Jeff Merkley
U.S. Senator for Oregon
Democrat · Since 2009 · Next election: 2026 · Age 69 · Junior senator
Last updated · 7 sources
Jeff Merkley is the junior U.S. Senator for Oregon, a Democrat serving since 2009.
Merkley has served in the Senate longer than 78 of its 99 other members.
Merkley is the ranking member of the Budget Committee and also sits on Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, Foreign Relations, Rules and Administration, and Printing.
In the Senate's last 30 days in session (Jun 23 – Oct 2, 2026), Merkley voted in 74 of 74 roll calls (100%). In that period, 154 bills Merkley sponsored or cosponsored had new actions.
Merkley has filed with the FEC to run for this seat in 2026. 3 candidates for the seat have reported receipts to the FEC.
This week (Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2026)
Full schedule →Senate: met Mon–Wed (Sep 28–30, 2026); a pro forma session Thu
12 roll-call votes: 6 Nay, 6 Yea
· Hearing
Hearings to examine the nominations of Justin Bytheway, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga, William Flens, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Douglas Holder, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Marc Dillard, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros, and Jessica Long, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, all of the Department of State.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee · 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building · Notice
· Hearing
Hearings to examine Nicaragua's political crisis, focusing on Ortega's assault on democracy.
Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues (Senate Foreign Relations Committee) · 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building · Notice
· Closed hearing
To receive a closed briefing on an update on Venezuela.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee · 217 Capitol Visitor Center (Senate side) · Notice
Votes
All of them →Voted in 74 of 74 roll calls (100%), Jun 23 – Oct 2, 2026.
Merkley voted with the majority of Senate Democrats on 66 roll calls and against it on 8.
Votes against the party majority (latest 5 of 8)
| Date | Vote | Question | Result | Jeff Merkley | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28 | No. 250 | On Passage of the Bill S. 4668S. 4668, as amended | Bill Passed | Nay | Most Senate Democrats: Yea |
| Sep 24 | No. 243 | On the Cloture Motion S. 4668Motion to Invoke Cloture: S. 4668, as Amended | Cloture Motion Agreed to | Nay | Most Senate Democrats: Yea |
| Sep 24 | No. 242 | On the Amendment S. 4668Amdt. No. 6776 | Amendment Agreed to | Nay | Most Senate Democrats: Yea |
| Sep 22 | No. 240 | On the Cloture Motion S. 4668Motion to Invoke Cloture: Cruz Amdt. No. 6776 | Cloture Motion Agreed to | Nay | Most Senate Democrats: Yea |
| Sep 17 | No. 236 | On the Motion to Proceed S. 4668Motion to Proceed to S. 4668 | Motion to Proceed Agreed to | Nay | Most Senate Democrats: Yea |
Legislation
137 bills sponsored and 717 cosponsored in the 119th Congress
S. 3257 John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
Cosponsor · Latest action Oct 1, 2026: Held at the desk.
S. 3258 Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026
Cosponsor · Latest action Oct 1, 2026: Held at the desk.
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to compile, publish, and annually update a list of medications that may be safely prescribed to pilots and air traffic controllers for the purposes of issuing a medical certification.
S. 5603 A bill to prohibit the demolition of Presidential memorials.
Sponsor · Latest action Sep 30, 2026: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 688.
Campaign finance
- Raised
- $7,893,849
- Spent
- $4,871,007
- Cash on hand
- $6,828,404
2026 election cycle, through Jun 30, 2026 · FEC S8OR00207
Oregon senators
Ron WydenU.S. Senator for Oregon · Democrat
Sources
- congress-legislators (member data, CC0) · retrieved Oct 2, 2026
- Portrait: Public domain (U.S. government work)
- U.S. Senate roll-call votes (senate.gov)
- Committee meeting notices · retrieved Oct 1, 2026
- Bill status (Congress.gov / GovInfo BILLSTATUS) · retrieved Oct 2, 2026
- Campaign finance (Federal Election Commission) · retrieved Oct 2, 2026
