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,

Wins for Water: Merkley and Wyden Announce Boost in Water Conservation, Small Ports, and Renewable Energy in 2024 Funding Package

Funding included in the FY24 minibus appropriations package champions renewable energy and energy storage, small ports, fisheries, and more. Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments to enhance water infrastructure and conservation and supercharge renewable energy projects in Oregon—including over $12.5 million

Farms, Food, and Fiber: Merkley and Wyden Announce Big Investments for Oregon Agriculture and Rural Communities in 2024 Funding Package

Funding included in the FY24 minibus appropriations package champions family farms, rural housing, broadband, and more. Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities—along with nearly $12.7 million in funding for 14

Rep. Cleaver, Sen. Merkley Introduce Legislation to Protect Federal Pensions from Economic Impact of Climate Change

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), along with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), re-introduced the Restructuring Environmentally Sound Pensions in Order to Negate Disaster (RESPOND) Act. The legislation would require the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) to conduct a thorough assessment to

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