Risch, Merkley Introduce Bill to Remove Roadblocks for Youth Corps Public Lands Projects
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to reduce federal cost-sharing requirements for public lands projects performed by qualified youth or conservation corps from 25% to 10%. “Current cost-sharing requirements prevent youth conservation corps from carrying out important public lands projects,” said Risch. “My bill reduces this
Merkley, Kaine Launch Effort to Protect and Strengthen Federal Student Loan Repayment Options
Washington, D.C. – With affordable student loan repayment options at risk under the Trump Administration, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today led their colleagues to launch a new effort to protect and expand federal student loan repayment programs. The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR)
Bynum and Merkley Introduce Legislation to Protect the Deschutes River
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bill reauthorizes the Deschutes River Conservancy’s (DRC) eligibility to receive federal funding for water quality improvement initiatives and conservation efforts. Since its founding in 1996, the DRC and
Merkley, Wyden Demand Answers, Pause on Federal Building Lease Sales in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called on the General Services Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian to pause the cancelation of real estate property leases and sale of federal properties in Oregon and around the country. Their letter builds on the Senators’ demand for the Trump Administration to explain
Oregon Democrats Urge Trump Administration to Stop Undermining Pacific Northwest’s Power Grid
Lawmakers’ letter to Trump: “If the administration’s goal is truly to ensure reliable, secure, and affordable energy, then why are you actively dismantling the most effective and self-sustaining power system in the country?” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reverse Damage from Trump Administration’s Egregious Cuts at VA
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues in introducing comprehensive legislation that would protect veterans, military spouses and VA employees in Oregon and nationwide indiscriminately targeted in the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) cuts at VA and across the federal government. “Veterans
Merkley: Won’t Give in to Bullies, Voted Against Republicans’ Dangerous Government Spending Bill
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate considered Republicans’ Continuing Resolution to fund the government until September 30: “You don’t stop a bully by giving him your lunch money, and you don’t stop tyrant Trump by giving him more power. The Republican spending bill
Oregon Delegation Calls to Reverse NOAA Firings Endangering State’s Safety and Economy
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s entire Democratic delegation—U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—are sounding the alarm over serious concerns stemming from the dangerous firings of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) staff in Oregon and across the nation. “These terminations threaten critical programs
Padilla, Merkley, Thompson, LaMalfa Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Protect Winegrape Growers Against Wildfire Smoke Damage
Legislation would support growers in California, Oregon, and Washington — three of the biggest wine-producing states in the country WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04) and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01), introduced the Smoke Exposure Research Act, legislation to better