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,

Merkley Statement on EPA Climate Announcement

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants: “Climate change is no longer a distant hypothetical — it is here now. It is already waging an assault on Oregon’s natural resources, damaging

Merkley Statement on VA Secretary Shinseki’s Resignation

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Shinseki announced his resignation earlier today:   “Secretary Shinseki has served our country with honor for decades. Though I believe that new leadership is necessary at the VA, I have the utmost

Merkley Calls for VA Secretary Shinseki’s Resignation

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement calling for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Shinseki to resign: “The reports of long wait times and cover ups at the VA are 100% unacceptable, and there needs to be accountability. After yesterday’s inspector general report, it is

Merkley Calls for Congressional Vote on Afghanistan Troop Proposal

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced a plan to keep nearly 10,000 American troops in Afghanistan after 2014: “After more than a dozen years in Afghanistan, I believe it is time to end the longest war in American history and bring our

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