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 Statement on 2015 Spending Bill
WASHINGTON — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted on passage of the 2015 spending bill. “Tonight the Senate voted on final passage of the 2015 spending bill. While there are many positive aspects of the bill, I voted ‘no’ because of my deep opposition
Merkley, Walden Deliver Crooked River Victory for Central Oregon
WASHINGTON – This holiday season, Central Oregon will have one more reason to celebrate: In the final moments of the 113th Congress, major legislation implementing improved water management in Central Oregon has been passed unanimously by both the Senate and the House, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Greg Walden
Bennet, Merkley Press SEC to Finalize Crowdfunding Rules
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to finalize its crowdfunding rules that will allow small businesses and start-ups to raise capital online and through social media. Bennet and Merkley were lead sponsors along with former Republican
Merkley, Walden Deliver Crooked River Agreement as Legislation Passes Senate
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Greg Walden announced they have reached an agreement on legislation to implement a collaborative vision for water management along the Crooked River, and that the bill passed the Senate unanimously this afternoon. These developments set the stage for the bill to
Oregon Lawmakers Secure Provision to Keep Newport Coast Guard Air Facility Open until January 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following their repeated calls to ensure the safety of residents in coastal areas, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici today announced the Congress has passed legislation that will keep the U.S. Coast Guard’s air facility
Merkley Announces Plan for Sweeping LGBT Civil Rights Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced his plan to push broad LGBT civil rights legislation today before a meeting of the Center for American Progress (CAP). In his keynote speech for the event “We The People: Why Congress Must Pass a Comprehensive LGBT Non-Discrimination Act,” Merkley laid out his rationale