Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Conflict Zones
WASHINGTON – Today, on Human Rights Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The lawmakers’ legislation, the Commitment to Aid Workers Act, would strengthen U.S. efforts to safeguard those who risk their
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela: “As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power
Senators Blunt Rochester, Merkley, Warnock Introduce Bill to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) today introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act. The bill would reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Program as the REPAIR Infrastructure Program,
Wyden, Merkley Join Legislation to Restore Accountability for Presidents Who Violate the Law
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and 31 other senators in introducing legislation that would reaffirm that presidents and vice presidents do not have immunity for actions that violate federal criminal law. The legislation also
Merkley Announces Additional August Town Halls
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he is continuing to hold in-person town halls in 2024 with community conversations in Washington and Multnomah counties on Monday, August 12. Merkley will be joined by U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) to co-host the Washington County town hall. “I hold a town hall for
Welch Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Increase Accountability from Social Media Platforms that Knowingly Host False Election Administration Content
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.),and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) in introducing the Digital Integrity in Democracy Act,legislation to increase accountability of social media platforms that knowingly host false election administration information. The bill
Merkley Leads Senate & House Colleagues to Call for No Gambling on U.S. Elections
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today led a group of lawmakers in pressing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ban gambling on American elections. The letter—signed by Senators Merkley, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representatives Eleanor
Oregon Delegation Pushes for USDA Disaster Declaration, More Federal Resources to Respond to Oregon Wildfires
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s entire Congressional delegation—U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and Cliff Bentz—sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging approval of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s request for a disaster declaration for Oregon counties facing devastating wildfires.
Merkley, Wyden Welcome $400 Million to Combat Historic Western Drought
USDA’s New Water Savings Commodity Program Follows Call from Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, & Montana Lawmakers in April Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $400 million to address drought through investments at the