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’s Response to Trump’s Submission of U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal to Congress

Washington, D.C. – Following the Trump Administration’s submission to Congress on a proposed U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear cooperation agreement, referred to as a “123 agreement,” Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—co-chair of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—issued the

Wyden, Merkley Urge Netanyahu to Immediately Halt Settler Violence in West Bank 

Oregon Senators call for those responsible for violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian-Americans, to be held accountable Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 45 of their Senate colleagues, urged Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take immediate actions to reduce violence in the West Bank and

Merkley, Risch Lead Bipartisan Push to Strengthen the United States’ Commitment to Tibet

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) partnered with Jim Risch (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to lead the introduction of the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act. The bipartisan bill would strengthen U.S. engagement with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the democratically elected representative of

Merkley Statement on Russia Sanctions to Bolster Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley – a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – issued the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to crack down on Russia’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine: “The United States must stand with democratic republics

Merkley, Senate Colleagues Introduce New Legislation to Close Ethics Loopholes for All Officials Representing the U.S. Abroad

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—led a group of Senate Democrats in introducing the Transparency in the Administration’s Business Opportunities Overseas (TABOO) Act. The new legislation mandates strong ethics requirements for every individual representing the United States government in negotiations

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