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 Amendment to Protect Jobs in the Woods Passes Senate
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to end abuse of the H-2B visa program in forestry work and protect American jobs in American forests. The amendment will be added to the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate. In 2010, the Bend
Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs
Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is asking the Obama administration to make public secret court opinions that include significant findings about the legal scope of the NSA surveillance programs. These court opinions are currently classified and thus kept
Merkley: Army Corps Should Reverse Decision on Environmental Review of Coal Exports
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Army Corps of Engineers decided not to undergo a full environmental review of the proposed coal export terminals in Oregon. “I am very disappointed with the announcement from the Army Corps that they have decided to not
Merkley Introduces Amendment to Immigration Bill to Protect Forest Jobs
Washington – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced an amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. The amendment is similar to a bill he offered earlier this year
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Merkley Bill to Expand Educational Benefits to Spouses of Fallen Heroes
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on the Spouses of Heroes Education Act, legislation to expand the post-9/11 G.I. Bill to provide full educational benefits to spouses of servicemembers who die in the line of duty. The bipartisan bill, authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff
Senators: End Secret Law
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), accompanied by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dean Heller (R-NV), Mark Begich (D-AK), Al Franken (D-MN), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced a bill that would put an end to the “secret law” governing controversial government