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 Call for Presidential Task Force to Combat Hate Crimes, Violence
Washington, D.C. – Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today called on the president to form a task force to address the alarming rise of hate crimes across many communities in the United States over the last several years. “We urge you to establish a Presidential Task Force on preventing
With Bipartisan Support, Senate Committee Passes Bill to Improve Safety and Sanitation at Columbia River Tribal Fishing Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today gave bipartisan support to the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, passing the bill out of committee on a voice vote. The legislation, which is sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron
As Health Care Debate Shifts, Senator Franken and Senate Colleagues Lead Milestone Effort to Bring Down Prescription Drug Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/29/17]— In the wake of Congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to rip health coverage away from millions of Americans, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) and a key group of Senate Democrats launched a major push to improve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by bringing down the skyrocketing price of
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues in Effort to Overturn Anti-Climate Executive Order
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined more than 30 U.S. Senators today to introduce legislation that would rescind President Trump’s Executive Order, signed yesterday, that aims to reverse several landmark U.S. initiatives to combat climate change. “Climate change is causing great destruction to
Wyden, Merkley Urge Federal Support for Rural Air Service
Washington, D.C. – Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged administration officials to provide more investment in rural air service that supports essential travel connections like commercial flights in and out of Pendleton’s Eastern Oregon Regional Airport. “The Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton is an example of an
Senators Question Attorney General Sessions About Bharara Firing Amid Reports of Justice Department Investigation of HHS Secretary Price
Text of letter available here (PDF) Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), today sent a series of questions to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions about President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Preet Bharara, formerly the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District