Chairman's Press
Corker Statement on Implementation of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a lead author of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), today released the following statement on implementation of the legislation. "As a lead author of this important legislation, I am particularly invested in its implementation," said Corker. "Based on the classified briefing our committee staff received yesterday afternoon from the State Department, I am enco… Continue Reading
January 12, 2018
Corker Statement on Trump Administration Iran Announcement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the administration's announcement on the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "I think all Americans share the goal of stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," said Corker. "Those who opposed implementation of the JCPOA, including myself and the president, opposed it because we believed it was a ba… Continue Reading
January 11, 2018
Corker Statement at Hearing on U.S. Policy in Syria Post ISIS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement at a hearing on U.S. policy in Syria after the collapse of ISIS. The committee heard testimony from Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield."We thank our distinguished witness for being with us today. We regret the Defense Department was unable to send a witness."This is the committee's second hearing of this Congress on the… Continue Reading
January 10, 2018
Senators Introduce Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced legislation to reform the Peace Corps. The Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 would improve access to medical care for volunteers, strengthen accountability and oversight, and enhance procedures to reduce the risk of crime in the countries in which volunteers serve. The legislation is named in honor of Nick Castle, of Brentwood, Calif., who lost … Continue Reading
January 05, 2018
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Decision to Suspend Security Assistance to Pakistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded the Trump administration for suspending security assistance to Pakistan, citing Islamabad's continued harboring of the Haqqani network that threatens American forces and U.S. objectives in Afghanistan. Corker has previously blocked foreign military financing for Pakistan until the country takes sufficient action against the Haqqanis. "While Pakistan is an important country in the … Continue Reading
January 04, 2018
Corker, Cardin Introduce Resolution on Protests in Iran
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 introduced a Senate resolution expressing support for the rights of the Iranian people to have their voices heard and condemning the Iranian regime for its long history of human rights abuses. The resolution encourages the U.S. to work to convene emergency sessions at the United Nations to condemn the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated … Continue Reading
December 29, 2017
Corker Statement on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
CHATTANOOGA, 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 proclaimed January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. "With the establishment of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and matching $25 million contributions from the U.S. and United Kingdom, 2017 was a historic year in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking but much more w… Continue Reading
December 13, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on Presidential Considerations for the Use of Military Force
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement at a hearing on presidential considerations for the use of military force. The committee heard testimony from Stephen Hadley, former assistant to the president for national security affairs; Christine Wormuth, former undersecretary of defense for policy; and John Bellinger, former legal advisor to the National Security Council. "We thank each of you for being he… Continue Reading
December 06, 2017
Corker Statement on Jerusalem Announcement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "Today's announcement recognizes what has been true for almost 70 years, namely that Jerusalem is Israel's seat of government," said Corker. "On a bipartisan basis, Congress has r… Continue Reading
December 05, 2017
Corker: Congress, Administration Stand United Against Rogue North Korean Regime
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said legislation unanimously approved by the committee would support a comprehensive U.S. approach for dealing with the threat from North Korea. The committee sent amended versions of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 and the LEED (Leverage to Enhance Effective Diplomacy) Act of 2017 to the full Senate for consideration. "The committee's action today shows that Congr… Continue Reading
December 05, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on Shared Authority Over International Agreements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement at a hearing on the shared authority of the president and Congress over international agreements. The hearing follows a November 14 hearing on the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons and an October 30 hearing with Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis on authorizations for the use of military force. "Today, we are going to continue a series of hearings to examine… Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Corker, Cardin Urge President Trump to Prioritize Elimination of Slavery in U.S. Policy Toward Libya
WASHINGTON - Expressing deep concern over recent reports of slave auctions in Libya, 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 President Donald J. Trump to make elimination of slavery a priority for U.S. policy toward Libya. President Trump is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the Government of National Accord (GNA) on Friday, and the senators in a letter asked the presi… Continue Reading
November 14, 2017
Corker, Coons Bill to Improve Accountability and Effectiveness of US Role in International Organizations Passes Committee
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the committee, to review and improve the accountability and effectiveness of U.S. participation in international organizations. The Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2017 (S.1928) would establish an interagency task force with peer review to conduct regular evaluations of how well multilateral institutions carry out thei… Continue Reading
November 14, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on Authority to Order the Use of Nuclear Weapons
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement at a hearing on the executive's authority to use nuclear weapons and the process for executing that authority. The hearing follows an October 30 hearing with Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis on authorizations for the use of military force. According to the Congressional Research Service, the last time either the Senate Foreign Relations Committee or House Foreign Affai… Continue Reading
October 30, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on Authorizations for the Use of Military Force
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on authorizations for the use of military force (AUMF). Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified. "I'd like to thank Secretary Tillerson and Secretary Mattis for being with us today to share the administration's perspective on the authorizations for the use of military force. "We are grateful to both of you for your service to our … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
Corker Statement on Implementation of Sanctions Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding implementation of sanctions legislation recently passed by Congress. "The Senate and House spoke loud and clear by overwhelmingly passing this piece of legislation and sent a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that our country will stand firm and united in the face of destabilizing behavior," said Corker. "The guidance provided today by … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on U.S. Policy Toward Burma
WASHINGTON - With hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Burma, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing to assess U.S. policy towards Burma, including geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian considerations. The committee heard testimony from senior U.S. officials with the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). "In 2009, the Obama administration shifted t… Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Corker Statement at Hearing on Modernizing Food for Peace Program
WASHINGTON - With an estimated 815 million people suffering from hunger and 20 million at risk of starvation worldwide, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement at a hearing to examine current policies governing the delivery of food aid through the Food for Peace program and ways to use existing resources more efficiently to reach more people in need. "We are currently facing a historic humanitarian crisis with ove… Continue Reading
October 13, 2017
Corker Statement on Legislative Strategy to Address Flaws in Iran Nuclear Deal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Ahead of an announcement by President Donald J. Trump on his decision regarding Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding a comprehensive legislative strategy to address flaws in the nuclear agreement. "Over the last several months, we have been working closely with the State Department, National Security Counci… Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Corker, Coons Introduce Bill to Improve Accountability and Effectiveness of US Role in International Organizations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation to review and improve the accountability and effectiveness of U.S. participation in international organizations. The Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2017 would establish an interagency task force with peer review to conduct regular evaluations of how well multilateral institutions carry out their missions and how they serve Ameri… Continue Reading
