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 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
Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Ask EPA’s Help in Portland Over Cadmium and Arsenic Hotspots
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer today wrote federal environmental regulators asking them to act now in response to the public health concerns of Portlanders in neighborhoods with hotspots of airborne heavy metals. In their letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina
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 Decries Republican Blockade of Aid to Flint, Lack of Investment in Crumbling Water Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement as Senate Republicans continued to block proposed aid to Flint, Michigan, where families are facing lead-poisoned tap water: “It’s unacceptable that Senate Republicans are leaving town without agreeing to a path forward for the water crisis in Flint. While
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