News about Jeff Merkley

A bipartisan group of senators are pushing a new stock trading ban for members of Congress on an expedited schedule. The announcement comes as lucrative stock trades by lawmakers have been under  more scrutiny as over $1 billion in trades have been made in 2024 alone. Though there are some laws in place to restrict members from trading on their inside knowledge in Congress, critics say that doesn't always happen. 

The Transportation Department told automakers they have eight years to squeeze another 16 miles per gallon out of their cars if they want to stay in business - while the fuel efficiency of their trucks will have to double. Friday's edict came just weeks after the EPA slashed the limits on tailpipe emissions as part of the White House pledge to ensure that more than half of all new vehicles sold are electric by 2032. But the administration admitted last week that just seven EV charging stations have been built since a $5-billion program was signed off in 2021. 'That's just pathetic,' Sen Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) told a Senate hearing on Wednesday. 'Something is terribly wrong and it needs to be fixed.'

Fauci was interviewed Monday night about the presence of a man behind him who was consistently making faces and shaking his head at Fauci's testimony. It was revealed the mystery man was Brandon Fellows, a pro-MAGA rioter who smoked weed in Senator Jeff Merkley's office during the insurrection. He was was just released from prison on May 20. Fauci said he was made aware of who was sitting behind him after the hearing and asked: 'What's somebody like that doing at a hearing about COVID?'

After 30 years of failed attempts to avoid using asbestos, the Biden administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency are recommending that the cancer-causing mineral be banned. Each year, asbestosis accounts for 40,000 deaths in the United States and causes many forms of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

'I certainly don't [plan on it], Johnson told reporters Tuesday, 'I certainly don't have a plan on it.' 'We're right now, we're dealing with the appropriations process, we have imminent deadlines, and that's where the attention is in the House at this moment.' The $95 billion aid package included funds for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Taiwan. Since conservatives insisted that they did not go far enough to protect the southern border, the immigration laws were effectively scrapped out completely. There is now talk of compel the agreement to be negotiated by the arcane discharge petition, which would have Johnson's permission. To force legislation to the floor, 218 members will have to sign a petition demanding that legislation be moved to the floor. We've got every available legislative weapon on the table, so we're gonna use every available legislative device,' Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. According to him, the foreign aid bill passes by more than 300 bipartisan votes.

A Republican lawmaker commemorated his son's fourth birthday by devoting a portion of his Senate floor to reading a Dr. Suess book. Sen. J.D. 'Oh, the Places You'll Go to!' is one of Dr. Suess' most popular works. When attempting to stymie a $95 billion aid package with defense funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the aim is to stymie a $95 billion aid package with defense funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Kiev. The Republican moved from his arguments against the foreign aid package to giving his son a birthday wish. 'I'm sorry, Vivek, that I can't be with you for your birthday dinner, but I want you to know that Daddy loves you very much.' 'I'm going to read this on the record because maybe you'll watch it at home.' Despite Vance's efforts, the massive package finally passed.

After Republican unrest ultimately sank a bipartisan agreement last week, the Senate passed a massive foreign aid bill to Ukraine and Israel without any border security steps. After a rare all-night session in the House, the sprawling $95 billion bill contained the necessary 60 senators required to deliver the bill to the House on Tuesday morning, but it faces a tumultuous fate. In a late night statement Monday, Speaker Mike Johnson said that it was 'ineffective' without a border security solution, and that the Senate has'failed to meet the time'.'

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania - who was elected despite suffering a stroke during his campaign - sparked new health concerns when questioning a Silicon Valley Bank executive on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Fetterman, who was hospitalized with depression, was just recently back to Congress to grill bank CEO Greg Becker. He often stuttered and struggled to explain that not only was the bank risky, but that taxpayer funds were being bailed out.

Senator John Fetterman will return to the Senate next month after more than a month of inpatient therapy for depression at Walter Reed Hospital, according to a recent study released on Wednesday. According to Politico, Fetterman intends to return to the Senate next week, two people with direct knowledge of his campaign. On February 16th, a Pennsylvania Senator began receiving medical attention at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Hes office has posted news and photos of him working from there.

On February 16, the Pennsylvania Democrat entered Walter Reed Medical Center, leaving him out of critical Senate seats, but his staff claims they have been in constant contact with him on work matters. In a tweet, 'Productive morning with Senator Fetterman at Walter Reed discussing the rail safety reforms, Farm Bill, and other Senate business's key issues.' 'John is on his way to recovery, and he wants to tell me how grateful he is for all the good wishes.' He's laser focused on PA, and he's back soon.' Fetterman signed bipartisan rail safety legislation after the train derailment in East Palestine while he was in the hospital. Fetterman, a member of the Agriculture Committee, has been involved in the construction of the farm bill which is up for re-election every five years.

For participating in the crowd's assault on the Capitol, the far-right influencer 'Baked Alaska,' who streamed live video while storming the US Capitol was sentenced to two months in jail. Anthime Gionet, 35, refused to appear in Washington, D.C., where US District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced him to 60 days in prison followed by two years of probation. However, after the hearing, where McFadden slammed Gionet's conduct as "pretty shocking," the defendant told reporters that he had no regrets and planned to write a book in jail.

Greg Norman, the LIV Golf CEO, will appear in Congress later this week to speak with representatives of congress amid the escalating conflict with the PGA Tour. The LIV Golf Invitational Series was introduced earlier this year and has remained in the news for the PGA Tour's court battle and criticism for the use of Saudi funds. Norman, a two-time major champion, will consult with lawmakers from both sides of parliament to inform them on the rebel tour's corporate strategy to shield the tour's legacy from the PGA Tour's 'attempts to stifle its development.'

After being caught on security camera inside his office, defendant Francis Connor wrote Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) 'Unfortunately, I found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time on January 6th.' He said there was "zero malicious intent," and he didn't know it was Merkley's office when he stepped in. He climbed the Capitol through an open window that day, according to his counsel. He pleaded guilty to participating in disorderly conduct and is seeking a lower sentence.