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,

Bicameral, Bipartisan Deal Reached On Major Toxic Chemicals Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan, bicameral group of Congressional leaders have announced an agreement on the first major reform of toxic chemicals regulation in decades.  This agreement puts Congress on the cusp of finally passing historic legislation to reform the nation’s broken chemical safety law.

Merkley Prioritizes Rural Economic Opportunities In Agriculture Spending Bill

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, announced today that included in the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill are key provisions to boost rural affordable housing, energy efficiency, and forest health, among other economic priorities for rural America.  Merkley also announced a large

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: Merkley Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after meeting with President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Chief Judge Merrick Garland: “I was honored to meet with Merrick Garland today. We had a wide-ranging conversation about many of the issues facing our nation, and how he

Merkley and Wyden Announce Key Oregon Wins in Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Ron Wyden announced that the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, includes key provisions that will help Oregon’s rural communities. These include $150 million in funding for a program that could help provide grants

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