Press Releases

Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number

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

Merkley Statement on Mattis and Kelly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate votes on the nominations of James Mattis to be Secretary of Defense and John Kelly to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Senator Merkley voted ‘yes’ on Mattis’s nomination and ‘no’ on Kelly’s nomination. “James Mattis will bring

Merkley Statement on Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the United States: “As President Trump is inaugurated, we must realize that millions of Americans across the country, including many in Oregon, are deeply anxious about this presidency–and they

Wyden, Merkley Urge Feds to Reconsider Deregulating Genetically Engineered Plant

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote federal officials to express concerns about the deregulation of a genetically engineered plant that threatens Oregon’s agriculture, recreation and grass seed industry. The senators’ letter (attached) to Acting Agriculture Department Secretary Michael Scuse follows the announcement this week from

Baldwin, Stabenow, Warren, Merkley and Markey Introduce Legislation to Withdraw from TPP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced legislation to require the President to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to withdraw from TPP on “Day One” of his presidency. This legislation

Merkley Statement on Pruitt Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after the Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “I asked Mr. Pruitt why he

Merkley Applauds $500 Million Contribution to the Green Climate Fund

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and a new member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the State Department announced a $500 million contribution to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF is an international multilateral fund

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