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: Health Care Amendment Looks Out For Nursing Mothers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee unanimously approved an amendment from Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley during markup of health care reform legislation today that would assist nursing mothers.  The amendment would provide new mothers with reasonable break times to nurse their child for one year

Merkley Attends White House Signing Ceremony for FDA Tobacco Bill

Washington D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined President Obama today at the signing ceremony for the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products for the first time.  The legislation includes an amendment from Senator Merkley and Senator

Merkley Co-Sponsors Legislation to Protect Wilderness Areas

Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has co-sponsored legislation to protect some of Oregon’s most scenic natural areas while helping boost local tourism and increase recreation opportunities.  The legislation would expand the protection of the Oregon Caves National Monument and some of Oregon’s ancient old growth forest situated along

Merkley Announces Pendleton Office Phone Number

Portland – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced his Pendleton office’s phone number today.    The number is 541-278-1129. The Pendleton office opened earlier this month. It will serve Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa Counties. Elizabeth Scheeler of Pendleton will staff the office and frequently meet

Merkley Applauds Recovery Funds Heading To Oregon

Portland – Senator Jeff Merkley applauded new funding today from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for projects in Benton, Jackson and Umatilla counties and the Tri-County area. U.S. Department of Agriculture Funding The Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center in Pendleton will receive $150,000 for replacement of a roofing system

Merkley: Clean Water Bill to Restore Common Sense Approach to Waterway Protection

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined his colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in approving legislation to protect American waterways and restore the principles of the original Clean Water Act of 1972.  Senator Merkley was an original cosponsor of the Clean Water Restoration Act and

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