Senator Merkley has been one of the Senate’s foremost leaders on arms control and nuclear weapons issues. He has either sponsored or cosponsored virtually all bills the Council tracks and speaks out on these issues frequently.
Before entering politics, Merkley was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow, working at the Office of the Secretary of Defense on the security of American military technology. After his fellowship, Merkley worked in the Congressional Budget Office where he analyzed nuclear weapons policies and programs.
After serving in Oregon’s House of Representatives from 1998 to 2008, he defeated two-term Republican incumbent Gordon Smith for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Merkley is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and a leading voice for progressive foreign policy that engages our allies and prioritizes diplomacy. Merkley is 100 percent dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. keeps its commitment to the world to reduce the spread and threat of nuclear weapons.
