Tag: Jobs and the Economy

Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Ensure Americans Get Hired for Forest Work

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced The American Jobs in American Forests Act to tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. Last year, a Department of Labor investigation found federal stimulus

Merkley Cosponsors Bill to Help Communities Hurt by Foreclosures

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Project Rebuild Act to help communities hard hit by a high number of foreclosures.  The legislation will provide funding to purchase, rehabilitate, and/or redevelop foreclosed, abandoned, demolished, or vacant properties. Introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Project Rebuild builds on

Merkley: “Unconscionable” if Americans not Hired for Local Forest Jobs

Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley sent a letter to Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, urging him to take steps to ensure Americans will be hired with the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program projects announced on February 2, 2012.  In particular, Merkley urged the Chief not

Merkley Statement on Payroll Tax and Unemployment Insurance Compromise

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the passage of the conference report of the extension of the payroll tax cut and continuation of unemployment insurance.  “I am pleased that the House and the Senate have come to a deal on the extension of the

Merkley: 2013 Budget Lays Groundwork for Success of America’s Middle Class

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the release of President Obama’s budget for the fiscal year 2013. “The budget put forth by the President lays out a plan for America’s success by prioritizing the success of America’s middle class.  It puts our economic focus

Merkley, Senators Urge Continuation of Unemployment Insurance

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley led a group of fourteen Senators calling on the conference committee negotiating the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act to renew federal unemployment insurance provisions through the end of the year without new barriers to participation or new burdensome requirements for states. 

Merkley Statement on State of the Union

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on President Barack Obama’s third State of the Union address:  “Tonight, President Obama focused on our most important challenge as a nation: how to make America work for working Americans again.  For the last three and half decades, the wealthy

Senate Passes Merkley HUBZone Bill

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would reduce the wait time for small businesses to benefit from a federal program that aids companies in hard-hit counties. There is currently a two-year lag time after the census is completed

Merkley Statement on Middle Class Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Compromise

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after passage of an extension of the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. “I supported this bill today with substantial reservations,” Merkley said. “On the one hand, it preserves the payroll tax cut for Oregon’s hard-working families. Without passage, average

Crowdfunding on Internet Should be Safe, Accessible

Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Capital Raising Online While Deterring Fraud and Unethical Non-Disclosure Act of 2011 (CROWDFUND Act), which would legalize and regulate the raising of start-up capital for small businesses on the internet.  The promise of crowdfunding is that investments

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