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, Wyden and Blumenauer Call on Congress to Pass Legislation Allowing Legal Marijuana Businesses to Access Banking Services
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl Blumenauer were on hand today at Rivermark Community Credit Union to call on Congress to pass legislation sponsored by all three elected officials that would ensure legal marijuana businesses can access banking services. Currently, marijuana businesses operating under
Merkley Introduces New Legislation to Connect Transportation Systems to Jobs and Economic Opportunities
PORTLAND, OR – Today, at the Hollywood transit center in Portland, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he has introduced the Transportation, Access and Opportunity Act, new legislation to encourage and support local governments to better connect their transportation systems to jobs and economic opportunities in the region. Increasingly, low-income
Senator Jeff Merkley Announces New Public–Private Partnership to Improve School Readiness
SPRINGFIELD, ORE. – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley announced a $2 million public-private partnership that will support youth development and school readiness for Lane County children entering kindergarten. United Way of Lane County (UWLC) has been awarded a five-year Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grant from the Corporation for National and Community
Merkley Introduces New Legislation to Guarantee Affordable Options for Repaying Student Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Access to Fair Financial Options for Repaying Debt (AFFORD) Act, new legislation that would guarantee all students are able to affordably pay off their student loans by making an income-based repayment option available to all student borrowers. Additionally, he introduced
Merkley Calls for Fairness and Equality at NAACP Journey for Justice March in Selma, Alabama this weekend
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley participated in the NAACP’s America’s Journey for Justice march this past weekend that started in Selma, Alabama and ends in Washington, D.C. Over the weekend, Senator Merkley joined the participants to march for 38 miles to call for economic fairness, education reform, criminal
Merkley Statement on Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate on Monday night defeated an effort to defund Planned Parenthood: “Millions of women across America – including more than 60,000 each year in Oregon – rely on Planned Parenthood as an essential health care provider.
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