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 Praises VA Decision to Finally Allow Blue Water Navy Veterans Harmed by Agent Orange to Access VA Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today responded to reports that U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday that he will recommend the U.S. Department of Justice not fight a January court ruling that ordered the VA to
Merkley, Panetta Applaud End of Taxpayer-Funded Kitten Slaughter
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), lead sponsors of the bipartisan KITTEN Act, today applauded an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the agency would end its taxpayer-funded experiments on kittens. Previously, the agency had infected kittens with a parasite to
Wyden, Merkley Demand Equal Pay for U.S. Women’s Soccer Team
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week joined 33 other senators to call on U.S. Soccer to establish equal pay for its athletes. Despite their successes on the field, players on the U.S. Women’s National Team are still paid considerably less than their male
Merkley, Wyden Demand Trump Reverse Proposed Cuts to Wildfire Prevention, Firefighting Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With preparations for wildfire season already underway, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today joined five Western Senate colleagues in calling on the Trump administration to reverse proposed funding cuts to critical wildfire prevention and forest restoration projects throughout the country. The administration’s recently released FY
Merkley Introduces Legislation to Ensure Equal Representation for Every American: Would End Electoral College, Embrace Full Representation for D.C., Puerto Rico & Territories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced the introduction of a package of bills to ensure that every American has equal representation within our democracy and equal voice in the direction of our government. Today’s legislation proposes bold action toward full and equal representation, including a constitutional amendment
Wyden, Merkley Secured $2.1 Million in Federal Disaster Recovery for Oregon Fisheries
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week secured $2.1 million in funding to help Oregon fisheries. The funds were finally allocated after a nearly two-year protracted battle with the Trump administration to approve Gov. Kate Brown’s request for fishery disaster declaration in May 2017.