U.S. Senator · D · Oregon
Jeff Merkley
- Term
- 2021–2027
- Office
- 531 Hart Senate Office Building
- Bills
- 98
Issue by issue
The same issue areas we use for every senator, so you can see where Merkley puts their effort — and read the record behind each one.
Health care
Extensive record
Merkley's work here shows up as 33 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 2 documented commitments.
33 bills
Go deeper on health care
Their stated view
- Strengthening Healthcare Access — He supports legislation aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare, improving patient protections, and investing in the nursing workforce.
Commitments tracked here
- Increase Nursing Workforce Protections
- Ban Asbestos Nationally
The record (38)
- Bill authoredAlan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025Latest action 2025-09-16
- Bill authoredA concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.Latest action 2025-07-16
- Bill authoredAlan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-04
- Bill cosponsoredGreen New Deal for Public Housing ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredLet Kids Play ActLatest action 2026-05-13
- Bill cosponsoredHELPER Act of 2025Latest action 2025-03-12
- Bill cosponsoredLowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025Latest action 2025-05-07
- Bill cosponsoredOfficer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-10
Foreign policy
Extensive record
Merkley's work here shows up as 25 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 1 documented commitment.
25 bills
Go deeper on foreign policy
Commitments tracked here
- Support Taiwan's International Engagement
The record (25)
- Bill authoredBlue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026Latest action 2026-07-27
- Bill authoredUnited States - Taiwan Partnership in the Americas ActLatest action 2025-10-30
- Bill authoredTaiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025Latest action 2025-05-05
- Bill cosponsoredA resolution commending Taiwan on the 30th anniversary of its first direct presidential election in 1996, and expressing support for Taiwan in the preservation of its democratic institutions.Latest action 2026-03-23
- Bill authoredAssuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-07
- Bill authoredTABOO ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill authoredA joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.Latest action 2026-05-13
- Bill authoredProtecting Taxpayers from Risky Investments in Venezuela ActLatest action 2026-01-13
Democracy & ethics
Extensive record
Merkley's work here shows up as 24 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 1 documented commitment.
24 bills
Go deeper on democracy & ethics
Their stated view
- Upholding Democratic Integrity — Senator Merkley focuses on transparency in government, protecting electoral processes, and ensuring accountability for public officials.
Commitments tracked here
- Protect Elections from Fraudulent AI
The record (24)
- Bill authoredFraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026Latest action 2026-06-11
- Bill authoredBan Gambling on Elections Act of 2024Latest action 2024-09-18
- Bill authoredMass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025Latest action 2025-03-24
- Bill authoredA concurrent resolution recognizing the essential work of the League of Oregon Cities.Latest action 2025-03-11
- Bill authoredUnited States Postal Service Shipping Equity ActLatest action 2024-09-17
- Bill cosponsoredInspectors General Independence ActLatest action 2026-01-15
- Bill cosponsoredAnti-Corruption Bureau Creation ActLatest action 2026-07-30
- Bill cosponsoredRight to Vote ActLatest action 2026-06-24
Justice & civil rights
Some record
Merkley's work here shows up as 7 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 1 documented commitment.
7 bills
Go deeper on justice & civil rights
Commitments tracked here
- Increase Transparency for Epstein Files
The record (8)
- Bill authoredEpstein Files Transparency Act IILatest action 2026-07-15
- Bill authoredEpstein Files Transparency ActLatest action 2025-07-30
- Bill authoredA resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to prominently display, in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing of the United States Capitol, a plaque honoring the members of law enforcement responding on January 6, 2021, until the plaque can be placed in its permanent location.Latest action 2026-01-08
- Bill cosponsoredRestoring Justice for Workers ActLatest action 2026-07-30
- Bill cosponsoredGun Records Restoration and Preservation ActLatest action 2026-06-11
- Bill cosponsoredState Department Integrity and Transparency ActLatest action 2026-06-09
- Bill authoredTABOO ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredDrug Deal Disclosure ActLatest action 2026-04-21
Education
Some record
Merkley's work here shows up as 6 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 1 documented commitment.
6 bills
Go deeper on education
Their stated view
- Enhancing Educational Opportunities — He champions initiatives to improve public education, support students from early childhood through higher education, and ensure access to quality learning environments.
