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 Statement on Vote to Block Offensive Arms Sales to the Netanyahu Government

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate held votes on Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to halt U.S. sales of certain offensive weapons used in Gaza by the Netanyahu government: “While Israel

Ahead of Busy Holiday Travel Season, Merkley Urges Oversight of TSA’s Unchecked Use of Facial Recognition Technology at Airports Nationwide

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today joined forces with a bipartisan group of his colleagues to sound the alarm on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) facial recognition regime in airports across the United States. Merkley co-led the effort with Senators John Kennedy (R-LA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA),

Chairs’ Statement on the Trial of Jimmy Lai and Sentences in the Hong Kong 47 Case

(Washington)—The Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Representative Christoper Smith (R-NJ) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) issued the following statement on the expected trial of Jimmy Lai and the sentencing of pro-democracy advocates commonly known as the “Hong Kong 47” (HK47). “The expected trial of Jimmy Lai and

Wyden, Merkley, Kaine, Markey, Van Hollen and Booker Warn U.N. Cyber Convention Could Justify Spying and Censorship By China, Russia and Other Authoritarian Regimes

U.N. Convention Against Cybercrime Lacks Safeguards Against Abuse; Senators Urge Admin To Seek Better Balance To Protect Journalism and Human Rights Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and five Democratic senators urged the Biden Administration to make clear a United Nations cyber convention should not be used to justify

Merkley Remembers One Year Since October 7 Terrorist Attack on Israel

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today issued the following statement marking one year since the Hamas-led terrorist attack, and resulting military engagement and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and across the region: “It is with heavy hearts that we commemorate one year since Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack against

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