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 Leads Historic Call for U.S. Recognition of Palestinian Statehood

First-ever resolution in the U.S. Senate to formally recognize a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley introduced a historic resolution calling on the President to recognize a Palestinian state. The resolution—the first of its kind in the United States Senate—calls for

Merkley, Sullivan, Curtis, Kaine, Scott, Coons, and Young: U.S. Must Do All It Can to Secure Release of Hong Kong Democracy Advocate Jimmy Lai

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK)—respectively the past and current Chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—joined forces with John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Todd Young (R-IN) to urge U.S. Secretary of State Marco

Van Hollen, Merkley Release Report Detailing Findings on Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, Following Recent CODEL to Gaza Border, Israel, West Bank, Jordan, Egypt

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) released a report they have compiled detailing their findings on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, following their recent CODEL to the Gaza border, Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, and Egypt. The Senators returned last Tuesday from the region where

Wyden, Merkley and Markey Demand ICE Stop Using Mobile Facial Recognition App

Senators raise concerns about harm to privacy and free speech Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) today joined with U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) to urge the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stop using a new biometric mobile phone app, “Mobile

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