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,
Members of Congress, Civil Rights Groups Celebrate Landmark Marriage Equality Ruling, Call for Full Federal LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling expanding marriage equality to all 50 states, a broad coalition of civil rights groups and members of Congress issued the following statement: “This decision is a historic moment for equality, fairness and freedom in America. We celebrate
Wyden and Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect 200,000 Acres of Wild Lands in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today renewed their commitment to protecting the state’s most pristine and environmentally significant areas by introducing a bill to designate more than 200,000 acres of land as wilderness or national recreation areas and add more than 250 miles to the Wild
Merkley Statement on King v. Burwell Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in King v. Burwell: “I’m relieved that millions of Americans will continue to have access to quality, affordable health insurance. This case never should have gone this far, but the Court
Oregon Delegation Members Applaud Success of OHSU Knight Cancer Challenge to Raise $1 Billion for Cancer Care and Research
Washington, DC – Today, the Oregon Congressional delegation, including Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden, welcomed Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) announcement on meeting its Knight Cancer Challenge, raising $1 billion for cancer care and research
Merkley Statement on Senate Passage of “Fast Track”
WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed “fast track” trade legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other future trade deals: “When crafting a new trade structure, our national objective should be raising wages and living standards for middle-class Americans. Past trade
Merkley Statement on Committee Passage of Bill to Increase Transportation Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, of which he is a member, passed a bipartisan bill to authorize renewal of the Highway Trust Fund and increased transportation funding over the next six years: “There is no