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, Schumer, Harris, Warren Press DHS for Public Release of ‘Remain in Mexico’ Assessment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer, (D-NY), Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today in demanding the public release of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report that details the flaws and dangerous consequences of the Trump
Merkley Slams Trump’s Capitulation to Big Tobacco
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), today released the following statement regarding reports that President Trump blocked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from issuing a proposed ban on all flavored e-cigarettes. The proposed ban
Merkley, Wyden Introduce New Legislation to Expand Smith River National Recreation Area to Include Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced new legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams, and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost
Merkley Releases Sweeping Report on Trump’s Gutting Of Asylum, Including Direct Evidence of Grave Whistleblower Concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today released a sweeping new report detailing the Trump administration’s gutting of the legal asylum system. The report includes previously unreported, direct evidence of whistleblowers raising alarms within the asylum division. For several years, the Trump administration has tried to prevent people from
Wyden, Merkley Bill Would Bar Use of SRS Funds for Lobbying
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced legislation that would ensure counties receiving Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds cannot spend those federal resources on any activity related to lobbying. Wyden and Merkley said their bill is to ensure SRS funds remain dedicated to their intended
Wyden and Merkley Introduce House-Passed Violence Against Women Act
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined all of their Senate Democratic colleague in introducing the Senate companion to the House-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. The bill, which would reauthorize VAWA through 2024, preserves advancements made in previous reauthorizations and includes a number