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-Backed Bipartisan Unemployment Deal Moves Toward Final Passage in Senate

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the bipartisan legislation to extend emergency unemployment benefits overcame its final filibuster in the U.S. Senate with 61 votes, allowing a majority-rules vote on final passage on Monday: “In Oregon and across the nation, families looking for work need

Merkley Announces Fourteen Oregonians Accepted to U.S. Military Academies

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that fourteen of the approximately 35 nominations that he put forward to the four military academies have been accepted as students for the next year. America’s military academies are among the most selective and difficult to earn admission to among higher

Merkley: Ryan Budget Would Be a Deadly Blow to the American Dream

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Congressman Paul Ryan released his 2015 budget blueprint: “The budget put forth by Congressman Paul Ryan is another attempt to balance the budget on the backs of hardworking middle class families, students and seniors.  The Ryan budget would end

Emergency Unemployment Extension Overcomes Key Hurdle

WASHINGTON – Today, the recent bipartisan agreement on an extension of emergency unemployment insurance passed a key hurdle in the U.S. Senate, with 65 Senators voting to move ahead on the bill. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was among the 10 Senators – five leading Democrats and five leading Republicans –

MERKLEY CALLS ON SUPREME COURT TO PROTECT WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today joined with a small business owner and women’s health advocates to call on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect women’s health in a case that will be heard before the Court next week. The case, Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, could allow for-profit

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