Press Releases

Merkley, Schiff, Underwood Lead Push to Increase Nursing Education and Workforce Support

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, California’s U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the bicameral Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act. In an effort to address nursing workforce shortages around the country, the FAAN Act would authorize grants to increase the number

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

Merkley Supports Bill to Level the Playing Field for American Workers

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he has co-sponsored legislation to reform existing trade policy that has put American workers at a disadvantage in the global marketplace.  The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act sets standards for labor, environmental, and other basic protections in

Merkley Statement on President Obama’s Address on Afghanistan

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement of more troops for Afghanistan: “I appreciate that President Obama has taken the time to fully examine this issue and consider the available options.  However, I’m not convinced the case has been made

Merkley: Senate Takes Historic Step Towards Reforming Health Care

Washington, DC – The United States Senate today voted to begin to debate legislation to finally reform our broken health care system.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley voted to proceed to the debate and issued the following statement: “This debate is far from over, but we have now come further than any

Merkley Announces Donation of Senate Computers to Oregon Schools

Washington D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that five Oregon schools and school districts will receive surplus computers from the United States Senate. Three schools and two school districts from the Willamette Valley to Umatilla County will each receive five computers from the U.S. Senate’s Computers for Schools

Senate Passes Package to Strengthen Health Care for Veterans

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate passed an omnibus bill Thursday that bolsters health care for veterans on several fronts.  The legislation includes four bills co-sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that will provide benefits to caregivers of severely injured veterans, improve care for female veterans, assist homeless veterans, and

Merkley, Wyden Introduce Bill to Aid Recovery for Timber Communities

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden introduced legislation to help Oregon timber companies remain competitive and sustain economic growth.  The Forest Harvest Opportunity Act will extend already-existing contracts to companies to harvest timber on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands when prices rebound rather than

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