Washington, D.C. – Looking for ways to expand voter participation and reduce the growing cost of elections, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced a package of bills today that would make it easier for
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A coalition of United States Senators today introduced legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and enhance our country’s military effectiveness. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 contains three main provisions: it will repeal the law that prevents gay Americans from openly serving in the military,
WASHINGTON, DC – Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez today stated that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a “top legislative priority” of the Obama Administration. The remark came during a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing focused on the legislation. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the chief Senate co-sponsor
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was a co-sponsor of the hate crimes amendment. The bill will now head to the President’s
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley co-sponsored legislation today to repeal the retroactive immunity provision in the FISA Amendments Act. The Retroactive Immunity Repeal Act, introduced by Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), would repeal a provision that shields telecommunications companies from legal repercussions if they violate the law.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Susan Collins (ME), Edward M. Kennedy (MA) and Olympia Snowe (ME) introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to finally prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They were joined in this effort by 34 other members of the Senate. “There
Washington, D.C. – Following the adoption of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement:
Mr. Merkley Friends and colleagues, I rise today because of a document that our forefathers signed 233 years ago, the Declaration of Independence. Specifically, the Declaration stated, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. They’re endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that
Washington DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today co-sponsored legislation that entitles all federal employees, no matter their sexual orientation, to the same employment and health care benefits as married couples. “It is plain wrong that some federal employees are not currently entitled to equal health and employment benefits,” said
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D – Mass.) to co-sponsor the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The bill will enable the Justice Department to assist local authorities in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes by authorizing
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