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
Bipartisan, Bicoastal Group of Lawmakers Calls on Coast Guard to Keep Facilities Open
Washington, D.C. – In a continued effort to ensure the safety of residents living and working in coastal areas, members of Congress from South Carolina today joined Oregon lawmakers in calling on the U.S. Coast Guard to keep facilities in Oregon and South Carolina from closing next month. Senators Ron
Klamath Water Bill Passes Senate Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation implementing water agreements in the Klamath Basin, moving the legislation one step closer to becoming law. Giving the legislation further momentum, the bill – the Klamath Basin Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act – was passed,
Merkley Applauds Major U.S.-China Climate Agreement
Washington, D.C. — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the announcement that the United States and China have reached a major climate change agreement that will result in significant reductions in carbon pollution by the two nations: “The economic security of American middle class families depends on
Merkley and Wyden Urge Senate Leaders to Vote on Nomination for U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today wrote to Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell to urge them to schedule a vote this month, on the nomination of Karen Stanton to be the U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste. This request is based on the case of
Merkley, Wyden and Schrader Persuade Coast Guard to Delay Newport Helicopter Closure
Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Kurt Schrader today spoke with the Commandant of the Coast Guard and got assurance from him that the November 30th date previously set for the closure of the Newport helicopter facility would be extended to December 15th. The Coast
Military spouses gain new education benefits as VA implements Merkley legislation
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley commended today’s announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that the Fry Scholarship will be available starting on November 3, 2014 to spouses of servicemembers who died on active duty. This expanded scholarship comes as a result of legislation authored by Senator