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: Great News “Chained CPI” Not in Budget

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after it was announced that a cut to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security will not be included in President Obama’s budget for Fiscal Year 2015.  “It is great news that the President is responding to

Merkley: New Fuel Efficiency Standards for Trucks a No Brainer

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the President announced new fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy duty trucks.   “Our nation is addicted to oil. This addiction is bad for our economy, our national security, and our climate, and it’s one we need to

Merkley Applauds Passage of Bill to Reverse Military Retiree Cuts

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a bill that would safeguard current military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the budget agreement passed last December. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for

Merkley Applauds New Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed an executive order to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.10. Senator Merkley called on the President late last year to sign this executive order.  “Raising the minimum wage lifts hard-working people

Merkley Votes to Remove Military Retiree Cuts

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate voted to move forward on a bill that would safeguard military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the budget agreement passed last December.  “The budget deal passed last year

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