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 Colleagues in Demanding CBO Probe the Cost of Trump’s National Guard Deployment to American Cities, Including Portland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, led several of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to probe the cost of the Trump Administration’s brazen decision to deploy National Guard personnel to U.S. cities. President Trump has ordered
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Donald Trump to Reinforce Opposition to West Bank Annexation
Senators press Trump to reinforce opposition to territorial annexation after Gaza ceasefire plan omits mention of West Bank Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to urge Donald Trump to reinforce his stated opposition to Israel’s annexation of territory in
Van Hollen, Merkley, Castor, Frost Lead Colleagues in Pressing Trump Administration on Detention of 16-year-old U.S. Citizen by Israel
Lawmakers were joined by over 20 additional members in seeking update on release of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) are leading 13 Senators and 10 House members in pressing the Trump
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Request Department of Defense Inspector General Inquiry into Domestic Deployment of Military in American Cities
“We urgently request that you initiate an inquiry into the cumulative effects of these domestic deployments of U.S. active-duty troops and the National Guard… on military readiness, resources, personnel, and our military as an institution,” the lawmakers wrote to the Department of Defense Acting Inspector General Washington, D.C. – U.S.
Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about DHS Helicopters Over Portland
WASHINGTON DC [10/17/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led a letter with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (OR-03) in demanding the Trump administration provide answers about the Department of Homeland Security helicopters that have continuously flown over Portland since Sept. 27. The lawmakers noted
Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Bynum and Dexter Tell Trump Administration to Withdraw Agents Deployed to Portland Outside ICE Facility
Oregon Democratic lawmakers: “Your federal agents weren’t invited, they aren’t needed, and their presence has fomented the very violence you claim they are there to prevent.” Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today demanded the