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 Solar Trade Decision
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the U.S. Commerce Department announced today’s decision on tariffs for Chinese solar exports: “We know that on a level playing field, Oregon workers and businesses can compete with any company in the world. However, if China continues to cheat
Senator Merkley to Travel to Israel
Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is traveling to Israel over the Senate recess period as part of a Senate delegation. The group, which also includes Senators Kay Hagan and Mark Begich, arrived in Jerusalem today. “This visit to Israel is an opportunity to meet with some of the region’s
Merkley Statement on Kitzhaber O&C Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Governor Kitzhaber announced a new panel representing county officials, forest products industry representatives, and conservation leaders to address the challenges facing O&C counties in Oregon: “I applaud the Governor’s effort to bring together Oregonians to help find a
Merkley, Wyden, Blumenauer, DeFazio, Schrader and Bonamici Call for Action on Unfair Chinese Subsidies to Paper Manufacturers
PORTLAND, Or — Today, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressmen Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici joined in an effort to ask the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce to open a broad-based investigation into the unfair subsidies that China provides
Merkley Statement on Court Decision Striking Down Rule to Limit Oil Speculation
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after a federal judge struck down a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rule that would have limited speculation in the oil market. “I’m outraged by today’s decision. During Wall Street reform, Congress passed a law to put aggressive
Merkley Statement on Continuing Resolution
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after passage of a continuing resolution that would keep the government funded for the next 6 months. The continuing resolution includes $400 million to cover the gap in the United States Forest Service’s firefighting funds. Cloture was also invoked