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,

Oregon Members Fight for Investments, Critical Maintenance of Oregon’s Ports

Washington, D.C.—Today, members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy encouraging the Obama Administration to use a portion of the federal funds allocated for dredging at Oregon’s ports. Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici,

Senator Merkley Announces State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced his guest for the 2015 State of the Union speech, Umatilla School District Superintendent Heidi Sipe. Several years ago, Merkley and Sipe partnered together to help turn Umatilla’s robotics program from an idea to a reality. Since its inception in 2012, the

Merkley Applauds New Steps Forward to Tackle Dangerous Methane Pollution

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Obama administration announced new steps toward dramatically cutting methane emissions over the next decade: “The danger that methane poses to our climate is real and potent. With fracking – a notorious source of methane leaks – on the

Merkley Becomes Top Democrat on Agriculture Appropriations

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that in the 114th Congress he will become the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, putting him in a powerful position to advocate for Oregon’s rural communities, agriculture research institutions,

National Championship: The “Big Bet”

WASHINGTON, DC – The national championship game Monday night between Ohio State and Oregon has generated so much talk between the U.S. Senators from Oregon and Ohio that both sides have decided it’s time to back it up by putting up “very personal” stakes. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff

Merkley Sworn in for Second Term

WASHINGTON – Today, as the 114th Congress formally convened in the nation’s capital, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was sworn in for his second six-year term serving Oregonians in the U.S. Senate. In his first term as a U.S. Senator, Merkley made his mark by delivering local victories for Oregon, such

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