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
Dodd, Lautenberg, Casey, and Merkley Introduce Bill to Continue Efforts to Prevent Underage Drinking
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today, along with Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), introduced the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act Reauthorization, legislation designed to prevent underage drinking. According to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey released yesterday, the largest
Merkley: Tax Package Will Not Do Enough to Help Middle Class, Create Jobs
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the Obama-McConnell tax package pending before the Senate: “I have very strong concerns about the tax proposal before us and cannot support moving forward on the package as it now stands. “This plan will add nearly a trillion
Senate Democrats Urge Vote to Strengthen Social Security Instead of Giving Bonus Tax Cuts to Those Making Over $1 Million a Year
Washington, D.C. – In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Thursday, the group, led by Senators Jeff Merkley (OR) and Mary Landrieu (LA) pushed for an alternative tax cut agreement that strengthens Social Security rather than providing bonus tax cuts on income over $1 million. Other senators signing
Merkley: Deeply Disappointed in Senate Failure to Repeal Discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement Thursday after Senate Republicans once again blocked the National Defense Authorization Act.
President Obama Signs Merkley “Crush Video” Bill Into Law
President Barack Obama today signed into law the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010. The bill was introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley with Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and passed the Senate unanimously last month. Merkley joined President Obama in the Oval Office today for the official signing ceremony.
Merkley Statement on Congress Passing Childhood Nutrition Bill
Washington, D.C. – The House overwhelmingly passed the childhood nutrition bill yesterday, sending it to President Obama’s desk for signature. The Senate passed the bill unanimously last August. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will reduce childhood obesity and strengthen programs dedicated to improving child nutrition. The bill will also provide