Chairman's Press
Corker: U.S. Should Call for Calm, Peaceful Transition to Democracy in Egypt
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today on the crisis in Egypt, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. should call for calm in Egypt and encourage a peaceful transition to democracy, rather than make an immediate decision about the future of the relationship with Egypt. Multiple witnesses at the hearing testified that an immediate end to U.S. assistance to Egypt could threaten U.S. influence, lead to further instability, and undermine U.S.… Continue Reading
July 16, 2013
Corker: Improving Embassy Security Requires Accountability and Setting Priorities
WASHINGTON - During a Foreign Relations Committee today on improving security at U.S. embassies overseas following last year's deadly terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., reiterated his concerns about the lack of accountability regarding State Department officials who were placed on paid leave despite their involvement in security failures that preceded the attack. "We had…four people that have been put on leave and are still being paid&hel… Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Corker: Obama Administration Must Quit Delaying Decision on Troop Levels in Afghanistan after 2014 to Preserve Security Progress
WASHINGTON - In a hearing to assess the U.S. transition in Afghanistan, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called on President Barack Obama to quit delaying a decision on the number of U.S. forces to remain in Afghanistan after 2014. Corker made his fourth trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan over the weekend to evaluate U.S. policy in the region and to assess progress toward the planned reduction in U.S. forces in December 2014. "The administra… Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Corker Participates in Woodrow Wilson Center Event: “AUMF: Reasserting the Role of Congress”
WASHINGTON - At the Woodrow Wilson Center today in Washington, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, participated in a panel discussion on the future of the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force against al Qaeda. "When you look at not only the activities that we have to some degree underway now, but the activities, you know we're going to have underway in the future, almost everyone would say there is a very thin thread between that AUMF that was… Continue Reading
July 10, 2013
Corker Statement on North American Apparel Retailers Plan to Improve Safety, Working Conditions in Bangladesh Garment Industry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding a plan from the alliance of North American apparel retailers to help improve safety and working conditions in Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry. "I thank North American apparel retailers for honoring their commitment to put forward a plan that addresses worker safety and rights issues in Bangladesh. We look forward to reviewing it more fully in o… Continue Reading
July 09, 2013
Corker: Secrecy of Obama Administration’s Plan to Arm Syrian Opposition “Unacceptable,” Has Only Led to Further Delay at the Expense of U.S. Interests
WASHINGTON - In response to a report that the Obama administration's proposal to secretly arm the Syrian opposition is facing skepticism from the few members of Congress who have been briefed on the plan, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today said the administration's approach "is unacceptable" and has only wasted time to help boost moderate forces in Syria "at the expense of our national interests." Since administration officials acknowledge… Continue Reading
July 08, 2013
Corker Makes Fourth Trip to Afghanistan as U.S. Looks to Transition
WASHINGTON - Following the recent transfer of lead security responsibility in Afghanistan from the U.S.-led NATO coalition to Afghan Security Forces, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, made his fourth trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan over the weekend to evaluate U.S. policy in the region and to assess progress toward the planned reduction in U.S. forces in December 2014. Corker's trip included meetings with senior government and business officia… Continue Reading
July 03, 2013
Corker Statement on Egypt
WASHINGTON - U. S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement on the situation in Egypt. "The U.S. should support the aspirations of the Egyptian people seeking a peaceful, secure, and inclusive government. In determining the future of U.S. assistance, the administration should look at the regional picture with our vital national security interests in mind. Our long-standing cooperation with Egypt, which is essential for st… Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Corker: Nominee for State Department Inspector General Long Overdue
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the nomination today of a full-time Inspector General at the U.S. State Department is long overdue. President Barack Obama nominated Steve A. Linick as State Department Inspector General, filling a 5-year vacancy. "A full time, independent watchdog at the State Department is essential to protect the interest of taxpayers. While this nomination is long overdue, I appreciate the president respon… Continue Reading
June 19, 2013
Corker: Further Reduction of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Without Modernization First Could Amount to “Unilateral Disarmament”
WASHINGTON - Responding to President Barack Obama's speech in Berlin signaling further reduction of U.S. nuclear forces, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today said any additional limitations of the U.S. nuclear arsenal without first fulfilling commitments to modernization of existing forces could amount to "unilateral disarmament." On Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry called Senator Corker and assured him that any further reductions woul… Continue Reading
June 17, 2013
