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,
Senator Merkley Marks Military Appreciation Month by Co-Sponsoring Legislation to Prevent Suicide Among Veterans
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today visited Lines for Life to see its military helpline in action and met with veterans and veteran advocates to discuss how to stem the rising tide of suicide among veterans. Senator Merkley also discussed legislation that he is supporting called the Suicide
Merkley Introduces Bill to Make Hospitals Safer for both Nurses and Patients
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Registered Nurses Safe Staffing Act, which will help improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients through appropriate levels of staffing, reduction in medical errors, and increases in nurse retention. The bill will require Medicare-participating hospitals to create staffing plans
Merkley Announces Job Creation Wins for Oregon in Water Resources Development Act
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) has come out of the House and Senate conference committee this week and will be voted on by the House and Senate next week. The bill contains many job creation and funding opportunities for Oregon
Merkley Helps Pass Job-Creating Transportation Bill Out of Committee
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley helped to pass a bipartisan, job-creating transportation bill out of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. The bill will ensure that construction work across the country does not come to an abrupt halt later this year and will make job-creating investments in
Merkley Leads Senators in Pushing CFPB to Crack Down on Predatory Payday Loans
WASHINGTON – In a letter sent to the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today, six Senators – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) – pushed the
Merkley Demands FDA Protect Users and Bystanders from Harmful Chemicals in E-Cigarettes
Washington, D.C. – In a letter sent today to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and seven colleagues called for the agency to acknowledge recent studies that indicate possible harmful health effects of “vapor” or “plume” on e-cigarette users and secondhand inhalers. Senators Edward J. Markey