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 Calls for Ceasefire and Massive Increase in Humanitarian Aid for Gaza on U.S. Senate Floor
Senator Merkley spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the need for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and a massive influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Read Senator Merkley’s op-ed in the Oregonian: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/01/merkley-gaza-needs-a-massive-increase-in-humanitarian-aid-immediately-opinion.html Read more about Senator Merkley’s visit to the Rafah Crossing, Egypt,
My Visit to the Rafah Crossing and the Urgent Need to get Humanitarian Aid into Gaza
This weekend marked 100 days in the Israel-Hamas war. I recently visited the Rafah Crossing and saw first-hand the badly broken system preventing life-saving aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza. I’ve called for a ceasefire, which is critical to stopping this humanitarian catastrophe. Read my op-ed in the Oregonian: https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/01/merkley-gaza-needs-a-massive-increase-in-humanitarian-aid-immediately-opinion.html
Cardin, Durbin, Kaine, Merkley, Butler, Welch Introduce Resolution Calling on Guatemala to Ensure Peaceful Transfer of Power
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), introduced a resolution calling for the peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Bernardo Arévalo in Guatemala.
Van Hollen, Merkley Press for Action Following Trip to Rafah Crossing, Egypt, Jordan
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), both members of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement after their visit to Egypt and Jordan: “The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is worsening by the day. Innocent Palestinians are on the verge of starvation, injured
KAINE-LED BICAMERAL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DISCUSSES DEMOCRACY, MIGRATION, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY DURING VISITS TO GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
Visit to Guatemala came amidst brazen attacks on Guatemalan democracy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who serves as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and previously worked as a missionary in Honduras, concluded a bicameral congressional delegation visit to Guatemala
Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Announce Amendment Requiring that Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
More than a dozen Senators push for amendment, including additional reporting requirements WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben