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,

As Court Rules Pruitt Must Release Emails by Tuesday, Merkley Demands Delay of Floor Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after an Oklahoma court ruled that Trump’s EPA nominee, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, must release up to 3,000 emails containing his communications with coal, oil and gas companies by next Tuesday. Under Pruitt’s direction, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s

Wyden, Merkley Demand Scott Pruitt Recuse Himself from All Issues Related to Lawsuits He Brought Against the EPA to Overturn or Weaken Clean Air and Water Pollution Rules

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 28 other senators today called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt to recuse himself from participating in any matter related to litigation that he pursued against the EPA as Oklahoma Attorney General.  In a

Merkley, Bonamici Stand Up for Oregon Retirement Savings Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) are leading the charge in the U.S. Capitol to stand up to new efforts that threaten the ability of states like Oregon to offer retirement savings plans to workers who don’t otherwise have access to retirement plans through

Merkley Statement on Puzder Withdrawal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding reports that Donald Trump’s nominee for Labor Secretary, Andrew Puzder, is withdrawing his name from consideration:  “After campaigning as a champion of workers, Donald Trump had a chance to name someone to lead the Labor Department who would

Merkley Statement on Mnuchin Nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on Treasury Secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin: “Steven Mnuchin is the wrong man to serve as America’s Treasury Secretary. “He is the wrong man because he comes straight out of Wall Street, with all the values and policy positions that

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