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, Colleagues Announce Legislation to Confront the Public Health Impacts of Structural Racism
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Jeff Merkley today announced a bicameral bill to confront the public health impacts of structural racism through two bold new programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) are
Merkley, Wyden Urge School Nutrition Program Extension for 2020-2021 School Year
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and 27 of their Democratic Senate colleagues are calling for a full extension of school meal waivers through the end of the 2020-2021 school year so that schools have the flexibility that they need to fully serve students whether or
With Pandemic Poll Worker Shortage Looming, Merkley Introduces Legislation to Give States Flexibility to Send Poll Workers to Areas of Greatest Need
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he will be introducing legislation, the Poll Worker Recruitment Act of 2020, to address the urgent shortage of poll workers for the November 2020 general election. Today’s announcement coincides with National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Merkley’s legislation is co-sponsored by
Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $20 Million to Oregon and Tribes to Combat Opioid Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced nearly $20 million in funding to combat the opioid crisis. This money will go to the Oregon State Government, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Indians, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the Confederated Tribes of
Merkley, Wyden Blast Trump Administration’s Constant, Dangerous Political Interference in COVID-19 Response
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and 30 of their Democratic Senate colleagues wrote to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar criticizing the Trump administration for their continued political interference in the COVID-19 response. The Senators warned that decisions to pressure and overrule public health experts
Wyden, Merkley Join Legal Brief Against Donald Trump’s Illegal Asylum Ban
Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined a legal brief seeking to preserve the D.C. District Court of Appeals’ decision to strike down Donald Trump’s plainly illegal ban on all asylum claims outside of ports of entry. A previous amicus brief Wyden and Merkley also joined helped the