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 Leads Senators In Opposition To Dangerous, Recently Re-Opened Arctic Drilling
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after a state of emergency was declared in California due to a pipeline oil spill polluting miles of Pacific coastline, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by seventeen other Senators, urged the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to halt all offshore oil and gas drilling permits
Wyden, Merkley Laud FAA Decision on Unmanned Aircraft
Washington, D.C . – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley praised today’s announcement by federal regulators that cuts red tape for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites in Pendleton, Tillamook and Warm Springs to conduct research that creates jobs in an innovative industry. The announcement by the Federal Aviation
Merkley Joins Montana Senator Daines on Bipartisan Amendment Letting VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana to Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to the Veterans Administration funding bill led by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) that would allow Veterans Health Administration (VA) doctors to discuss and make recommendations about the use of medical marijuana with their patients. Under current
Merkley Announces $50 Million for Small Ports in Appropriations Bill that Passed Senate Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bill including $50 million for small, remote ports and $135 million for deep draft ports. Senator Merkley fought to include the critical funding in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill after it was slashed
Merkley Announces Key Appropriations Win for Scoggins Dam
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that key legislative language was included in the Energy and Water Appropriations committee bill that would dramatically help Scoggins Dam get the needed safety repairs and increased water storage that stakeholders in Washington County have been working on for years. “Washington
Merkley Statement on Banking Committee Markup: “Now Is Not the Time to Be Relaxing the Rules for Wall Street”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate Banking Committee passed on a party-line vote a sprawling bill that would deregulate many key aspects of the financial industry: “Seven years ago, following a decade of predatory home-lending and risky derivative-trading practices by big