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,

Ahead of World Cup Championship Match, Merkley, Pocan, Takano, Torres Lead Colleagues in Bicameral Letter Blasting FIFA for the Association’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Stance

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamedup with Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Mark Takano (D-CA-41), andRitchie Torres (D-NY-15)—co-chairs of the Congressional LGBTQ+ EqualityCaucus—to lead 30 lawmakers in a bicameral letter to FIFA President, GianniInfantino, expressing outrage over the association’s decision to censor supportfor LGBTQ+ rights by fans and

Merkley Announces Launch of Center for Pollinator Conservation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced the official launch of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Center for Pollinator Conservation. The establishment of the Center was announced earlier this year by Senator Merkley, in collaboration with the Department of Interior, to address declining pollinator populations,

Oregon Lawmakers Honor Portland Thorns in Senate and House Resolutions

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to congratulate the Portland Thorns for winning the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League championship. A similar resolution has been introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici.

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