Chairman's Press
Chairman Risch and SFRC Members Send Letter to Pompeo, Request Information on Khashoggi Murder
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-MN), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Rob Portman (R-OH), Todd Young (R-IN), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) requesting more information on Jamal Khashoggi's murder. "I am glad to lead this effort to pursue more information, which continues t… Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Chairman Risch Welcomes Colombian President Duque to Capitol, Emphasizes Important Ties
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today welcomed His Excellency Ivan Duque, president of Colombia to the Capitol for a working coffee meeting. "The U.S. relies on Colombia as an anchor of stability and an important friend and ally in Latin America," said Chairman Risch. "I was glad to have the opportunity to meet with President Duque today to discuss many issues that are of importance to both our nations, from free trade to regio… Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Risch, Menendez Announce SFRC Subcommittee Membership for 116 th Congress
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced subcommittee chairmen and membership assignments for the 116 th Congress. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee chairs for the 116 th Congress bring an impressive amount of foreign policy knowledge to our committee," said Chairman Risch. "I am eager to empower the subcommittee chairs to hold hearings and address a wide ran… Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
SFRC to Take Up Resolution on Cancellation of Nord Stream 2 and Support of Ukraine Against Russian Aggression
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) issued the following statement announcing that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will take up S. Res. 27, a resolution calling for the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and, in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait, supporting a multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea, at the committee's ne… Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Risch Meets with Canada's Foreign Minister and Ambassador, Raises Important Issues for Idaho
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday met with Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and David MacNaughton, Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., to discuss pressing international issues, including a number of issues of importance to Idahoans, like the Columbia River Treaty and trade issues including softwood lumber and dairy. "Ms. Freeland, Ambassador MacNaughton, and I had a robust discussion on many iss… Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Chairman Risch, Rubio, Gardner, McConnell Welcome Senate Passage of Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) welcomed the U.S. Senate's passage of the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (S. 1) in an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 77 to 23. "I am glad to see passage of this incredibly important legislation concerning our diplomatic activities in the Middle East," Chairman Risch said.… Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Risch Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from INF Treaty
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement on today's announcement that the United States has given notice that it will withdraw from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in six months: "I support the withdrawal of the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. I know that we have the unanimity of our allies in this decision, and we will continue to consult with them over the ne… Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Chairman Risch and Colleagues Meet With Guaidó Administration Officials, Offer Full Support
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today welcomed Carlos Vecchio, Chargé d'Affaires of Venezuela, and a delegation of members of interim President Juan Guaidó's administration to the U.S. Senate. Risch and Vecchio were joined by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Ted Cruz (R-TX), as well as Special Representative of Venezuela to the Organization of American States, Gustavo Tarre Brice&nt… Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Risch Statement on Resolution of Greek-Macedonian Name Dispute
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding the Greek Parliament's vote to ratify the Prespa Agreement. "I extend my congratulations to the people of Greece and Macedonia for the resolution of a long-running dispute over Macedonia's name. Today's vote in the Greek Parliament to ratify the Prespa Agreement and change Macedonia to North Macedonia will remove an obstacle to that nation's long-aw… Continue Reading
January 08, 2019
Risch Elected Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Announces Committee Membership
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) today was elected chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the 116 th Congress. Notably, Risch is the third Idahoan to serve as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, following William Borah's tenure from 1925-1933 and Frank Church's two year term from 1979-1980. "I am glad to have the confidence of my colleagues who have elected me chairman of this historic committee," said Risch. "I have a great deal of respect for the leg… Continue Reading
December 28, 2018
Corker Announces Portman Will Lead Congressional Efforts to End Modern Slavery Worldwide
WASHINGTON - As his time in Congress comes to a close, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will take the helm of congressional efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide. "For years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scou… Continue Reading
December 21, 2018
Corker, Menendez Praise House Passage of Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised House passage of legislation that strengthens U.S. global leadership in the fight to end modern slavery and human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017, which amends and reauthorizes international provisions of the Trafficking Victims Protect Act, will modify the criteria for determining whether c… Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Corker Statement on Secretary Mattis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the resignation of Secretary of Defense James Mattis. "I admire and respect General Mattis as much as anyone I have ever met in the public arena," said Corker. "He is a patriot who cares deeply about our country and the men and women in uniform who look to him for leadership and sound judgement. He has always put country above self and represents t… Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Corker Offers Resolution Condemning Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today will introduce a Senate joint resolution holding Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a former Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post. The resolution condemns Khashoggi's killing and insists on accountability for those involved in his death. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Marco Ru… Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Corker Votes to Discharge Yemen War Powers Resolution From Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today voted in favor of discharging a resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the Senate floor on the U.S. role in Yemen. The Senate advanced S.J.Res.54 by a vote of 63 to 37. Next week, absent a unanimous consent agreement, the Senate will hold a second procedural vote on the resolution. If agreed to, the Senate will then debate and potentially amend the resolution before a fina… Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Corker Invites Natalie Grant to Testify at Hearing on Global Fight to End Modern Slavery
Click here or on the image above to watch the video. WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today invited Nashville singer-songwriter Natalie Grant to testify at a hearing on progress in the global fight to end modern slavery. Grant offered compelling testimony about what caused her to get involved in the anti-slavery movement and co-found Hope for Justice, a nonprofit devoted to ending modern slavery. Her testimony follows. "Well, … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Corker Convenes Hearing on Progress in Global Fight to End Modern Slavery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following remarks during a hearing on progress in the global fight to end modern slavery. The hearing featured testimony from Ambassador John Richmond, heard of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; Natalie Grant, a singer-songwriter and the co-founder of Hope for Justice, a nonprofit devoted to ending modern slavery; and Shawna Bader-Blau,… Continue Reading
November 20, 2018
Corker, Menendez Demand Determination on Saudi Crown Prince Role in Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
WASHINGTON - In a letter to President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today demanded the administration make a determination specifically addressing whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, by triggering a second Global Magnitsky investigation. Text of the letter is i… Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Corker Statement on US Sanctions Against Saudi Arabian Officials for Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against Saudi Arabian officials who were responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post. "I have a lot of concerns about the trajectory that Saudi Arabia is on right now, and I think a price n… Continue Reading
November 14, 2018
Corker Convenes Roundtable on BUILD Act Implementation
(Pictured from left to right: Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President, and Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn.) WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convened senior administration officials, members of Congress, and key stakeholders in international development for a roundtable to discuss implementation of the recently enacted Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act of 2018, which was authored by Corker and Senat… Continue Reading
