Merkley, Morelle Champion Bill to Expand Summer Learning Opportunities and Meal Access for Kids
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) led the reintroduction of the Summer Meals and Learning Act. The bill would establish a grant program to keep school libraries open and provide literacy activities at schools that serve free summer meals, helping to close the
Merkley Statement on Russia Sanctions to Bolster Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley – a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – issued the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to crack down on Russia’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine: “The United States must stand with democratic republics
Merkley, Senate Colleagues Introduce New Legislation to Close Ethics Loopholes for All Officials Representing the U.S. Abroad
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—led a group of Senate Democrats in introducing the Transparency in the Administration’s Business Opportunities Overseas (TABOO) Act. The new legislation mandates strong ethics requirements for every individual representing the United States government in negotiations
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, Wyden Announce $5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Create and Retain Law Enforcement Jobs
WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that over $5 million in Recovery Act funding will go to pay law enforcement salaries in Oregon communities. The funding will employ 21 full-time police officers for three years. Oregon communities receiving funding include Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham,
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
Merkley Pushes for Lowering Costs of Medicare Prescription Drugs
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by twenty-two other senators, sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee today urging the panel to reform the Medicare Part D prescription drug program as a part of health reform to make it more affordable for seniors and the government. “The