Jeff Merkley
Democrat · Senator for Oregon
137 sponsored · 717 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2009
Age 70
Contact their office: (202) 224-3753 · 531 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 137 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 2 bills they backed became law.They cosponsored them.
- 17 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 7 of 915 recorded votes (0.8%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on health and international affairs.131 and 111 of the 854 bills they wrote or backed.
What they got done
Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.
Became law (2)
This bill is designed to reauthorize specific programs related to vector-borne diseases. The legislation amends the Public Health Service Act to update the timeline for several provisions.
Became law · 119-S-2398
- Yes: Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak?The bill enhances support for health departments and regional centers that address vector-borne diseases, improving pandemic preparedness related to those diseases. +3
This bill aims to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. It extends various deadlines and years within the original act, such as changing certain dates from 2023 to 2026.
Became law · 119-S-356
- Yes: Does this invest in rural communities?The bill explicitly extends funding and authority for counties with federal lands to support their local development and special projects. +5
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (17)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
This Act requires certain products to include specific labeling. It mandates that covered products, such as certain premoistened nonwoven wipes, must display a "Do Not Flush" label and symbol on their packaging.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-1092
- Yes: Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?The Act aims to prevent pollution in wastewater infrastructure by preventing the flushing of non-biodegradable wipes. +6
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?The Act reduces states' rights by preempting state and local laws regarding product labeling for these items. -4
This Act directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a report on reuse and refill systems. The report must be made publicly available within two years of the Act's enactment.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-2110
- Yes: Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?The act directs the EPA to research systems that reduce waste through reuse and refill. +4
This bill changes how air quality monitoring handles prescribed fires under the Clean Air Act. The bill includes prescribed fires in the definition of exceptional events.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-5045
- Yes: Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?The bill improves air quality management and smoke hazard mitigation through new grant programs and regulatory clarity. +5
And 14 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Resolutions of theirs that were adopted (5)
A resolution is a chamber speaking for itself — a position, a rule or a tribute. Adopting it puts it into effect, but it is not a law.
- A resolution designating the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
- A 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.
- A resolution commemorating 30 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam on July 11, 2025.
- A resolution commemorating the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on July 6, 2025, as "A Day of Compassion" and expressing support for the human rights and distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identity of the Tibetan people.
- A resolution designating the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
Still waiting, of the 137 bills they wrote: 7 cleared committee and wait for a first vote, 123 are in committee. Committee is where most bills end, whoever writes them — silence there, not a vote, is the usual way a bill dies.
What their bills would do
Every bill is scored against plain yes-or-no questions. These count their bills — the ones they wrote and the ones they cosponsored — by how each question was answered: yes, or the opposite. Open one to see those bills, where each stands, and why it was scored that way. Scores are made by AI ().
Who their bills would affect
What else they would change
How they voted lately
Their latest votes that decided something, and what each measure would do.
This bill sets national rules for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights. It creates protections for academic progress, medical coverage, and health and safety standards.
The vote on whether to pass the bill — Bill Passed
- Yes: Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?Significantly expands earning potential through NIL rights and provides medical and academic protections for college athletes. +9
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?Prevents states from enforcing their own NIL compensation and transfer laws that conflict with the federal framework. -5
119-S-4668 · roll call 250
What the Amendment Does As folks looking out for the good of the people and holding our officials accountable, we need to know what our leaders are trying to change. This amendment, submitted by Mr. Booker and Mr.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6835 · roll call 249
- YeaTo increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.Sep 29, 2026
What the Amendment Does Mr. Booker, along with Mr. Blumenthal, submitted this amendment to change how a specific fund or program is paid for in the bill.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6805 · roll call 248
On the President’s nominees
The President chooses federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and military officers, and the Senate decides whether each one gets the job. Most are confirmed by voice vote, which records no one’s position; in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) the Senate put 223 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.
They voted to confirm 2 and against 220, and did not vote on 1. Those votes covered 592 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
The 5 most recent they voted against
Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor, vice Lori Chavez-DeRemer, resigned.
Nomination Confirmed 47–41 · Sep 30, 2026
Angela Veronica Colmenero, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, vice Lee H. Rosenthal, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 50–47 · Sep 23, 2026
Kasdin Miller Mitchell, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, vice Barbara M. Lynn, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 49–45 · Sep 17, 2026
Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, vice Michael H. Watson, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 52–45 · Sep 15, 2026
Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, vice Pamela Bondi.
Nomination Confirmed 50–49 · Aug 8, 2026
How busy they have been
How many bills they have put their name to over time — volume, not results: most bills never get a vote.