Category: In the News

Columbia River Cleanup Bill Passes Congress

Cleaning up and monitoring toxics in the Columbia River Basin could now be a little easier. Congress recently passed a bill that would authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to start a voluntary grant program for environmental cleanup in the Columbia River system. The Columbia River Basin, which was named as a

Merkley denounces nomination of ‘Putin’s buddy’ Rex Tillerson for secretary of state

SALEM, OR (KPTV) – Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon on Tuesday harshly criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as nominee for secretary of state. If approved, Tillerson would be the first secretary of state in modern history without previous government experience, The Washington Post reported.  “Donald Trump told us he

Congress passes Columbia River Restoration Act

Congress has passed a bill authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a competitive, voluntary grant program for environmental cleanup work in the Columbia River. The Columbia River Restoration Act was included as part of the federal Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which lawmakers approved Dec. 9. Grants could

Senators Wyden and Merkley Urging Leadership to Renew SRS Payments to Counties

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have urged their colleagues to keep the government’s promise to rural communities in Oregon, 40 other states and Puerto Rico by passing legislation that would provide vital funding for schools, law enforcement and essential road repairs. Since payments through the Secure Rural Schools

Job-Creating Water Infrastructure Bill Passes Congress

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the House and Senate have passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes key job creation and funding opportunities for Oregon communities. The legislation previously passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in April and

Senate Democrats gear up to fight Trump’s ‘dangerous’ EPA nominee

Moments after news broke that President-elect Donald Trump would be appointing Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt?—?a close friend of the fossil fuel industry and noted climate denier?—?as EPA administrator, Democratic legislators in Congress began voicing their ardent disapproval. “At a time when climate change is the great environmental threat to the

Wyden, Merkley fight to save ‘lifeline’ for rural communities

WASHINGTON – Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., urged the Senate Thursday to keep the government’s promise to rural communities in Oregon, 40 other states and Puerto Rico by passing legislation that would provide vital funding for schools, law enforcement and essential road repairs. Since payments through the Secure

Wyden, Merkley urge Trump: Don’t cut Medicare, Medicaid

A total of 21 Democrat U.S. senators, including Oregon’s Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, sent a letter Wednesday to President-elect Donald Trump to remind him of his campaign promises to reject cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and to ask that he clarify whether he still intends to do so. The

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