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.
Wyden, Merkley Demand Answers from Defense Department on the School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today pressed the Department of Defense to provide answers to the American people regarding the airstrikes on a school and civilian casualties in Iran. Trump’s Defense Department airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school reportedly killed 168 people – mostly children –
Merkley: Senate Refuses to Stop Unauthorized War with Iran
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—released the following statement after the Senate voted to block U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)’s War Powers Resolutionaimed at stopping the unauthorized U.S.-Israel war in Iran: “The Trump Administration has repeatedly misled the American people about its plans for war against
Merkley Calls for No War with Iran
Washington, D.C. – Following President Trump’s unconstitutional strikes against Iran, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issued the following statement: “The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power to declare war, not the president. “James Madison warned us: ‘the Executive is the branch of power most
Merkley Condemns Hong Kong Court Sentencing Pro-Democracy Advocate’s Father
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and past Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)—issued a statement following the sentencing of Kwok Yin-sang, the father of U.S.-based activist Anna Kwok, who was put on trial in Hong Kong
Merkley: Any Military Action Against Iran Requires Congressional Authorization
Washington, D.C. – Amid President Trump’s threats against Iran, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issued the following statement warning against unilateral military action without consultation and authorization from Congress: “Despite Trump claiming to be a president who would choose peace, we are once again watching a Republican president drag us into another war
Wyden, Merkley, Dexter, Colleagues Demand Accountability for Israel’s Detention and Abuse of Palestinian-American Teenager Mohammed Ibrahim
This week marks one year since Israeli forces arrested and detained Mohammed Ibrahim, a U.S. citizen, for ten months Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter today joined Senate and House colleagues to demand accountability for the Israeli military’s nearly ten-month detention