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 Touts Committee Passage of His Bipartisan Bill to Support Taiwan’s Drone Production, American National Security
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—applauded committee passage of his bipartisan Blue Skies for Taiwan Act. Merkley’s bill expands cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the face of the
As Trump Requests $1.5 Trillion for Pentagon, Sens. Markey and Merkley Press for Details on “Golden Dome” $1.2 Trillion Price Tag, Mission
Letter Text (PDF) Washington (June 17, 2026) – As Congress considers President Trump’s $1.5 trillion request for Pentagon spending and SpaceX wins billions in Golden Dome contracts, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press Trump Admin On Growing Threat of Ebola and Hantavirus After Devastating Foreign Aid Cuts
Senators: Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts Are Putting Americans at Risk Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined their Democratic Senate colleagues in sounding the alarm on how the Trump administration’s foreign aid cuts under DOGE have led to a humanitarian health crisis
Merkley Leads New Bill to Prevent LNG Exports from Raising Costs on American Households, Businesses
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee—introduced new legislation that would lower prices for American households by ensuring new liquefied fossil gas (also known as LNG) exports will not result in higher costs for families and businesses.
KAINE, VAN HOLLEN, AND MERKLEY INTRODUCE BILL TO STRENGTHEN STATE DEPARTMENT WORKFORCE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, legislation to strengthen the State Department workforce and ensure senior State Department officials are selected based on merit.
Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press Trump to Justify His Claim that Hostilities in Iran Have Ended
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues in refuting the Trump administration’s claim to Congress that the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, in Iran have “terminated” and requested President Trump release the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion supporting his claim. The
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