Chairman's Press
Menendez, Risch Lead Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating Alliance with Republic of Korea
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today were joined by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in introducing a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the United States' dedication to the Republic of Korea as a crucial ally. The resolution comes in advance of Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in's scheduled visit to the United States to meet with President Joe Biden and members of Congress in May. "I… Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Statement from Chairman Menendez on Azerbaijan’s Violation of Armenian Sovereignty
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued the following statement in reaction to reports of Azerbaijan's illegal incursion into Armenia's Syunik province: "The violation of Armenia's sovereign territory by Azerbaijani troops is a dangerous and illegal act of aggression that underscores the sustained threat that the Armenian people continue to face. After my conversation with Armenia's Ambassador to the U.S. earlier today, it is clear that the Uni… Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Menendez, Cardin and Wyden Condemn Attacks on Civilians in Israel, DenounceTerrorism, Urge Leaders to Take Actions to De-escalate
WASHINGTON - In response to the escalating cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem that has led to Hamas firing rockets indiscriminately into Israel, including several toward Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) condemned attacks on civilians, and called for renewed efforts toward a lasting peace. Menendez is Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cardin is Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission,… Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on the COVID-19 Pandemic and the U.S. International Response
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full Committee hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. international response. Testifying before the Committee were the Honorable Gayle E. Smith, Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security, U.S. Department of State, and Mr. Jeremy Konyndyk, Executive Director of the COVID-19 Task Force, United States Agency for International Development. "I am please… Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
***ICYMI*** Chairman Menendez Discusses Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack, Israeli-Palestinian Clashes with CNN’s Jake Tapper
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke with CNN's Jake Tapper about the ongoing ransomware incident affecting Colonial Pipeline that supplies gasoline and fuel to communities across New Jersey and the East Coast, as well as escalating tensions and violence in Israel. On Colonial Pipeline ransomware hack and American cyber infrastructure: "This is a critical issue," Chairman Menendez said, referencing his… Continue Reading
May 10, 2021
Menéndez, Rubio Condenan Reformas Electorales Por Parte Del Régimen de Ortega
WASHINGTON - Los senadores estadounidenses Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), presidente del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, y Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Miembro de Más Alto Rango del Subcomité sobre Hemisferio Occidental, Crimen Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer, emitieron el siguiente comunicado luego que el régimen de Ortega impusiera nuevas reformas electorales en Nicaragua: "Las recientes reformas elector… Continue Reading
May 10, 2021
Menendez, Rubio Condemn Ortega Regime Electoral Reforms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, issued the following joint statement after the Ortega regime in Nicaragua imposed new electoral reforms: "The recent electoral reforms taken by Daniel Ortega and his regime are a manipulative schem… Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Statement from Senators Menendez, Durbin on Venezuela’s National Electoral Council
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today issued the following statement regarding the Maduro regime's decision to install a majority of loyalists in Venezuela's National Electoral Council: "In recent months, the United States and other democratic nations have repeatedly rejected the Maduro regime's fraudulent legislative elections, as well as the ensuing illegitimate National Assembly and its attempted a… Continue Reading
May 03, 2021
Senadores Menéndez, Leahy Sobre Destitución de Jueces y Fiscal General en El Salvador
WASHINGTON - Los Senadores Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), el Presidente del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores en el Senado, y Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), el Presidente del Comité de Asignaciones en el Senado, emitieron las siguientes declaraciones sobre la situación en El Salvador después que el Presidente Nayib Bukele y miembros de su partido en la Asamblea Legislativa utilizaron la sesión legislativa de este fin de semana para destituir abruptamente a cinco magistrad… Continue Reading
May 03, 2021
Senators Menendez, Leahy on Ousting of El Salvador’s Top Judges and Attorney General
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement regarding the situation in El Salvador after President Nayib Bukele and members of his party in the Legislative Assembly used this weekend's legislative session to abruptly dismiss five magistrates from the country's constitutional court as well as remove Attorney General Raul Melara: "This is a deeply concerning autocra… Continue Reading
April 29, 2021
Menendez, Democratic Colleagues Introduce New Legislation Barring U.S. Arms Sales to Human Rights Violators
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in introducing the Safeguarding Human Rights in Arms Exports Act of 2021. As foreign governments intentionally or inadvertently use U.S.-sold arms and defense services to perpetrate human rights abuses against innocent civilians, … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Chairman Menendez Statement on U.S. Leadership in the Global Fight against Covid-19
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding India's second coronavirus wave and the need for increased U.S. leadership in the global fight against COVID-19: "I am worried and horrified by the continued advancement of COVID-19 around the world. With India's current wave representing the world's worst outbreak, there continues to be a moral imperative to U.S. leadership in the global arena right now.… Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Menendez, Inhofe Send Letter in Support of HFX’s Recognition of Taiwan President Tsai
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) sent a letter this week in support of the 2021 Halifax International Security Forum (HFX) and plans to award the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service to President Tsai Ing-wen. "As the Co-Chairs of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, we write you in support of the 2021 Halifax International Security Forum (HFX) and plans to award the John McCain Prize for Le… Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening remarks at this morning's full Committee hearing on the nominations of Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and the Honorable Jose W. Fernandez to be Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment; United States Alternate Governor of the International Bank for Recons… Continue Reading
April 27, 2021
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Hearing on U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening statement at this afternoon's full Committee hearing on United States policy toward Afghanistan. Today's hearing follows a classified Committee briefing with representatives from the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community on negotiations and the security situation in Afghanistan in advance of the U.S. troop withdrawal. Testifying before the Committee… Continue Reading
April 23, 2021
Chairman Menendez Applauds Announcement of Intent to Nominate SFRC Staff Director Jessica Lewis to Serve as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
JERSEY CITY - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement following the announcement of President Biden's intent to nominate longtime Menendez staffer and current Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Jessica Lewis to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. "First as my foreign policy advisor in the House of Representatives and now as Staff Director of the Foreign… Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Menendez, Risch Joint Statement Ahead of Elections in Albania
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) issued the following joint statement in the lead-up to the elections in Albania scheduled for this weekend: "As Albania prepares for national elections on April 25, we encourage the Albanian people to vote. We urge authorities to ensure that voters are able to exercise this fundamental right free from intimidation and violence. We also expect all candidates to act in accord… Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Chairman Menendez’s Statement on President Biden Convening the Leaders’ Summit on Climate on Earth Day 2021
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on President Joe Biden convening 40 world leaders for a Summit on Climate today on Earth Day 2021: "President Biden's hosting of this week's Leaders' Summit on Climate sends a strong signal to our partners that America is back to lead on the world stage and that climate action is a priority for the United States. I fully support the new U.S. commitment to drastical… Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Statement from Chairman Menendez on Reports that President Biden Will Officially Recognize the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued the following statement in reaction to reports that President Joe Biden will officially recognize the Ottoman Empire's genocide against the Armenian people. To date, no U.S. president has made it U.S. policy to affirm the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide, which lasted from 1915 to 1923 and resulted in the forced deportation of around 2 million Armenians, 1.5 million of whom were brutally killed. … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Menendez, Risch on Committee Passage of Ukraine Security Partnership Act
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 applauded Committee passage of their Ukraine Security Partnership Act. This legislation increases and improves U.S. military support to Ukraine, and sends a message that the United States will continue to support the people of Ukraine, their ability to defend themselves, and the country's democratic transition. "I am glad that the Committee overw… Continue Reading
