Foreign Policy and National Security

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, Kaine: No Funds for War Against Venezuela

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today teamed up to introduce the Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025 to prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Venezuela without explicit Congressional authorization.  “Congress cannot stand by while

Blackburn, Merkley Urge FIFA to Recognize Afghan Women United as Afghanistan’s Women’s Football Team

‘Despite [FIFA’s] stated human rights standards, the body has too often failed to enforce them consistently’ NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino urging FIFA to formally recognize Afghan Women’s United as Afghanistan’s national women’s football team and to

CURTIS AND MERKLEY WORK TO CODIFY TAIWAN SIX ASSURANCES

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, a bipartisan bill to formally codify the Six Assurances as foundational U.S. policy toward Taiwan, reinforce congressional oversight, and prevent any unilateral change in America’s longstanding position without legislative review.

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