Jeff is committed to protecting America from those who would do us harm, and to making sure we do so in a way that is consistent with American values and our Constitutional rights. Indeed, Jeff firmly believes that the measure of our strength isn’t just the power of our military, but that the United States is safer and stronger when we honor our fundamental American values like respect for the rule of law and invest in the hard work of working with our allies. In a dangerous world, with global threats ranging from terrorism to global warming to nuclear weapons proliferation, Jeff understands that we need to be able to work with other nations to confront these challenges together.
Having worked as a national security analyst at the Pentagon and at the Congressional Budget Office, Jeff has a unique understanding of national security policy. In both positions, he was immersed in the national dialogue on responsible management of nuclear weapons. Jeff also remained actively engaged in foreign policy issues as President of the World Affairs Council of Oregon.
Merkley Condemns Hong Kong Court Sentencing Pro-Democracy Advocate’s Father
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—issued a statement following the sentencing of Kwok Yin-sang, the father of U.S.-based activist Anna Kwok, who was put on trial in Hong Kong
Merkley: Any Military Action Against Iran Requires Congressional Authorization
Washington, D.C. – Amid President Trump’s threats against Iran, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issued the following statement warning against unilateral military action without consultation and authorization from Congress: “Despite Trump claiming to be a president who would choose peace, we are once again watching a Republican president drag us into another war
Wyden, Merkley, Dexter, Colleagues Demand Accountability for Israel’s Detention and Abuse of Palestinian-American Teenager Mohammed Ibrahim
This week marks one year since Israeli forces arrested and detained Mohammed Ibrahim, a U.S. citizen, for ten months Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter today joined Senate and House colleagues to demand accountability for the Israeli military’s nearly ten-month detention
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Administration Immediately End Deportation Flights to Iran
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues to demand Donald Trump immediately end deportation flights to Iran. Last month, reports confirmed that Trump resumed the deportation of dozens of Iranians, many of whom could be persecuted, tortured, or even executed if forced to
Merkley Denounces Unjust Sentencing of Hong Kong Democracy Advocate Jimmy Lai
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—issued this statement following the sentencing of Jimmy Lai, an entrepreneur and democracy advocate in Hong Kong who has been imprisoned since 2020 under
Merkley, Wyden Lead the Charge to Limit DHS’ Use of Facial Recognition Technology Amid Trump’s Rapidly Growing Surveillance State
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they introduced the ICE Out of Our Faces Act. The bicameral legislation would rein in the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), banning agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs