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 and Wyden Announce Appropriations Win To Help Homeless Veterans
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that included in the Senate Military Construction appropriations bill is $320 million for the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program and $496 million for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher program. These programs help veterans and their
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Merkley-Daines Bipartisan Amendment Letting VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana to Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to the Military Construction funding bill led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) that would allow Veterans Health Administration (VA) doctors to discuss and make recommendations about the use of medical marijuana with their patients. The amendment
Merkley Announces Key Appropriations Win To Address Spotted Frog Issues In Central Oregon
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that included in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill is language that could help Central Oregon farmers maintain access to water supplies while protecting endangered species. The provision urges the Bureau of Reclamation to provide additional funds for the WaterSmart program
Merkley And Murray Announce Key Appropriations Win To Address Tribal Housing Needs In The Columbia Gorge
Portland, OR – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Patty Murray of Washington announced today that the U.S. Senate is pressing the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to move forward with construction of new tribal housing at historical fishing sites to replace villages that were flooded during
Merkley And Wyden Announce Key Appropriations Wins For Scoggins Dam And Oregon’s Ports
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that included in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations committee bill is $2 million for Scoggins Dam upgrades, $48 million for small ports and over $300 million for additional port programs. “The funding included in today’s appropriations bill will
Merkley, Kirk, Leahy, Booker, Baldwin, Murray Issue Bipartisan Call for NBA to Move 2017 All-Star Game out of North Carolina
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Patty Murray (D-WA) wrote to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver urging him to move the 2017 NBA All-Star game away from Charlotte, North Carolina. The Senators’ call for