Chairman's Press
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Nominations
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Nominations September 12, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement The position [of under Secretary for management] that Senator Enzi was just mentioning is vitally important to the functioning of the [State] Department, as he stated. Fourteen bureaus and offices report to the under secretary for management, including diplomatic security, consular affairs, and overseas building operations. The under … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on US-Turkey Relationship
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following remarks at a hearing to assess priorities and challenges in the United States' relationship with Turkey. "Since serving beside the United States in the Korean War and then joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1952, Turkey has proven itself to be a strong ally and important partner to the United States. "We continue to see positive day-to-day cooperation… Continue Reading
September 03, 2017
Corker Statement on North Korea Nuclear Test
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to reports of a nuclear test by North Korea, the sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. "I spoke with General Kelly this morning as the president and his national security team continued their work to assess the situation in North Korea and communicate with our regional partners," said Corker. "We stand ready to work with the admin… Continue Reading
August 31, 2017
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Action Against Russia
JACKSON, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding steps taken by the Trump administration to regain parity in our diplomatic relationship by forcing the Russian government to close its consulate in San Francisco, a chancery annex in Washington, D.C., and a consular annex in New York City. The action follows recent demands by President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. reduce its footprint in Russia.… Continue Reading
August 28, 2017
Corker Statement on State Department Special Envoy Changes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to a letter from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson outlining organizational changes related to special envoys and related positions at the State Department. "Through the years, numbers of special envoys have accumulated at the State Department, and in many cases, their creation has done more harm than good by creating an environment in whi… Continue Reading
August 25, 2017
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Financial Sanctions on Venezuela
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Trump administration announced financial sanctions on Venezuela. "These carefully calibrated sanctions send a strong signal to the Maduro regime while still allowing for much needed humanitarian assistance," said Corker. "As I said when I visited the country in 2015, Venezuela is a country with great unrealized potential and its people dese… Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Corker Statement on President Trump’s Address on Afghanistan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump's address to the nation on the way forward in Afghanistan. "I had the opportunity to talk with Secretary Tillerson in advance of this evening's address, and while I look forward to receiving additional details, I support the direction President Trump laid out tonight for the U.S. role in Afghanistan," said Corker. "Whil… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Urges Ambassador Haley to Lead UN Campaign Against Palestinian Terror Payments
WASHINGTON - In a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged the U.S. to wage an international campaign against the Palestinian Authority's (PA) compensation of terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Cosigners of the letter include Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Cory Gardne… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Corker Statement on Violence Ahead of Kenyan Presidential Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement in response to the murder of Christopher Msando, the head of information technology for Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), prior to the August 8 presidential election. "Violence against someone responsible for the integrity of the election is extremely troubling and demands a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justic… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Graham, Corker Praise Committee Passage of Taylor Force Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today praised Senate Foreign Relations Committee passage of legislation demanding the Palestinian Authority end its policy of rewarding terrorism. The Taylor Force Act, legislation introduced by Graham and Corker this week, would restrict U.S. economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza until the Palestinian Authority stops paying terrorists guilty of violence against Israelis and Americans. The bill is named after a Vanderbi… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Corker Holds News Conference on Committee Passage of Taylor Force Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held a news conference with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after committee passage of their legislation that demands the Palestinian Authority end its policy of compensating terrorists. The Taylor Force Act would restrict U.S. economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza until the Palestinian Authority stops paying terrorists guilty of violence against Israelis and Americans. The bill is named after a … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Corker Statement on North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to reports of a ballistic missile launch by North Korea. Yesterday, Corker supported near unanimous Senate passage of legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea, which has been sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. "In a resounding vote yesterday, the Senate sent a bill to the president that will impose tough sanct… Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Corker Applauds Passage of Iran, Russia, North Korea Sanctions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded Senate passage of legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea. H.R.3364, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed by a vote of 98 to 2 and will now be sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. "With near unanimous support in both chambers of Congress, this legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that our countr… Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Corker, Cardin Applaud Committee Passage of 2018 State Department Authorization Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded committee passage of the fiscal year 2018 State Department authorization bill. This is the third year in a row that the committee has successfully passed an authorization bill for the department. Legislation combining the fiscal year 2016 and 2017 authorization bills was enacted last year, marking the first time in 14 years that an aut… Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Corker Announces Path Forward on Sanctions Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced a path forward on legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea. "Following very productive discussions with Leader McCarthy, I am glad to announce that we have reached an agreement that will allow us to send sanctions legislation to the president's desk," said Corker. "The Senate will move to approve the Iran and Russia sanctions it originally passed six weeks ago, as well… Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Nominations Hearing for U.S. Ambassadorships
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following remarks at a hearing on nominations for U.S. ambassadorships. The nominees included Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) to be ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kelly Craft to be ambassador to Canada, Robert Wood Johnson IV to be ambassador to the United Kingdom, Lewis Eisenberg to be ambassador to Italy and San Marino, and K.T. McFarland … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Commitment to “Completely Annihilate ISIS”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement after a classified briefing on the Trump administration's efforts to defeat ISIS. "I could not be more encouraged by the briefing provided by the administration today," said Corker. "There is a lot more clarity and a lot more focus on partnering with other countries to completely annihilate ISIS. There is a renewed energy and a renewed focus, and I think every senator present today knows this administration is… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Corker Statement on Trump Administration’s Actions Against Iran
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 actions against Iran. The administration announced new sanctions along with certification of Tehran's technical compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). A decision on certification is required every 90 days under provisions of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA),… Continue Reading
July 17, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on 2018 State Department Authorization Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks at a hearing on draft legislation to reauthorize the State Department for fiscal year 2018. In 2016, Corker led congressional passage of the first State Department authorization bill to become law in 14 years, fulfilling one of his top priorities as chairman. This year's authorization will build on last year's progress with a focus on improving organization of the d… Continue Reading
July 13, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on 2017 State Department Trafficking in Persons Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a leader in efforts to end modern slavery at home and abroad, delivered the following remarks at a hearing on the State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Last month, Corker joined Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Ivanka Trump at the launch ceremony for the report that grades countries on their progress in enforcing laws against forced labor, sexual servitude and other forms … Continue Reading
