MERKLEY, JEFF (a Senator from Oregon)

Amendments

Dept. of HUD: expand low-income housing tax credit, provide tenant support through expanded rental assistance, combat homelessness, and prohibit discrimination based on income and limited English proficiency (H.R. 6644), S836, S847, S848, S849 [4MR], S890, S891, S897 [5MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access (S. 1383), S1279, S1283, S1284 [18MR], S1388, S1389, S1390, S1391, S1396 [19MR], S1448 [20MR], S1581 [24MR]

Depts. of Commerce, Justice, and the Interior, energy and water development, environment, science, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 6938), S132 [12JA], S162, S175 (see H.R. 6938), S163 [13JA]

Depts. of Defense, Education, Homeland Security, HHS, HUD, Labor, and Transportation: making appropriations (H.R. 7148), S392 [29JA], S415 [30JA]

Articles and editorials

Dark Money Hit a Record High of $1.9 Billion in 2024 Federal Races, Ian Vandewalker, Brennan Center for Justice, S207–S209 [14JA]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Armed Forces: remove from unauthorized hostilities against Iran (see S.J. Res. 104), S683 [25FE]

——— remove from unauthorized hostilities against Venezuela (see S.J. Res. 98), S17 [5JA]

Black History Month: observance (see S. Res. 615), S681 [25FE]

Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability (BURMA) Act: extend sunset and require determination relative to imposition of sanctions on certain persons of Burma (see S. 3981), S801 [4MR]

Business and industry: prevent exploitative private equity practices in health care system (see S. 3829), S577 [11FE]

Campbell, Ben Nighthorse: tribute (see S. Res. 585), S257 [15JA]

Capitol Building and Grounds: tribute to Capitol personnel on anniversary of January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol (see S. Res. 574), S50 [6JA]

Career and Technical Education Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 617), S707 [26FE]

China: provide for imposition of sanctions relative to forced organ harvesting (see S. 4009), S881 [5MR]

——— support human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and safeguard their distinct identity (see S. 1542), S1091 [17MR]

Courts: permit claims for money damages for personal injuries and death caused by Federal law enforcement officers without first being presented to appropriate Federal agencies (see S. 3803), S533 [9FE]

——— provide civil remedy for individual whose rights have been violated by person acting under Federal authority (see S. 3187), S291 [27JA]

Credit: empower States to set maximum annual percentage rates applicable to consumer credit transactions (see S. 3721), S376 [29JA]

——— extend consumer protections relative to interest rates and credit limits provided to Armed Forces members to all consumers (see S. 3793), S509 [5FE]

Cryptocurrency: prohibit bailouts of digital asset market participant (see S. 4157), S1444 [20MR]

Dept. of Agriculture: delay implementation of amendments to laws governing hemp production (see S. 3686), S257 [15JA]

——— establish fund for spotted wing drosophila research and mitigation (see S. 3810), S533 [9FE]

——— expand national organic certification cost-share program into comprehensive organic program (see S. 3717), S344 [28JA]

——— restore competition in meatpacking industry by reducing excessive concentration and market power and ultimately reduce prices for American consumers (see S. 4007), S881 [5MR]

Dept. of Commerce: disapprove rule entitled ‘‘One Year Suspension of Expansion of End-User Controls for Affiliates of Certain Listed Entities’’ (see S.J. Res. 112), S881 [5MR]

Dept. of Education: provide for long-term improvement of public school facilities (see S. 3777), S489 [4FE]

——— reverse reductions in Federal loan availability for graduate and professional students (see S. 4039), S958 [10MR]

Dept. of Energy: establish grant program to improve resiliency of power grid to natural disasters and reduce risk of wildfires caused by power lines (see S. 4193), S1614 [25MR]

Dept. of HHS: eliminate consideration of income of organ recipients in providing reimbursement of expenses to donating individuals (see S. 957), S345 [28JA]

——— improve access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce transmission of HIV (see S. 3990), S802 [4MR]

——— provide grants and guidance to grow and diversify perinatal workforce (see S. 4186), S1614 [25MR]

Dept. of Homeland Security: limit use of facial recognition (see S. 3779), S489 [4FE]

——— provide standards for facilities at which aliens in custody are detained (see S. 3702), S471 [3FE]