Commitments tracked here
- Expand Library Access for Summer Students
The record (7)
- Bill authoredSummer Meals and Learning Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-06
- Bill authoredSmaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act of 2024Latest action 2024-09-12
- Bill cosponsoredAll Students Count Act of 2026Latest action 2026-05-20
- Bill cosponsoredA resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the 2026 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-LGBTQI+ bullying, harassment, discrimination, and other forms of victimization faced by individuals in schools, and calling on communities across the country to take action to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, particularly LGBTQI+ young people, in K-12 schools.Latest action 2026-04-15
- Bill authoredProtecting Students from Worthless Degrees ActLatest action 2026-07-16
- Bill authoredSchool Access to Naloxone Act of 2026Latest action 2026-03-19
- Bill authoredFair College Admissions for Students ActLatest action 2026-03-19
Environment & energy
Some record
Merkley's work here shows up as 3 bills authored or cosponsored, tied to 1 documented commitment.
3 bills
Go deeper on environment & energy
Their stated view
- Protecting Environmental Health — Senator Merkley advocates for policies that combat climate change, reduce pollution, and protect natural resources for future generations.
Commitments tracked here
- Create National Recycling and Composting Standards
The record (2)
- Bill authoredTruth in Labeling Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredA joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".Latest action 2026-07-16
Economy & jobs
No records matched yet
Merkley has stated a position on promoting economic fairness, but we have not matched congressional records to it yet.
Go deeper on economy & jobs
Their stated view
- Promoting Economic Fairness — Senator Merkley works to create a fair economy by supporting workers, regulating financial institutions, and ensuring economic opportunity for all.
What Merkley stands for
The issues this senator has built their public record around, drawn from their own campaign material, official statements and legislative work. Each one links to a source so you can read it yourself.
- 01Environment
Protecting Environmental Health
Senator Merkley advocates for policies that combat climate change, reduce pollution, and protect natural resources for future generations.
- 02Health
Strengthening Healthcare Access
He supports legislation aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare, improving patient protections, and investing in the nursing workforce.
- 03Economy
Promoting Economic Fairness
Senator Merkley works to create a fair economy by supporting workers, regulating financial institutions, and ensuring economic opportunity for all.
- 04Education
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
He champions initiatives to improve public education, support students from early childhood through higher education, and ensure access to quality learning environments.
- 05Democracy
Upholding Democratic Integrity
Senator Merkley focuses on transparency in government, protecting electoral processes, and ensuring accountability for public officials.
What they've actually done about it
Each commitment below is something this senator has publicly said they would pursue, followed by the concrete record on it: bills they authored or cosponsored, floor speeches they gave. We describe the record — we don't grade it.
- Education
Expand Library Access for Summer Students
He plans to create a federal grant program to help state libraries keep school libraries open for students during summer months, especially those with lunch programs.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley sponsored a bill on 2026-08-06, 'A bill to create a new Federal grant program that provides grants to State libraries to allow schools with summer lunch programs to keep their libraries open for student use during the summer months,' which is currently referred to committee.
On the record: 6 bills
See the 7 records behind this
- Bill authoredSummer Meals and Learning Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-06
- Bill authoredSmaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act of 2024Latest action 2024-09-12
- Bill cosponsoredAll Students Count Act of 2026Latest action 2026-05-20
- Bill cosponsoredA resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the 2026 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-LGBTQI+ bullying, harassment, discrimination, and other forms of victimization faced by individuals in schools, and calling on communities across the country to take action to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, particularly LGBTQI+ young people, in K-12 schools.Latest action 2026-04-15
- Bill authoredProtecting Students from Worthless Degrees ActLatest action 2026-07-16
- Bill authoredSchool Access to Naloxone Act of 2026Latest action 2026-03-19
- Bill authoredFair College Admissions for Students ActLatest action 2026-03-19
- Democracy
Protect Elections from Fraudulent AI
Senator Merkley has sponsored legislation aimed at regulating fraudulent artificial intelligence in elections.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley sponsored the 'Fraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026' on 2026-06-11, which was read twice and referred to committee and is still pending.
On the record: 24 bills
See the 8 records behind this
- Bill authoredFraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026Latest action 2026-06-11
- Bill authoredBan Gambling on Elections Act of 2024Latest action 2024-09-18
- Bill authoredBan Gambling on Elections Act of 2024Latest action 2024-12-20
- Bill authoredMass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025Latest action 2025-03-24
- Bill authoredA concurrent resolution recognizing the essential work of the League of Oregon Cities.Latest action 2025-03-11
- Bill authoredUnited States Postal Service Shipping Equity ActLatest action 2024-09-17
- Bill cosponsoredInspectors General Independence ActLatest action 2026-01-15
- Bill cosponsoredAnti-Corruption Bureau Creation ActLatest action 2026-07-30
- Health
Increase Nursing Workforce Protections
He is committed to limiting mandatory overtime for nurses and establishing national standards to improve their working conditions and patient safety.
