Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House
Be slow to go to war and be fast to take care of veterans
On Iraq, Merkley noted that he was against the war from the start. “I stood up two months before the war and said we should be sending diplomats into Iraq, not bombs,”
Merkley said. “Be slow to go to war and be fast to take care of our sons and daughters when they come home. We got it exactly backwards from the Bush administration.”
Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported in Statesman Journal
Oct 14, 2008
Persuasive evidence & clear objectives before military force
Q: Under what circumstances would you vote to authorize the president to take military action?
A: I view military action as an instrument of last resort in international relations. Some of the standards I would seek before approving military force
would be:
Rigorous examination of claims that there is a direct and substantial threat to America’s national security or the security of allies.
Rigorous determination that appropriate alternatives--such as unilateral sanctions, multi-national
sanctions, & UN peacekeepers---to military action have been thoroughly explored and evaluated in cost and effectiveness.
Persuasive evidence that international diplomacy has failed.
Clearly stated objectives for the military action.
Persuasive evidence that the type and form of proposed military action fits the level of threat and maximizes the probability of accomplishing the objectives.
Persuasive evidence & clear objectives before military force
sanctions, & UN peacekeepers---to military action have been thoroughly explored and evaluated in cost and effectiveness.
Persuasive evidence that international diplomacy has failed.
Clearly stated objectives for the military action.
Persuasive evidence that the type and form of proposed military action fits the level of threat and maximizes the probability of accomplishing the objectives.
Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire
Sep 9, 2008
End nuclear testing; end nuclear development
Q: Do you oppose the development of new nuclear weapons by the United States or any other nation?
A: Yes. My background as a nuclear weapons analyst for Congress in the
1980s give me a sense of confidence and hopefully some credibility in addressing issues involving nuclear weapons.
Due to my experience, depth of knowledge and strong opposition to nuclear proliferation I have already been endorsed by Council for a Livable World.
Q: Do you support U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?
A: Yes. An end to nuclear testing would help take the steam out of the nuclear arms race, strengthening non-proliferation efforts that ultimately enhance US and global security.
Due to my experience, depth of knowledge and strong opposition to nuclear proliferation I have already been endorsed by Council for a Livable World.
Q: Do you support U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?
A: Yes. An end to nuclear testing would help take the steam out of the nuclear arms race, strengthening non-proliferation efforts that ultimately enhance US and global security.
Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire
Sep 9, 2008
Honor America’s veterans and take good care of them
There is no greater obligation than for the government that owes its existence to the veterans’ sacrifice to support and care for them when they return from the battlefield. Every American owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans that none of us will eve
be able to fully repay. As a society that has asked so much of our men and women in uniform, we strive to honor them and their service.
Under Jeff’s leadership as Speaker, the 2007 legislature renewed its commitment to helping Oregon veterans get the
services they need & improving their quality of life. Among the accomplishments were:
Extending the personal income tax exemption to more national guard members;
Additional financial aid for veterans pursuing full or part-time study or training;
Tax incentives for health care providers that participate in TRICARE to provide more facilities for veterans to receive medical care.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Extend full VA and other benefits to National Guard members
Extend full VA and other benefits to members of the National Guard who have been deployed overseas. Our National Guardsmen and women are being deployed in unprecedented numbers to support the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve the same benefits we extend to our regular soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
A tragic shortfall in recent years in veterans’ health care
We have seen a tragic shortfall in recent years in veterans’ health care and support services. Sub-par conditions at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, six-month waiting periods to see a doctor--this is not how America should treat its greatest patriots. We can and must do better.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Allow disabled veterans to collect their full retirement pay
Immediately enacting concurrent receipt benefits allowing disabled veterans to collect their full retirement pay when they leave service.
The current plan will not be fully phased-in until 2014.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Increase funding for mental health services to veterans
Increase funding for mental health services to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. An estimated one-third of those veterans suffer mental health problems. Proper screening and treatment for
Traumatic Brain Injury for returning veterans. The signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is TBI, and an estimated 300,000 veterans may return home suffering form it.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Expand educational opportunities for veterans
Expanded educational opportunities for veterans who have fulfilled their service commitment to our country. Following World War II, the GI Bill helped hundreds of thousands of veterans pay for a college education.
We need a new GI Bill for the 21st Century (H.R. 2385) to help the veterans of our recent conflicts get a college education or job training.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Create a GI Bill for the 21st Century
Help for veterans of our recent conflicts to get a college education or job training must be increased. Jeff will work to create a GI Bill for the 21st Century that helps our men and women in uniform returning from
Iraq and Afghanistan go to school. Following World War II and every subsequent war, the GI Bill helped hundreds of thousands of veterans pay for a college education.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Expand health services for women veterans.
Merkley signed Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act
A bill to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to:
report on barriers to the receipt of comprehensive health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) encountered by women veterans, especially those of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom;
provide for an independent study on health consequences for women veterans serving on active duty in deployments in such Operations; and
report on the employment of full-time managers for women veterans programs at VA medical centers.
Requires the Secretary to:
develop a plan to improve the provision of
VA health care services to women veterans;
carry out a program of education, training, certification, and continuing medical education for mental health professionals providing care for veterans suffering from sexual trauma;
carry out a pilot program of providing reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans recently separated from service after a prolonged deployment; and
carry out a pilot program on subsidies for child care for certain women veterans receiving health care from VA facilities.
Requires women veterans recently separated from service to be included on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Authorizes the Secretary to furnish care to a newborn child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care for up to seven days after the birth of the child.
