Press Releases

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

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, DAINES INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO BOOST SPECIALIZED WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER TRAINING AT CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley partnered with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today to introduce the bipartisan Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2023. This legislation directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to offer specialized training, specifically wildland firefighter training, to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students.

WYDEN, MERKLEY: MORE THAN $45 MILLION IN SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS FUNDS TO OREGON COUNTIES

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley this week announced that Oregon counties will receive more than $45 million in payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for school and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation. “I’m

MERKLEY ANNOUNCES APRIL TOWN HALLS

Friday, April 14, 2023 Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he is continuing to hold in-person town halls in 2023 with community conversations in five Oregon counties in April: Wheeler, Grant, Harney, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. “I hold a town hall for every Oregon county, every

MERKLEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF BILL BRADBURY

Friday, April 14, 2023 Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement following the passing of former Oregon Secretary of State, Bill Bradbury:  “The passing of Bill Bradbury is a devastating loss for his family and loves ones, and for the entire State of Oregon, which

en_USEnglish