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 Expresses Concern that OCC FinTech Charter Plan Will Allow Lenders to “Sink to the Lowest Common Denominator”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) laid out plans to create a new national charter for financial technology, or “FinTech,” firms: “The emerging FinTech market has the potential for great innovation and expansion of opportunity.
Merkley Joins Amicus Brief in Fight to Protect Consumer Bureau’s Independence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined an amicus brief of 20 current and former Members of Congress supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) appeal of a judicial decision that threatens its independent structure. The brief was filed this week in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The
Merkley Applauds EPA’s Commitment to Fuel Standards that Save Money and Cut Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to continue the carbon pollution standards for cars and light trucks through 2025: “The EPA’s re-affirmation of the broadly supported fuel efficiency standards through 2025 is a common-sense win-win-win; these fuel
Merkley Slams Trump’s Pick of Mnuchin for Treasury
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Donald Trump picked Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, as his nominee for Treasury Secretary: “When Donald Trump promised change, I don’t think voters thought he meant putting Wall Street back in charge of the economy. He
Merkley Applauds Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Plan
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that the Arctic would be put off-limits to offshore drilling in the five-year leasing plan from 2017-2022: “Drilling in the Arctic is the height of irresponsibility. I’m pleased that Secretary Jewell and President Obama
Wyden, Merkley Announce $6 Million to Train Oregonians for Jobs in Growing Health Care Industry
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $6 million to help educate and train Oregonians for jobs in Oregon’s growing health care industry. The grant, awarded to Worksystems Inc., is part of America’s Promise, which helps cover education