Merkley's Appropriations Seat Pays Dividends for Oregonians

Press Release

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 of wildfires, ensure the maintenance and availability of business-critical infrastructure like ports, airports, roads, and bridges, and help veterans returning from war with job searches and mental health care.

The bipartisan bill will also reverse the damaging sequester cuts to Head Start that had kicked more than 800 Oregon students off of the program, and allow an additional 90,000 kids nationwide to enroll in Early Head Start. Restoring funding to Head Start has been a priority of Merkley's.

"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, it is my job to fight for Oregon's priorities and Oregon's number one priority is making sure middle class families have good-paying jobs," Merkley said. "I'm pleased to have helped secure investments for our timber communities, our ports, high-tech manufacturing, and our veterans."

"In addition, expanded investment in Head Start and k-12 education will be valuable for our young children and their over-crowded school districts."

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