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 End of Malheur Wildlife Refuge Standoff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding the end of the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon: “I am relieved that this unlawful standoff has finally come to an end. This situation has put incredible emotional and financial strain on
Merkley Applauds New Obama Proposal for Battling Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today applauded President Obama’s call for increased assistance for homeless Americans in his FY2017 budget. The President’s budget proposal follows a Senate push led by Merkley for increased assistance to help communities across the country, such as Portland and other Oregon communities, which
Wyden, Merkley Urge Pac-12 to Address Student Transfer Policies to Promote Campus Safety
Washington, D.C. – In response to recent steps taken by colleges and athletic conferences to promote safety on campus, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the leaders of the Pac-12 Conference to consider adopting a conference-wide student conduct policy for transfer students seeking to enroll at a
Merkley and Wyden Announce Over $400,000 Grant for Collaborative University Wood Products Center
Washington DC – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded over $400,000 to expand the capacity of Oregon State University’s National Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing and Design (Center for AWP) for business enterprises that supply engineered wood building
Ten Senators Press Administration to Drop New Fossil Fuel Leases from Offshore Drilling Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ten U.S. Senators pressed the Obama Administration today to strengthen its climate commitments by dropping all new fossil fuel leases from the 5-year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The letter, which was sent to Interior Secretary Sally Jewel, was signed by Sens. Jeff
Merkley Statement on Klamath Dams Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior, PacifiCorp and the states of Oregon and California announced an agreement to remove four Klamath River dams, a key component of the Klamath Basin water sharing agreements: “After years of conflict and