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 Applauds Department of Navy for Naming Ship After Portland

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today applauded the Department of the Navy’s decision last week to name an amphibious transport dock ship the USS Portland after Portland, Oregon. When Senator Merkley was alerted to this news by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus last Thursday, he used the

Merkley Applauds Levin for Sending “London Whale” Case to DOJ and SEC

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, announced he will send his findings on the JPMorgan Chase “London Whale” trading losses to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “I

Merkley: The President’s Budget Has Strengths and Weaknesses

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama sent his 2014 budget request to Congress:  “This budget has both strengths and weaknesses.  “A strength is its investment in infrastructure and education. The president is right to emphasize rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure now when borrowing

MERKLEY INTRODUCES BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES AND FEES

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), to introduce the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act today, a bill to eliminate the excessive rates and fees that some consumers are charged for

Merkley Statement on the Passing of Lynn Lundquist

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Lynn Lundquist, former Oregon Speaker of the House and founder of the Oregon Business Association.  “Lynn was a powerful voice for education, rural issues, and bipartisan problem solving.  I was honored to serve with him in

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