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,

Senators Introduce Rules Resolution to Restore Senate Debate and Accountability

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) today introduced a resolution to enact meaningful Senate rules reforms that would end filibuster abuse and restore debate to the chamber. In accordance with Article 1, section 5 of the Constitution, a majority of senators have

Merkley Statement on Fiscal Cliff Deal

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a deal that would avert the fiscal cliff.  “My measuring stick for this fiscal cliff deal, like every bill I consider, is how it will impact working families throughout Oregon.  And while I have deep misgivings

Merkley: We Must Put an End to “Secret Law”

Washington, DC– Today, during debate of the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments of 2008, the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan amendment authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would put an end to “Secret Law.” Specifically, the amendment would declassify significant FISA Court opinions, allowing

Merkley Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which stripped out earlier provisions in the Senate bill that were designed to protect American citizens against indefinite detention:  “The freedom and liberty of American citizens are

Merkley Statement on Kerry Nomination as Secretary of State

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the announcement that President Obama has nominated Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State.  “John Kerry will make an excellent Secretary of State.  As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry has been an effective leader

Merkley Calls on House to Pass Middle Class Tax Cut

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after news that the House Republicans have left Washington for Christmas break.  “As we approach the edge of the fiscal cliff, the time for political gamesmanship is over.  This isn’t about politics, it’s about people’s lives.  The families who live

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