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
Merkley Releases Congressional Report on Need for E-Cigarette Regulation
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was joined today by students and experts on tobacco use prevention to release a Congressional report on the marketing tactics by tobacco companies to hook young people on nicotine. Merkley also called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to swiftly finalize regulations
Merkley Announces Wins for Oregon Jobs as Two Appropriations Bills Pass Through Committee
WASHINGTON – With two more appropriations bills moving through the Senate Appropriations Committee today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley continued to deliver key wins in the appropriations process that will help create jobs in Oregon. Last year, Merkley became the first Oregon Senator to sit on the powerful Appropriations Committee since
Merkley Helps West Salem Students Celebrate Graduation in D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today helped four West Salem high school students celebrate their high school graduation because they will miss their graduation ceremony in Oregon this week. The students are in Washington, D.C. this week to be recognized as first place winners in the Toshiba/National Science
Wyden, Merkley and Sanders Introduce New Bill to Bring Accountability to the VA
Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and several of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bill late yesterday to bring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to cut through the red tape that keeps veterans waiting far too long
Merkley Statement on EPA Climate Announcement
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new rules to cut carbon pollution from power plants: “Climate change is no longer a distant hypothetical — it is here now. It is already waging an assault on Oregon’s natural resources, damaging
Merkley Statement on VA Secretary Shinseki’s Resignation
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Shinseki announced his resignation earlier today: “Secretary Shinseki has served our country with honor for decades. Though I believe that new leadership is necessary at the VA, I have the utmost