Chairman's Press
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Venezuela: Options for U.S. Policy"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Venezuela: Options for U.S. Policy March 2, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement This morning, we will discuss U.S. policy toward Venezuela. We asked our witnesses to address three questions: What are our interests in Venezuela? What policy outcome should we seek in Venezuela? What policy tools will get us to that outcome? Venezuela is a beautiful country with vast resources and talented people. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Corker: Situation in Venezuela “Bleak” Amid Worsening Crisis
WASHINGTON - On Thursday, March 2, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convened a hearing on the worsening political, humanitarian, and economic crisis in Venezuela to assess U.S. interests and policy options. The committee heard testimony today from Dr. David Smilde of Tulane University, Dr. Shannon O'Neil with the Council on Foreign Relations, and Mark Feierstein of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Venezuela is a beautiful… Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Corker Expresses Optimism Regarding Mission to Defeat ISIS in Iraq
WASHINGTON - After returning from a trip to the Middle East last week, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on the U.S. plan to defeat ISIS, focusing on Iraq after the operation to liberate Mosul. Last week, Corker visited Iraq and Lebanon to meet with U.S. and foreign officials to assess progress in the fight against ISIS and U.S. efforts to strengthen regional stability. The committee heard testimony today from Dr. Mich… Continue Reading
February 28, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Iraq After Mosul"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Iraq After Mosul February 28, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I want to thank our witnesses for testifying today. We appreciate your willingness to come before this committee. I spent part of last week in Iraq, and I think it is quite clear that ISIS will soon lose all of its territory in Iraq. I think we are well on the way to making that happen. As we sit here, Iraqis are returning to their … Continue Reading
February 23, 2017
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Leaders Seek Accountability for War Crimes in Syria
WASHINGTON - Following a recent report accusing the Bashar al-Assad regime of atrocities in Syrian prisons, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a bipartisan letter from committee members to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seeking an update on U.S. plans to demand accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Syrian civil war. "In light of Amnesty International'… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Nomination of David Friedman to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Nomination of David Friedman to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel February 16, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I want to welcome Mr. David Friedman to the committee today to discuss his nomination to be our ambassador to Israel. Over the last 70 years, the United States and Israel have enjoyed a close and meaningful relationship. This alliance has been a pillar of American and Israeli foreign p… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Congressional Leaders Seek Release of American Pastor Unjustly Detained in Turkey
WASHINGTON - Leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees sent a letter signed by 78 members of Congress to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an seeking the unconditional release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been unjustly detained in Turkey since October and denied regular and appropriate access to legal counsel and American consular services. The letter was led by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking membe… Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Corker: U.S. at Historic Turning Point in Global Fight to End Modern Slavery
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the END IT Movement's fifth annual "Shine a Light on Slavery" day next week, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convened a hearing on Wednesday to assess progress by the U.S. to end modern slavery and human trafficking internationally, including recent enactment of authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative (EMSI). The hearing featured testimony from actor Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn, and Elisa M… Continue Reading
February 13, 2017
Ashton Kutcher to Testify at Hearing Ahead of END IT Movement’s Annual Shine a Light on Slavery Day
WASHINGTON - In advance of the END IT Movement's fifth annual "Shine a Light on Slavery" day, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will convene a hearing on February 15 to examine progress in U.S. global efforts to end modern slavery and human trafficking, including recent enactment of authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative. The hearing will feature testimony from actor Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn, and Elisa Massimi… Continue Reading
February 10, 2017
Corker Statement on Trump Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement about President Donald J. Trump's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "There is tremendous opportunity to expand a relationship that is hugely beneficial for both countries, and I commend President Trump for recognizing that by welcoming Prime Minister Abe to the White House so early in his administration," said Corker. "Abe has proven to be a stron… Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Corker Convenes Hearing on Broad Challenges Facing U.S. Policy Toward Russia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on the broad challenges ahead for U.S. policy toward Russia, during which he cited the various threats to American interests from Russian actions in recent years, especially the invasion of Ukraine. The committee heard testimony from former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret), and Julianne Smith, a senior fellow with the Center for New… Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on “The United States, The Russian Federation, and the Challenges Ahead”
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: "The United States, The Russian Federation and the Challenges Ahead" February 9, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Since November of last year, this committee has tried to get witnesses from the prior administration to testify about a wide range of issues currently challenging the United States-Russian relationship. While the Obama administration did make officials available for classified briefings, they woul… Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "The Plan to Defeat ISIS: Key Decisions and Considerations"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: "The Plan to Defeat ISIS: Key Decisions and Considerations" February 7, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I'd like to thank our witnesses for testifying today, and for your service to our country. I hope your experiences can be informative as we take stock of our efforts against ISIS. Last month, President Trump asked for a new plan to defeat ISIS. The preliminary draft should be completed b… Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Corker on New Iran Sanctions: “We Finally Are Pushing Back in the Way That We Should”
WASHINGTON - During an interview on CNBC's "Closing Bell", U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today credited the Trump administration for imposing new sanctions on Iran following Tehran's most recent ballistic missile test that violated a U.N. Security Council resolution. "We finally are pushing back [on Iran] in the way that we should," said Corker. "They've violated the missile test ban; they've violated conventional weapons purchases; they'… Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Corker Statement on Trump Administration Sanctions 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 sanctions against Iran. "This announcement makes clear that it is a new day in U.S.-Iran relations and that we will no longer tolerate Iran's destabilizing behavior," said Corker. "A coordinated, multi-faceted effort to pushback against a range of illicit Iranian behavior is long overdue, and after speaking with Gene… Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
Cardin, Corker Lead 20 Bipartisan Colleagues in Iran Letter to President Trump
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 20 of their bipartisan colleagues today in a letter to President Trump after reports that Iran conducted a ballistic missile test late last week. Joining Senators Cardin and Corker on the letter are Democratic Senators Tim Kaine (Va.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Chris Coons (Del.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Bob Casey (Penn… Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
Corker Anticipates “Coordinated, Multi-Faceted Effort to Push Back” on Iran
WASHINGTON - During an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, anticipated the U.S. will engage in a "coordinated, multi-faceted effort to push back" against Iran's most recent ballistic missile test and its other destabilizing actions in the Middle East. He also reiterated his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and discussed the Obama administration's failure to respond to previous Iranian ballistic missi… Continue Reading
February 01, 2017
Corker: Senate Confirms Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined members of the Senate in voting to confirm Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State. "Following a fair and exhaustive review in our committee, I am confident Rex Tillerson has the ability to be the effective leader the State Department needs," said Corker. "Mr. Tillerson led a global enterprise with 75,000 employees, possesses deep relationships around the world, and understands the cr… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Corker, Cardin Announce Subcommittee Membership for 115th Congress
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved subcommittee membership, jurisdiction, rules and the budget for the committee in the 115th Congress. The subcommittee assignments are listed below and available online here. The committee's jurisdiction and rules are available here. Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism Senator James E. Risch (R-Idaho) - Chairman Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) - Ranking Member Senator Mar… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Corker: U.S. Must Challenge Existing Assumptions in Addressing North Korean Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Threat
WASHINGTON - During a hearing to consider options for addressing the growing North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile threat, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged the U.S. to "challenge existing assumptions and explore policy alternatives", noting that even as the U.S. ramped up sanctions targeting Pyongyang, the "current approach is not working" to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. "For nearly three decades, successive Republican… Continue Reading