Dept. of Justice: prohibit large institutional investors from purchasing residential real estate (see S. 3937), S706 [26FE]

——— prohibit payment of certain legal settlements to any individual convicted of assaulting law enforcement officer during attack on U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 (see S. 3581), S49 [6JA]

——— prohibit use of Federal funds to compensate individuals who were prosecuted for involvement in attack on U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 (see S. 3582), S49 [6JA]

Dept. of Labor: establish program to provide grants for job guarantee programs (see S. 3864), S609 [12FE]

Dept. of State: submit report on emerging threats posed to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (see S. 4139), S1205 [18MR]

Dept. of the Treasury: establish Climate Financial Risk Committee and Climate Financial Risk Advisory Committee on Financial Stability Oversight Council (see S. 3711), S344 [28JA]

Dept. of Transportation: amend highway safety improvement program (see S. 944), S220 [14JA]

——— authorize urbanized area formula grants for service improvement and safety and security enhancement (see S. 3455), S1206 [18MR]

——— enhance underride protection on trailers, semitrailers, and single unit trucks and improve motor carrier, passenger motor vehicle, and vulnerable road user safety (see S. 3775), S803 [4MR]

——— remove requirement to consider committed or anticipated non-Federal funding for long distance intercity passenger rail routes under Corridor Identification and Development Program (see S. 3728), S377 [29JA]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize representatives of veterans service organizations to promote certain benefits available to veterans during Transition Assistance Program preseparation counseling (see S. 3938), S706 [26FE]

——— disapprove rule entitled ‘‘Reproductive Health Services’’ (see S.J. Res. 103), S491 [4FE]

——— expand eligibility of Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program to National Guard members who perform certain full-time duty (see S. 649), S803 [4MR]

——— improve provision of health care (see S. 3466), S291 [27JA]

——— modify authorities relative to collective bargaining of Veterans Health Administration employees (see S. 1650), S162 [13JA]

Employment: prevent workplace harassment, end mandatory arbitration and pre-employment non-disclosure agreements, expand civil rights protections, empower workers who report harassment, and eliminate tipped minimum wage (see S. 3865), S609 [12FE]

EPA: promulgate certain limitations relative to pre-production plastic pellet pollution (see S. 4181), S1616 [25MR]

FAA: acquire and install certified airborne position reference tools at air traffic control towers (see S. 3929), S706 [26FE]

Federal agencies and departments: require agencies that use, fund, or oversee algorithms to have office of civil rights focused on bias, discrimination, and other harms of algorithms (see S. 3680), S257 [15JA]

Financial institutions: provide requirements for bulk auction or group sale of certain non-performing loans (see S. 3753), S419 [30JA]

Food industry: prohibit retail food stores from price gouging and engaging in surveillance-based price setting practices (see S. 3892), S610 [12FE]

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: reinforce by establishing statute of limitations period of ten years for antibribery offenses (see S. 4029), S915 [9MR]

Government: modify reporting value categories for financial disclosure reports required by federally elected and senior Federal officials (see S. 3827), S577 [11FE]

——— prohibit from attacking individuals and organizations for their political speech or participation (see S. 3646), S220 [14JA]

Iran: express support for Iranian people protesting for free and democratic Iran and condemn use of violence to suppress protests (see S. Res. 606), S578 [11FE]

IRS: codify Direct File program (see S. 3948), S706 [26FE]

Israel: disapprove licensing for certain defense articles and services (see S.J. Res. 136), S1367 [19MR]

——— disapprove sale of certain defense articles and services (see S.J. Res. 137, 138), S1367 [19MR]

Law enforcement: ensure that U.S., State, and local governments are liable for monetary damages for constitutional violations by law enforcement officers (see S. 3186), S291 [27JA]

Medicare: prevent hospitals or skilled nursing facilities that are owned by certain firms from participating in Medicare program (see S. 4085), S1047 [12MR]

National FFA Week: designate (see S. Res. 622), S707 [26FE]

National Public Schools Week: designate (see S. Res. 621), S707 [26FE]

National School Counseling Week: designate (see S. Res. 596), S489 [4FE]

National Speech and Debate Education Day: designate (see S. Res. 626), S802 [4MR]

Native Americans: recognize heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in U.S. (see S. Res. 650), S1205 [18MR]

Occupational Safety and Health Act: expand coverage to public sector employees (see S. 1881), S959 [10MR]

