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 GOP’s Budget-Busting Giveaways to the Rich
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans passed their budget blueprint for 2018. The blueprint—which Republicans pushed forward so that they will be able to pass a tax plan on a party-line vote—slashes a trillion and a half dollars from Medicare and Medicaid,
Oregon lawmakers urge TSA to maintain security infrastructure as Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport recruits new carrier
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), along with Rep. Peter DeFazio and Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent a letter urging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to maintain security infrastructure at Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport in Klamath Falls as the airport recruits another carrier to resume commercial
Wyden, Merkley Ask VA Secretary About High Veteran Suicide Rate in Western States
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to find solutions to the high veteran suicide rate across the Western United States. The Oregon senators’ letter with nine of their Senate colleagues to VA Secretary David J. Shulkin, M.D. notes that
Senators Fight to Stop Republican Effort to Open Arctic Refuge to Drilling
Washington (October 17, 2017) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash,), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) were joined today by the League of Conservation Voters, Defenders of Wildlife and the Alaska Wilderness League to call for the
Oregon Delegation Urges Prompt EPA Action on Portland Harbor site
WASHINGTON — All seven members of Oregon’s congressional delegation today urged federal environmental officials to support the prompt transition of the Portland Harbor Superfund site from the prolonged study phase to active cleanup. The letter from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer,
Merkley Slams Trump Health Care Sabotage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced late Thursday night that the Trump administration will stop paying health care Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments. Without the CSR payments, health insurance rates will see double digit increases—in many cases, 20% or more.