Press Releases

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

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: House Vote on Clean Energy Jobs Bill Paves the Way for Senate Action

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed groundbreaking legislation to rebuild the economy around clean energy and to directly address the looming threat of global warming.  Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following statement on the vote:

Wyden, Merkley Seek Molalla River Protection

Washington, D.C. – Bringing to fruition years of work from the Molalla community to preserve their namesake river, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2009, which is a companion bill to legislation introduced in the House of

Merkley, Wyden Announce $81 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Oregon Transportation

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded over $81 million for public transit repair, maintenance, and equipment in Lane, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Polk, Marion, and Deschutes counties as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “The

Merkley Statement on Meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today met with Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor.  He issued the following statement after the meeting: “I had a productive conversation with Judge Sotomayor and came away very impressed by her intellect and dedication to the law.  She is very personable with

Merkley Fighting to Improve Veterans Health Care

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley co-sponsored four pieces of legislation today to improve health care for our veterans.  “We have a bedrock commitment to our men and women in uniform to provide them with the resources they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when

Merkley to Hold Umatilla Town Hall

Portland – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold a town hall in Umatilla County on Wednesday, July 1. He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions about the challenges facing Oregon and America. “Advocating for Oregonians is my number one responsibility,” Merkley said. “I

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