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, Wyden Announce Nearly $2 Million for Affordable Housing on Umatilla Reservation
Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $2 million to the Umatilla Reservation Housing Authority for the operation and development of affordable housing. “A safe, affordable home is crucial to the success of
Merkley Statement on 75th Anniversary of Social Security
Washington, DC – This week marks the 75th anniversary of the Social Security Act. Signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1935, the Social Security Act — along with President Lyndon Johnson’s 1965 amendments — provides Social Security benefits to elderly Americans as well as Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment
Merkley: $50 Million for Foreclosure Assistance Will Help Unemployed Oregonians Stay in Their Homes
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that Oregon will receive nearly $50 million in additional funding to assist homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments due to the loss of a job. In recent days, Senator Merkley has spoken about foreclosure assistance with
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million for Oregon Universities and Community Colleges to Develop Programs for Disadvantaged Students
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded over $4 million to 15 Oregon universities and community colleges to provide academic opportunities to disadvantaged students. The grants are part of the Student Support Service Program, which
Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Nutrition Programs and Fight Childhood Obesity
Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed legislation today to reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving children’s nutrition. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will provide $4.5 billion to improving the National School Lunch Program, promote the health benefits of breastfeeding, and establish new national nutritional standards to help
Merkley Statement on the Confirmation of Solicitor General Kagan to the Supreme Court
Washington, D.C. – Today the Senate voted to confirm U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan as the next Supreme Court Justice. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement following the vote: “Solicitor General Kagan’s thoughtful approach to the law will make her a valuable addition to the Supreme Court. Her
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