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, Gillibrand Seek to End Ban on Shipping Alcohol Through the Mail

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and New York’s U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today launched an effort to end the Prohibition-era ban that prevents the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from shipping alcoholic beverages to consumers. Currently, private shipping companies like FedEx can ship alcohol, but the USPS cannot.

Merkley, Wyden: Nearly $43 Million for Natural Disaster Recovery in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is sending a total of $42,736,663 to state and federal agencies in Oregon that repaired roads and other critical infrastructure that was deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds will be used to reimburse the agencies for

Wyden, Merkley Announce $682,000 to Oregon Manufacturers to Reduce Pollution and Lower Costs

Companies in Philomath, Salem and Tualatin earn federal funds Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a combined federal investment of $682,675 for Oregon businesses to improve their facilities, save energy, reduce carbon pollution, lower costs, and strengthen Oregon’s manufacturing sector.   “The fight against the climate crisis

RUBIO, MERKLEY INTRODUCE BILL PREVENTING ADVERSARIES FROM U.S. SANCTIONS EVASION

U.S. government agencies have different criteria for sanctioning adversaries and preventing them from engaging in the U.S. economy. Our biggest foreign adversaries, like China, benefit from this lack of interagency coordination, which must come to an immediate end.   U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Sanctions

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