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 BILL TO CREATE JOBS REPAIRING VITAL DRINKING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2013 (WIFIA). This bill would create jobs by helping local communities upgrade or replace aging and damaged water and sewer systems. Low cost financing would save homeowners and businesses money and put construction workers
Merkley Statement on Hagel Filibuster
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the GOP silent filibuster of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. “Merely weeks after the Senate came together in a good-faith effort to fix the Senate’s problems, Senate Republicans are now engaging in the first-ever filibuster of a Secretary
Senators Call for Stronger Safety Measures for Bed Rails to Protect Seniors
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and four of his colleagues called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to protect seniors by strengthening safety measures who use adult portable bed rails. Merkley was joined in today’s letter by Senators Sanders (I-VT), Harkin (D-IA), Franken (D-MN), and Blumenthal
Merkley Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced he will be serving on the following subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee: Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug
Merkley Calls for New Approach to Labor and Environmental Standards and Crackdown on Unfair Foreign Subsidies in Upcoming Trade Agreement
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today urged President Obama to include in the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement new, stronger provisions to ensure that responsible U.S. businesses that pay well and meet high labor and environmental standards are not disadvantaged and that middle class Americans benefit from trade.
Merkley Statement on State of the Union
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Obama’s State of the Union speech. Audio of the response can be found here. “President Obama was absolutely right when he said, ‘A growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs – that must be the North Star