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
Republican Blockade of Student Loan Bill Leaves Students and Economy Behind
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Republicans in the Senate filibustered a bill that would allow students and graduates to refinance student loans into lower interest rates: “When the people’s representatives put millionaires and billionaires before middle-class students who are struggling under the weight of
Merkley Statement on Reynolds High School Shooting
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the shooting at Reynolds High School: “This is horrible and tragic news for our community and all of Oregon. This situation is every parent’s worst nightmare. I am deeply grateful to our law enforcement and first responders for arriving
Merkley Calls on Federal Reserve to Close Loophole that Allows Big Banks to Own and Manipulate Commodities
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is calling on the Federal Reserve to close a loophole that allows big banks to own and control physical commodities—such as oil, aluminum, and electricity—raising prices for consumers and threatening the stability of the financial system. The Federal Reserve has been taking public comments
Following New Report, Oregon Senators Call for Changes at Local VA Hospitals and Accountability for Those Who Let Down Oregon’s Veterans
WASHINGTON – Following the release of a new report that revealed vast numbers of Oregon veterans have been unable to access care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called Monday for renewed accountability and dramatic action to turn around a
Merkley Announces FEMA Assistance for Fire Management for Two Bulls Fire
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that the state’s request for fire management assistance to help fight the Two Bulls fire in Deschutes County was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 8th. “Our firefighters, our land, and the families and businesses near these
Merkley Welcomes Expansion of Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Options
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley welcomed the announcement from the White House today that the administration will expand income-based repayment options for federal student loans, making higher education more affordable for as many as 5 million Americans. The new plan will expand a 2010 law that allows students with
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