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 Joins Victims of Employment Discrimination to Support Legislation Providing Protection for LGBT Employees
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined several victims of employment discrimination today in support of bipartisan legislation to provide basic protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), introduced by Senator Merkley and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), would
Senior Obama Justice Department Official: Employment Non-Discrimination Act a “Top Legislative Priority”
WASHINGTON, DC – Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez today stated that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is a “top legislative priority” of the Obama Administration. The remark came during a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing focused on the legislation. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the chief Senate co-sponsor
Merkley: Recovery Act Working For Oregon, Created or Saved Over 9,500 Jobs in the State
Washington, D.C. – The Obama Administration announced today that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created or saved 9,653 jobs in Oregon and over 650,000 jobs nationwide. The figures are based on reports from recipients tracking $150 billion of the $339 billion in Recovery Act spending used for projects
Wyden, Merkley Announce $40 Million To Boost Geothermal Energy in Oregon
Washington, D.C. – Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of geothermal energy technologies in Oregon. “This funding
Merkley: GDP Growth a Good Sign for Economy But We Have to Focus on Job Creation
Washington, D.C. – Today the Commerce Department announced that the economy grew for the first time in a year. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the last three months, after falling 0.7 percent in the second quarter and 6.5 percent in the first
Merkley, Wyden Announce $29.4 Million for Oregon Smart Grid Technology and Job Creation
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Department of Energy has awarded over $29.4 million in Recovery Act funds for Oregon Smart Grid technology. The funds will be used to make Oregon’s electric system more energy efficient, enable consumers to reduce their energy