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Jeff Merkley on Homeland Security

Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House


Honor America's veterans and take good care of them

There is no greater obligation than for the government that owes its existence to the veterans' sacrifice to support and care for them when they return from the battlefield. Every American owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans that none of us will eve be able to fully repay. As a society that has asked so much of our men and women in uniform, we strive to honor them and their service.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Extend full VA and other benefits to National Guard members

Extend full VA and other benefits to members of the National Guard who have been deployed overseas. Our National Guardsmen and women are being deployed in unprecedented numbers to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve the same benefits we extend to our regular soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

A tragic shortfall in recent years in veterans' health care

We have seen a tragic shortfall in recent years in veterans' health care and support services. Sub-par conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, six-month waiting periods to see a doctor--this is not how America should treat its greatest patriots. We can and must do better.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Allow disabled veterans to collect their full retirement pay

Immediately enacting concurrent receipt benefits allowing disabled veterans to collect their full retirement pay when they leave service. The current plan will not be fully phased-in until 2014.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Increase funding for mental health services to veterans

Increase funding for mental health services to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. An estimated one-third of those veterans suffer mental health problems. Proper screening and treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans. The signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is TBI, and an estimated 300,000 veterans may return home suffering form it.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Expand educational opportunities for veterans

Expanded educational opportunities for veterans who have fulfilled their service commitment to our country. Following World War II, the GI Bill helped hundreds of thousands of veterans pay for a college education. We need a new GI Bill for the 21st Century (H.R. 2385) to help the veterans of our recent conflicts get a college education or job training.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Create a GI Bill for the 21st Century

Help for veterans of our recent conflicts to get a college education or job training must be increased. Jeff will work to create a GI Bill for the 21st Century that helps our men and women in uniform returning from Iraq and Afghanistan go to school. Following World War II and every subsequent war, the GI Bill helped hundreds of thousands of veterans pay for a college education.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Other candidates on Homeland Security: Jeff Merkley on other issues:
OR Gubernatorial:
Ted Kulongoski
OR Senatorial:
Dave Brownlow
Gordon Harold Smith
Ron Wyden


2008 Senate retirements:

Wayne Allard(R,CO)
Larry Craig(R,ID)
Pete Domenici(R,NM)
Chuck Hagel(R,NE)
Trent Lott(R,MS)
Craig Thomas(R,WY)
John Warner(R,VA)

2008 Presidential Contenders:

Chuck Baldwin(C)
Rep.Bob Barr(L)
Sen.Hillary Clinton(D)
Sen.Mike Gravel(L)
Alan Keyes(C)
Sen.John McCain(R)
Rep.Cynthia McKinney(G)
Ralph Nader(I)
Sen.Barack Obama(D)
Rep.Ron Paul(R) 		2008 Senate Races:
AK:Stevens v.Begich v.Cuddy v.Sikma
AL:Sessions v.Figures
AR:Pryor v.Kennedy
CO:Schaffer v.Udall
DE:Biden v.O`Donnell
GA:Chambliss v.Martin v.Buckley
IA:Harkin v.Reed
ID:Risch v.LaRocco v.Rammell
IL:Durbin v.Sauerberg v.Stafford
KS:Roberts v.Jones v.Slattery
KY:McConnell v.Lunsford
LA:Landrieu v.Kennedy
MA:Kerry v.Beatty v.Underwood
ME:Collins v.Allen
MI:Levin v.Hoogendyk v.Boman v.Nikitin
MN:Coleman v.Franken v.Barkley v.Cavlan
MS4:Wicker v.Musgrove
MS6:Cochran v.Fleming
MT:Baucus v.Kelleher
NC:Dole v.Hagan
NE:Johanns v.Kleeb v.Larrick
NH:Sununu v.Shaheen v.Blevens
NJ:Lautenberg v.Zimmer
Pearce v.Udall
OK:Inhofe v.Rice
OR:Smith v.Merkley v.Brownlow
RI:Reed v.Young v.Tingle
SC:Graham v.Conley v.McBride
SD:Johnson v.Dykstra
TN:Alexander v.Tuke v.Lugo v.Heyward
TX:Cornyn v.Noriega v.Jameson
VA:Gilmore v.Warner
WV:Rockefeller v.Wolfe
WY4:Barrasso v.Carter
WY6:Enzi v.Rothfuss 		Abortion
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Page last updated: Sep 27, 2008