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 to hold Multnomah and Columbia Town Halls
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Multnomah and Columbia Counties during the first week of June. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.
Merkley Joins Effort to Pass Wall Street Reform
The United States Senate tonight passed important reform legislation to rein in abuse on Wall Street and restore stability to financial markets. The bill contains key mortgage lending reforms championed by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley: a ban on prepayment penalties, “liar” loans issued without supporting documentation, and steering payments to originators for putting borrowers in high-cost mortgages.
Merkley to Hold Wheeler, Gilliam and Grant County Town Halls
Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Wheeler, Gilliam and Grant Counties next week. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Advocating for Oregonians
Merkley, Levin: Free the Volcker Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senate Republicans refused to allow a vote on a long-anticipated amendment to the Wall Street accountability bill that will ban the high-risk trading that brought our economy to the brink of meltdown. The amendment’s chief sponsors, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Michigan Senator Carl Levin, today
West Coast Senators Introduce Bill to Protect The Pacific Coast from Offshore Oil Drilling
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation today to permanently prohibit offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf of California, Oregon and Washington State. The legislation would amend the Outer Continental Shelf
Merkley Joins Effort to Ease the Financial Burden of Flood Protection for Rural Communities
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester in an effort to make it easier and more affordable for rural communities to comply with flood protection requirements. “Many Oregon communities are already struggling with high unemployment and a lackluster economy and can’t afford