’ consumer protections and oversight, creating a race-to-the-bottom in gambling.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) this week led 15
Merkley Launches Investigation into Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Surrounding Renovation of the Reflecting Pool
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—launched an investigation into the Trump Administration’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, which has so far reportedly cost American taxpayers more
Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Nutrition Programs and Fight Childhood Obesity
Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed legislation today to reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving children’s nutrition. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will provide $4.5 billion to improving the National School Lunch Program, promote the health benefits of breastfeeding, and establish new national nutritional standards to help
Merkley Statement on the Confirmation of Solicitor General Kagan to the Supreme Court
Washington, D.C. – Today the Senate voted to confirm U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the next Supreme Court Justice. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement following the vote: “Solicitor General Kagan’s thoughtful approach to the law will make her a valuable addition to the Supreme Court. Her
Merkley: Oregon Iron Works’ Brown a Strong Addition to Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that President Obama will appoint Chandra Brown, vice president of Oregon Iron Works and President of United Streetcar, to the Department of Commerce Manufacturing Council. Since 1994, Brown has helped put the Clackamas-based fabrication and manufacturing company in the vanguard of
Merkley: Help on the Way to Prevent Mass Teacher Layoffs
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate cleared a major 60-vote hurdle to move forward with a bill that will prevent mass teacher layoffs and provide medical services to those in need. The bill will provide $10 billion to keep teachers on the job, including $117 million for Oregon school districts.
Livable Communities Act Heads to Full Senate
Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs today passed the Livable Communities Act, sending it to the Senate floor for consideration. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is an original co-sponsor of the bill and authored an amendment in committee to support community projects that make biking
Merkley, Levin Urge Strong Implementation of New Rules, End to “Business-as-Usual” on Wall Street
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to heads of the government agencies charged with implementing Wall Street reform, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) today urged strong implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act, particularly the Merkley-Levin provisions limiting conflicts of interest and high-risk proprietary trading. “The law is clear: