Tag: Foreign Policy and National Security

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

Bipartisan Amendment Calls for Accelerated Handover in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC – Ten years after the start of the war in Afghanistan, more than one hundred thousand American troops remain in that nation, providing military and security assistance to the Afghanistan government.  A bipartisan group of senators today offered an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to urge the

Merkley Statement on Iraq Troop Withdrawal

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the announcement by President Barack Obama that the last American soldier in Iraq will be home by the end of the year. “It is terrific to hear that all of our men and women in uniform will come home

Merkley Statement on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

WASHINGTON – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001:  “Ten years ago, our nation watched in shock and horror as an unprecedented attack on American innocents was carried out in cold blood. We knew that day the world would

Merkley Statement on Trip to Afghanistan

Portland, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after returning from a Congressional Delegation trip to Afghanistan. “You can’t meet with our troops overseas and not be blown away by their skill, dedication, and sacrifice.  They undertake and accomplish amazing things under incredibly difficult conditions every day,

Merkley: It Is Time for a New Direction in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today reiterated his call that the President commit to a sizeable and sustained drawdown of troops from Afghanistan.  President Obama is scheduled to speak about the future of that country later tonight.  Early news reports indicate that Obama will call for small decreases

Senators Call on President to Shift Strategy in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and 24 other senators sent a letter to President Obama today calling for a shift in strategy in Afghanistan ahead of next month’s announced deadline to begin an accelerated transition to Afghan security forces. In the letter, the senators

Merkley: Bin Laden Death Provides Justice for America

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after news that U.S. Special Forces have killed Osama bin Laden: “I salute President Obama and his exceptional team on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice.  The President’s resolute determination and the hard work, perseverance, and bravery of so

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