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 Join Colleagues in Announcing Student Loan Refinancing Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined their colleagues this week in reintroducing the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. The legislation introduced in the Senate and House would allow those with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at the interest rates offered to

Merkley Statement on Appointment of Special Prosecutor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news reports that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will appoint former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special prosecutor to investigate potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia: “This is a victory for all Americans who believe

Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Lift Sudden Suspension of Public Land Advisory Groups

Washington, DC  –  U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the Interior Department to lift its sudden suspension of long-standing local committees and advisory boards that provide essential community input on public land management. The letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke follows reports from Oregonians on public resource

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