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 RELEASES WHITE BOARD VIDEO EXPLAINING “TALKING FILIBUSTER” PROPOSAL

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today unveiled his latest white board video. It features an explanation of why the Senate is broken and rules reform is needed, how the “talking filibuster” proposal would work and additional measures that would make the Senate a more functional governing body. Senator

Merkley Statement on Social Security Cuts

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that a new index for Social Security called “chained CPI” could be included in a fiscal cliff deal.  “We had an election, and the voters sent a message to Congress to focus on jobs and fairness — not

Merkley Statement on Death of Senator Daniel Inouye

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news of the death of Senator Daniel Inouye. “Senator Daniel Inouye was an American hero and his death is a huge loss for the Senate.  I’ve admired him since I came here as an intern in 1976 to work

Merkley Blasts “Too Big to Jail” Policy for Lawbreaking Banks

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley today blasted the U.S. Department of Justice for its policy of offering “deferred prosecution” for large financial institutions that break federal criminal laws, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and sanctions violations, calling the policy “too big to jail” and demanding explanations.   In a

Merkley to Join Powerful Senate Appropriations Committee

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he will be joining the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill, is responsible for deciding how the federal government spends money. “I am thrilled to join the Senate Appropriations

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