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 Introduces New Wilderness and Economic Development Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act, new legislation to create federal wilderness in the area of Sutton Mountain and the iconic Painted Hills and to promote economic development in the surrounding region. The proposal, which

VIDEO RELEASE: Merkley Budget Statement – Budget Passed Last Night Provides “More Tax Breaks and Corporate Welfare for Millionaires, and More Pain and Suffering for the Middle Class”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the final FY2016 Republican budget in a narrow, partisan vote. Prior to the vote, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley spoke on the Senate floor to highlight how the budget would harm Oregon’s middle-class and working families. Video of the floor speech is

Wyden, Merkley Statement on Transportation Department Oil Trains Rule

Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today released the following statement after the Department of Transportation issued a final rule to address the safety of shipping oil-by-rail: “After years of our urging, the Department of Transportation’s rule includes meaningful steps on rail safety, but does not

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