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

President Signs Merkley-Backed Executive Order Banning LGBT Job Discrimination

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley – the lead Senate sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the leading congressional advocate for an executive order to bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT Americans in the workplace – released the following statement on President Obama’s signing of

Merkley Celebrates Three Year Anniversary of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement celebrating the third anniversary of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was created by the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill that passed four years ago. Predatory, anti-consumer practices and the lack of single agency to act as a consumer watchdog

Following Senate Vote, Merkley Vows to Keep Fighting for Women’s Health Care

WASHINGTON – After a minority of Senators voted to filibuster debate on a bill that would undo the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision threatening women’s access to contraception, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement: “It’s outrageous that a minority of Senators are blocking us from debating a bill

Wyden-Merkley Oregon Caves Bill Passes U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced the Senate passage of the Oregon Caves Revitalization Act, their bill to add new protection to one of Oregon’s most unique natural treasures. The bill passed unanimously late Wednesday night. “This bill is another tribute to Oregon’s bounty of

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