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

Merkley Statement on Barron Nomination

WASHINGTON — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on David Barron’s nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: David Barron is an impressive and accomplished attorney and legal scholar, and he will be a strong addition to the federal bench.  I am confident that

Merkley, Wyden, Feinstein, Boxer Introduce Klamath Basin Legislation

WASHINGTON  – Moving quickly to build on the work done by local ranchers, tribes, and federal and state officials, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introduced legislation today that will put into law the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement that was

Merkley, Wyden Call for Expanded Transparency In Oil Trains Order

WASHINGTON – Oregon Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today urged the Department of Transportation to ensure railroads notify states of all oil shipments moving by train, not just oil from one region of the country, as a DOT emergency order issued earlier this week required. The emergency order announced by the DOT

Merkley Celebrates Landmark Ruling Creating Marriage Equality in Oregon

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after a judge ruled that marriage equality can no longer be denied to same-sex couples in Oregon: “Today is a momentous day in Oregon’s fight for equality. Lifetime love and commitment should be celebrated and honored, not relegated to second-class

Merkley Introduces Bill to Make Hospitals Safer for both Nurses and Patients

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Registered Nurses Safe Staffing Act, which will help improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients through appropriate levels of staffing, reduction in medical errors, and increases in nurse retention. The bill will require Medicare-participating hospitals to create staffing plans

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