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,
Federal Officials Present Congressional Badge of Bravery to US Deputy Marshal Vince Byford
PORTLAND, OR – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Kurt Schrader joined with U.S. Marshal Russel Burger and U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall to present the Congressional Badge of Bravery to U.S. Deputy Marshal Vince Byford for his courageous actions during a 2010 standoff on the Warm Springs Reservation. Byford is
Merkley Statement on Cordray Appointment
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on Richard Cordray’s appointment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: “American families deserve a cop on this beat – someone to keep the marketplace fair and protect against the financial scams and predatory schemes that have resulted in millions of
Senate Passes Merkley HUBZone Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would reduce the wait time for small businesses to benefit from a federal program that aids companies in hard-hit counties. There is currently a two-year lag time after the census is completed
Merkley Statement on Middle Class Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Compromise
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after passage of an extension of the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. “I supported this bill today with substantial reservations,” Merkley said. “On the one hand, it preserves the payroll tax cut for Oregon’s hard-working families. Without passage, average
Merkley Statement On National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act: “The most bedrock principle of our government, one that our nation was founded on, is that it protects the freedom and liberty of our citizens. On this critical measure, the
Merkley Statement on End of Iraq War
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the end of the Iraq War: “This day, the day marking the end of combat troops in Iraq, has been far too long in coming. This misguided war should never have been fought, but today we can all