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 Slams Trump’s Infrastructure Sham

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Trump released his infrastructure plan: “President Trump’s long-awaited ‘infrastructure plan’ doesn’t directly invest in infrastructure and can hardly be called a plan. Trump’s supposed 1.5-trillion-dollar infrastructure plan is actually a no-infrastructure sham. “Instead of helping struggling communities,

Wyden, Merkley Announce $1.1 Million Grant for Bend-LaPine School District

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Bend-LaPine School District will receive more than $1 million in federal funding to reimburse the district for expenses stemming from the January 2017 storm that dumped snow on schools’ roofs. The $1.1 million from the Federal

Merkley Statement on CR

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on today’s continuing resolution (CR): “This bill is an important step forward in Congress’s budget negotiations. It sets the foundations for a two-year budget deal and makes significant strides on key priorities I have fought for,

Western Senators Press Interior Department on Zinke’s Efforts to Dismantle Plans to Manage Sage Grouse Habitat, Mitigate Climate Change Impacts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., today pressed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about the agency’s recent efforts to dismantle land management plans to protect sage grouse habitat and mitigate climate change

Merkley, Senators: Any Tax Package Must Maintain Support for Electric Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fourteen Senators, led by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, today urged key tax negotiators to prioritize a long-term extension of tax credits for electric and alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure in an upcoming tax bill. In a letter to Democratic Leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and Ranking

Merkley, Wyden Join Introduction of New Legislation to Protect National Monuments from Trump Administration’s Attempts to Roll Back Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that they have joined a group of 18 senators in introducing legislation to enhance protections for national monuments against the Trump administration’s unprecedented attacks on public lands. The America’s Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the

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