Press Releases

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 Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Red Tape and Provide Essential Services for Oregonians

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has partnered with U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) to introduce the bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act, codifying a formal definition of “special district” to ensure that Oregonians can access the critical local services these districts provide.

Wyden, Merkley, Markey, Schumer Release Data Detailing Hundreds of Rural Hospitals Across U.S. at Risk Due to Republican Health Care Cuts 

Data shows Oregon hospitals in Silverton, Seaside, Madras, and Hermiston among more than 300 rural hospitals nationwide at disproportionate risk of closure, conversion, or service reductions Washington (June 12, 2025) – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) today joined with U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) to

Merkley: Trump Firefighting Reorganization Plan ‘Literally Playing with Fire’

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that oversees funding for the U.S. Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service, released the following statement after President Trump issued an executive order directing the agencies to reorganize and consolidate wildland firefighting efforts: “Instead of focusing on

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