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 Amendment to Bolster Local Energy Efficiency Programs Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today offered an amendment to the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill to support efficiency programs to help homeowners and business owners renovate buildings to save energy and cut their bills. The amendment was adopted unanimously. “This amendment will enable homeowners and local
Merkley, Wyden Announce $5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Create and Retain Law Enforcement Jobs
WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that over $5 million in Recovery Act funding will go to pay law enforcement salaries in Oregon communities. The funding will employ 21 full-time police officers for three years. Oregon communities receiving funding include Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham,
Merkley Seeks Improvements to Mortgage Modification Program
WASHINGTON, DC – As top Obama Administration officials prepare for a meeting with the nation’s mortgage servicing companies, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today urged the Administration to take a number of steps to make it easier for homeowners at risk of foreclosure to modify the terms of their mortgages. “With
Merkley Applauds Fed for Steering Payment Ban
WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Ben Bernanke, announced today that the Federal Reserve is recommending new rules to benefit consumers, including a ban on yield spread premiums, also known as steering payments. The new rules also require lenders to provide borrowers with a straightforward explanation of
Merkley, Wyden Announce $185,000 in Funding for Joseph State Airport
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded over $185,000 in Federal Aviation Administration grants to the Oregon State Department of Aviation. The funding will be used to install automated weather reporting and observing equipment, rehabilitate an
Merkley Pushes for Lowering Costs of Medicare Prescription Drugs
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by twenty-two other senators, sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee today urging the panel to reform the Medicare Part D prescription drug program as a part of health reform to make it more affordable for seniors and the government. “The
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