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 Arrest of Militant Leaders in Harney County Standoff

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after law enforcement officials arrested militant leaders. “I am pleased that the FBI has listened to the concerns of the local community and responded to the illegal activity occurring in Harney County by outside extremists. The leaders of this

Merkley Kicks Off Series of ‘We the People’ Floor Speeches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley kicked off a new series of “We the People” floor speeches, in which he will go to the floor of the Senate on a regular basis to call attention to issues affecting everyday Americans that are being undermined by powerful special interests. 

Merkley Statement on New Halt to Coal Leasing on Public Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead sponsor of the Keep It in the Ground Act, released the following statement after reports that the Interior Department will halt new leases for coal production on federal public lands until further studies about the environmental impact of continuing coal production

MERKLEY STATEMENT ON STATE OF THE UNION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Obama’s final State of the Union speech: “Tonight President Obama reminded us of what we can and should be: a country of political and economic opportunity for all. “I share the President’s vision for growing our middle

Merkley Announces State of the Union Guest

Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that his guest to the 2016 State of the Union Address will be Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges that extended marriage equality to all 50 states in June 2015.‎ This morning, the White House announced

Senators Call for Transparency for LGBT Students at Schools Seeking Religious Exemptions

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Al Franken, D-Minn., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., today called for greater transparency and accountability after a recent rise in the number of colleges and universities seeking religious

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