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: Senate Tobacco Regulation Bill A Breakthrough For Public Health

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. Senate in passing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products for the first time.  “Over the course of the summer, the

Merkley Announces Legislation to Make it Easier for Working Moms to Breastfeed

WASHINGTON, DC – Joined by House sponsors and nursing moms, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act which will help moms continue to breastfeed after they return to work.  The legislation includes elements of a law Oregon passed in 2007 under Merkley’s leadership in the state legislature to

Merkley Announces Pendleton Office And Field Representative

Portland – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that his Pendleton office is now open for business.   Elizabeth Scheeler in Pendleton will be his field representative for Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa Counties. “Eastern Oregon faces a tough economy with record levels of unemployment.  It’s

Merkley, Wyden Announce $11.85 Million for Oregon Biomass Projects

Washington D.C. – Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Department of Agriculture has awarded $11.85 million to five counties in Oregon to create clean energy jobs and reduce the risk of wildfire in Oregon as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The funding will

Merkley: Health Reform Should Include Drug Rebate Extension

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley called on the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee today to include an extension of the Medicaid drug rebate program to managed care plans (MCOs) in the health reform legislation currently being drafted. In a letter to Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Senator

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