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,
President Obama Signs Merkley “Crush Video” Bill Into Law
President Barack Obama today signed into law the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010. The bill was introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley with Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and passed the Senate unanimously last month. Merkley joined President Obama in the Oval Office today for the official signing ceremony.
Merkley Statement on Congress Passing Childhood Nutrition Bill
Washington, D.C. – The House overwhelmingly passed the childhood nutrition bill yesterday, sending it to President Obama’s desk for signature. The Senate passed the bill unanimously last August. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving child nutrition. The bill will also provide
Merkley: Historic Food Safety Bill Will Protect Families and Small Farmers
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that today the U.S. Senate passed the Food Safety Modernization Act by a vote of 73 to 25. This bill provides historic modernization to our food safety systems while giving small family farms reasonable exemptions to continue operating without unnecessary regulation.
Merkley, Wyden Call for Yearlong Renewal of Unemployment Benefits for Jobless Americans
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined 27 of their colleagues in calling for a yearlong renewal of unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. With the national unemployment rate
Merkley Statement on Failed Plot to Bomb Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the thwarted attempt to bomb Pioneer Courthouse Square: “This is a grim reminder to all of us that there remain individuals and groups that want to inflict terror upon our communities. We must remain vigilant in our efforts
Lawmakers call on IRS to allow deductibility and flex spending for breastfeeding equipment and supplies
WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) today sent letters to Commissioner Douglas Shulman of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urging him to reverse a ruling that denies equipment used to help women breast feed as a
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