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, Reed, Collins Lead Bipartisan Effort to Boost Outdoor Education & Connect More Kids to Nature
Washington D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Rhode Island’s U.S. Senator Jack Reed and Maine’s U.S. Senator Susan Collins, today introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand environmental education in America’s classrooms to reconnect more kids with nature, improve their mental and physical health, and address critical
Merkley Applauds Jackson Confirmation to Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley voted with a bipartisan majority in the Senate to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson as the newest justice on the United States Supreme Court. After the vote, Merkley issued the following statement: “Carved in stone in the Supreme Court building are the
Merkley, Wyden Announce over $2.2 Million in Federal Funds Headed to Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) a $2,225,000 grant to update its existing veterans’ shelter. This award comes after the announcement of MWVCAA’s acquisition of a new property
Wyden, Merkley: More than $1 Million to Lane County for Protecting Water Supply during 2020 Holiday Farm Fire
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Lane County Emergency Management will receive $1.02 million in federal reimbursement for measures taken to protect the McKenzie River, the sole source of drinking water for the Eugene metro area, during the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. “Lane
Merkley Celebrates 500th Town Hall
Portland, OR – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today celebrated his 500th town hall in Oregon since joining the U.S. Senate. He reached the milestone today while hosting a virtual town hall in Lincoln County. “I hold a town hall in every Oregon county, every year because they enable me to
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Call on Department of Education, DOJ to Follow Through on Pledge to Improve Handling of Student Debt Bankruptcy Claims
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have joined colleagues in asking the federal Departments of Education and Justice for an update on efforts to improve how the agencies handle undue hardship claims by student borrowers in bankruptcy proceedings. “The undue hardship exception (11 U.S.C. 523(a)(8)) currently