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 Prioritizes Rural Economic Opportunities In Agriculture Spending Bill
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, announced today that included in the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill are key provisions to boost rural affordable housing, energy efficiency, and forest health, among other economic priorities for rural America. Merkley also announced a large
PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: Merkley Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Merrick Garland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after meeting with President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Chief Judge Merrick Garland: “I was honored to meet with Merrick Garland today. We had a wide-ranging conversation about many of the issues facing our nation, and how he
Merkley, Mikulski and Manchin Push For More Action on Opioid Abuse in Senate Spending Bill
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced a key win to help combat opioid abuse in the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill includes language that directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take into
Merkley and Wyden Announce Key Oregon Wins in Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Ron Wyden announced that the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, includes key provisions that will help Oregon’s rural communities. These include $150 million in funding for a program that could help provide grants
Merkley and Wyden Call for Increased TSA Funding to Help Address Long Wait Times, Ensure Security
WASHINGTON, DC – With the summer’s busy travel season rapidly approaching and lines growing ever-longer at the nation’s commercial airports, today Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined twenty-one of their Senate colleagues in calling for increased funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to help address long wait times and better ensure passenger safety. TSA funding has decreased by
VIDEO RELEASE: Merkley Celebrates Opening of New National Crowdfunding Marketplace for Small Business Investment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after new rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) went into effect, creating a new national marketplace for equity crowdfunding investment in small businesses and startups. Merkley is the lead author of the CROWDFUND Act, the legislation that