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 to Hold Town Halls in Harney, Grant, Wheeler, and Gilliam Counties
Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Harney, Grant, Wheeler, and Gilliam counties on Wednesday and Thursday, May 29 and 30. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C., and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Cleaner Transportation Fuel, Healthier Forests
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow the use of biomass from certain federal lands needing ecological restoration in the making of renewable fuels to promote healthier forests, more carbon sequestration, cleaner transportation fuels and strong protections for old growth forests.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Merkley Provision on Potential Magnitsky Sanctions for Uyghur Human Rights Violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today voted with strong bipartisan support to pass a provision authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley to consider sanctions on individuals responsible for horrific human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in China. Merkley, who sits on the committee, inserted the provision—requiring
Senator Merkley Introduces Wilderness and Economic Development Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act, legislation to create federal wilderness in the area of Sutton Mountain and the iconic Painted Hills, and to promote economic development in the surrounding area. The proposal, which was
On World Biodiversity Day, Merkley and Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Save Animals by Combatting Wildlife Trafficking and Poaching
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of 2019 World Biodiversity Day, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help save endangered animals by combatting wildlife trafficking and poaching. The Rescuing Animals With Rewards (RAWR) Act would authorize the State Department to offer financial rewards
Merkley Statement on House Impeachment Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the U.S. House of Representatives will be forming a committee to begin impeachment proceedings against President Trump:
“Beginning impeachment proceedings is not an action to be taken lightly. Unfortunately, the gravity and extent of President Trump’s corrupt actions makes it absolutely clear that Congress must do so. President Trump has repeatedly and flagrantly violated his oath of office and disgraced the office of the presidency. Holding foreign aid hostage until a foreign leader agrees to smear a political opponent is textbook corruption, plain and simple.
“It is time for Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, to fulfill its constitutional role and hold the President accountable. Now that the House is moving forward with impeachment proceedings, I urge it to move swiftly to complete its investigation and to bring these proceedings to the floor of the House for a vote.”