Press Releases

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,

Merkley, Pingree Press EPA & Interior Ahead of Proposed RIFs

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, in their roles as Ranking Members of the Senate and House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittees, called on the Trump Administration to immediately halt impending Reductions in Force (RIFs) at the Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about DHS Helicopters Over Portland

WASHINGTON DC [10/17/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led a letter with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) in demanding the Trump administration provide answers about the Department of Homeland Security helicopters that have continuously flown over Portland since Sept. 27. The lawmakers noted

Schumer, Merkley, Murray, Peters Call On Trump Budget Chief Russ Vought To Resign 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and US Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice-Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following joint

en_USEnglish