U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley opened his first-ever town hall meeting Tuesday by telling a Roseburg audience he sees three things hurting the United States economy. First, banks are afraid to lend because businesses are having a rough time. Second, consumer spending is down because people have lost their jobs —
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley expressed his support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act prior to today’s Senate vote on the final package. The bill will create jobs, invest in America’s infrastructure, provide assistance to states and promote the production and development of green energy. “America
Washington, DC – The United States Senate today passed legislation proposed by President Obama to arrest the current economic freefall, create jobs and pave the way for future growth. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined sixty of his colleagues in supporting the package. “In Oregon, we’ve seen a one percentage
Washington, DC – The United States Labor Department released new jobs numbers today showing that the American economy lost almost 600,000 jobs in January alone and the unemployment rate has hit a 16 year high of 7.6%. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement: “Every day we get
The national unemployment rate, now at 7.6 percent, has hit a 16-year high according to a U.S. Labor Department Report released Friday. Since January 2008 the nation has seen more than 3.6 million jobs vanish. In December the nation’s employers cut another 598,000 workers from their payrolls in
Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement applauding the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission’s loan to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay to purchase the Coos Bay Rail Line: “This loan is a lifeline for Southern Oregon and a jobs boost for Oregon’s
Washington, DC – The United States Senate this week will begin debate on a recovery package to spur economic growth and create jobs. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley urged quick Senate action to ensure job creation programs begin as soon as possible. Merkley also lauded the inclusion of several provisions to
Washington, DC – On the same day Intel announced its decision to close a factory at its Ronler Acres campus, eliminating 1000 Hillsboro jobs, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley urged his new colleagues to include renewed investment in green technology in any economic recovery package. “There is no way around the
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate rejected a resolution disapproving of the release of $350 billion for the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP). The vote clears the way for the funds to be released to the incoming Obama Administration. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley voted to release the TARP funds. Merkley issued
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor released new job numbers showing the loss of another half million jobs and the unemployment rate skyrocketing to 7.2% in December. In Oregon, the rate already tops 8%. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement: “Last fall, Congress passed a
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