Sen.— the only Democratic senator to back Sen.'s (I-Vt.) presidential bid — will join Senate leadership next year.

The Oregon lawmaker announced on Monday that he will join incoming Senate Democratic Leader's (N.Y.) expanded leadership team as Democrats' chief deputy whip.

“I am honored to join the leadership team and help carry the fight for good living wage jobs, a secure retirement, and opportunity for all Americans,” Merkley said in a statement.

He added that "now, more than ever, billionaires and special interests are looking to stack the deck in their favor at the expense of the rest of us. We have big battles in front of us, and I’m ready to fight for our vision of a ‘We the People’ nation."

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Schumer rolled out a larger leadership team last month, putting Sanders in charge of outreach. Sens. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House MORE (D-W.Va.) and Tammy Baldwin Tammy Suzanne BaldwinSenators introduce bipartisan bill to mandate digital apps disclose country of origin Keep teachers in the classroom Cher raised million for Biden campaign at LGBTQ-themed fundraiser MORE (D-Wis.) were also added, ensuring the leadership team includes voices from the caucus's various factions as Democrats try to move forward from disappointing 2016 election results.

Merkley will also join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expanding the panel's progressive wing.

The move will also put the Oregon senator at the heart of the upcoming fight on Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's pick to lead the State Department, as well as a looming showdown over allegations that Russia meddled in the U.S. election to help Trump.

“Some of the biggest challenges we face as Americans are international, like climate change, violent extremism, and globalization, and require global cooperation. We can’t give all Americans the opportunities they deserve without a strong, thoughtful foreign policy," he said.