Press Releases

Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number

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

Hong Kong: Chairs’ Statement about New Sanctions for Chinese and Hong Kong Officials

(Washington, D.C.)—Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), the Chair and Cochair, respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), issued the following statement about the Administration’s announcement of sanctions for 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and

Merkley Applauds Secretary Haaland’s Historic Confirmation to Lead Interior Department

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—released the following statement following Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s historic Senate confirmation to lead the department: “Secretary Haaland’s lifetime of service demonstrates her strong commitment to defending our public lands and

ICYMI: Voting Rights Groups Sound the Alarm on Racist, Politically Motivated Voter Suppression Laws in Georgia, Arizona, and Across America

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  State lawmakers in Georgia have quickly raced to the forefront of the Republican party’s effort to turn ‘stolen election’ conspiracies into extremely restrictive voter suppression laws. This week, Georgia legislators passed a bill to repeal no-excuse absentee voting and end automatic voter registration—provisions that helped 1.3 million

Wyden, Merkley: Nine Oregon Health Centers to Join Federal Vaccine Program

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that clinics in Portland, Oregon City, Grants Pass, Eugene, Tillamook, Prineville and Medford will be invited to join the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program over the next six weeks. The nine clinics join Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center,

en_USEnglish