Chairman's Press
Chairman Menendez Statement on Qatar’s Efforts to Help House Afghans Seeking Refuge in the United States
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the government of Qatar's recent efforts to help house Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants, refugees, and other at risk groups seeking refuge in the United States: "As the world grapples with the mounting toll of the humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, we must not waste any time in living up to our best values and embracing our responsibility… Continue Reading
August 17, 2021
SFRC Chairman Menendez Statement on Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan: "After two decades of blood and treasure including thousands of American and Afghan lives, I am horrified and saddened by the chaos engulfing Afghanistan. My heart goes out to the Afghan people whose suffering will inevitably be greater under a Taliban regime determined to wipe out all of the hard fought gains made f… Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
Menendez, Shaheen Lead Senate Colleagues in Bipartisan Letter Urging Biden Admin to Protect Afghan Women Leaders in Wake of Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today were joined by 44 of their Senate colleagues, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), in urging the Biden administration to take swift, robust action to protect and support Afghan women leaders facing unparalleled danger following the Taliban's violent sweep across Afghanistan and seizure of Kabul. In a bip… Continue Reading
August 13, 2021
Menendez, Rubio Urge Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to Review Brazilian Meat-Processing Conglomerate in Interest of Safeguarding U.S. Economic, National Security
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today penned a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to renew their request that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) conduct a formal review of the transactions of Brazilian meatpacking conglomerate JBS S.A., its holding company J&F Investimentos, and any entity owned or controlled by … Continue Reading
August 11, 2021
Senate Republicans Block Senate from Confirming Pending Nominations for State Department and USAID, Undermining American National Security
WASHINGTON - In the early hours of this morning, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took to the Senate Floor immediately following budget reconciliation proceedings to make a series of motions seeking the Senate's unanimous approval of nearly thirty highly-qualified foreign affairs and development nominees whose unwarranted delays in confirmation pose significant threats to United States national security. Foreign Relations Committee member Se… Continue Reading
August 10, 2021
Chairman Menendez Statement for the Senate Record on Worsening Political Crisis in Nicaragua
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, submitted the following statement for the Senate Record raising grave concerns regarding the accelerating political crisis in Nicaragua. The statement condemns the Ortega regime's anti-democratic efforts, including the continued arrests of political opposition members, in advance of upcoming illegitimate elections in November. It also details new expectations and requirements for the United State… Continue Reading
August 10, 2021
Menendez Leads Democratic Colleagues in Introducing Senate Resolution Condemning Politically Motivated Imprisonment of Women around the World
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today was joined by eight of his Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing a Senate Resolution to condemn the politically motivated imprisonment of women around the world and to demand the immediate release of women political prisoners. Joining Chairman Menendez in co-sponsoring the legislation were Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),… Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Menendez, Rubio Lead Bipartisan Letter to POTUS Following Assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, were joined by a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their deep concern with the political unrest and security crisis in Haiti following the heinous assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and attack on First Lady Martine Moïse. "We urge … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Chairman Menendez Statement for the Senate Record on Zambia’s Upcoming Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, submitted the following statement for the Senate Record calling for free and fair elections in Zambia on August 12. Chairman Menendez urged political leaders to work together to reverse the democratic backsliding that has occurred in Zambia under President Edgar Lungu, in order to avoid political violence and restore Zambians' faith in their government. "Mr. President, I rise to discuss Zambia's… Continue Reading
August 08, 2021
SFRC Chairman Menendez Urges Biden Admin to Provide Additional Assistance to Greece in Wake of Raging Fires
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today penned a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to urge the Department of Defense to provide additional support to the Hellenic Republic in its efforts to confront the devastating fires currently raging across the country. "Greece is a close and valued NATO ally. I urge the Administration to take all measures necessary to support the people of Greece in their time of need," Chairman Menendez said, applau… Continue Reading
August 07, 2021
Menendez, Risch, Durbin, Blunt Introduce Senate Resolution in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today was joined by SFRC Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in addition to Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in introducing a Senate Resolution to honor the 70th anniversary (September 1) of the signing of the Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, known as the ANZUS Treaty. In addition to celebrating the countries' history of cooperation rooted in shared values of dem… Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Menendez, Inhofe Commend Senate Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Support for Taiwan’s Participation in the WHO’s World Health Assembly
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), co-chairmen of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, today released the below statements following the Senate passage of their legislation to direct the State Department to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in obtaining observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the World Health Organization. In the face of a global pandemic and mounting hostility from the People's… Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Senate Approves Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster U.S. Engagement in Nicaragua as Crisis Deepens
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, and Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in issuing the following statements after the Senate approved their legislation to dramatically increase U.S. diplomatic engagement in response to the government of Daniel Ortega's … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Chairman Menendez, Ranking Member Risch Joint Statement on Political Crisis in Tunisia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement on the political crisis in Tunisia: "Since its successful transition to democracy in 2011, Tunisia has made remarkable strides towards establishing a sound framework for democratic rule and has become an example across the region. The U.S.-Tunisia partnership has grown and deepened because it is predicated on a mut… Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Chairman Menendez Celebrates Committee Approval Repealing 1991, 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs)
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the Committee approved in a 14-8 vote S.J.Res.10, a joint resolution to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs). The bipartisan legislation seeks to formally end the authorizations for the Gulf and Iraq wars - 30 and 19 years, respectively, after these AUMFs were first passed, reasserting Congress' vital role in not only … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Business Meeting to Consider Repeal of 1991, 2002 AUMFs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening statement at this morning's full Committee business meeting to consider S.J.Res.10, a joint resolution to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs). "As I have made clear, I believe it would be a grave mistake if we do not act now to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. As we heard very clearly from the Administration y… Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Business Meeting to Consider Repeal of 1991, 2002 AUMFs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening statement at this morning's full Committee business meeting to consider S.J.Res.10, a joint resolution to repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs). "As I have made clear, I believe it would be a grave mistake if we do not act now to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. As we heard very clearly from the Administration y… Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Menendez, Risch: Lebanon’s Political Leaders Must Advance Genuine Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Beirut port blast: "One year after the tragic Beirut port blast which killed more than 200 people, injured thousands, and broke an already fragile economy, Lebanon has fallen further into crisis. Political leaders have failed to form a government that can effectively respond to t… Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
El Senado Aprueba por Unanimidad Resolución del Senador Menéndez en Apoyo del Movimiento Pro-Democracia en Cuba
WASHINGTON - El Senador Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), Presidente del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, hoy habló en el Pleno de Senado para solicitar la aprobación unánime de su resolución bipartidista y bicameral condenando al régimen cubano por su violencia despiadada contra miles de cubanos que han salido a las calles para exigir pacíficamente democracia y el respeto de sus derechos más fundamentales. Destacando los esfuerzos … Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
Senate Unanimously Approves Menendez-Authored Resolution in Support of Cuba’s Pro-Democracy Movement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke on the Senate Floor to request the unanimous passage of his bipartisan, bicameral Resolution condemning the Cuban regime's brazen violence against thousands of Cuban citizens who have taken to the streets to peacefully call for democracy and respect for fundamental freedoms. Outlining the Biden administration's bold and effective efforts in recent weeks to support the pro-democracy m… Continue Reading
