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 Applauds News that Majority Leader Won’t Bring Up TPP in Lame Duck
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will not bring up the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement for congressional approval in the post-election lame duck session: “It’s rare for me to agree with Senator McConnell, but in this case
Members of Congress File Brief Urging Court to Recognize Employment Protections for LGBT Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of leading Members of Congress has filed an amicus brief in the case of Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, urging the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to recognize existing non-discrimination protections for LGBT Americans under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. U.S. Senators
Merkley and Wyden Announce Earthquake Early Warning System Grant for University of Oregon
Washington DC – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has awarded approximately $3.7 million to six universities, including the University of Oregon, to help advance an earthquake early warning system along the West Coast. The funding announced today will help improve
Social Security Administration Changes Policy to Better Accommodate Seniors after Merkley’s Urging
Portland, OR – After Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley wrote a letter to Social Security Commissioner Carolyn Colvin last week to address his concerns over a new system that would block online access to benefits for seniors without a text-enabled cell phone, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that they
Merkley Statement on DEA’s Decision Not to Reschedule Marijuana
Portland, OR. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the announcement from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that the U.S. will affirm its prohibition on medical marijuana. “Today’s announcement from the DEA is a huge disappointment to people in the 27 jurisdictions across the country that have
Merkley Urges Senate Banking Committee to Confirm EXIM Bank Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley called on Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Richard Shelby to act on strong bipartisan support for the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank by confirming the EXIM Bank Board of Directors nominee to restore the operating quorum. Small businesses across America, including
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