Press Releases

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

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: DOMA Decision Huge Stride Forward for Equality and Fairness

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. “This Supreme Court decision that the federal government must recognize all marriages is a huge stride forward for equality and fairness.  No one should be denied

Merkley Applauds New Steps to Combat Climate Change

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced new actions to combat climate change, including regulation of carbon pollution from power plants. “I applaud President Obama for acting to take on our most pressing global challenge. Already we are beginning to see the

Merkley: Voting Rights Act Decision Fundamentally Off Base

 Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a key section of the Voting Rights Act.  “In a democracy, there is no right more fundamental than the right to vote, and yet in some places, Americans still face the threat

Wyden, Merkley, Announce Passage of Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Bill

Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley celebrated the Senate passage of the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act today, which will permanently conserve thousands of acres of pristine forest near the Southern Oregon coast. The bill now goes to the House.  “The proposed Devil’s Staircase Wilderness area is

Merkley Amendment to Protect Jobs in the Woods Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley’s amendment to end abuse of the H-2B visa program in forestry work and protect American jobs in American forests. The amendment will be added to the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate. In 2010, the Bend

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs

Merkley Asks Administration to Declassify Secret Court Opinions on NSA Programs WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is asking the Obama administration to make public secret court opinions that include significant findings about the legal scope of the NSA surveillance programs. These court opinions are currently classified and thus kept

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