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 Statement on the Passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: “As our nation mourns the loss of Justice Scalia, our thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Maureen, his children and grandchildren.  “While I often found myself in disagreement with

Merkley, Wyden, Walden, DeFazio Introduce Bipartisan ‘TSA Fairness Act’ to Bring Commercial Air Service Back to Klamath Falls Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Greg Walden and Peter DeFazio today introduced the bipartisan Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act, or ‘TSA Fairness Act,’ which would restore commercial air service to the Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport by bringing back federal TSA screening at

Merkley Statement on End of Malheur Wildlife Refuge Standoff

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement regarding the end of the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon: “I am relieved that this unlawful standoff has finally come to an end. This situation has put incredible emotional and financial strain on

Merkley Applauds New Obama Proposal for Battling Homelessness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today applauded President Obama’s call for increased assistance for homeless Americans in his FY2017 budget. The President’s budget proposal follows a Senate push led by Merkley for increased assistance to help communities across the country, such as Portland and other Oregon communities, which

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