Press Releases

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, Kaine Introduce Legislation to End Debt Ceiling Hostage-Taking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As another round of debt ceiling brinksmanship approaches on March 1, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Virginia’s Senator Tim Kaine today introduced new legislation aimed at ending Congress’ abuse of the debt ceiling, using it as a political hostage. The Protect our Citizens from Reckless Extortion of our Debt

Merkley Joins Colleagues in Announcing Green New Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after joining Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14) to release a Green New Deal: “Today, I joined Senator Markey and Representative Ocasio-Cortez to release a resolution outlining the principles of an economic mobilization to

Merkley Denounces New Payday Predator Protection Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s  Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Consumer  Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), under the leadership of a Trump appointee, announced new rules gutting protections against predatory payday lenders: “Every day the Trump Administration prioritizes the privileged and powerful over working Americans, but deliberately helping

Merkley Responds to State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Trump’s 2019 State of the Union address on Tuesday night: “Our nation faces three incredibly daunting challenges today: the corruption of our democracy; the undermining of the fundamentals for thriving families; and carbon pollution driving climate

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