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.
CBO Tells Merkley: Trump’s “Golden Dome” Could Cost Taxpayers More Than $1.2 Trillion
CBO Estimates the “Golden Dome” to Cost $1.2 Trillion Over 20 Years, Unable to Project Long Term Cost Due to Lack of Detailed Planning by Department of Defense WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the request of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, the nonpartisan
Four Years Following Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Van Hollen, Merkley, Welch Again Press for Justice, Accountability in Her Death
Washington, D.C. – Today, four years following the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) once again pressed the Trump Administration to pursue justice and accountability in her death. The Senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Federal
“Neither Moral Nor Constitutional” – Merkley SLAMS Trump’s Illegal War
Senator Jeff Merkley outlined why the Senate must act to rein in Trump’s unconstitutional war with Iran on the Senate floor ahead of a vote on his War Powers Resolution.
Congress Must Act NOW to End Trump’s Illegal War with Iran
Senator Jeff Merkley spoke in support of passing War Powers Resolutions to rein in President Trump’s unconstitutional war with Iran on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Merkley Seeks Answers on Hegseth’s Role in Dismantling Military’s Civilian Harm Prevention Guard Rails in Advance of Iran War
Washington, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—joined a group of Senators in seeking answers on U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s role in weakening civilian harm prevention programs and the catastrophic civilian impacts of President Trump’s war in Iran. “The high human
Merkley, Warren, Van Hollen, Sanders Probe Trump-Backed Board of Peace’s Plan to Rebuild Gaza with Shady Cryptocurrency
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley partnered with U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to press the Trump Administration over its plans to reportedly develop a US dollar-backed stablecoin for Gaza as part of post-war reconstruction efforts. The Senators raise serious