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 ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON PAYDAY LENDERS
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced his intent to introduce federal payday legislation to establish strong rules for payday lenders and close loopholes on online and offshore payday lending sites. Today, Merkley also sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray to call
Merkley Statement on the Passing of Bob Caldwell
Portland, OR- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the passing of Robert J. Caldwell, Editorial Page Editor of The Oregonian. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Caldwell. I have appreciated Bob’s leadership of The Oregon Editorial Pages for many years, from my time at
Merkley: Secure Rural Schools Amendment a Lifeline For Rural Counties
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted 82-16 to pass an amendment that will extend the Secure Rural Schools and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs: “Today is a very good day for our timber counties. County payments are a basic
MERKLEY, BAUCUS LEAD BIPARTISAN CALL TO BRING TROOPS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN
(Washington, DC) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus and Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led a bipartisan group of 24 Senators today in calling on the President to bring American combat forces home from Afghanistan. As the Senate considers the 2012 Highway Bill on the floor this week, the
Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Bill to Ensure Americans Get Hired for Forest Work
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio introduced The American Jobs in American Forests Act to tighten restrictions on a visa program that was used to hire foreign workers at the expense of Oregon forest workers. Last year, a Department of Labor investigation found federal stimulus
Merkley Applauds Obama Initiative on Alternative Fuel Vehicles
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced a new proposal to spur development and deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles. The initiative mirrors many elements of Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s Promoting Electric Vehicles Act, introduced last year with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), along with Senators Debbie Stabenow