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 Applauds Forest Service Action on “Next Generation” Airtankers
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service announced it would award operating contracts for “Next Generation” airtankers to be used in wildfire suppression: “I am pleased that the Forest Service is moving forward to get these planes into service. Last
Merkley Meets with Portland Veterans, Calls for Action to Address Backlog of Veterans Claims
Portland, OR— Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel today visited Portland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4248 and met with area veterans to discuss the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) growing backlog of unanswered veteran’s benefit claims. The average wait time for Oregon veterans to receive
Merkley Announces Bills to Prepare Students for 21st Century Jobs
Eugene, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley visited Churchill High School in Eugene today to discuss his science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education legislation that he introduced last week. Merkley also unveiled legislation that he is preparing to introduce that would provide grants for career technical education (CTE) to
Merkley Announces STEM and Career Technical Education Legislation at Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley visited Boise-Eliot/Humboldt school in North Portland today to discuss his Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education legislation that he introduced last week. Merkley also unveiled legislation that he is preparing to introduce that would provide grants for career technical education (CTE) to
Merkley, Kirk, Polis, Ros-Lehtinen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to End Workplace Discrimination
Washington, DC – Today, bipartisan coalitions in the Senate and House introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Senate bill is sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Merkley Applauds Department of Navy for Naming Ship After Portland
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today applauded the Department of the Navy’s decision last week to name an amphibious transport dock ship the USS Portland after Portland, Oregon. When Senator Merkley was alerted to this news by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus last Thursday, he used the
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