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 Statement on FDA Delay of E-Cigarette Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released the following statement after the FDA announced its new plan on tobacco regulation: “The tobacco industry produces products that kill thousands of Americans each year, and sustains

Merkley Statement on Health Bill Failure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans held a failed vote on their health care repeal bill: “Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of millions of Americans and the political courage of a few Republican Senators, the latest repeal bill is dead, as it

Merkley Blasts Trump Administration’s Pro-Discrimination Stance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Justice Department, under the leadership of Trump Administration appointees, took the unusual step of proactively filing a legal brief to argue that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is legal under federal law. Many courts have

Merkley Decries Trump Transgender Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement decrying President Trump’s newly announced ban on transgender individuals serving in the military: “Discrimination doesn’t make America safer. We should gratefully accept the contributions of all patriots who want to serve our nation. Today’s Twitter announcement is a disgraceful

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