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 Introduces Legislation to Pilot Innovative Strategy to Help Middle Class Families Pay For College
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation that would create a new model for college financing to help middle class families pay for college. Merkley’s plan is based on and complements Oregon’s legislation that was passed during the 2013 legislative session and arose from a Portland State University
Merkley Introduces Legislation To Clarify Retroactivity Rules For Healthcare
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation to ensure that Oregonians who try to sign up for health insurance through Cover Oregon can get coverage for the full month of January and any subsidy they are eligible for even if their information is not processed until later in
Merkley: Yellen Right Person to Helm the Fed
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate invoked cloture on Janet Yellen’s nomination as Chair of the Federal Reserve, clearing the way for confirmation in January. “With this vote, Janet Yellen is now poised to become the first woman ever to chair the
Merkley Cosponsors Plan to Replace Military Retiree Pension Changes in Budget Agreement
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act to safeguard military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the bipartisan budget agreement the Senate is expected to pass today. The bill would replace the estimated $6 billion in
Merkley Statement on Murray-Ryan Budget Compromise
Washington, DC – Today Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced he will vote for the Murray-Ryan budget compromise, which will offer some relief from sequestration for the next two fiscal years. “For the last three years, Congress has been governing from crisis to crisis, hurting the economy and the American families
Merkley, Baldwin Introduce Legislation to Level the Playing Field for American Manufacturing
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced new legislation that would crack down on unfair trade practices, level the playing field for American manufacturing companies, and help create middle class jobs. The Level the Playing Field in Global Trade Act would ensure that sub-standard