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 Applauds New Steps Forward to Tackle Dangerous Methane Pollution

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Obama administration announced new steps toward dramatically cutting methane emissions over the next decade: “The danger that methane poses to our climate is real and potent. With fracking – a notorious source of methane leaks – on the

Merkley Becomes Top Democrat on Agriculture Appropriations

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that in the 114th Congress he will become the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, putting him in a powerful position to advocate for Oregon’s rural communities, agriculture research institutions,

National Championship: The “Big Bet”

WASHINGTON, DC – The national championship game Monday night between Ohio State and Oregon has generated so much talk between the U.S. Senators from Oregon and Ohio that both sides have decided it’s time to back it up by putting up “very personal” stakes. Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff

Merkley Sworn in for Second Term

WASHINGTON – Today, as the 114th Congress formally convened in the nation’s capital, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was sworn in for his second six-year term serving Oregonians in the U.S. Senate. In his first term as a U.S. Senator, Merkley made his mark by delivering local victories for Oregon, such

Merkley Slams Fed Volcker Delay

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Federal Reserve announced that it will give banks broad exemptions in complying with the Volcker Rule for 2015, and that it is likely to continue those exemptions through July 2017: “The Wall Street Casino is alive and well. 

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