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
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)
Huffman, Cohen, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Families and Pets from Dangerous Devices
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09), along with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), re-introduced legislation that would ban hazardous cyanide bombs from public lands. Their bill, Canyon’s Law, would protect families, pets, and wildlife from dangerous M-44 ejectors – spring-loaded devices made up of sodium
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Protect and Strengthen Federal Student Loan Repayment Options
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) Act: “As the first in my family to go to college, I know the barriers that so many students face in accessing higher education. We should
Byrd Rule Violations Continue to Mount on the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Parliamentarian again advised that several provisions in the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they remain in the bill. The below provisions are in the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction. “Democrats are continuing to make the case against every
Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Includes Additional Provisions That Violate the Byrd Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Parliamentarian again advised that several provisions in the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they remain in the bill. The below provisions are in the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee’s jurisdiction. “The Byrd Rule must be
Merkley Slams OMB Director Vought for ‘Unconstitutional Plan to Steal the Power of the Purse’
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee—issued the following statement after a hearing with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought on President Trump’s request to Congress to implement disastrous federal funding cuts: “Director Vought’s testimony clearly outlined his unconstitutional