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, Paul Lead Bipartisan Resolution Making Crystal Clear that Congress Has Not Authorized Military Action Against Iran
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) today announced a bipartisan resolution to underscore that the President does not have Congressional authorization for military action against Iran under current law. Specifically, the resolution clarifies that neither the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force passed
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Anti-War Crimes Resolution That Denounces Trump Threats to Attack Iranian Cultural Sites
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) joined with five other senators today to introduce a resolution condemning Donald Trump’s threats to attack cultural sites in Iran and demanding he refrain from violating the laws of armed conflict. “If Donald Trump follows through on his threat
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