Press Releases

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: The Fight Continues to Bring Accountability to Wall Street

Washington DC – Today, a minority of Senators voted to block the Senate from beginning debate of the Wall Street reform bill.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement: “Today, Senators showed the American people where they stand.  And, unfortunately, some Senators voted to stand alongside the executives and

Merkley to Hold Morrow, Umatilla and Baker County Town Halls

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Morrow, Umatilla, and Baker Counties next week. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Advocating for Oregonians

Senate Budget Committee Adopts Merkley Forest Jobs Amendment

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to improve forest health and pave the way for forest jobs to be included in upcoming jobs bills.  The amendment was co-sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden. “Rural jobs absolutely have to be part of any

Merkley’s Bill to Strengthen Protections for Migratory Birds Passes out of Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act, a bill introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley last November.  The legislation will increase the maximum penalties for intentionally harming or killing protected migratory birds. “Congress should send a strong

Merkley and Brown Call for Recall of Tobacco Candy

WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of a new study outlining numerous cases where children have been poisoned by tobacco candy, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Ohio’s Senator Sherrod Brown have called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately remove the products from the market. “The flavoring, appearance

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