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,

Senate Health Committee Acts to Improve Food Safety

Washington, D.C. –Today the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously passed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which will now be sent to the floor for consideration by the full Senate.  The legislation will increase the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ability to ensure the safety of

Senate Passes Legislation to Provide Housing for Homeless Veterans

Washington, DC – Today the Senate passed legislation that will increase funding for housing and supportive services for veterans.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley voted in favor of the measure which was passed as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. “After serving our nation selflessly and putting

Merkley: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Protects Families and Assists Farmers

Washington, D.C. –Today the Senate took another step closer to passing legislation that will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the resources it needs to ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply.  The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released the chairman’s draft of the Food Safety

Merkley Joins Effort to Help Farmers Improve Food Safety

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he has co-sponsored legislation to increase food safety by assisting local farmers and processors with new food safety regulations.  The Growing Safe Food Act will help educate and train farmers and food processors about the best safety practices to ensure

Merkley Supports Efforts to Assist Homeless Veterans

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley signed on Tuesday as a co-sponsor of three bills to provide shelter and assistance to homeless veterans.  The bills will authorize funding to expand housing and health services for low-income veterans. “Our veterans put their lives on the line for our nation.  It

Honoring America’s Veterans

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in honor of veterans of the United States armed forces: “Since World War I, when a temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the

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