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 the Passing of Sue Shaffer

PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding Sue Shaffer, the former Cow Creek Tribal chairwoman and champion for tribal rights, who passed away in Roseburg, Ore., on Tuesday at age 94. “Oregon families have lost an extraordinary champion. I loved her from the first time

Merkley, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Sea Grant Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced today that they have introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution expressing support for the National Sea Grant College Program. The Senators highlighted the importance of the program to improving the health of coastal ecosystems and sustaining fisheries, and

Merkley Statement on Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, after Senate Republicans changed the rules of the Senate to confirm him with fewer than 60 votes. Earlier this week, Merkley held the floor for over

Merkley Statement on U.S. Strikes in Syria

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the President launched missile strikes in Syria: “Assad’s attacks against his own people are heinous and reprehensible. There is no doubt that Assad has committed numerous war crimes, including this

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