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: Advice and Consent Role Restored in Senate, Praises Millett Confirmation
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate approved the nomination of Patricia Millett for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by a simple up or down vote. “Today’s vote shows that the constitutional concept of ‘advice and consent’ has
Merkley Proposal Leads to New Energy Loan Program for Rural Communities
Washington — Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of a new $250 million loan fund based on the Rural Energy Savings Program proposed by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley. The new program will allow rural electric co-ops to offer their customers low-interest loans from USDA to
Merkley Announces Trade Bill to Level the Playing Field for Oregon Manufacturing Companies and Create Middle Class Jobs
Oregon City, OR – Standing in front of the shuttered Blue Heron paper mill, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced new legislation that would crack down on unfair trade practices, level the playing field for Oregon manufacturing companies, and help create middle class jobs in Oregon. The Level the Playing
Senators Merkley and Wyden Introduce Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act of 2013
WASHINGTON, DC— Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined with Crooked River stakeholders today to introduce the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act of 2013, which would provide a framework for improving the management of water in the Crooked River, while creating opportunities for economic growth and new jobs
Merkley: Rules Change a Victory for the American People
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate changed its rules to allow nominations to be confirmed with a simple majority vote as provided for in the Constitution. Merkley, along with Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), has led the effort in the Senate to reform
Senators: Congress Should Vote on Keeping Troops in Afghanistan Past 2014
Washington, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) urging Congressional approval as a condition for any American troop presence in Afghanistan past 2014. The
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