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 Praise Rural Infrastructure Loans for Eastern Oregon

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today welcomed federal investments totaling more than $60 million for rural economic infrastructure in eastern Oregon. The Umatilla Electric Co-op Association will receive a $48.8 million loan and the Harney Electric Co-op will receive a $11.7 million loan from the

Merkley Statement on Jerome Powell Nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Jerome Powell to be the next Chair of the Federal Reserve: “My thanks go out to Janet Yellen for her outstanding service as Chair. Her expertise and leadership will be difficult to replace. “As

Senators Introduce Bill to Ban Asbestos, Protect Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today introduced the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2017, legislation to eliminate human or environmental

Merkley Blasts GOP’s Corporate Giveaway Tax Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after House Republicans unveiled their tax plan, which attacks the state and local tax deduction while massively slashing the corporate tax rate: “This may be the greatest heist in American history. Republicans want to tax your income twice in

Wyden, Merkley Introduce VA Construction Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week introduced legislation that would improve the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ability to serve America’s veterans by removing roadblocks to construction of some VA projects. The bill would expedite the process for more routine construction at VA

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