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: NLRB Key for Workplace Fairness
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the confirmation of Kent Hirozawa and Nancy Schiffer as Commissioners of the National Labor Relations Board. The confirmation of these nominees was part of the deal struck two weeks ago during the debate Merkley helped spark about changing
Merkley Announces $1.3 Million Federal Grant for Homeless Veterans in Portland Metro Region
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced $1.3 million in new funding for Transition Projects Inc., to help homeless veterans and their families find housing and other services to get them back on their feet. This funding comes from the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program within
Merkley Introduces Bills to Help Middle Class Families with New Home Refinancing Options
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Rebuilding American Homeownership Act to help middle class families by providing new refinancing options for homeowners. The bill would allow underwater homeowners who currently have no option to refinance to lock into a lower interest rate and reduce their monthly payments,
Merkley Statement on Student Loans Deal
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate passed a deal to keep student loan rates from doubling. “Access to affordable higher education is one the main pillars of restoring and strengthening the middle class. Anyone who is talented and hardworking, regardless of
Merkley, Wyden Announce $1.5 Million for Manufacturing and Transportation Center in Lebanon
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that Linn Benton Community College has been awarded $1.5 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help create the Advanced Transportation and Technology Center in Lebanon. This Center will train technicians in advanced manufacturing as well as
Merkley Statement on Senate Agreement to Confirm Nominees
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate voted 71-29 to end a Republican filibuster on the nomination of Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Facing a possible change in Senate rules to prevent filibusters of executive branch nominees, Senate