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 Cosponsors Bill to Help Communities Hurt by Foreclosures
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley cosponsored the Project Rebuild Act to help communities hard hit by a high number of foreclosures. The legislation will provide funding to purchase, rehabilitate, and/or redevelop foreclosed, abandoned, demolished, or vacant properties. Introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Project Rebuild builds on
Merkley Statement on Oregon Disaster Declaration
Washington, DC –Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued a statement shortly after President Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state of Oregon. Federal resources will be deployed to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the counties of Benton, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk,
Merkley Reintroduces Bill to Provide Relief to Americans Struggling with Medical Debt
Washington, D.C. –Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley reintroduced legislation yesterday that will prohibit companies from using paid off or settled medical debt in assessing consumer credit scores. The Medical Debt Responsibility Act will assist approximately 72 million Americans affected by medical bill problems and medical debt. “Medical debt is not a
Merkley Calls on Fed to Not Delay Volcker Rule
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that regulators will probably delay implementation of the Volcker Rule. “I am disappointed to hear Chairman Bernanke’s comments that regulators will probably not meet the statutory deadline for implementing the
Merkley Statement on Failure of Anti-Contraception Amendment
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Senate voted to reject an amendment that would have allowed employers to deny their workers contraception or other vital health care services on the basis of an employer’s “conviction:” “Today, the U.S. Senate drew a line in
Senators Encourage FCC Effort to Make Campaign Advertisements More Transparent
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley led a group of eight Senators in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski encouraging swift implementation of a proposed rule to make political advertisements more transparent. “With the 2012 election season already underway, citizens have a right to know
English 
Spanish