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 Calls on Congress to Take Action Before July 1st Student Loan Interest Rate Hike
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today called on Congress to block a scheduled July 1st doubling of the interest rate on student loans. Merkley met with students at Portland State University to highlight legislation he is sponsoring that would allow students to pay the same interest rate on
Merkley Focuses On Middle Class Families In First Hearing As Chair Of Economic Policy Subcommittee
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley held his first hearing as Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Policy of the Senate Banking Committee. The topic was “The State of the American Dream: Economic Policy and the Future of the Middle Class.” Seeking to include voices not normally heard in
Merkley: NSA Spying Outrageous Breach of Americans’ Privacy
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after press reports that the National Security Agency (NSA) is engaging in massive, secret bulk data collection of Americans’ phone records. “This type of secret bulk data collection is an outrageous breach of Americans’ privacy. I have had significant concerns
Merkley: D.C. Circuit Nominees Merit an Up or Down Majority Vote
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama nominated three candidates to fill vacancies on the D.C. Circuit: “I applaud the President for moving to address the long-standing vacancies on the D.C. Circuit. These nominees merit an up or down majority vote. The Republican blockade
UPDATED TIME: Merkley Invites Struggling Families to Testify to the Senate on the State of the American Dream
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced he will hold his first hearing as chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Policy on Thursday June 6, at 9:30 AM EDT. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 538. The topic will be “the State of the American Dream –
Merkley: USDA Must Give Guidance to Oregon Wheat Growers Within 10 Days
Washington, DC– Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to give guidance to Oregon wheat growers on how ensure their product is marketable and meets the needs of their customers, following the discovery of genetically modified wheat engineered by Monsanto found in eastern Oregon. Merkley says