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: Senate Fails Constitutional Test on Trump’s Strikes Against Iran
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to advance Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) War Powers Resolution, which would have required the United States to end unauthorized military involvement in Iran and forcing a debate and
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley
Federal grants heading to airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora. Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora. “Federal investments in smaller airports
Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Explain Changing VA Hospital Guidelines in Secret
The changes include potentially hiring medical professionals and giving veterans health care based on certain protected traits such as political affiliation and sexual orientation Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., said today they have joined their Senate colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump
Wyden, Warner, Merkley and Schumer Highlight Threat to Nursing Homes if GOP Approves Medicaid Cuts
Top Senators Reveal New Data from Brown University School of Public Health Showing Financial Stress Facing Nursing Homes Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Finance Committee member Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer,
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $31 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced counties throughout Oregon will receive a combined total of $31,027,890 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2025. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT funding helps to defray the costs associated with
Merkley, Murray, Heinrich, Klobuchar Demand Immediate Halt to Forest Service Reorganization, Funding Cuts
Washington, D.C. – Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)