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 Statement on POTUS’ Student Loan Debt Cancellation, Repayment Pause Extension

Washington D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Joe Biden’s announcement canceling $10,000 in student loan debt for non-Pell borrowers and $20,000 for Pell grant recipients who make less than $125,000 annually or families earning less than $250,000 per year, as well as an extended repayment freeze through December 31,

Merkley, Wyden Announce Major Investments in the Klamath Basin

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is investing nearly $26 million in the Klamath Basin through the first year of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projects include nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration and $10 million to expand

Representative Cicilline and Senator Merkley Lead More than 100 Members of Congress in Amicus Brief to Oppose Weakening of Nondiscrimination Laws in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) filed an amicus brief to defend nondiscrimination laws in the upcoming Supreme Court case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. The brief was joined by 123 Representatives—including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Wyden, Merkley Announce Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Headed to Oregon

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a total of $346,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headed to three Oregon communities to upgrade facilities so they can better serve families and increase access to essential medical services. “No matter your zip code, every

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