Category: Press Releases

Merkley Announces Launch of a New Rural Broadband Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today announced that after securing a $600 million investment in rural broadband in the 2018 spending bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a pilot program that will provide loans and grants to build broadband infrastructure across America—improving rural communities’

RISCH, MERKLEY JOIN SPONSORSHIP OF Wyden, Crapo secure Rural Schools LEGISLATION

Washington, D.C. – Senate leaders from Oregon and Idaho are joining together in a long-term reform of the Secure Rural Schools Program.  The legislation, introduced today by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and co-sponsored by U.S Senators Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, provides certainty

Merkley, Wyden Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year’s FAA spending bill that would allow airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small

Wyden, Merkley Announce Major Development on Hemp Legalization

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced their legislation to legalize industrial hemp is included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which was passed by the full Senate today. The Farm Bill now advances U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Wyden and Merkley worked with Senate Majority Leader

Merkley, Wyden Announce Mass Wood Products Provisions Included in 2018 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that provisions of the Timber Innovation Act areincluded in the 2018 Farm Bill, supporting the development of mass timber products for building construction. In May, Merkley co-led a letter with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) which urged the

Merkley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Doug Jones (D-AL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would halt the predatory practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of “live” checks. When consumers receive these loan checks, many unknowingly

Bipartisan Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon and Steelhead Passes Senate Without Objection

Washington, D.C. – Critical, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to protect Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmon and steelhead from extinction has passed the Senate without objection. The entire Northwest Senate delegation, including U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA) and

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