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,

Wyden, Merkley Urge Full Funding for Invasive Weed Program

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged federal officials to provide full funding for a successful 40-year program that conserves and restores healthy landscapes and waterways threatened by invasive weeds. The Oregon senators’ letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke notes that full funding in 2018

Bonamici, Merkley Introduce Bill to Improve Services for LGBT Older Adults

WASHINGTON, DC [11/07/17] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation that aims to improve the Older Americans Act (OAA) by better serving LGBT older Americans and increasing access to culturally competent services and support programs.   LGBT older adults face significant barriers and disparities, including fewer

Senators Press For Consumer-Friendly GMO Labeling

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), today pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to

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