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
Following Institute of Medicine Study Confirming Agent Orange Exposure, Bipartisan Group of Senators Calls on VA Secretary to Ensure Post Vietnam Air Force Veterans Receive Proper Benefits and Compensation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of senators led by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today called on VA Secretary Robert McDonald to ensure that veterans long denied care for exposure to Agent Orange receive timely and proper benefits and compensation. The letter follows a
Merkley-Backed Executive Order Delivers Big Impact as Exxon Mobil Changes LGBT Discrimination Policy
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after it was reported that Exxon Mobil will change its nondiscrimination policies to include protections for LGBT workers. The news follows a 2014 executive order backed by Merkley that will soon require all federal contractors to include nondiscrimination protections for
Merkley Leads Senate Group Urging FDA to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes
Washington, DC – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley joined with Senators Boxer (D-CA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Brown (D-OH), Durbin (D-IL), Markey (D-MA) to send a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner urging the FDA to finalize its plan for regulating e-cigarettes. The Senators pointed to a new study from
Merkley Announces New State Director
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that Jessica Stevens has been promoted to state director, replacing Jeanne Atkins, who retired. Stevens has worked with Merkley since 2012, when she joined the team as State Field Director. “Jessica brings tremendous management skills and has strong relationships with Oregonians
Merkley Statement on the Senate Banking Committee’s Markup of Iran Sanctions Legislation
“Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon would be a grave threat to global security and a direct threat to the United States. I have strongly supported toughened sanctions on Iran in the past and will readily do so again if they back out of the P5+1 negotiations. We must not allow
Merkley to Serve on New Appropriations Subcommittees Key to Oregon Priorities
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that he has been appointed to serve on two new subcommittees of the Senate Appropriations Committee: the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. The Energy and Water Subcommittee controls funding for the U.S. Department
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