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
Wyden, Merkley Urge Pac-12 to Address Student Transfer Policies to Promote Campus Safety
Washington, D.C. – In response to recent steps taken by colleges and athletic conferences to promote safety on campus, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today urged the leaders of the Pac-12 Conference to consider adopting a conference-wide student conduct policy for transfer students seeking to enroll at a
Merkley and Wyden Announce Over $400,000 Grant for Collaborative University Wood Products Center
Washington DC – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded over $400,000 to expand the capacity of Oregon State University’s National Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing and Design (Center for AWP) for business enterprises that supply engineered wood building
Ten Senators Press Administration to Drop New Fossil Fuel Leases from Offshore Drilling Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ten U.S. Senators pressed the Obama Administration today to strengthen its climate commitments by dropping all new fossil fuel leases from the 5-year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The letter, which was sent to Interior Secretary Sally Jewel, was signed by Sens. Jeff
Merkley Statement on Klamath Dams Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior, PacifiCorp and the states of Oregon and California announced an agreement to remove four Klamath River dams, a key component of the Klamath Basin water sharing agreements: “After years of conflict and
Merkley Visits Eugene Small Business to Highlight New Retirement Security Legislation
Eugene, OR. — Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was in Eugene to visit Falling Sky Pour House Delicatessen to discuss his major new national retirement security legislation, the American Savings Act. The American Savings Act would give every worker without access to a retirement savings plan through their employer the
Merkley Introduces Major New Retirement Security Legislation to Give Every Worker Access to a Retirement Savings Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley unveiled the American Savings Act, major new national retirement security legislation. The American Savings Act would give every worker without access to a retirement savings plan through their employer the ability to save for retirement through their own, personal retirement savings account