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
Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley signed onto two bills today to ensure fairness to those facing unfair job discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act are the first two bills Merkley has co-sponsored as a U.S. Senator. “At a time when so many
Jeff Merkley was sworn in today as Oregon’s U.S. Senator. Senator Merkley issued the following statement outlining the challenges that face the new Congress and our nation and the work that must be done. A telephone quality actuality of the statement is available. “Three decades ago, when I came to
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