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 Constitutional Amendment to Clean Up Campaign Finance System
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Michael Bennet today introduced a constitutional amendment to grant Congress the authority to regulate the campaign finance system. Among other important reforms, the amendment would allow Congress to correct the controversial Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance that has the effect of
Merkley, Brown Introduce Bill to Protect Seniors from Scams
Washington, DC – Today, on Halloween, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Ohio’s Senator Sherrod Brown introduced the Deceptive Loan Checks Elimination Act, which would prohibit companies from sending “live” loan checks to consumers. In these schemes, financial institutions send unsuspecting customers a check made out to them for some amount.
Merkley Urges Rehab-to-Rent Strategy to Help Stabilize Housing
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined 33 of his colleagues in asking the Obama Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to swiftly develop an efficient and effective real estate owned (REO) management strategy. This strategy will convert foreclosed homes into affordable rentals to help address the foreclosure
MERKLEY TO HOLD TOWN HALL IN GRANTS PASS
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold a town hall in Josephine County during the first week of November. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC, answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Traveling across
Merkley Statement on Iraq Troop Withdrawal
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the announcement by President Barack Obama that the last American soldier in Iraq will be home by the end of the year. “It is terrific to hear that all of our men and women in uniform will come home
Merkley Offers Amendment to Expand ‘Buy America’ Program to Freight Rail
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today put forward a measure makes sure that federal freight rail projects paid for with taxpayer dollars use components made by American workers. The Department of Transportation operates under Buy America rules for its grant programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration and