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 Calls for De-Escalation with Iran

WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. service members as retaliation for the drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani: “We are in a precarious moment but war is not inevitable. After Iran’s attack last night

Merkley Blasts Administration for Escalating Tensions with Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding the spiraling national security concerns stemming from President Trump’s reckless and impulsive actions and statements: “President Trump and Secretary Pompeo are either dangerously inept or colossally ignorant, and have done enormous damage to U.S. security. “In short order

Wyden, Merkley Announce Major Grant for Port of Morrow

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced over $1.6 million in federal grant funding that will help the Port of Morrow make critical infrastructure improvements to support expanded barge shipment services. “The Port of Morrow is an economic engine in eastern Oregon. These important investments

Merkley Blasts FDA E-Cigarette Flavor Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released the following statement after the FDA announced an e-cigarette policy on flavors that fell far short of a previously planned ban on the flavors that have been

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