Ocean Conservancy, Inc.: anniversary of International Coastal Cleanup (see S. Res. 588), S291 [27JA]

Olympic Games: mint coins in commemoration of 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, CA, and 2034 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, UT (see S. 2265), S291 [27JA]

Political campaigns: provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and other entities (see S. 3991), S802 [4MR]

Proprietary Education Interagency Oversight Coordination Committee: establish (see S. 4056), S1009 [11MR]

Senate: provide authority to initiate litigation for actions by President and Dept. of Justice officials inconsistent with their duties under U.S. laws relative to Epstein Files Transparency Act (see S. Res. 597), S509 [5FE]

Social Security: eliminate waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer (see S. 3442), S490 [4FE]

SSI: update eligibility (see S. 4001), S881 [5MR]

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: establish Mental and Behavioral Health Career Promotion Grant Program (see S. 3783), S509 [5FE]

Taiwan: commend on anniversary of first direct presidential election and express support in preservation of democratic institutions (see S. Res. 657), S1544 [23MR]

Tariff: provide for refund of duties imposed under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (see S. 3905), S651 [24FE]

Taxation: allow refundable income tax credit for purchase of qualified access technology for blind individuals (see S. 1918), S682 [25FE]

——— deny interest and depreciation deductions for certain taxpayers (see S. 3904), S650 [24FE]

——— equalize treatment of capital gains and earned income (see S. 4122), S1090 [17MR]

——— impose windfall profits excise tax on crude oil and rebate tax collected back to individual taxpayers (see S. 4111), S1090 [17MR]

——— make certain modifications to tax income required to fund basic living expenses (see S. 4083), S1046 [12MR]

Texas: interconnect Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., to its neighbors (see S. 3976), S762 [3MR]

Transgender Bill of Rights: develop and implement to protect and codify rights of transgender and nonbinary people under law and ensure access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security (see S. Res. 604), S578 [11FE]

Tucson, AZ: anniversary of shootings at ‘‘Congress on Your Corner’’ event and honor survivors, victims, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords for her work to end gun violence (see S. Con. Res. 25), S115 [8JA]

U.S. Army Nurse Corps: anniversary (see S. Con. Res. 27), S610 [12FE]

Ukraine: recognize anniversary of Russian invasion, reaffirm support for Ukrainian people, and emphasize importance of robust U.S. security guarantees within transatlantic commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty (see S. Res. 612), S651 [24FE]

YMCA: anniversary (see S. Res. 642), S1092 [17MR]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Capitol Building and Grounds: direct Architect of the Capitol to display in Senate wing, plaque honoring members of law enforcement responding to January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, until placement in permanent location (see S. Res. 580), S115 [8JA]

Dept. of Agriculture: establish and maintain training program on rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices of biological soil health management systems on agricultural land (see S. 3820), S552 [10FE]

Dept. of HHS: provide funding for trained school personnel to administer drugs and devices for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose (see S. 3588), S89 [7JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: provide civil remedy for any individual whose rights have been violated by officer or agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (see S. 3745), S377 [29JA]

Dept. of Labor: issue guidance and regulations regarding opioid overdose reversal medication and employee training (see S. 3812), S552 [10FE]

Dept. of Transportation: reauthorize Federal Lands Access Program (see S. 4135), S1205 [18MR]

Federal Highway Administration: improve and reauthorize Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadside Highways and Rights-of-Way Program (see S. 3673), S257 [15JA]

Government: ban certain Government officials from trading event contracts (see S. 4017), S881 [5MR]

Health care professionals: recognize 2026 as ‘‘The Year of The Power of Nurses’’ in celebration of anniversary of American Nurses Association (see S. Res. 583), S257 [15JA]

Hong Kong: remove extension of certain privileges, exemptions, and immunities if Hong Kong no longer enjoys high degree of autonomy from China (see S. 3655), S256 [15JA]

National parks and recreation areas: prohibit use of image of living political figures on America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass (see S. 3735), S377 [29JA]

Taxation: impose excise tax on acquisition of single-family residences by hedge fund taxpayers (see S. 3930), S706 [26FE]

Venezuela: prohibit Federal funding to support oil and petroleum infrastructure without congressional approval (see S. 3621), S161 [13JA]

