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 Kicks-Off “Made In Oregon” Manufacturing Tour at Vigor Industrial

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today kicked off a two week tour of Oregon manufacturing facilities with a tour of Vigor Industrial and a roundtable discussion with Portland area manufacturing businesses. The “Made in Oregon” tour is a chance for Senator Merkley to hear directly from Oregon businesses

Merkley to Introduce Amendment to Save Rural Post Offices

 WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he will be offering an amendment to major legislation overhauling the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to save rural post offices now targeted for closure.  Merkley’s amendment would require that a post office closure cannot result in more than a ten

Merkley Cosponsors Bill Supporting Wind Power

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley this week cosponsored the bipartisan American Energy and Job Promotion Act, a bill that will extend the Wind Production Tax Credit for two years.  Without an extension, the tax credit will expire at the end of this year. “This tax credit has helped companies

Merkley Statement on Crowdfunding Amendment

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after Senate passage of his amendment to provide online funding for startup companies while instituting strong protections for investors: “Crowdfunding has the potential to unleash a wave of new economic opportunity by letting small businesses and start-up companies use

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