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 Introduces Legislation to Provide Benefits to Families of Fallen Firefighters
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Fallen Wildland Firefighters Fair Compensation Act that would allow aerial and ground contracted firefighters to be covered for death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act (PSOB). Currently, these benefits are granted to state and local police, firefighters,
Merkley Joins Effort to Focus Washington on Manufacturing Jobs
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined 21 of his colleagues to launch a campaign to get Washington to refocus on manufacturing jobs. The Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative aims to build bipartisan support for legislation that will modernize America’s manufacturing sector, help American manufacturers grow and create jobs, and
Merkley Introduces Legislation to Protect Homeowners From Flood Insurance Rate Spike
WASHINGTON, DC – On the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and a bipartisan coalition of Senators introduced the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act which will protect thousands of Oregon homeowners from facing huge flood insurance premium rate hikes and require FEMA to complete an affordability
Merkley Statement on the Passing of Dr. Nohad Toulan and Mrs. Dirce Toulan
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after he heard of the passing of Dr. Nohad Toulan and Mrs. Dirce Toulan in a car crash yesterday in Uruguay. “I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Dr. Nohad Toulan and Mrs.
Merkley Statement on ENDA Coming to Floor
WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead Democratic sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to end LGBT job discrimination, released the following statement after Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday that ENDA would be brought to the Senate floor in the coming weeks: “I thank Majority Leader Reid
Merkley, Moran, Bennet Statement on Proposed Crowdfunding Rule
Washington, D.C.- Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) issued the following statement after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule governing crowdfunding activities today. Earlier this week, Merkley, Moran and Bennet renewed their call on the SEC to propose the draft rule without