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, Senators Urge Administration to Permanently Shut Down Homestead Child Prison
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), today pushed the Trump Administration to permanently shut down the Homestead child prison in Florida. The Senator’s push follows reporting from the Miami Herald that children are likely to
Merkley Presses DHS for Immediate Investigation of Alleged Targeting of Pregnant Women by Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following alarming reports that the Trump Administration is purposefully forcing pregnant asylum seekers to await their hearings in dangerous conditions in Mexico, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General to open an immediate, priority investigation into the treatment of
PHOTO RELEASE: Merkley Tours Expanded Sucker Propagation Projects
KLAMATH FALLS, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on Monday toured Gone Fishing sucker propagation project, which was expanded after recommended action that came out of the senator’s first-of-its-kind Sucker Recovery Summit. Following the science summit, Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, secured $3 million
Wyden, Merkley Announce Investment in Conservation Program to Protect Whales Off Oregon Coast
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a $26,205 federal grant awarded to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for its program to improve environmental conditions for whales off the Oregon Coast by reducing the risk of whales entangled in fishing gear. “Oregon has
Merkley Statement on Closure of Homestead Child Prison
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news that all remaining children are being moved out of the migrant child prison at Homestead, Florida. Merkley led the charge in Congress to shut down the child prison, introducing the Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act. “Bowing
DeLauro, Merkley Call on USDA Inspector General to Expand Swine Slaughter Inspection Rule Audit
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General Phyllis Fong requesting that her office broaden its ongoing review of the agency’s proposed Swine Slaughter Inspection Rule to include food safety and animal welfare concerns.