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, Crapo Team Up to Expand Collaborative Forest Work
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Mike Crapo (R-ID) today teamed up to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2023. This legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. The CFLR program has
Merkley, Kaine, Coons, Feinstein Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans from the Threat of a Default
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Dianne Feinstein, today introduced the Protect our Citizens from Reckless Extortion of our Debt and Irresponsible Tactics (Protect Our CREDIT) Act of 2023—legislation aimed at ending Congress’ abuse of
Cardin, Young, Merkley and Collins Mark Two-Year Anniversary of the Military Coup in Burma with Resolution Calling for a Return to Democratic Governance
WASHINGTON – On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the military coup in Burma, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), have introduced a resolution condemning the coup and calling for an immediate return to democratic governance grounded
Merkley, Wyden Introduce Legislation to Include Oregon in Smith River National Recreation Area
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams, and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local
Wyden, Merkley: Nearly $90 Million Federal Loan to Umatilla Electric Cooperative for Power Grid Improvements
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that the Umatilla Electric Cooperative will receive a nearly $90 million federal loan to expand and improve the electric grid in Northeastern Oregon. “Oregon’s severe weather events—from windstorms that down power lines and spark catastrophic infernos to ice
Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues in Introduction of Legislation to Provide Historic, Permanent Investment in Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and colleagues in introducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to ensure that all Americans have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that