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: Small Business Job Creation Tops Senate Priority List
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley held a press conference call Thursday to push for the quick passage of legislation designed to help small businesses expand and create jobs. Merkley was joined on the call by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jose Gonzalez, owner of Tu Casa Real Estate
Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.4 Million for Solar Power Grid System Development in Bend
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that PV Powered in Bend will receive $2.4 million to develop advanced electrical grid controls and communication technologies that allow photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems to communicate with power utilities. To develop the project, PV Powered is partnering
Merkley Pushes for Canadian Compliance on Fair Softwood Timber Pricing
Portland, OR – In a one-on-one phone call with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Thursday, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley urged the Ambassador to request formal consultations to address Canada’s violation of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement. By providing government-owned timber to Canadian lumber companies at a rate significantly below market
Merkley Announces Bipartisan Effort to Ban Trafficking of Animal Torture Videos
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he will soon be introducing bipartisan legislation to ban the trafficking of animal cruelty films commonly referred to as “crush videos.” The Oregon Humane Society joined Senator Merkley today in calling on Congress to immediately take action and prevent these
Merkley Visits Clackamas Children’s Center to Raise Awareness of Increased Child Abuse and Neglect
Oregon City, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley visited the site of the new Children’s Center in Clackamas County and joined education and state officials to raise awareness about the need for more support for children of abuse. Senator Merkley highlighted the increasing number of child abuse cases and the
Merkley: Wave Energy Grants Demonstrate Oregon’s Renewable Energy Leadership
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today praised Oregon as a pioneer in the development of wave energy and highlighted almost $2.5 million in federal funding moving through the Senate for two Oregon wave energy projects. The funding will support a project that measures wave energy along the Oregon