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,
COVID-19 Global Vaccination Caucus Statement on Omicron Variant and FY22 Appropriations Omnibus
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bicameral Global Vaccination Caucus—Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley; U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN); and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07)—released the following joint statement: “As experts work to understand the Omicron
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.4 Million FEMA Grant to Shelter Victims of Wildfire Disasters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a major federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will help reimburse significant costs for providing non-congregate shelter to Oregonians who lost their homes or were displaced during the 2020 wildfires. “I will never
Wyden, Merkley: More than $118 Million in COVID Relief Headed to Oregon Rural Health Providers
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that 481 rural health providers in Oregon will receive a total of $118,654,854 for COVID relief under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). “For the past 20 months, Oregon’s rural health providers have shouldered a heavy burden of
Merkley, McBath Introduce Legislation to Reduce Class Sizes in Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) aim to address overcrowded classrooms by introducing the Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act, bold legislation that invests in smaller class sizes in public schools. Students achieve better academic results when they have more individualized
Merkley, Wyden Announce $7 Million FEMA Grant for Rural Infrastructure Damage Caused by Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that a $7 million grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help repair damaged electrical infrastructure in Marion County. “Wildfires and intense winds caused significant damage to our electrical infrastructure in Marion County, jeopardizing the stability
Merkley Applauds House Passage of Build Back Better, Calls on Senate to Finish the Job
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, setting up a Senate vote: “Hallelujah! Now the Senate must seize the momentum, pass this bill, and send it to the Oval Office. Working families