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 Applauds Passage of Bill to Reverse Military Retiree Cuts

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a bill that would safeguard current military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the budget agreement passed last December. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for

Merkley Applauds New Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed an executive order to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.10. Senator Merkley called on the President late last year to sign this executive order.  “Raising the minimum wage lifts hard-working people

Merkley Votes to Remove Military Retiree Cuts

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate voted to move forward on a bill that would safeguard military retirees from changes to cost of living adjustments (COLA) that were included in the budget agreement passed last December.  “The budget deal passed last year

Merkley Statement on Keystone Report

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. State Department released a report on the environmental impacts of the Keystone pipeline: “When the Keystone pipeline’s own proponents argue that the pipeline is essential to the rapid development of the tar sands, it is clear this

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