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 Praises Senate Passage of Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):  “The Violence Against Women Act has been an extremely successful tool in fighting violence and abuse in our communities, and it is unacceptable that

Merkley To Chair Green Jobs Subcommittee

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced he has been awarded the chairmanship of the Green Jobs and the New Economy Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  This subcommittee oversees the creation of job and economic opportunity through the deployment of sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy,

Treasury Approves Multnomah Pilot Program to Help Underwater Homeowners Refinance

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) announced that the U.S. Treasury Department has approved a new pilot program to help underwater homeowners in Oregon’s Multnomah County. This pilot draws elements from Merkley’s Rebuilding American Homeownership proposal released in the

Merkley Awarded Banking Subcommittee Chairmanship

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced he has been awarded the chairmanship of a subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee, the Subcommittee on Economic Policy.  This subcommittee has jurisdiction over issues related to economic growth, employment and price stability, as well as monetary policy and small business

Merkley Statement on U.S. Postal Service Delivery Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Postal Service announced plans to cut letter delivery to five days per week: “The U.S. Postal Service is an essential part of the fabric of life in Oregon, especially for seniors, small businesses, and small towns.

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