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 Statement on Social Security Cuts
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that a new index for Social Security called “chained CPI” could be included in a fiscal cliff deal. “We had an election, and the voters sent a message to Congress to focus on jobs and fairness — not
Merkley Statement on Death of Senator Daniel Inouye
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on news of the death of Senator Daniel Inouye. “Senator Daniel Inouye was an American hero and his death is a huge loss for the Senate. I’ve admired him since I came here as an intern in 1976 to work
Merkley Blasts “Too Big to Jail” Policy for Lawbreaking Banks
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley today blasted the U.S. Department of Justice for its policy of offering “deferred prosecution” for large financial institutions that break federal criminal laws, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and sanctions violations, calling the policy “too big to jail” and demanding explanations. In a
Merkley to Join Powerful Senate Appropriations Committee
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that he will be joining the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee, considered to be one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill, is responsible for deciding how the federal government spends money. “I am thrilled to join the Senate Appropriations
Merkley Statement on Clackamas Shooting
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after reports of a shooting at a mall in Clackamas County: “I am shocked by today’s horrific and deeply disturbing events at Clackamas Town Center. To lose even one Oregonian to violence is heartbreaking. To have an ordinary December
Merkley and Bennet call upon SEC to Quickly Release Crowdfunding Rules
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) sent a letter to SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro to request that rules governing crowdfunding activities be issued quickly. Merkley and Bennet were lead sponsors on the CROWDFUND Act, which was passed on April 5, 2012 and legalizes the
English 
Spanish