BLUMENTHAL, DURBIN, HIRONO, & MERKLEY DEMAND ANSWERS AFTER UNQUALIFIED ORGANIZATION WITH CLOSE TIES TO ICE RECEIVES NO-BID CONTRACT TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO MIGRANT CHILDREN
“This award is concerning given the incredible lack of details provided in the award notice, the nonexistence of legal services provided by your organization, the Trump Administration’s continued use of no-bid awards…and the Trump Administration’s staggering disregard for the welfare of children in immigration enforcement.” [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator
Wyden, Merkley Demand Federal Agencies Stop Sharing Medicaid Data With ICE
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded that the federal departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS) as well as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) immediately stop unlawfully transferring Medicaid data to DHS and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Congress has a responsibility to
Merkley, Wyden Secure Federal Funding to Expand Pollinator Habitat Along Oregon Highways
Washington, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced $150,000 in federal funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and restore pollinator habitats along Oregon highways.The funding, which is the maximum award under the Federal Highway Administration’s Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program
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: