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,
Bipartisan Merkley Bill Included in Veterans Compromise
WASHINGTON – As the Chairs of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees today unveiled compromise legislation to reform the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and improve veterans’ benefits, they announced that the legislation will include a bipartisan provision authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley to expand tuition benefits for spouses
Senators Call on SEC to Get the Job Done on Key, Unfinished Crisis-Era Reforms
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley led a group of 11 Senators in calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to get the job done on key, unfinished reforms that are essential to preventing another financial crisis. In a letter to SEC Chair Mary Jo White, the Senators
Merkley Stands with Health Professionals to Demand Immediate Safeguards for Families’ and Children’s Health
Portland, OR – Pressing federal regulators for immediate action, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today stood with health care professionals to urge Congress to pass legislation that would protect America’s families from some of the most harmful chemicals identified by scientists. Known as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBTs), these chemicals are
Merkley Introduces New Legislation to Protect Families’ and Children’s Health
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a bill that would fast-track the phase-out of the most harmful chemicals identified by scientists – chemicals that don’t break down in the environment and that build up in the food chain so that even small amounts can be dangerous. Known as persistent,
Merkley Urges Congress to Close Tax Loopholes that Ship Jobs Overseas, Bring Back Jobs to U.S. Soil
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today after the Senate voted to move forward with the Bring Jobs Home Act, which would bring back manufacturing jobs to Oregon and all of the U.S.: “We need good-paying jobs right here in America, so it makes no sense
Responding to Merkley’s Call to Improve Oil Train Safety, DOT Announces Proposed New Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After months of pressure by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, other legislators, and advocates around the country, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will take steps to establish new regulations to improve the safe transportation of crude oil by rail.