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 CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS VETERANS’ JOBS BILL
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today appeared with local officials and veterans to call on Congress to quickly pass the Veterans’ Jobs Corps Act that would help put returning veterans to work. This bill is tentatively scheduled to come to the Senate floor when Congress returns to Washington
Merkley Asks Senate Leaders for Emergency Firefighting Funds
Portland, OR – Following 2012’s record-breaking wildfires in the West, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is calling on Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell to ensure that there are sufficient resources available for firefighting through the end of the wildfire season. Due to the high number of fires this summer,
Merkley, Wyden Send Letter Pressing for Disaster Relief for Oregon Ranchers Hurt by Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden sent a letter pressing for disaster relief to be extended as quickly as possible for Oregon ranchers hit by July’s wildfires. Following the fires, Senator Merkley introduced the Wildfire and Drought Relief for Ranchers and Farmers Act of
Senators Merkley and Wyden Introduce Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act
WASHINGTON, DC— Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today introduced the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act, which would provide a framework for water stability for all parties who use the Crooked River. This legislation is based on an agreement that the Senators facilitated among a broad coalition of stakeholders
Merkley Introduces Bill to Prevent Warrantless Surveillance of Americans
Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the Protect America’s Privacy Act, which would reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to ensure that intelligence agencies are not using a warrantless wiretapping program to collect and store emails and phone calls of American citizens. Under amendments to FISA
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. “We need to be prepared to take on the mounting threat of cyber attacks on our critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids and our transportation system. Our national security leaders
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