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, Maloney Announce Legislation to Protect and Expand Working Moms’ Right to Breastfeed
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and House Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011. The legislation helps ensure that more working mothers can continue to breastfeed their babies after they return to work, providing health benefits to their children. The
Merkley Statement on Increased Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the announcement of an agreement on a new fuel economy standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, a 5 percent annual improvement. “I am pleased that the White House has taken the initiative to put together a
Merkley: Consumer Protection Bureau Will Put Main Street First
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on the official opening of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). “A cop is finally on the beat. For too long, regulators in Washington looked the other way when financial institutions took advantage of their customers in a bid to
Oregon congressional delegation requests investigation into broken National Guard bonus contracts
Washington, D.C. – The Oregon congressional delegation today asked the Inspector General of the National Guard Bureau to investigate the Guard’s refusal to honor bonus contracts signed by members of the Oregon National Guard. Six members of the Oregon National Guard have contacted Oregon’s congressional offices seeking help after the
Merkley Statement on Richard Cordray
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the nomination by President Obama of Richard Cordray to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “I first want to thank Elizabeth Warren for her hard work getting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau up and
Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million for Oregon School-based Health Centers
Washington, DC – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded over $4 million to twelve school-based health centers across Oregon to expand access to quality health care to children while at school. Funding for these awards comes from