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 Leads Colleagues in Slamming Trump Putting His Face on U.S. Passport

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Angus King (I-ME) to demand answers from the U.S. Department of State about its reported plans to issue 25,000 special passports featuring Trump’s portrait in commemoration of

Senate Moves to Curtail Iran War Powers

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate advanced a War Powers Resolution to force an end to President Trump’s war with Iran. The resolution was led by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy

Senate Foreign Relations Democrats Statement on Trump-Xi Summit

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after the conclusion of

Merkley Blasts Senate Republicans for Failing to End Trump’s Illegal Iran War

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block his War Powers Resolution to end President Trump’s illegal war against Iran: “Rather than hold President Trump accountable for his reckless warmongering, Senate Republicans have once again rubber-stamped Trump’s

Four Years Following Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Van Hollen, Merkley, Welch Again Press for Justice, Accountability in Her Death

Washington, D.C. – Today, four years following the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) once again pressed the Trump Administration to pursue justice and accountability in her death. The Senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Federal

en_USEnglish