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 Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Revamp Broken “No Child Left Behind” Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, comprehensive legislation to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In addition to overhauling the controversial testing and accountability provisions of NCLB, the bill includes increased resources for
Merkley: Trump Proposal to Ban Muslims from Entering U.S. “Single Worst Idea I Have Heard from Any Presidential Candidate, Ever”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S., Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley strongly condemned the proposal on the Senate floor, calling it “the single worst idea I have heard from any presidential candidate, ever.” Merkley denounced Trump’s proposal, which
Merkley Highlights Oregon Wins in Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced several key benefits for Oregon included in the federal transportation bill passed by Congress late last night. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works and Banking Committees, Senator Merkley advocated for Oregon’s priorities and fought to make sure
Merkley Arrives in Paris to Join Global Climate Talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Early this morning, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley arrived along with a delegation of United States Senators to participate in global climate talks that are ongoing in Paris. “Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution,” said Merkley. “An international climate accord in Paris would
Merkley Statement on Republican Attempts to Take Health Care Away from Millions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass a plan that would repeal key elements of the Affordable Care Act, taking health coverage away from millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Oregonians: “The Republicans in the U.S. Senate
Wyden, Merkley Statement on Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley released the following statement today on the Klamath Basin: “For more than a decade, the irrigators, tribes and conservationists of the Klamath Basin have worked tirelessly to craft agreements that can break a century-long deadlock over water rights. The Oregon