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 Ask Federal Railroad Administration to Halt Resumption of Oil Train Traffic in Columbia River Gorge
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to news that Union Pacific is resuming oil train traffic through the Columbia River Gorge at the site of a fiery oil train derailment that occurred less than three weeks ago, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden expressed their strong objection to the resumption
Merkley Announces $52 Million in Energy Loans for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $52 million in loans available to rural electric co-ops through the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). RESP is a program designed by Senator Merkley to allow rural electric co-ops to offer their customers
Oregon Lawmakers Applaud Relocation of Forest Grove Post Office
WASHINGTON, DC [06/21/16] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Forest Grove Mayor Peter B. Truax applauded the United States Postal Service (USPS) for announcing a new retail location for the Forest Grove Post Office. USPS announced the Forest Grove Post Office would be
Merkley Statement on Senate’s Rejection of Common-Sense Gun Proposals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to defeat proposals that would prohibit suspected terrorists from buying guns and that would close loopholes in the background check system: “It’s incomprehensible and shameful that 53 Senators put a higher priority on pleasing
Merkley Announces Key Oregon Wins for Oregon Small Businesses and to Address Tax ID Fraud
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill includes key provisions to help Oregon small businesses compete in the global economy. The bill also includes language to address the growing problem of tax identity theft. “We should be doing everything we
Appropriations Committee Passes Merkley-Murray Amendment to Provide Access to Banking Services for Legal Marijuana Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, which included an amendment from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Washington Senator Patty Murray to ensure that legal marijuana businesses can access banking services. Currently, marijuana businesses operating under state laws that have
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