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 Republican Filibuster of the Buffett Rule

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Republicans obstructed the Buffett Rule legislation from coming to the floor for debate.  “This evening, my Republican colleagues blocked debate of the Buffett Rule. That is outrageous. It is wrong that millionaires and billionaires are paying a lower tax

Merkley Statement on Administration’s Inaction on Barring Employment Discrimination

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, issued the following statement after reports that the Obama Administration won’t take action to bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.  “I am deeply disappointed that the Administration will allow companies that accept federal contracts

Merkley: FHFA Principal Write-down Analysis Step in Right Direction

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the release of new analysis by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) that principal write-downs for homeowners could save billions of dollars for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Today’s analysis is a step in the right direction. When it

Merkley: Crowdfunding Exciting New Opportunity for Small Businesses and Startups

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after President Obama signed into law the “JOBS” Act, which includes an amendment he sponsored to provide for crowdfunding. The crowdfunding amendment, cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Scott Brown (R-MA), allows small businesses and startups to raise

en_USEnglish