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, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Government use of Facial Recognition and other Biometric Technology
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in introducing the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act. This legislation would prevent the government from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies which pose significant privacy and civil liberties issues and disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
Ahead of Two College Admissions Supreme Court Cases, Merkley, Bowman, Wilson Urge Department of Education to Address Racial and Ethnic Gaps in Higher Education
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), led 15 of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Education (ED) to better address racial and ethnic gaps in higher education access and attainment by expanding the collection of
Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Opposing Republican Plan to Impose National Sales Tax
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined his Senate colleagues to introduce a resolution opposing Congressional Republicans’ plan to impose a nationwide sales tax on all goods and services, which would increase prices for hardworking families by 30 percent. Instead of this misguided tax increase, the resolution calls
CANCELED: Merkley Announces Town Halls in Lake and Klamath Counties
For the safety of all who would be traveling to attend town halls in Lake and Klamath Counties planned for this weekend, Senator Merkley and his staff have made the decision to postpone these events amid potentially hazardous weather conditions. Updated event schedules and invitations will be shared in the
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce PRO Act Legislation to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce comprehensive legislation that would protect workers’ right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces in Oregon and nationwide. “From child labor laws to sick leave and overtime, some of the
Statement in Remembrance of Betty Lou Collins Merkley
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in remembrance of his mother, Betty Lou Collins Merkley: My mother, Betty Lou Collins Merkley, passed away early this morning. Here’s a little more about her life: As she wrote in an introduction to a collection of her
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