Jeff Merkley

U.S. Senator · OR

Democrat

Want to know how closely Jeff matches your views?

Where Jeff stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Clear record
Raise taxes on corporations and high earners to fund major new programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Cosponsored Ultra-Millionaire Tax and Billionaires Income Tax Acts and Social Security Expansion Act; voted against the 2025 reconciliation tax-cut bill.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 53 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.
Voted Yes · Feb 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Interim Guidance Simplifying Application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax to Partnerships".
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — End Polluter Welfare for Enhanced Oil Recovery Act of 2026
Sponsored — Debt Ceiling Reform Act
Sponsored — Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Sponsored — End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act
Sponsored — Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
+48 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
Clear record
Expand benefits and broaden eligibility
Reduce or restructure benefitsExpand benefits
Cosponsored Social Security Expansion Act and Medicare for All; voted yes on the Social Security Fairness Act repealing benefit offsets.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 27 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Dec 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Choose Medicare Act
Cosponsored — Work Without Worry Act
Cosponsored — Alternatives to PAIN Act
Cosponsored — Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act
Cosponsored — Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025
+22 more
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Significantly raise the minimum wage and strengthen union organizing rights
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Cosponsored Raise the Wage Act of 2025 and the Richard Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act strengthening union organizing rights.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 5 votes · 52 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted No · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted No · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
Voted Yes · Jun 2021 — Paycheck Fairness Act
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025
Sponsored — Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025
Sponsored — Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act
Sponsored — WORK to Save Lives Act
Sponsored — Equality Act
+47 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Some evidence
Transition to a single-payer (Medicare for All) system
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Cosponsored Medicare for All across multiple Congresses; sponsored the Choose Medicare Act establishing a public insurance option.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 49 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — A 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 relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted Yes · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025
Sponsored — Choose Medicare Act
Sponsored — End Price Gouging for Medications Act
Sponsored — Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsored — I CAN Act
+44 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Rapid federal action to transition off fossil fuels
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored Keep It in the Ground Act and BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act; voted against ANWR and federal coal leasing disapprovals.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 59 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — End Polluter Welfare for Enhanced Oil Recovery Act of 2026
Sponsored — A 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.
Sponsored — Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2025
Sponsored — Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025
Sponsored — Protecting American Households From Rising Energy Costs Act of 2025
+54 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal protection for abortion access throughout pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Voted yes on the Women's Health Protection Act and Reproductive Freedom for Women Act codifying federal abortion access.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 45 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted Yes · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Access to Family Building Act
Cosponsored — Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Cosponsored — Expanding Access to Family Planning Act
Cosponsored — Affordability is Access Act
+40 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Restrict semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines; broader background checks
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 and Background Check Expansion Act; voted yes on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 25 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted Yes · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
Cosponsored — Age 21 Act
Cosponsored — Keep Americans Safe Act
Cosponsored — Assault Weapons Ban of 2023
Cosponsored — Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2023
+20 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Significantly expand immigration; limit interior enforcement
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Sponsored Freedom for Families and ICE Constitutional Accountability Acts, cosponsored Alternatives to Detention; voted against Laken Riley and Secure America Acts.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 52 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act
Sponsored — Children’s Safe Welcome Act of 2024
Sponsored — Children’s Safe Welcome Act of 2022
Sponsored — WELCOMED Act of 2021
Sponsored — Freedom for Families Act
+47 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Clear record
Major sentencing reductions, end qualified immunity, redirect funding to community programs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Cosponsored Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, End Solitary Confinement Act, and Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act; voted against the HALT Fentanyl Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 46 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted No · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted No · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted No · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act
Sponsored — A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.
Sponsored — Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act
Cosponsored — ERRPA
Cosponsored — End Solitary Confinement Act
+41 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Cooperative internationalism through institutions; minimize military action
Sponsored Iran War Powers resolution; voted to remove forces from Iran and Venezuela hostilities; sponsored Transnational Repression and Honduras Human Rights Acts.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 56 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A 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.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A 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.
Sponsored — Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026
Sponsored — Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
Sponsored — Protecting Taxpayers from Risky Investments in Venezuela Act
Sponsored — Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025
+51 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Pass federal voting access protections and ban partisan gerrymandering
Sponsored the For the People Act and cosponsored the Freedom to Vote Act; voted against the SAVE Act's citizenship requirements.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 51 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Voted Yes · Oct 2021 — Freedom to Vote Act
Voted Yes · Aug 2021 — For the People Act of 2021
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Ban Gambling on Elections Act of 2024
Sponsored — Stop Corrupt Gratuities Act
Sponsored — Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act
Sponsored — For the People Act of 2021
Sponsored — Ban Conflicted Trading Act
+46 more

Where Jeff stands

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