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 Statement on Reports of Student Loan Deal

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today after recent reports on a deal to keep student loan rates from doubling:  “If we want a successful economy and successful middle class in the future, we need to make sure today that the next generation has the

Merkley: Supreme Court Doubles Down on Citizens United

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement in response to the summary reversal of the Montana corporate political donation limits by the Supreme Court.  “Today, the Supreme Court doubled down on its disastrous decision in Citizens United. One hundred years ago, Montanans saw their political system

Merkley, Snowe Amendment to Help Organic Farmers Approved by Senate

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate adopted the organic crop insurance amendment sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine. The amendment, which will improve crop insurance for organic farmers, will be incorporated into the farm bill as it heads for a final vote in

Merkley Statement on Dimon Hearing

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on JPMorgan’s trading losses. “While it wasn’t his intention, Jamie Dimon today made the case for a strong Volcker Rule. I was pleased to hear him say that he doesn’t want to be in

Merkley, Kirk Bill to End LGBT Employment Discrimination Receives Hearing in Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing on bill sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) that would end employment discrimination for LGBT individuals. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, makes it illegal to discriminate against

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