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
Senators Ask Obama for Swift Action to Lower Gas Prices
Washington, DC – With gas prices skyrocketing across the nation, a group of six senators, including Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, called on President Obama to sell off a small portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help bring down the price at the pump. The senators called for investing
Merkley Joins Effort to Protect Servicemembers From Falling Victim to Mortgage Abuses
PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in an effort to strengthen mortgage protections for servicemembers once they return home from duty. The Protecting Servicemembers from Mortgage and Abuse Act of 2011 will help protect members of the military from mortgage abuses by encouraging financial
Merkley, Snowe Push for New Rules to Protect Homeowners from Mistreatment by Banks
Washington, D.C. – A group of 18 U.S. Senators, led by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), urged government agencies to take action to prevent foreclosures and help families keep their homes. The senators made their request in a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the
Merkley: EPA Guidelines Protect Clean Air and Water, Support Oregon’s Growing Biomass Industry
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of emissions standards for industrial boilers: “The EPA’s decision is a win for public health, clean air, and the future of the biomass industry in Oregon. Over the past year, I
Merkley Stresses Importance of Innovation, Science and Technology Education to Oregon Jobs
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today visited the Cleveland and Franklin High Schools FIRST robotics teams as they put the finishing touches on their robots before sending them off to the Oregon Regional Championship. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) programs engage Oregon’s youth
Merkley: House Bill will Jeopardize Job Creation
PORTLAND, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the House of Representatives-passed resolution to fund government operations through September: “When I travel across Oregon, everywhere I go, the top priority is job creation. With one in ten Oregonians still out of work, we need to make