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.

Shaheen, Duckworth, Schatz, Rosen, Merkley, Kim, Slotkin Statement on Meeting with the Speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) released a statement following a meeting with the President of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, Speaker Han Kuo-Yu, and

Merkley Statement on Trump’s Request for Nearly $88 Billion To Fund His Illegal War and Illegal Tariffs

Washington, D.C. – Today, President Trump formally requested that Congress spend an additional $88 billion in the form of a supplemental request. The majority of these funds would be spent to cover the costs and replenish wasted ammunitions from Trump’s war of choice with Iran while also covering the cost of his illegal tariffs that have hurt families and farmers across the country. Following this news, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released

As Trump Requests $1.5 Trillion for Pentagon, Sens. Markey and Merkley Press for Details on “Golden Dome” $1.2 Trillion Price Tag, Mission

Letter Text (PDF) Washington (June 17, 2026) – As Congress considers President Trump’s $1.5 trillion request for Pentagon spending and SpaceX wins billions in Golden Dome contracts, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08), co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear

en_USEnglish