Jeff Merkley on the Issues

Strengthening Education

Jeff Merkley knows firsthand the value of a good education. From an early age, his parents instilled in him a commitment to learning and a passion for ideas. As a child, when Jeff's father would drive him to school, he would point to the doorway of the elementary school and say, "Those doors are the doors to opportunity. Study hard and you can pursue any dream." Read more.

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Honoring America's Veterans

There is no greater gift Americans can give to their country than being willing to fight and die for the ideals our nation was founded on. And there is no greater obligation than for the government that owes its existence to their sacrifice to support and care for them when they return from the battlefield. Read more.

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Creating Quality Jobs

Jeff Merkley will fight to end unfair trade agreements that have cost Oregon nearly 70,000 jobs. Merkley will demand enforceable environmental and labor standards to protect our planet and protect workers in America and around the world. Read more.

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Reforming Our Trade Agreements

In our global economy, moving jobs off shore is just as easy as moving them to another state. We can’t let that happen. America must ensure that new trade agreements include real and enforceable labor and environmental standards. Sadly, President Bush Gordon Smith and too many others in Congress have shown little regard for making sure American workers are on a level playing field with their international competitors. Read more.

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Ending the Iraq War

Jeff has laid out a five-point path for stability in the region that will redeploy American combat troops and engage the Iraqis in rebuilding their country. In order to secure the peace, Jeff knows Americans can’t be seen as an occupying force, so removing them from patrols and checkpoints should be job one. And Iraqis must feel they have a stake in their own future in order to move forward. Read more.

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Health Care for All Americans

Every American deserves to be in control of their own health security, without fear of losing coverage or of not being able to find a doctor. Our representatives in Congress ought to be looking out for the health security of all Oregonians. Read more.

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Energy Independence and Conservation

This has been a banner year in Oregon for stewardship. Oregon has a long history and reputation as a national leader on environmental policy. Under Jeff’s leadership in the legislature, sustainability, renewable energy and recycling found new life after years of neglect. Jeff Merkley has developed a four part plan to combat global warming. As U.S. Senator for Oregon, Jeff will fight to get his plan implemented. Read more.

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Helping Families Get Ahead

When Jeff was elected to the state legislature in 1998, the first thing he did was file a bill to cap the interest rate that Oregonians have to pay for payday loans. At the time, the state House of Representatives was controlled by Republican leadership, who had little interest in helping the bill succeed. But he didn’t give up. And this year, as Speaker of the House, he was finally able to get that bill through. Read more.

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Posted November 14, 2007

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