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, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Bill to Protect Students From Worthless Degrees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8) today introduced the Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act of 2019 in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would close a loophole that allows for-profit colleges to take federal
Merkley Announces Senate Passage of Legislation to Ban Export of Crowd Control Munitions to Hong Kong
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed his bipartisan legislation that would ban the U.S. export of crowd control munitions and equipment to the Hong Kong Police Force for one year. The legislation, which is co-led by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX),
Wyden, Merkley Request Changes to USDA Rule on Hemp Production to Better Support Oregon Farmers
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., as authors of the legislation that legalized hemp production nationwide, today requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) make several changes as it develops its final rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. Wyden and Merkley,
Merkley, Alexander, Carper, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Monarch and Pollinator Highways
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) today to introduce new, bipartisan legislation to help states create pollinator-friendly habitats along roads and highways. This legislation would help address the steep decline of pollinator populations, which poses a serious
Merkley, Wyden Announce Key USDA Wastewater Investments for Rural Oregonians
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced nearly $3 million in federal grants, and over $4.5 million in federal loans, for critical wastewater treatment and municipal water system upgrades. The rural development funds will go to the cities of Cascade Locks and Amity. “When I
Merkley, Bonamici Announce House Committee Passage of Their Bill to Ban Asbestos
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today announced that the full House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed their Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 on a nearly unanimous vote. Today’s action represents the first-ever congressional committee vote to ban asbestos, and a new