Corker Places Hold on Portion of Afghanistan Funding Until Obama Administration Provides Rationale for Alleged U.S. Cash Payments to Karzai
WASHINGTON - In a fourth letter to the Obama administration seeking a rationale for alleged U.S. cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today announced a hold on $75 million in U.S. government funding for Afghanistan "until such time as I receive sufficient information on these matters and sufficient assurances that there is a process in place to ensure our policy towards governance in Afghanistan is co… Continue Reading
June 13, 2013
Corker Statement on Obama Administration’s Confirmation of Assad Regime’s Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the Obama administration's confirmation of chemical weapons use in Syria. "Official confirmation of Assad's use of chemical weapons heightens the urgency for the U.S. to provide the kind of decisive support, including arms and training, to vetted Syrian opposition groups as soon as possible. While some sources are reporting that a decision may have been made, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2013
Corker Urges Obama Administration to Nominate Full-Time IG at State Department to Provide Accountability After 5-Year Vacancy
WASHINGTON - In a letter to President Barack Obama on Monday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called for the nomination of permanent Inspectors General at the State Department and USAID to provide accountability and prevent wasteful spending at both agencies. On Monday a nomination was made for a permanent IG at USAID, but the position remains vacant at the State Department. The letter to the president was also signed by Foreign Relations Comm… Continue Reading
June 13, 2013
Corker Continues Quest for Answers on Obama Administration’s Rationale for Alleged U.S. Cash Payments to Afghan President Karzai
WASHINGTON - Having not received a response from the Obama administration about the rationale for alleged secret cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today sent his third letter to the president demanding a briefing to understand how these payments support U.S. objectives for Afghanistan. Corker further called for "a U.S. policy that is based, fundamentally, on the same values that make our nation gre… Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Corker Urges President Obama to Provide Weapons & Training to Vetted Syrian Opposition Groups to Help Shift Balance Toward Moderates
WASHINGTON - With reports that the Obama administration is close to a decision on providing arms to the Syrian opposition, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, today sent a letter to President Barack Obama encouraging him to "begin providing lethal aid to appropriately vetted elements of the Syrian opposition" as part of "an overall strategy to strengthen moderate opposition forces in Syria" who could lead Syria after Assad. This approach provide… Continue Reading
June 07, 2013
Corker: Disclosure of NSA Surveillance Programs Necessitates Congressional Oversight to Ensure Anti-terrorism Actions Comply with the Law
WASHINGTON - Following a briefing for senators yesterday from U.S. intelligence officials regarding the recent disclosure of NSA terrorism surveillance programs encompassing a wide array of Americans' communications, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Congress must exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure these programs comply with the law, including looking at solutions to better protect the information of innocent Americans. "I thi… Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Corker Seeks Explanation from White House for NSA’s Sweeping Collection of U.S. Phone Records
WASHINGTON - In a letter to President Barack Obama today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, sought an explanation regarding reports of the National Security Agency's collection of U.S. phone records on Verizon's network of 121 million customers. A court order from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court compelled Verizon Communications Inc. to turn over records for all calls placed within the U.S. and between the U.S. and other countries. "… Continue Reading
June 05, 2013
Corker Statement on Transition at National Security Advisor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding President Obama's decision to appoint U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice as National Security Advisor, replacing Tom Donilon. The position of National Security Advisor does not require Senate confirmation. "I appreciate the work Tom Donilon has done as National Security Advisor. Now that the president has made a decision on his replacement, I had a very good con… Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Corker: U.S. Sanctions on Iran Should Target Regime, Maintain International Consensus on Isolating Iran
"We want to make sure the sanctions that we put in place work. We're trying to time them and put as much pressure as we can to cause behavior change [within the Iranian regime]. At the same time, we don't want to do things that are going to end up being ineffective or cause our coalition to break apart," said Corker. The U.S. currently has an array of sanctions targeting the Iranian oil, financial, shipping, petrochemical and auto sectors, which have proven increasingly effective in isolating I… Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Corker Reiterates Call for Congress to Update 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Al Qaeda to Address Evolving Terrorist Threats
WASHINGTON - In advance of President Obama's address on U.S. counterterrorism policy today at National Defense University, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today reiterated his call for Congress to have a serious debate about updating the 2001 congressional authorization for use of military force against al Qaeda and its affiliates to address evolving terrorist threats. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has exclusive jurisdiction o… Continue Reading
