Jeff Merkley
Progressive
Democrat
Senator
Oregon
Current Position: Senator from Oregon
Running For: Senator
Policy Positions
Economic Policy
- Against the $675 billion Pentagon spending bill for fiscal 2019
Business & Labor
- For workers' rights to form unions and negotiate strong wages and benefits
- For the Volcker Rule to ban high-risk trading inside commercial banking institutions
- For banning hedge funds from owning single-family homes through the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act
Health Care
- For Medicare for All to give every American access to simple, cost-effective healthcare
- For banning drug companies from charging Americans more for drugs than they charge in Canada, Europe, and Japan
- For the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
Education
- For debt-free college opportunities for all young people
Environment
- For bold action to address climate change including a Green New Deal and 100% clean renewable energy
Civil Rights
- For same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights; passed Oregon Equality Act as House Speaker and introduced Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Senate
- For repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell to allow gay Americans to serve openly in the military
Voting Rights & Democracy
- For overturning Citizens United and eliminating dark money in politics
- For replacing the Electoral College with direct election of presidents through constitutional amendment or National Popular Vote
- Against Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination; filibustered for 15 hours calling it a 'stolen seat'
- For filibuster reform including requiring 'talking filibusters' and eliminating secret holds
Immigration & Foreign Affairs
- Against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela without Congressional approval
- For ceasefire in Gaza war and blocking U.S. arms sales to Israel
- For accelerated withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan
- Against Trump administration's family separation policy at the border
Public Safety
- For comprehensive background checks for all firearm sales and transfers
- For the First Step Act criminal justice reform legislation