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, Colleagues to Hold “Midnight Vigil” on DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC – After Senate Republicans blocked debate this evening on the DISCLOSE Act, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, as well as a group of colleagues, will hold onto the Senate floor late into the night tonight in an effort to bring greater attention to the issue and force a second
Merkley Introduces Wildfire and Drought Relief for Ranchers and Farmers Act of 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today introduced the Wildfire and Drought Relief for Ranchers and Farmers Act of 2012 that would provide one year of retroactive mandatory funding for four disaster relief programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These disaster relief programs, which lapsed at the
Merkley Statement on Eastern Oregon Wildfires
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement about the wildfires burning in Southeastern Oregon: “I am saddened by the devastation that farmers, ranchers and families in Southeast Oregon are continuing to experience as we deal with the largest wildfire in Oregon history. While there is still
Merkley, Senators Announce Upcoming Senate Action on the DISCLOSE Act
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined with a group of six U.S. Senators to announce that the Senate will soon take action on legislation to put an end to secret campaign spending. On Monday, July 16, the Senate will take up the DISCLOSE Act of 2012, which
MERKLEY RELEASES REPORT DETAILING TAX DOLLARS USED TO HIRE FOREIGN TIMBER WORKERS IN CENTRAL OREGON
Bend, OR – Senator Merkley was in Bend today to release a new report that reveals the extent to which federal funds have been used to employ foreign workers on Central Oregon forest projects. More than 50 percent of the Central Oregon forest health projects funded in 2010 utilized foreign
Merkley Celebrates Finish of “Border to Border: Oil-Free Across Oregon” Tour
Medford, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today concluded his oil-free across Oregon trip, showcasing the need for America to declare its independence from overseas oil. The Senator held his final event today at Brammo before traveling down to the California border. The Senator visited communities along the way and