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 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

Merkley, Wyden Applaud Expansion of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today welcomed the news that President Barack Obama is expanding the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon, helping to protect the environmental quality and recreation opportunities that are essential to the region’s way of life and economy. The monument expansion

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