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 Joins with Central Oregon Irrigators to Discuss Water Conservation Progress

BEND, OR – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined with Central Oregon irrigators and fish and wildlife advocates in Bend to highlight progress that is being made on water conservation in the upper Deschutes Basin. The gathering discussed how federal funding that Merkley is fighting for can further support efforts to

Merkley to Host Public Meeting on Proposal to Expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument

ASHLAND, OR – On Friday, October 14th at 2:00 P.M. PT, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold a public meeting at Southern Oregon University in Ashland to discuss the Senator’s proposal to expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael Connor will attend the public meeting along with Mayor John Stromberg of Ashand

Merkley, Franken Call for Criminal Investigation into Actions of Wells Fargo

PORTLAND, OR – Today, at a news conference outside a Wells Fargo branch in Portland, Oregon, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Al Franken (D-MN) announced that they are calling on federal officials to pursue a robust criminal investigation into the actions of the bank and its executives.  Last month,

Merkley Celebrates First Flight Back to Klamath Falls After Return of TSA Screening

KLAMATH FALLS, OR – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined the Klamath Falls community and transportation officials from around Oregon to celebrate the re-opening of commercial flights between Klamath Falls and Portland. The celebration follows a successful battle to get the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to return to the Crater

Merkley Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote

“While I’m encouraged that the House leadership has committed to providing aid to assist Flint with its lead contamination disaster, there is still no reason why that aid should not be funded immediately—just like the aid for Louisiana flood victims—rather than having to wait until after the election. Flint families

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