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 Keystone Report

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. State Department released a report on the environmental impacts of the Keystone pipeline: “When the Keystone pipeline’s own proponents argue that the pipeline is essential to the rapid development of the tar sands, it is clear this

Merkley Praises Passage of Flood Insurance Bill

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley praised the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which would block currently planned increases in flood insurance premiums for primary residences and businesses. Merkley, an original cosponsor of the bill, was instrumental in the bill’s development and passage, raising awareness

Merkley: Shell Made Right Decision, Arctic Drilling Too Risky and Dangerous

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Royal Dutch Shell announced they will not drill in the Arctic Ocean in 2014.  “An oil spill in the Arctic would be disastrous, and I am glad Shell is cancelling plans to drill in this sensitive area this

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