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, Bipartisan Colleagues Push to Include Support for National Guard Firefighting Efforts in Upcoming Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today led a bipartisan group of 14 of his Senate colleagues in pushing leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to include robust funding in the fiscal year 2022 funding bill for the National Guard to support wildland firefighting efforts in
Oregon Delegation Pushes Federal Agencies to Prepare for 2021 Wildfire Season
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02), are pushing agencies in charge of federal wildfire response to step up preparedness efforts for the 2021 wildfire season—which could be as bad or
Oregon Delegation Announces Major Step Up in Recovery Resources for Oregon Following 2020 Labor Day Fires
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), today announced that the federal government has agreed to pay 100 percent of the costs associated with debris removal and emergency protective measures following
Wyden, Merkley Announce $5.4 Million American Rescue Plan Investment in Head Start for Oregon
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced $5.4 million in Head Start funding going to Oregon from the American Rescue Plan. “Head Start programs give low-income kids in Oregon and nationwide a leg up, preparing them to excel in school,” Wyden said. “It’s critical to
Merkley Applauds Biden Administration Decision to Give Wildland Firefighters A Raise
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service—released the following statement today, after the Biden administration announced higher wages and new incentives for wildland firefighters: “Last year alone, over one million acres
Merkley, Colleagues Urge State Department to Monitor Honduras Trial of David Castillo and Seek Justice for Berta Cáceres
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, alongside 34 of his colleagues, is urging the Department of State to closely monitor the ongoing trial of DESA hydroelectric company CEO and former military intelligence officer David Castillo, who is on trial in Honduras for the murder of environmental activist Berta