Senator Merkley's Committee Services
According to the Senate’s website Senator Merkley serves on four committees. The website is a great resource for information about specific committee membership and relevant news about the Senate. Merkley’s committee and sub-committee assignments are:
• Committee on Appropriations
*Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
*Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
*Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
*Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
*Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
*Subcommittee on Economic Policy (Chair)
*Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
*Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
*Subcommittee on Green Jobs and the New Economy (Chair)
*Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health
*Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife
• Committee on the Budget
Merkley is not a chairman or ranking member for any of his committees. However, he is chairman for two of his sub-committees. He is chair of the Economic Policy Sub-Committee within the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. In addition, he is also the chair of the Green Jobs and New Economy Sub-Committee within the Environment and Public Works Committee.
The biggest issues sitting before Merkley’s committees include:
The Senates' recent passage of the Continuing Appropriations Act to fund government through September 30, 2013, and to prevent a shutdown. On March 20, 2013 the Senate passed this this act which has been debate and contested both in the media and in Congress. Congress now has another six months to find ways to avoid government shutdown, and get the major budget issues facing the country sorted out. In a statement issued by Senator Barbra Mikulski she said, "Working across the aisle and across the dome, the Senate has come together to prevent a government shutdown. I am so proud the Senate bill protects national security while meeting compelling human needs. It makes investments in human infrastructure like early childhood education. And it creates jobs today and jobs tomorrow by supporting research and innovation. I thank my Vice Chairman, Senator Shelby, for his support and hard work. I look forward to swift action in the House so we can focus on passing a budget, ending sequestration, and getting back to regular order."
This statement comes from an online newspaper article published by the Alabama newspaper known as The Cherokee Herald.
As a member of the Appropriations committee Senator Merkley can take this new information and go back to his constituency and make credit claiming statements about his involvement with the bill in helping to avoid government shut down.
Another recent issue relevant to Merkley, although not directly linked to his committee services is his introduction of a bill to improve the process by which Indian tribes reclaim their lands. In an article published on the Polk County Itemizer Observer (a newspaper that publishes news stories for the northwest part of Oregon) Senator Merkley introduced a bill that would “streamline the process of incorporating tribal-owned land into the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde reservation.” The bill was introduced in late February and was assigned to the committee of Indian Affairs. If the bill gets through committee and gets put to vote, it could be a great opportunity to credit claim. In addition, Merkley could send out a newsletter as a way to advertise about what he has done for his local Indian constituencies, and increase his name recognition.
Merkley,with Oregon's other Senator Ron Wyden (who co-sponsored the "Indian Land Bill" (S.416) with Merkley)
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