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 Applauds Inclusion of Public Option in Merged Senate Legislation
Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced today that health care reform legislation to be considered by the full Senate will include a public option. Under this version, states would be able to opt-out of the program. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Health, Education,
Merkley: Passage of Hate Crimes Bill Marks Huge Stride Towards Equality and Justice for All
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was a co-sponsor of the hate crimes amendment. The bill will now head to the President’s
Banking on Our Small Businesses
Washington, DC – To get lending going again, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced legislation Wednesday that will assist community banks in extending credit to small businesses and consumers, urging economic growth and assisting in job creation. By allocating existing TARP funds under a new Community Credit
Wyden, Merkley Help Save Oregon Manufacturing Jobs
Washington, D.C. – Fighting against a decision by the Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) that would have devastated Oregon knife manufacturers, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) saw the amendment they co-sponsored to prohibit the reclassification of certain knives as switchblades included in the final FY
Merkley, Corker Introduce Legislation to Audit the Fed, Protect Taxpayer Dollars
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of the Federal Reserve’s extraordinary actions last year to stabilize the financial system, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bob Corker (R-TN), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced legislation that will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an audit of
Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Clears Senate and Heads For President’s Desk
Washington, D.C. – Working to improve Oregon’s waterways and alternative energy technology capabilities, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is on its way to the President’s desk for signature. The bill, which includes nearly