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,
Wyden, Merkley: President Biden Can and Should Cancel up to $50,000 in Federal Student Loan Debt Immediately
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined colleagues in reintroducing a resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis by using his authority to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal student loan borrowers.
Merkley, Colleagues Unveil Groundbreaking Legislation to Boost Sustainability Among America’s Ports
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley is leading five of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Climate Smart Ports Act—legislation that would create a $1 billion per year federal program dedicated to improving sustainability measures at America’s ports. The legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of
Wyden and Merkley Introduce Legislation to Protect 4,700 Miles of Oregon Rivers Nominated by Nearly 2,500 Oregonians
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced the River Democracy Act to add nearly 4,700 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system – the largest Wild and Scenic Rivers effort in our nation’s history. Those named rivers and streams were among more than 15,000
Merkley, Porter Introduce Critical Legislation to Protect Patients with Medical Debt from Long-Term Financial Harm
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed up with Representative Katie Porter (D-CA-45) today to lead three Senators and 46 Representatives in the introduction of the Medical Debt Relief Act—legislation that would remove paid-off or settled medical debt from a patient’s credit report and institute a year-long waiting period
Wyden, Merkley Urge Biden Administration to Hold Saudi Arabian Government Accountable for Lawless Actions
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the Biden administration to hold the Saudi Arabian government accountable for helping Saudi nationals accused of crimes flee the United States to avoid trial. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators wrote, “We urge
Merkley Announces He Will Join Key Committee With Oversight Over Democracy Reform, Senate Functionality
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today following the announcement that he will be joining the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which has key jurisdiction over democracy reform legislation and Senate rules: “For years, the powerful and the privileged have bent Congress around their whims