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 Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs and Lower Energy Costs for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced legislation to create jobs and lower energy bills for families and small businesses in rural communities by promoting energy-saving home renovations. The Rural Energy Savings Program would assist rural electric co-ops in offering low-interest loans to
Merkley, Senate Colleagues Announce New Legislation to Shine Light on Anonymous Super PAC Spending
Washington, DC – Today, as the public continues to see the harmful effects of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision firsthand with the explosion of shadowy Super PAC spending in the Republican primaries, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined with a group of 32 Senators to announce new legislation to address
Merkley Statement on Commerce Ruling on Chinese Solar Panel Subsidies
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commerce Department today found that the Chinese government is improperly subsidizing solar manufacturers. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the ruling: “American workers can compete with anyone in the world when we have a fair playing field. Unfortunately, China’s subsidies have distorted
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Effort to Make Medical Devices Safer
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Herb Kohl (D-WI), introduced the bipartisan Ensuring Safe Medical Devices for Patients Act. The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration the tools it needs to improve oversight of medical devices. Defective
Merkley: Transportation Bill Great News for Oregon
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on passage of the Transportation Reauthorization in the U.S. Senate. “The passage of the transportation bill is great news for Oregon. Oregon’s businesses will soon be able to get their products to market more quickly. Unemployed Oregonians will be put
Merkley Applauds Decision to Grant Variance to Portland Water Bureau
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the announcement by the Oregon Health Authority that they have granted a formal, first in the country, variance for Portland’s municipal drinking water system: “This is great news for the City of Portland and its ratepayers. I’ve been