Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

H.R. 4509 - NOPAIN for Veterans Act Submitted written statement for the record to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health (January 13, 2026). Advocated for legislation ensuring VA providers can access a full range of individualized, evidence-based post-surgical pain management options, including non-opioid therapies, without overly restrictive one-size-fits-all barriers. Argued that clinical judgment must guide acute pain care for veterans recovering from surgery or serious procedures. Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032) - Concurrent Receipt for Combat-Injured Retirees Advocated for elimination of the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for approximately 52,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired before completing 20 years of service. Communicated that this 'wounded veteran tax' breaks faith with those who sacrificed most and that concurrent receipt of earned retirement pay and VA disability compensation should be permitted. Veterans Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - VA Staffing, Telehealth, In-Person Care Advocated for a comprehensive strategy to address veteran suicide (averaging 17.6 deaths per day). Communicated support for increased VA mental health staffing, expanded telehealth services to reach rural and underserved veterans, and preservation of in-person mental health care. Emphasized that telehealth must complement, not replace, VA mental health professionals. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - VA Pilot Program for PTSD/TBI Advocated for VA implementation of pilot programs to evaluate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a covered treatment for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries, citing studies indicating HBOT can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve cognitive function. Urged Congress to direct the VA to expand access to evidence-based alternative treatments. Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act Advocated for legislation ensuring all service days count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members who serve alongside active-duty counterparts. Communicated that existing education benefit disparities are inequitable given equivalent operational contributions. Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act Advocated for legislation ensuring veterans who lose education benefits due to school closures or fraud have those benefits restored. Communicated that veterans should not suffer financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act Advocated for comprehensive reforms to support family caregivers of veterans, including provisions addressing financial security, career reemployment, and retirement benefits for individuals who sacrifice their own professional advancement to provide uncompensated daily care. Communicated that caregivers are the backbone of the veterans' care system and must not be left behind when caregiving roles end. Survivor Benefits - DIC Modernization (Remarriage Restriction Repeal / Rate Modernization) Advocated for elimination of the DIC remarriage age restriction and modernization of DIC rates to reflect the true cost of sacrifice. Communicated that surviving spouses should not be forced to choose between financial security and honoring their loved one's wishes, and that current restrictions impose unnecessary financial penalties on Gold Star families. Protecting Veterans' Disability and Retirement Pay from Budget Reductions Advocated against any legislative or executive action to reduce veterans' disability compensation or retirement pay to balance the federal budget. Communicated alignment with VA Secretary Doug Collins's stated opposition to cutting earned veterans' benefits, and emphasized that reducing these benefits undermines national trust and deters future enlistment. Written Informed Consent for Black Box Medications (VA Policy) Advocated for VA policy requiring written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications with black box warnings. Communicated that veterans deserve transparency, patient autonomy, and the ability to make fully informed decisions regarding high-risk medications. Protecting the VA as an Institution - Structural and Operational Integrity Advocated for preservation of VA capacity, organizational structure, and services for enrolled veterans. Communicated concerns about any restructuring or resource reductions that would diminish the VA's ability to deliver timely, high-quality care and benefits to the veteran community.

HR 2757, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act S.1996, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act HR 6718, Professional Student Degree Act

HR 2757 Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act S. 1996 Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act LHHS Appropriations FY'26 for an increase in EHDI funding LHHS Appopriations FY'26 for increase in NIDCD funding

H.R. 979, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 S. 315, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 H.Con.Res.12, Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act S.Con.Res.8, A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act Issues around media ownership Issues around the next generation of broadcast television

S. 1706 and H.R. 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act - Preserving 199A deduction S. 1108, the Death Tax Repeal Act - Issues related to the estate tax H.R. 2558, the Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now Act S. 1166, the ALIGN Act H.R. 4073 and S. 1781, the Duty Drawback Clarification Act H.R. 3721, the USPS Shipping Equity Act - legislation to allow USPS to ship beverage alcohol Monitor policy impacting the regulation of CBD Monitor proposals that would legalize marijuana Monitor progress of the farm bill Monitor proposals impacting the recruitment and retention of CDL drivers

Independent contracting in trucking H.R. 20/S. 852 (Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act)

Research into spinal muscular atrophy, timely access to care, treatments, medical devices, and home and community-based services, Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R.1261/ S.932- FDA Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program), DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program & Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program, Labor-Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, Family Caregiver Awareness, Resources, and Education (CARE) Partnerships Act, Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research funding, Seat Elevation in Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchairs, Coverage of Standing Systems in Group 3 Power Wheelchair, Competitive Bidding for Tracheostomy, Ostomy and Urological Supplies; FDA Rare Disease Patient Listening Session, Coverage of Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and Home Mechanical Ventilators (HMVs), Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509/S. 752, National Institutes of Health funding; Medicaid home and community-based services, Public Law 119-21 Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements - disability and medically frail definition; Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 5343), Veterans STAND Act (H.R. 6835), Veterans SPORTS Act (S. 3138) Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (P.L. 119-75)

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill; IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R.2598/ S.1277), IDEA enforcement and oversight, Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services staffing and enforcement