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: We Must Put an End to “Secret Law”
Washington, DC– Today, during debate of the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments of 2008, the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan amendment authored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would put an end to “Secret Law.” Specifically, the amendment would declassify significant FISA Court opinions, allowing
Merkley Statement on National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which stripped out earlier provisions in the Senate bill that were designed to protect American citizens against indefinite detention: “The freedom and liberty of American citizens are
Merkley Statement on Kerry Nomination as Secretary of State
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the announcement that President Obama has nominated Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. “John Kerry will make an excellent Secretary of State. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry has been an effective leader
Merkley Calls on House to Pass Middle Class Tax Cut
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after news that the House Republicans have left Washington for Christmas break. “As we approach the edge of the fiscal cliff, the time for political gamesmanship is over. This isn’t about politics, it’s about people’s lives. The families who live
MERKLEY RELEASES WHITE BOARD VIDEO EXPLAINING “TALKING FILIBUSTER” PROPOSAL
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today unveiled his latest white board video. It features an explanation of why the Senate is broken and rules reform is needed, how the “talking filibuster” proposal would work and additional measures that would make the Senate a more functional governing body. Senator
Merkley and Wyden Introduce Amendment to Include More Wildfire and Drought Disaster Relief
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced an amendment to the disaster aid bill currently before the Senate to help fund recovery efforts for ranchers, fruit growers, and farmers affected by this year’s historic wildfires and drought. Merkley and Wyden stressed the historic nature of
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