Press Releases

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

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 New Alaska Airlines Flight From DC to Portland

Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Department of Transportation announced an order granting beyond-perimeter slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to allow for a new direct flight between DCA and Portland International Airport. On February 17, 2011, the United States

Merkley: J.P. Morgan’s Trading Losses Show Need for Strong Volcker Rule

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, cosponsor of the Merkley-Levin provision in Dodd-Frank that put into law the Volcker Rule, issued the following statement after news that J.P. Morgan lost at least $2 billion in portfolio hedging trades made by their risk management division.   “What yesterday’s announcement makes abundantly

Senators Call for Hearing on LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill

Washington, DC- United States Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) called on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee leadership to hold a hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). In a letter to  Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking

Merkley Statement on Announcement that Rural Post Offices Will Remain Open

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Postmaster General announced that the Postal Service would halt its plans to eliminate thousands of rural post offices, including 20 that remained on the closure list in Oregon: “This is very good news for Oregon.

Merkley Applauds Obama on Marriage Equality

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after reports that President Barack Obama has announced support for marriage equality:  “I applaud President Obama for voicing his support for marriage equality. This is an issue of fundamental fairness for the men and women who seek to create a

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