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

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

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

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