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
Senators Push EPA for Stronger Carbon Pollution Reductions in Clean Power Plan
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) led eleven Senators in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen its proposed Clean Power Plan to achieve even greater reductions of carbon pollution. In the first major congressional call to further strengthen the plan from
Merkley Statement on Grand Jury Decisions in Missouri and New York
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the grand jury decisions in Ferguson, MO and Staten Island, NY: “The deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner are tragic, and my thoughts are with their families and friends during this difficult time. Their deaths, and those of
Merkley Statement on Oregon Caves and Hermiston Agricultural Research Bills as They Move Toward Becoming Law
WASHINGTON — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement Wednesday after two Oregon bills were included in a lands package that is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law before the end of the year. One bill will help preserve the Oregon Caves for future generations with
Merkley Statement on New Federal LGBT Workplace Protection Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, released the following statement today upon the announcement of new rules released by the U.S. Department of Labor requiring equal protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans who work for the federal government or federal contractor: “Today’s announcement is an important step forward toward
Merkley Statement on Newport Helicopter Weekend Rescue
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley made the following statement after the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter in Newport helped rescue five fisherman off the Oregon Coast this weekend. “This weekend’s rescue of five fishermen off the Oregon Coast is just another example of why the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision
Merkley Encourages Oregonians to Support Small Businesses over Holiday Weekend
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Merkley helped kick off the holiday shopping season today when he visited small businesses in Northwest Portland today to encourage Oregonians to support small business during the holiday season. Senator Merkley also highlighted a local small business campaign called Little Boxes that encourages Oregonians to