Tag: Foreign Policy and National Security

SENATE PASSES MERKLEY, PAUL AMENDMENT TO END WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S Senate passed a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) that would bring an end to America’s longest war and get our troops home from Afghanistan. The amendment calls on the Administration to end

Merkley Statement on Cybersecurity Bill

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after the Cybersecurity bill failed a cloture vote. “I voted against ending debate on this bill last time and I voted no again today because this bill needs improvement.  There are many amendments that Senators proposed in July

Senator Merkley to Travel to Israel

Washington, DC– Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is traveling to Israel over the Senate recess period as part of a Senate delegation. The group, which also includes Senators Kay Hagan and Mark Begich, arrived in Jerusalem today. “This visit to Israel is an opportunity to meet with some of the region’s

Merkley Statement on Cybersecurity Bill

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after the Cybersecurity bill failed a cloture vote. “We need to be prepared to take on the mounting threat of cyber attacks on our critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids and our transportation system. Our national security leaders

Merkley Pushes Back Against Proposed Cuts to National Guard Counterdrug Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee calling on them to preserve funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program. The program has been critical to detecting and disrupting drug activity, particularly large-scale marijuana growing

MERKLEY, BAUCUS LEAD BIPARTISAN CALL TO BRING TROOPS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN

(Washington, DC) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus and Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley led a bipartisan group of 24 Senators today in calling on the President to bring American combat forces home from Afghanistan.  As the Senate considers the 2012 Highway Bill on the floor this week, the

Merkley Praises New 2013 Timeline to End Combat in Afghanistan

Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley wrote to President Barack Obama to express his strong support of the announcement of an accelerated transition in Afghanistan.  The letter came on the heels of comments by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the United States will complete its transition from major

Editorial: Skewed priorities

You cannot talk about the federal deficit without mentioning the war in Afghanistan. Sen. Jeff Merkley did both during his talk to the Columbia Forum last Wednesday night. Sen. Merkley took the annual spending on the Afghanistan war – $120 billion – and broke that into jobs that could be

Merkley Statement on End of Iraq War

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement on the end of the Iraq War:  “This day, the day marking the end of combat troops in Iraq, has been far too long in coming.  This misguided war should never have been fought, but today we can all

Senate Sends Message To President: Bring U.S. Forces In Afghanistan Home Faster

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment introduced by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley requiring President Obama to develop a plan to expedite the reduction in U.S. forces in Afghanistan and to make periodic reports to Congress on the progress of that plan. “Our American forces have successfully

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