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,
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Pause Student Loans for Federal Workers, Contractors, and Military During Ongoing Trump Shutdown
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., said today they are introducing legislation that would pause student loan payments for federal workers when a federal government shutdown lasts longer than two weeks. “While Donald Trump and his Republican yes-men aren’t lifting a finger to stop
Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Salinas, Dexter, Bynum Demand Trump Reverse Plan to Open New Offshore Oil and Gas Leases
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), and Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.-05)—joined over 100 federal lawmakers in demanding President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum immediately cease any plans to open new offshore oil and gas leases in U.S. federal
Warren, Markey, Merkley Press Trump on Failure to Address American Families’ Rising Electricity Costs
Investigation reveals Trump Administration “has no explanations for its failures and no answers for American families that are hit hard by high energy costs.” Lawmakers publish new data showing electricity costs have increased 11% since Trump took office, costing families more than $70 billion in higher utilities bills over next
Merkley, Wyden, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus: Trump Administration Must Stop Illegally Withholding Funding for Nutrition Assistance Programs That Feed American Families
President Trump: “We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible and bad for them like cutting vast numbers of people out. Cutting things they like, cutting programs they like.” The Trump administration is required by law to use billions in available funding to keep SNAP benefits flowing in November; USDA’s
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Trump Protect U.S. National Security in Trade Negotiations
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to urge Donald Trump to protect the national security of the United States and our allies in trade negotiations with China. The letter comes as Trump has already made significant concessions to China
Merkley, Wyden Joint Statement on Republicans’ Attempt to Overturn Northern Spotted Owl Protections
Oregon Senators Opposed Republican Effort Overturning Barred Owl Management Plan Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden issued the following joint statement after opposing a procedural vote on a measure on the Senate floor to disapprove and overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s plan