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
Senate Passes Merkley HUBZone Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley that would reduce the wait time for small businesses to benefit from a federal program that aids companies in hard-hit counties. There is currently a two-year lag time after the census is completed
Merkley Statement on Middle Class Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Compromise
Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after passage of an extension of the payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. “I supported this bill today with substantial reservations,” Merkley said. “On the one hand, it preserves the payroll tax cut for Oregon’s hard-working families. Without passage, average
Merkley Statement On National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after voting against the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act: “The most bedrock principle of our government, one that our nation was founded on, is that it protects the freedom and liberty of our citizens. On this critical measure, the
Merkley Statement on End of Iraq War
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the end of the Iraq War: “This day, the day marking the end of combat troops in Iraq, has been far too long in coming. This misguided war should never have been fought, but today we can all
Merkley: Post Office Moratorium on Closures Is Good News for Rural Oregon
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Postal Service announced a voluntary moratorium on post office closures in response to concerns raised by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of that coalition, released the following statement: “Post offices are essential hubs of life in rural
Crowdfunding on Internet Should be Safe, Accessible
Washington, DC- Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Capital Raising Online While Deterring Fraud and Unethical Non-Disclosure Act of 2011 (CROWDFUND Act), which would legalize and regulate the raising of start-up capital for small businesses on the internet. The promise of crowdfunding is that investments