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’s Appropriations Seat Pays Dividends for Oregonians
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured investments in a wide range of Oregon priorities in the federal spending bill passed by the Senate today. The provisions championed by Merkley will help put Oregonians to work in the woods reducing the threat
Merkley Ensures Coastal Priorities Addressed in Spending Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the omnibus spending bill that just passed the Senate includes several provisions directly benefiting the Oregon coast. The bill was the first since Merkley joined the committee, which shapes the federal government’s annual spending priorities.
Merkley Calls for National Minimum Wage Increase and for Congress to Tackle Income Inequality
Eugene, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley visited Kiva Grocery in Eugene today to talk about the growing income inequality in America and to call on Congress to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would raise the national minimum wage to $10.10 and then provide automatic annual increases linked
Merkley: Yellen to Help Restore Economy that Makes Middle Class Jobs Top Goal
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the confirmation of Janet Yellen as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “America does well when the middle class does well, and I’m confident Janet Yellen will have that common-sense approach to the
Merkley Introduces Legislation to Pilot Innovative Strategy to Help Middle Class Families Pay For College
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation that would create a new model for college financing to help middle class families pay for college. Merkley’s plan is based on and complements Oregon’s legislation that was passed during the 2013 legislative session and arose from a Portland State University
Merkley Introduces Legislation To Clarify Retroactivity Rules For Healthcare
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation to ensure that Oregonians who try to sign up for health insurance through Cover Oregon can get coverage for the full month of January and any subsidy they are eligible for even if their information is not processed until later in
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