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 Celebrates House Passage of Equality Act: “Let the Bells of Freedom Ring”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, who co-authored the Equality Act along with Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), released the following statement following the U.S. House of Representative’s bipartisan passage of the legislation. The Equality Act is landmark, comprehensive legislation that would add explicit protections for LGBTQ Americans to the
Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of 92 Lawmakers Urge U.S. Support For Civilian-Led Transitional Government in Sudan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan, bicameral group of 92 lawmakers led by Representative James McGovern (D-MA) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Todd Young (R-IN), along with Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Chris Smith (R-NJ), sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary
Wyden, Merkley Welcome Restoration of Full SRS Payments for Counties and Schools
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed the U.S. Agriculture Department decision to restore full Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program payments for counties and schools. The decision follows Wyden and Merkley’s call for the agency to release the more than $14 million in payments after
Merkley Introduces Legislation to Stop Arctic Drilling
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced the Stop Arctic Drilling Act of 2019, legislation to prohibit irresponsible and unacceptable drilling that puts at risk the health of local ecosystems, communities, and the global climate. The bill would prevent any new or renewed leases for the exploration, development,
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Reduce Bullying and Harassment at Colleges
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden on Wednesday joined 23 colleagues in introducing legislation aimed at reducing bullying and harassment, including cyberbullying, at colleges and universities around the country. “Cyberbullying has escalated harassment to disturbing new heights, and we must act to decisively say that
Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer, Bonamici: Portland an Ideal “Pilot City “for New Eco-Packaging Effort
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici this week urged UPS and TerraCycle to consider Portland as a pilot city for its eco-friendly Loop system that reduces consumer reliance on single-use packaging. The four Oregon lawmakers wrote top UPS