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: Employee Free Choice Act Critical to Strengthening Middle Class

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today co-sponsored legislation to make it easier for workers to bargain collectively at their jobs.  The Employee Free Choice Act would streamline the process for forming a union and empower workers.   “When workers are able to band together to improve their workplaces

Merkley Joins Effort to Reinstate Rights to Patients

Washington, D.C. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has co-sponsored legislation to ensure the safety of medical equipment for patients and help protect consumers.  The Medical Device Safety Act will reinstate the right of patients to seek compensation for injuries sustained by faulty health care equipment. “When it comes to our patients,

Merkley Statement on Obama’s Plan to Withdraw Troops From Iraq

Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama outlined a plan to begin a phased withdraw of troops from Iraq, winding down active military engagement in that nation.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement:   “Our national interests are not served by the war in Iraq.  I applaud President

Merkley: Oregon Unemployment Continues to Climb, Recovery Act to Spur Job Growth

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released a statement following the Oregon Employment Department’s announcement that the state’s unemployment rate climbed to almost 10 percent in January: “While the entire nation is feeling the effects of the current economic crisis, Oregon industries have been hit especially hard,” said Senator

Merkley: Obama Budget Lays Out Path For Future Growth

Washington, DC – Today, the Obama Administration put forward its budget blueprint for fiscal year 2010.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley lauded the document as a good first step in setting national priorities over the coming year, particularly noting the inclusion of a robust cap-and-trade system to address global climate change.

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