Press Releases

Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number

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

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

Merkley: ENDA Executive Order Empowers Millions to Go to Work Free of Discrimination

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley – the lead Senate sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the leading congressional advocate for an executive order to bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT Americans in the workplace – issued the following statement after the White House announced its plan

Merkley, Wyden Seek Answers on Oil Trains Order

Washington, D.C. – To help first responders in Oregon and other states receive better information about oil trains traveling through their communities, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley asked the National Transportation Safety Board about the sufficiency of last month’s emergency order issued by the Department of Transportation, in

Republican Blockade of Student Loan Bill Leaves Students and Economy Behind

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Republicans in the Senate filibustered a bill that would allow students and graduates to refinance student loans into lower interest rates: “When the people’s representatives put millionaires and billionaires before middle-class students who are struggling under the weight of

Merkley Statement on Reynolds High School Shooting

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the shooting at Reynolds High School: “This is horrible and tragic news for our community and all of Oregon. This situation is every parent’s worst nightmare. I am deeply grateful to our law enforcement and first responders for arriving

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