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,

Chairs’ Statement on the Trial of Jimmy Lai and Sentences in the Hong Kong 47 Case

(Washington)—The Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Representative Christoper Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) issued the following statement on the expected trial of Jimmy Lai and the sentencing of pro-democracy advocates commonly known as the “Hong Kong 47” (HK47). “The expected trial of Jimmy Lai and

Whitehouse and Transatlantic Climate Leaders Call for Lobbying Disclosure Requirements and Conflict-of-Interest Policies to Prevent Industry Obstruction

Ahead of INC-5, 9 members of Congress and European Parliament urge international leaders to restrict industry influence on negotiations Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT), along with U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Member of the European Parliament Paul Canfin, led

Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch Legislation Investing in Rural Schools Passes Senate

Washington, D.C. — A bipartisan bill to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through 2026 introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and has been unanimously approved by the Senate.  Crapo and Wyden were joined by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon)

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