Chairman's Press
Corker Convenes Hearing to Examine Global Reach of ISIS
WASHINGTON - Following a series of recent terror attacks on several continents claimed by ISIS, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks at a hearing today examining the global reach of ISIS. Terrorism experts Dr. Lorenzo Vidino of George Washington University and Dr. Daniel Byman of the Brookings Institution testified on the next phase of U.S. efforts to counter ISIS as the coalition military campaign begins to dislod… Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Corker Statement on Paris Climate Agreement
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. "I appreciated the opportunity to talk with President Trump and his team several times this week about his decision on the Paris climate agreement," said Corker. "The substantive requirements of the agreement are, in fact, non-binding. On the other hand, legitim… Continue Reading
May 25, 2017
Senators Applaud Committee Passage of Comprehensive Bill to Hold Iran Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today applauded Senate Foreign Relations Committee passage of their legislation to hold Iran accountable. The bipartisan legislation, now with 48 cosponsors, would expand sanctions for Iranian ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, transfers of conventional weapons to or from Iran, and human rights violations. "We can no long… Continue Reading
May 18, 2017
Corker: Hagerty Nomination One of the “Most Outstanding” Trump Appointments
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today considering the nomination of William Hagerty of Tennessee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Japan, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks in support of the nomination. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) introduced Mr. Hagerty to members of the committee. "I think [Senator Lamar Alexander] has done an outstanding job of laying out these credentials, and I agree that you are one of the most out… Continue Reading
May 10, 2017
New York Times (Corker-Coons Op-ed): A Better Way to Help the World
New York Times The Opinion Pages | OP-ED CONTRIBUTORS A Better Way to Help the World By BOB CORKER and CHRIS COONS MAY 10, 2017 The suffering today in northern Uganda and South Sudan should move even the most hardhearted among us. As members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we often are confronted with the question of how the United States should respond to such crises. We also have the opportunity to visit countries near and far on behalf of the American people to assess the eff… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Corker Reacts to New Footage from Aftermath of Chemical Attack in Syria: “Horror”
WASHINGTON - Appearing on CNN's "The Lead" with Jake Tapper on Tuesday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded to new video that shows victims in the immediate aftermath of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regime's chemical weapons attack in Syria that provoked U.S. missile strikes authorized by President Donald Trump last month. "I imagine like every American, horror. This barbaric leader has been doing this for years," said Corker afte… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Corker Statement on Nomination of John J. Sullivan to be Deputy Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following remarks at a hearing to consider the nomination of John J. Sullivan to serve as deputy secretary of state. "Thank you for appearing before the committee today, Mr. Sullivan, and for your willingness to serve our country once again. "The confirmation of a deputy secretary of state is one of the most important appointments this committee will consider. "The person who oc… Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Private Sector Engagement in Foreign Aid
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following remarks at a hearing on the value of public-private partnerships in foreign assistance. The committee heard testimony from Jim Kolbe of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network and from leading companies involved in U.S. assistance programs that are producing economic opportunities for citizens and addressing central development challenges in some of the world's poorest … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Nomination of Terry Branstad to be U.S. Ambassador to China
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Nomination of Terry Branstad to be U.S. Ambassador to China April 2, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Governor Branstad, it is a pleasure to welcome you here today as our nominee to be the next ambassador to China. I am glad to see members of your family here today as well. I wish you all the best as you embark on this exciting new adventure. Beijing is not Des Moines, but I know that you… Continue Reading
April 25, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "The Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: The Crisis in Libya: Next Steps and U.S. Policy Options April 25, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement In today's hearing, we'll examine the crisis in Libya. I'd like to thank our witnesses for again appearing before the committee on this important issue. Unfortunately, six years after the NATO intervention, Libya remains on the brink of civil war. Like many of its neighbors, Libya failed to t… Continue Reading
April 25, 2017
Corker: Infighting Among Rival Militias Threatens Progress in Libya
WASHINGTON - During a hearing on the crisis in Libya, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today warned of infighting among rival militias within the country that continues to foster instability and pose risks for U.S. national security interests. "Fighting between militias has undermined internal security, weakened government institutions, and damaged the economy," said Corker. "It is also posing substantial risks to the U.S and to our allies. … Continue Reading
April 17, 2017
Corker, Coons Visit World’s Largest Refugee Camp to Get a Firsthand Look at Global Food Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday visited the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Uganda, where more than 270,000 people reside after fleeing war-torn South Sudan. The senators witnessed firsthand one of the countries hardest hit by the current global food crisis in which 20 million people in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at risk of starvation. They sought to elevate international atten… Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Syrian War Crimes Accountability Bill Introduced
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced the Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act Friday to instruct the Secretary of State to report on war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Syria, as well as to authorize assistance for investigations and other credible transitional justice efforts, including a potential hybrid tribunal, to hold Assad and his reg… Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Corker Statement on U.S. Missile Strikes in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to U.S. missile strikes in Syria. "The U.S. and world community stood by as Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad brutally tortured and murdered more than 500,000 of his own people, and I applaud President Trump for taking decisive action following the latest chemical weapons attack," said Corker. "It is critical that Assad knows he will no longer enjo… Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Senators Introduce Resolution Condemning Chemical Weapons Attack on Syrian Civilians
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced a Senate resolution Wednesday condemning Bashar al-Assad and his regime for their continued use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people. Multiple media outlets and independent human rights organizations reported evidence of the latest chemical weapons attack Tuesday, when scores of innocent people, including children, were killed or injured. Th… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Corker Urges Continued Partnership with EU to Deter Russian Aggression in Europe
WASHINGTON - At a hearing on the U.S. partnership with the European Union to deter Russian aggression in Europe, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sought continued cooperation with the EU in response to Moscow's destabilizing activities, including threats to European elections this year. "Today's hearing is an opportunity to look forward and to understand how our transatlantic efforts to push back against Russian aggression can continue… Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Corker: Suspected Chemical Attack in Syria a “Moral Outrage”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today condemned the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria and urged the administration to work with the European Union to hold the regime of Bashar al-Assad accountable for war crimes against his people. "The U.S., along with our European partners, must strongly condemn this moral outrage and demand accountability for Assad's war crimes," said Corker. "The regrettable failure to take militar… Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Corker Decries Venezuelan Supreme Court Assuming Legislative Power
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today decried the Venezuelan Supreme Court for assuming legislative authority that he blamed on President Nicolas Maduro as an effort to consolidate power. "The Supreme Court's attempt to usurp legislature authority is outrageous and violates established principles of democracy that are shared throughout the region," said Corker. "The U.S. and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean need to … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Corker: Exceptional Opportunity for New Strategic Thinking in U.S. Approach to the World
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today expressed optimism about the opportunity for cooperation between Congress and the Trump administration on implementing a new strategic vision for the U.S. approach to the world. The comments came during a committee hearing featuring testimony from former national security advisor Stephen Hadley and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. "We stand at a moment of exceptional opportunit… Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "The Road Ahead: U.S. Interests, Values, and the American People"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: The Road Ahead: U.S. Interests, Values, and the American People March 30, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement We spend a lot of time in this committee looking at very specific foreign policy issues. Whether it's the challenges we face as the Mosul campaign in Iraq appears to wind down or the down-in-the-weeds details of Venezuelan politics, we rightly focus much of our attention on the tact… Continue Reading
