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, Oregonians Rally to Support Transgender Military Members, Veterans

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today held a rally decrying President Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The president on July 26 announced via Twitter that transgender people would no longer be allowed to serve in the military. Military leaders were surprised by the unexpected

Wyden, Merkley Secure Major Win for Oregon Crab Fisheries

Washington, D.C. – A bill introduced by Oregon’s Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to strengthen Oregon’s crab fishery passed the United States Senate and will now head to the president’s desk for signature into law. The bill permanently extends a decades-long fishery management agreement that has been vital to the

Senate Dems Blast FDA for “Step Backwards” On Tobacco Oversight; Call on Agency to Get Serious About Plan to Curb Nicotine in Cigarettes

(Washington, D.C.) – Led by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), today 13 Senate Democrats sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb denouncing the agency’s recent move to delay oversight of newly-regulated tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and cigars. Senate Democrats are

Merkley Introduces Bill to Create Green Jobs, Boost Manufacturing

WASHINGTON — Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act of 2017 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would create jobs and save money for manufacturers—particularly small and mid-sized manufacturers—by putting people to work retrofitting manufacturing facilities to be more energy efficient.  Energy efficiency

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