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 Calls for Action Following Report Recommending Limits on Banks’ Ownership of Physical Commodities
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Federal Reserve issued a new report that recommends Congress scrap the loophole that has allowed big banks to own physical commodities: “It is common sense that big banks that are placing bets on the prices of commodities shouldn’t also be
Wyden, Merkley, Senate Colleagues Press House Speaker for Vote on Zika Funding
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 27 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) urging him to bring the $1.1 billion Zika funding legislation passed by the Senate to the House floor for a vote. As of
Oregon Lawmakers Urge US Postal Service to Listen to Community Concerns About Relocating Tualatin Post Office Retail Services
WASHINGTON, DC – This week Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) requested that the United States Postal Service (USPS) listen to and consider concerns from members of the community about the potential relocation of retail services of the Tualatin Post Office. The USPS
Merkley and Wyden Announce $4.7 Million To Help Homeless Veterans Across Oregon
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded over $4.7 million in grant funding for homeless veterans in Oregon. The funding comes from the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program and will be distributed to organizations across
Merkley Applauds News that Majority Leader Won’t Bring Up TPP in Lame Duck
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after news that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will not bring up the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement for congressional approval in the post-election lame duck session: “It’s rare for me to agree with Senator McConnell, but in this case
Members of Congress File Brief Urging Court to Recognize Employment Protections for LGBT Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of leading Members of Congress has filed an amicus brief in the case of Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, urging the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to recognize existing non-discrimination protections for LGBT Americans under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. U.S. Senators