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 Praises Passage of Flood Insurance Bill
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley praised the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which would block currently planned increases in flood insurance premiums for primary residences and businesses. Merkley, an original cosponsor of the bill, was instrumental in the bill’s development and passage, raising awareness
Merkley: Shell Made Right Decision, Arctic Drilling Too Risky and Dangerous
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Royal Dutch Shell announced they will not drill in the Arctic Ocean in 2014. “An oil spill in the Arctic would be disastrous, and I am glad Shell is cancelling plans to drill in this sensitive area this
Merkley Reaction to State of the Union: Success of Middle Class Is Defining Issue of Our Time
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama delivered the State of the Union Address: “The President is right to pinpoint the success of our middle class as the defining issue of our time. Our economy and our families will never reach their full potential
Merkley and Wyden Call for National Minimum Wage Increase and for Congress to Tackle Income Inequality
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden visited Green Zebra Grocery in North Portland today to talk about the growing income inequality in America and to call on Congress to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the national minimum wage to $10.10 and then
Merkley Statement on the President’s NSA Speech
Corvallis, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the President released a new policy directive on U.S. surveillance. “It is unacceptable that our government has indiscriminately swept up millions of cell phone records of law-abiding citizens. This is an outrageous abuse of Americans’ privacy. I’m glad
Merkley Secures Support for Threatened Control Towers in Omnibus Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the omnibus spending bill that passed the Senate today will fully fund Oregon’s smaller airport control towers, ensuring that the air traffic control towers and airports in these communities will continue to operate. Because
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