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 Saddened by Senate Vote Against Equal Opportunity
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities failed in the Senate. “Plain and simple, the U.S. Senate voted against equal opportunity today. I am frustrated and saddened by the failure of the U.S. Senate to ratify
SENATE PASSES MERKLEY, PAUL AMENDMENT TO END WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S Senate passed a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) that would bring an end to America’s longest war and get our troops home from Afghanistan. The amendment calls on the Administration to end
Merkley, Wyden Urge DOJ to Investigate Western Gas Price Spikes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined with their colleagues from Washington and California to demand the Department of Justice (DOJ) conduct a refinery-by-refinery investigation into the cause of spikes that drove gas prices to more than $4 a gallon in Western states during May and
Merkley Statement on Cybersecurity Bill
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after the Cybersecurity bill failed a cloture vote. “I voted against ending debate on this bill last time and I voted no again today because this bill needs improvement. There are many amendments that Senators proposed in July
MERKLEY BILL WOULD 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 (WIFIA). This bill would create jobs and help local communities upgrade or replace aging and damaged water and sewer systems. Low cost financing would save homeowners and businesses money and spur construction jobs as repairs
Merkley and Levin: Finish Stronger, Simpler Volcker Rule Without Delay
Washington, DC – Today, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Carl Levin (D-MI) called on regulators to end the delay in issuing a final version of the Volcker Rule. In a letter to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other regulators, the Senators expressed frustration that months after the deadline has