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: Oregon Grown Clean Energy Proposal Will Create Jobs and Save Energy

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, announced a plan today that will reduce energy consumption, create jobs and allow every American to participate in the fight to arrest global warming.  The legislation is modeled on the bi-partisan State House Bill 2626, authored by

Merkley to Chair Hearing on Predatory Lending Practices

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will continue his push to restore fairness to American homeowners by chairing an upcoming hearing in the Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee.  Today, Merkley offered an amendment to the Senate housing bill that would ban steering payments and prepayment penalties that drive

Senator Merkley Addresses First Potential H1N1 Flu Virus Case in Oregon

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley made the following statement regarding the Oregon Public Health Department’s identification of a potential H1N1 flu case in Oregon: “Today, state officials announced the first potential case of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, in Oregon. I have been closely monitoring

Merkley Joins Kennedy in Supporting Hate Crime Prevention Bill

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D – Mass.) to co-sponsor the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The bill will enable the Justice Department to assist local authorities in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes by authorizing

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