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

Welch, Merkley, Warren, and Sanders Raise Concerns of Potential Greenwashing in Exxon and Chevron Mergers, Push SEC to Consider Investigating Environmental Commitments in Merger Deals

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler raising concerns of potential greenwashing in ExxonMobil’s acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources (Pioneer) and Chevron Corporation’s acquisition of

Warren, Markey, Merkley Call on the Bureau of Prisons to Protect Inmates, End Prison Accreditation Contract with the American Correctional Association 

“We urge the BOP not to renew its ACA accreditation contract when it expires next month.”  “The ACA’s accreditation system is ineffective at best, and at worst misleads the public to believe that a failing facility’s operations are adequate.” Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. – Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.),

Merkley, Levin: Transition America to Zero-Emission Vehicles 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Mike Levin (D-CA-49) led colleagues in a bicameral introduction of the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Act. This legislation would position the United States to lead the world both in vehicle innovation and combating climate chaos. “Electric vehicles mean cleaner air

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