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, Wyden Announce $23 Million in Transportation Funding to City of Portland
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced $23 million in transportation funding for the City of Portland from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009 to help rebuild SW Moody Ave on Portland’s South Waterfront. “Independent economists say that there are 2
Merkley, Wyden: More than $24 million for Health Information Technology and Job Training
Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced over $24 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to facilitate and implement health information technology and train unemployed Oregonians for the health care industry. “Today’s Recovery Act investment will allow Oregon
Merkley Endorses Klamath Basin Agreements
Portland, OR– Today Senator Merkley announced his support for the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement and applauded the stakeholders in the basin for their years of collaborative work as he voiced his commitment to work with the regional delegation to enact the federal enabling legislation.
Merkley Urges Swift Action to Address Unemployment
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement in response to today’s jobs report, which showed the nation losing 20,000 more jobs in January, though the national unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent, the lowest level since August 2009
Merkley Supports Tax Cuts for Working Americans
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley co-sponsored two bills this week to cut taxes for working families. The Savings for Working Families Act and Right Start Child Care and Education Act are part of President Obama’s proposal to ease the financial burdens on working families in the weakened economy.
Merkley Applauds Creation of Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D- Ore.) and Governor Ted Kulongoski via video today to announce the creation of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities within HUD. The creation of this office reflects elements of the Livable Communities Act that Merkley co-sponsored last year.