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 Holds Hearing on Economic Challenges Facing Young Workers and Recent Grads
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the Chair of the Senate Banking Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Policy, held a hearing yesterday on the economic challenges facing young workers and recent high school and college graduates. The hearing, titled “Dreams Deferred: Young Workers & Recent Grads in U.S. Economy,” focused on
Merkley, Wyden Highlight NTSB’s Call for Expanded Oil Trains Transparency
Washington, D.C. – First responders need more timely and detailed information about crude-by-rail trains in order to better protect communities, according to a letter from the National Transportation Board released today by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. The senators urged Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to use
Merkley Hails Passage of Bipartisan Job Training Bill
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley applauded the Senate passage of a major bipartisan bill to improve America’s workforce development system and help put Americans back to work. Merkley voted for the bill, which is expected to be signed into law by the president soon. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Merkley Slams Citi for Flouting Volcker Rule Firewall
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news reports that Citigroup is flouting the Volcker Rule firewall by engaging in high-risk, proprietary trading in mortgage bonds: “Citigroup’s trading activities, as reported by Bloomberg News, appear to constitute a direct violation of law. It’s unacceptable for
Senate Committee Passes Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden hailed the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s passage of the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act of 2013, which moves the bill one step closer to becoming law. “This legislation is all about providing water certainty and laying
Wyden, Merkley Safety of Dams Bill Takes Step Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill that would clear the way for critical safety upgrades to Scoggins Dam in Oregon and dams across the western United States took a step forward when it passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced the