Chairman's Press
***ICYMI*** Chairman Menendez Discusses Foreign Policy News of the Day on MSNBC
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke with MSNBC's Hallie Jackson to discuss his regaining the committee's Chairmanship and his expectations for President Joe Biden's scheduled foreign policy speech at the State Department this afternoon. Chairman Menendez also discussed Russia's sentencing of opposition figure Aleksey Navalny and Canada's recent designation of the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity. "I think… Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Chairman Menendez Remarks Ahead of SFRC Approval of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to Serve as UN Ambassador
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks at this morning's Committee business meeting calling for the confirmation of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield's nomination was approved by an 18-4 vote and now moves to the Floor for consideration by the full Senate. "Our country is lucky that the Ambassador has agreed to return to pub… Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Senator Menendez on Resuming Chairmanship of Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Senator Menendez on Resuming Chairmanship of Senate Foreign Relations Committee WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued the following statement after being named Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the 117th Congress: "I am deeply honored to be named Chairman and humbled to again lead of one of the Senate's original ten standing committees; one that has shaped this nation's foreign policy to advance the interests of all Americans in war and peace. "In my 28 y… Continue Reading
January 31, 2021
Menendez Statement on Situation in Myanmar
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to reports of the detention of Myanmar's leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the country's armed forces: "I strongly condemn the reported detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders by the Tatmadaw. The launch of another coup would be a tragedy for the people of Burma after a decade of work to establish a civilian-led democratic … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
As Thousands Prepare to Take to Russia’s Streets Demanding Justice for Navalny, Incoming SFRC Chairman Menendez Urges Accountability for Putin Cronies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is urging the Biden administration to strengthen enforcement and coordination of measures targeting malign Kremlin behavior in the post-Trump era. The Senator's effort follows the Russian government's harsh response to growing peaceful democratic demonstrations across the country demanding Vladimir Putin release Alexei Navalny, a leading opposition leader who was arrested by Russian au… Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Menendez, Presidente Entrante del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores, Se Reune con el Presidente Ecuatoriano Lenin Moreno
WASHINGTON - El Senador Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), el presidente entrante del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, hoy se reunió con el Presidente de Ecuador Lenin Moreno. "Fue un placer darle la bienvenida nuevamente al presidente Lenin Moreno al Capitolio de los Estados Unidos. Como le mencioné al Presidente Moreno, estoy impresionado y entusiasmado al ver el progreso logrado en los últimos años para escribir un nuevo capítulo de la relaci&o… Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
***PHOTO RELEASE*** Incoming Chairman Menendez Meets with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today met with President Lenin Moreno in the U.S. Capitol. "It was a pleasure to again welcome President Lenin Moreno to the U.S. Capitol today. As I told President Moreno, I am impressed and encouraged by the progress made over recent years to write a new chapter in the U.S.-Ecuador relationship. Gone are the days where our nations' engagement was laden with tension and mistrust," Sena… Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Menendez Opening Remarks at Nomination Hearing for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening statement at this morning's hearing on the nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. "It is deeply reassuring that President Biden nominated you - a diplomat of immense expertise and skill - to be the next U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. I believe you are superbly qualified to advance… Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Menendez Remarks Ahead of Vote Confirming Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor ahead of today's confirmation vote for Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. "I strongly support Mr. Blinken's nomination today because he is the right person for the job and because we cannot afford to leave this post vacant any longer," Senator Menendez said. "Mr. Blinken must be confirmed so we can start addressing the challenges we face abr… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menendez Remarks Ahead of SFRC Approval of Antony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks at this evening's Committee business meeting calling for the confirmation of Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. Mr. Blinken's nomination now moves to the Floor for consideration by the full Senate. "I believe [Secretary Blinken] is the right person to repair and restore our alliances to reinvigorate the relationship betwe… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menéndez, Colegas Presentan Proyecto de TPS para Apoyar a Venezolanos Huyendo del Régimen de Maduro
WASHINGTON - El Senador Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), el presidente entrante del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, en colaboración con Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), el presidente entrante del Comité Judicial del Senado, y los Senadores Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), y Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) hoy presentarán el Proyecto de Ley de Estatus de Protección Temporal de Venezuela de 2021. El Proyecto de Ley le otorgaría un estatus de protecció… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menendez, Colleagues Introduce TPS Legislation to Support Venezuelans Fleeing Maduro Regime
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today was joined by incoming Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in introducing the Venezuela Temporary Protected Status Act of 2021, legislation to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Venezuelans fleeing the dire conditions in their home country and to strengthen migration syste… Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Menendez Praises Biden Administration’s Plan to Fully Extend New START Treaty, Encourages Biden to Challenge Russian Malign Activities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the Biden administration's effort to better protect our nation's arms control architecture by seeking a five year extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), a rigorous post-Cold War nuclear arms control agreement designed to ensure limits on Russia's nuclear arsenal: "I'm very pleased to hear the Biden administration is rapidly mo… Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Incoming Chairman Menendez Remarks Urging Senate Vote for Secretary of State Nominee
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this afternoon urging Senate Republicans to allow a swift confirmation vote this week for Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State: "The Secretary of State is fourth in the line of succession. Leaving that office vacant is irresponsible," said Menendez. Below are Senator Menendez's remarks as delivered. "I come to the Floor today to urge the swift co… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Incoming SFRC Chairman Urges Swift Confirmation for Blinken
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, issued the following statement: "Secretary Antony Blinken's testimony today demonstrated he has the qualifications, temperament and commitment to public service that is required to repair the damage from the last four years and to reinvigorate American diplomacy. He is the right person to rebuild and restore our alliances and institutions, and needs to be confirmed as quickly as possibl… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Hearing on Antony Blinken Nomination to Serve as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening remarks at this afternoon's hearing on the nomination of Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. Blinken has previously served as Staff Director of the Foreign Relations Committee, Deputy Secretary of State, and as a member of the Obama-Biden administration's national security team. If confirmed, your task will be to repair and restore Americ… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Senator Menendez Statement on Uganda’s Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on Uganda's January 14 elections, which saw President Yoweri Museveni secure a 6th term in office amid government repression and allegations of vote rigging. "Sadly, Uganda's January 14th elections were yet another reminder that the Museveni regime has no interest in respecting the democratic aspirations of the Ugandan people. The pervasive harassment of oppo… Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Menéndez Publica Nuevo Informe Documentando Crueldad, Coerción y Contorsiones Legales en los Acuerdos de Asilo de la Administración Trump
WASHINGTON - El equipo demócrata del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado hoy publicó un informe comisionado por el presidente entrante del Comité Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.) sobre los Acuerdos de Cooperación de Asilo (ACAs, por sus siglas en inglés) entre Estados Unidos y Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador. Detallando una de las políticas migratorias más draconianas instituidas por la administración de Trump, el informe demues… Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Menendez Publishes New Report Documenting Cruelty, Coercion, and Legal Contortions in Trump Administration’s Asylum Agreements
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democratic staff today is releasing a report commissioned by incoming Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on the United States' Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACAs) with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Exposing one of the most draconian immigration policies instituted under the Trump administration, the report demonstrates how the ACAs were effectively designed to punish people seeking safety in the U.S. by forcibly sending them to c… Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Menendez Statement on 10thAnniversary of Former Dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s Flight from Tunisia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tunisia's ouster of former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali: "Ten years ago today, the people of Tunisia cast off their authoritarian regime and began an inspiring journey towards freedom, democracy and the rule of law. In the ten years since, Tunisia has become a close and trusted security partner for the United… Continue Reading