Where it stands: Sponsored a bill introduced on 2026-08-06 limiting mandatory overtime for nurses; referred to the Committee on Finance.
On the record: 8 bills
See the 8 records behind this
- Bill authoredNurse Overtime and Patient Safety ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill authoredA resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2026.Latest action 2026-04-30
- Bill authoredA resolution recognizing 2026 as "The Year of The Power of Nurses" in Celebration of the 130th Anniversary of the American Nurses Association.Latest action 2026-01-15
- Bill authoredTitle VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026Latest action 2026-07-28
- Bill authoredA resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025.Latest action 2025-05-06
- Bill cosponsoredDouble the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-05
- Bill cosponsoredRestoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026Latest action 2026-05-18
- Bill cosponsoredA joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".Latest action 2026-07-14
- Law
Increase Transparency for Epstein Files
Senator Merkley champions legislation to ensure the public disclosure and transparency of records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley sponsored the 'Epstein Files Transparency Act II' on 2026-07-15, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, indicating an active legislative effort.
On the record: 7 bills
See the 8 records behind this
- Bill authoredEpstein Files Transparency Act IILatest action 2026-07-15
- Bill authoredEpstein Files Transparency ActLatest action 2025-07-30
- Bill authoredA resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to prominently display, in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing of the United States Capitol, a plaque honoring the members of law enforcement responding on January 6, 2021, until the plaque can be placed in its permanent location.Latest action 2026-01-08
- Bill cosponsoredRestoring Justice for Workers ActLatest action 2026-07-30
- Bill cosponsoredGun Records Restoration and Preservation ActLatest action 2026-06-11
- Bill cosponsoredState Department Integrity and Transparency ActLatest action 2026-06-09
- Bill authoredTABOO ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredDrug Deal Disclosure ActLatest action 2026-04-21
- International Affairs
Support Taiwan's International Engagement
Senator Merkley supports legislation to strengthen Taiwan's international participation and address global challenges.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley has sponsored the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 and the United States - Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act, both of which are currently placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
On the record: 25 bills
See the 8 records behind this
- Bill authoredBlue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026Latest action 2026-07-27
- Bill authoredUnited States - Taiwan Partnership in the Americas ActLatest action 2025-10-30
- Bill authoredTaiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025Latest action 2025-05-05
- Bill cosponsoredA resolution commending Taiwan on the 30th anniversary of its first direct presidential election in 1996, and expressing support for Taiwan in the preservation of its democratic institutions.Latest action 2026-03-23
- Bill authoredAssuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-07
- Bill authoredTABOO ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill authoredA joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.Latest action 2026-05-13
- Bill authoredProtecting Taxpayers from Risky Investments in Venezuela ActLatest action 2026-01-13
- Health
Ban Asbestos Nationally
Senator Merkley commits to banning asbestos use in the United States to protect public health from its harmful effects.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley sponsored the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026 (S.4578), which was introduced in the current Congress and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
On the record: 25 bills
See the 8 records behind this
- Bill authoredAlan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025Latest action 2025-09-16
- Bill authoredA concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.Latest action 2025-07-16
- Bill authoredAlan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-04
- Bill cosponsoredGreen New Deal for Public Housing ActLatest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredLet Kids Play ActLatest action 2026-05-13
- Bill cosponsoredHELPER Act of 2025Latest action 2025-03-12
- Bill cosponsoredLowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025Latest action 2025-05-07
- Bill cosponsoredOfficer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-10
- Environment
Create National Recycling and Composting Standards
He aims to establish clear national labeling standards for recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable materials to reduce waste and improve environmental practices.
Where it stands: Senator Merkley sponsored a bill, 'A bill to create national standards for labeling of covered materials as recyclable, compostable, reusable, and refillable, and for other purposes,' on 2026-08-06, which directly addresses the promise and is currently pending in committee.
On the record: 3 bills
See the 3 records behind this
- Bill authoredTruth in Labeling Act of 2026Latest action 2026-08-06
- Bill cosponsoredA joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".Latest action 2026-07-16
- Bill cosponsoredA joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".Latest action 2026-06-09
Everything here is sourced from public records — Congress.gov, the Congressional Record, and the member's own statements. Nothing is scored or ranked. How we research these profiles.