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
Oregon Delegation Announces Manufacturing Designation for Oregon Communities
Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden were joined by Oregon Congressmen Peter Defazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today in announcing that Oregon and SW Washington have received a manufacturing designation under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative for the Pacific Northwest
MERKLEY STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATION’S RULE CHANGE ON OVERTIME PAY
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced a rule change that would make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay. It would extend overtime protections to all salaried workers making up to about $50,400 a year from $23,660. “This significant change
MERKLEY URGES SENATE VOTE ON CHEMICAL SAFETY BILL TO KEEP OREGONIANS SAFE FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS
Eugene, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was in Eugene today to call on Congress to quickly vote on the bipartisan Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to keep our children safe from the toxic chemicals that they come in contact with on a daily basis. Merkley also
MERKLEY LEADS SENATORS IN CALLING ON WHITE HOUSE TO RESCIND SHELL OIL COMPANY’S ARCTIC PERMIT
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by four other Senators, urged the White House and President Obama to rescind Shell Oil Company’s conditional Exploration Permit in the Chukchi Sea. Merkley, along with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) wrote
Members of Congress, Civil Rights Groups Celebrate Landmark Marriage Equality Ruling, Call for Full Federal LGBT Non-Discrimination Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling expanding marriage equality to all 50 states, a broad coalition of civil rights groups and members of Congress issued the following statement: “This decision is a historic moment for equality, fairness and freedom in America. We celebrate
Wyden and Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect 200,000 Acres of Wild Lands in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today renewed their commitment to protecting the state’s most pristine and environmentally significant areas by introducing a bill to designate more than 200,000 acres of land as wilderness or national recreation areas and add more than 250 miles to the Wild