Foreign Policy and National Security

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 Statement on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Congress

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today issued the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress: “I did not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.   “I was horrified by Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th and fully

Merkley: No President in My Lifetime Has Done More Than Biden

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced he will not seek a second term: “No president in my lifetime has done more than Joe Biden. He’s achieved historic successes in investments in American manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure, strengthened

Merkley, Markey Urge No Federal Support for Commercial Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plants

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Massachusetts’ U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, Senate co-chairs of the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, expressed their concern about companies seeking to build commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing plants in the United States. The Senators urge U.S. Secretary

Merkley’s Bipartisan Bill Supporting Tibetan Self-Determination Now Law

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today announced his bipartisan bill—the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act—has been signed into law. Merkey’s bill, which he co-authored with Indiana’s U.S. Senator Todd Young, supports Tibetan self-determination and promotes dialogue between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and

Reform our Immigration System, Pass the Children’s Safe Welcome Act

Senator Merkley, Representative Kamlager-Dove, Mina Dixon Davis of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, and Neha Desai of the National Center for Youth Law discuss the Children’s Safe Welcome Act and the need to reform our immigration system. The bicameral Children’s Safe Welcome Act embeds best practices for child

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