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 Umpqua Community College Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding reports of a shooting at Umpqua Community College (UCC) in Roseburg: “I am absolutely heartbroken by today’s news. I have been in touch with local officials to express my deepest condolences and offer my assistance in any way

Merkley Statement on Royal Dutch Shell’s Decision to Stop Arctic Drilling

WASHINGTON DC—Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the announcement by Royal Dutch Shell that it would indefinitely suspend drilling in the Arctic. Shell’s statement comes after months of urging by Merkley, who in July introduced the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2015, a major piece of

Merkley Statement on Pope Francis’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Pope Francis addressed a joint session of the United States Congress this morning: “This morning, Pope Francis powerfully reminded us all of our true purpose as public servants: that we are ‘called to defend and preserve the dignity

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