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.
Senate Republicans Block Merkley and Wyden’s Effort to Require Identification, Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement, Armed Forces
Follows Trump sending federal troops to Oregon and cities nationwide Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today denounced Senate Republicans for voting down his amendment with his Oregon colleague, Senator Ron Wyden, to prevent unidentifiable federal law enforcement and armed forces from being deployed against Americans. “I led an amendment with Senator Wyden
As Trump Unconstitutionally Deploys Military into American Cities, Senators from Illinois, Oregon & California Oppose NDAA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Amid Donald Trump’s escalating deployments of troops to American cities, the six U.S. Senators representing states that Donald Trump is targeting with troop deployments over state and local officials’ strong objections—U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and
Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Dexter Demand Answers about Portland ICE Facility
WASHINGTON DC [10/9/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) demanding that the Trump administration provide answers about the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. The requests follow the lawmakers’ visit to the ICE facility on S.
Warren, Duckworth, Van Hollen, Markey, Merkley Ask Trump State Department to Explain Apparent Neglect of American Citizens Detained from Global Sumud Flotilla
Trump State Department has failed to explain why “it took the U.S. embassy four days – longer than other governments whose citizens were detained – to visit and assess the care of American citizens.” “What steps will the State Department take to independently evaluate the accusations of mistreatment towards American
Illinois, Oregon, & California Senators Issue Warning About Trump’s Dangerous, Unconstitutional Deployments of National Guard Troops into Their States
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The six United States Senators representing states that Donald Trump has sought to force National Guard deployments to, against state and local officials’ objections, without any coordination and in the absence of adequate justification—U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron
Merkley, Wyden Urge State Department to Resume Medical and Humanitarian Visas for Civilians in Gaza
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern and demanding an explanation for the State Department’s recent decision to suspend the issuance of temporary medical and humanitarian visas for civilians in Gaza in need of
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