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 Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in support of the Iran nuclear deal: “Just after Labor Day, the U.S. Congress will consider a vital question: whether to support or reject an international agreement intended to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon “This
Merkley: 2015 Fire Borrowing Reinforces Need for Long-Term Wildfire Funding Fix
Washington, D.C. — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after reports that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is now implementing fire borrowing — the practice of halting other programs, including fire prevention efforts — to free up funds to combat the record-setting wildfires that are blazing across the
Merkley, Wyden and Blumenauer Call on Congress to Pass Legislation Allowing Legal Marijuana Businesses to Access Banking Services
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl Blumenauer were on hand today at Rivermark Community Credit Union to call on Congress to pass legislation sponsored by all three elected officials that would ensure legal marijuana businesses can access banking services. Currently, marijuana businesses operating under
Merkley Introduces New Legislation to Connect Transportation Systems to Jobs and Economic Opportunities
PORTLAND, OR – Today, at the Hollywood transit center in Portland, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he has introduced the Transportation, Access and Opportunity Act, new legislation to encourage and support local governments to better connect their transportation systems to jobs and economic opportunities in the region. Increasingly, low-income
Senator Jeff Merkley Announces New Public–Private Partnership to Improve School Readiness
SPRINGFIELD, ORE. – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley announced a $2 million public-private partnership that will support youth development and school readiness for Lane County children entering kindergarten. United Way of Lane County (UWLC) has been awarded a five-year Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grant from the Corporation for National and Community
Merkley Introduces New Legislation to Guarantee Affordable Options for Repaying Student Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Access to Fair Financial Options for Repaying Debt (AFFORD) Act, new legislation that would guarantee all students are able to affordably pay off their student loans by making an income-based repayment option available to all student borrowers. Additionally, he introduced