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
Senators Call for Boosted Funding to Decontaminate Lead-Tainted National Guard Armories and Readiness Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden led a group of ten Senators calling on Senate Appropriations Committee leaders to dedicate adequate funding to cleaning up National Guard sites across the U.S. that have been contaminated by dangerous amounts of lead dust. In addition to their
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
Merkley: Republicans Have Deeply Damaged the Integrity of the Senate and the Supreme Court
Republicans invoked the “Nuclear Option” to change Senate rules in order to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court. “Today, Senate Republicans completed the judicial coup they launched last February. For the first time in our nation’s history, a Supreme Court seat has been stolen. In doing so,