Tag: Bipartisan Actions

Merkley Leads Over 200 Members of Congress in Calling for Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workers from Workplace Discrimination

March 18, 2014

(Updated March 20, 2014) WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today sent a letter signed by more than 200 Senators and Representatives to President Barack Obama calling on him to issue an executive order banning contractors from receiving federal government contracts unless they have a policy prohibiting discrimination based

Congress Passes Bipartisan Flood Insurance Fix Based on Merkley Bill

March 13, 2014

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation based on a proposal by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that will delay flood insurance rate hikes threatening Oregon homes and businesses. The legislation heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. In September, Merkley held a hearing in his Economic

Merkley Helps Reach Bipartisan Agreement to Restore Emergency Unemployment Insurance

March 13, 2014

Washington, DC –Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined four fellow Democrats and five Republicans in announcing an agreement to reauthorize expired emergency unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for 5 months. The bill is cosponsored by Merkley and Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark

Bipartisan Group of Senators Push for Congressional Vote Before Extending Afghanistan Troop Presence

February 6, 2014

Washington, DC- Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Rand Paul (R-KY) announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution calling for Congress to have a role in approving any further United States military involvement in Afghanistan after the current mission ends on December 31, 2014.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Merkley, Lee, Manchin, Paul to Introduce Resolution Requiring Congressional Approval for any Military Mission in Afghanistan after 2014

February 5, 2014

WASHINGTON – Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Rand Paul (R-KY) will hold a press conference on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the introduction of their resolution that would require congressional approval for any military mission in Afghanistan after 2014. According

Merkley Praises Passage of Flood Insurance Bill

January 30, 2014

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley praised the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which would block currently planned increases in flood insurance premiums for primary residences and businesses. Merkley, an original cosponsor of the bill, was instrumental in the bill’s development and passage, raising awareness

Merkley’s Appropriations Seat Pays Dividends for Oregonians

January 16, 2014

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured investments in a wide range of Oregon priorities in the federal spending bill passed by the Senate today. The provisions championed by Merkley will help put Oregonians to work in the woods reducing the threat

Merkley Cosponsors Plan to Replace Military Retiree Pension Changes in Budget Agreement

December 18, 2013

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act to safeguard military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate is expected to pass today. The bill would replace the estimated $6 billion in

Merkley Proposal Leads to New Energy Loan Program for Rural Communities

December 4, 2013

Washington — Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of a new $250 million loan fund based on the Rural Energy Savings Program proposed by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley. The new program will allow rural electric co-ops to offer their customers low-interest loans from USDA to

Senators: Congress Should Vote on Keeping Troops in Afghanistan Past 2014

November 20, 2013

Washington, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) urging Congressional approval as a condition for any American troop presence in Afghanistan past 2014. The