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: Shell Made Right Decision, Arctic Drilling Huge Risk of Environmental Disaster
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Royal Dutch Shell announced they will not drill in the Arctic Ocean in 2013. “Shell has made the right decision in canceling its plans to drill offshore in the Arctic this coming summer. Their experience in 2012 demonstrated the
Merkley: Stop the Sequester, Avoid “Politician-induced Recession”
Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley called on Congress to stop the drastic automatic budget cuts that will go into effect on March 1 and imperil the economy. Instead, he said, we should take a smarter approach to deficit reduction that prioritizes job growth and preserves key investments to
Merkley Releases Report on Oregon Domestic Violence and Calls on House to Pass Violence Against Women Act
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was joined today by local officials and a survivor of domestic violence to call on the House of Representatives to quickly pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that passed the Senate last week. Merkley also released a report of Oregon domestic violence
League of Conservation Voters Awards Senator Merkley with 100% Rating
Washington, DC– Today, the League of Conservation Voters released the 2012 National Environmental Scorecard, which includes votes during the second session of the 112th Congress. It includes 14 Senate votes, ranging from public health protections to clean energy to land and wildlife conservation. Senator Merkley received a 100% rating in
Merkley Applauds Oracle Jobs Announcement
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Oracle announced it will begin manufacturing its high-end servers and storage systems at one of the five facilities it operates in Oregon. “I say this wherever I go: on a level playing field, Oregon workers and companies can compete
Merkley, Wyden Challenge Postal Plan to End Saturday Delivery
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined 22 other Senators in challenging the postmaster general’s authority to discontinue Saturday mail delivery later this year without congressional approval. In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the senators acknowledge the financial challenges the Postal Service is