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: New Leadership Needed at OCC
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today urged President Obama to appoint a new head to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC), a position held for the past several year by Acting Comptroller John Walsh. Merkley’s comments came in response to recent statements from Walsh that criticize
Merkley Statement on the Confirmation of Michael Simon as U.S. District Judge for Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined 63 of his colleagues in voting to confirm Michael Simon of Oregon as a United States District Judge for the District of Oregon. After the vote, Merkley issued the following statement: “Michael Simon is a man of enormous integrity, intellectual breadth and
Senators to FDA: It’s Time to Close the Door on Tobacco Candy
WASHINGTON, DC – A group of Senators, led by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, are calling on the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to reverse a recent decision that could potentially open the door to the possible sale of tobacco candy –
Senators Call on President to Shift Strategy in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and 24 other senators sent a letter to President Obama today calling for a shift in strategy in Afghanistan ahead of next month’s announced deadline to begin an accelerated transition to Afghan security forces. In the letter, the senators
Merkley, Snowe, Reed, Whitehouse Offer Amendment to End Worst Mortgage Abuses
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) offered the Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011 as an amendment to the Public Works and Economic Development Reauthorization Bill. The mortgage servicing bill would help homeowners stay in their homes by ending
Merkley: We Must Act Now to Stop Falling Home Prices
PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news that home prices have fallen to their lowest level since the collapse of the housing market: “Nearly three years after an economic collapse caused by the actions of Wall Street, the big financial firms are back on