Inscriptions

Commemorative plaque listing Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies who responded to January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, S32 [6JA]

Motions

Depts. of Defense, Education, Homeland Security, HHS, HUD, Labor, and Transportation: making appropriations (H.R. 7148), S415 [30JA]

Privilege of the floor

Ambrozewicz, Maria, S262 [15JA]

Baskette, Wes, S262 [15JA]

Davenport, Grace, S262 [15JA]

Ellis, Xenia, S262 [15JA]

Hecox, Finnegan, S262 [15JA]

Huffman, Kiley, S262 [15JA]

Kaul, Shireen, S262 [15JA]

Marchetti, Zach, S262 [15JA]

Moser, Robin Watson, S262 [15JA]

Nieves, Inez, S262 [15JA]

Novack, Joseph, S262 [15JA]

Pandey, Anushka, S262 [15JA]

Schallich, Jack, S262 [15JA]

Sheehan, Violet, S262 [15JA]

Trechok, Mary, S262 [15JA]

Wendt, Justine, S262 [15JA]

Remarks

Appropriations: ban use of pocket rescissions to cancel funding authorized by Congress, S415 [30JA]

——— legislative process, S317 [28JA]

Armed Forces: remove from unauthorized hostilities against Iran (S.J. Res. 59), S78 [7JA]

——— remove from unauthorized hostilities against Iran (S.J. Res. 104), S727 [2MR]

Bureau of Prisons: require convicted sex offenders to be housed in low-security facilites or higher rather than minimum security facilities, S1351 [19MR]

——— require convicted sex offenders to be housed in low-security facilites or higher rather than minimum security facilities, unanimous-consent request, S1351 [19MR]

Capitol Building and Grounds: anniversary of January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, S31, S32, S55 [6JA], S111, S112 [8JA]

——— direct Architect of the Capitol to display in Senate wing, plaque honoring members of law enforcement responding to January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, until placement in permanent location (S. Res. 580), S32, S56 [6JA], S111, S112 [8JA]

——— tribute to Capitol personnel on anniversary of January 6, 2021, attack on U.S. Capitol, S56 [6JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: making appropriations, S1601, S1602, S1603, S1604 [25MR]

——— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding, S317 [28JA]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access (S. 1383), House amendment, S1087 [17MR], S1349, S1350, S1352 [19MR]

Depts. of Commerce, Justice, and the Interior, energy and water development, environment, science, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 6938), S235 [15JA]

Depts. of Defense, Education, Homeland Security, HHS, HUD, Labor, and Transportation: making appropriations (H.R. 7148), S415 [30JA]

——— making appropriations (H.R. 7148), motion to proceed, S317 [28JA]

Energy and water development: making appropriations (H.R. 4553), unanimous-consent request, S1601, S1604 [25MR]

Senate: provide authority to initiate litigation for actions by President and Dept. of Justice officials inconsistent with their duties under U.S. laws relative to Epstein Files Transparency Act (S. Res. 597), S502 [5FE]

Supreme Court: anniversary of decision in Citizens United v. FEC on corporate political contributions used for political speech, S207, S209 [14JA]

Trump, President: deployment of Federal agents and/or military personnel to conduct law enforcement operations in U.S. cities, S317 [28JA]

——— evaluation of administration relative to foreign policy, S78 [7JA]

——— evaluation of administration relative to immigration, S317 [28JA]

——— evaluation of administration relative to Iran, S727 [2MR]

——— Executive order directing removal of certain historical exhibits and monuments from parks, museums, and other public areas, S996 [11MR]

——— pardon of Juan O. Hernández, S79 [7JA]

TSA: making continuing appropriations for essential pay and operations during Federal Government shutdown (S. 4127), S1602, S1603 [25MR]

Venezuela: U.S. military and intelligence operation to capture Nicolas Maduro and his wife and extradite them to U.S. to face Federal drug, terrorism, and weapons charges, S78 [7JA]

Voting: require proof of U.S citizenship to register to vote in Federal elections, S1087 [17MR], S1349, S1350, S1352 [19MR]

——— require voters to provide photo identification as condition of casting ballot (S. 4155), S1349, S1351 [19MR]

——— require voters to provide photo identification as condition of casting ballot (S. 4155), unanimous-consent request, S1350, S1351 [19MR]