Chairman's Press
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on the "War in Syria: Next Steps to Mitigate the Crisis"
Hearing: War in Syria: Next Steps to Mitigate the Crisis Tuesday, May 17, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Five years into the war, I think we can draw a few general conclusions. Without leverage on the Assad regime, we have little ability to influence a diplomatic solution to the war. The longer this war goes on, the more complicated it gets and the more people suffer. Today, we are at a meeting in the latest round of peace talks in Vienna. I talked to … Continue Reading
May 17, 2016
Corker: Obama Administration Vacuum in Syria Filled by Russia and Iran
WASHINGTON - As Secretary of State John Kerry met with officials from other world powers in Vienna to restart the peace process in Syria, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, charged the Obama administration with leaving a vacuum in Syria that Russia and Iran exploited by intervening on behalf of the Syrian government. He also expressed skepticism over the ability of the U.S. to influence the outcome of the conflict without military leverage over… Continue Reading
May 12, 2016
Corker Convenes Hearing to Examine America’s Role in the World
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convened a hearing today to examine America's role in the world in 2016 and beyond. The committee heard testimony from former Secretary of State James Baker and former National Security Advisor Tom Donilon. "I don't think this hearing could come at a better time when the nation's beginning more fully to focus on our place in the world," said Corker. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee…… Continue Reading
May 10, 2016
Corker: U.S. Freedom of Navigation Exercise in South China Sea an Important Step
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said the latest U.S. freedom of navigation exercise in the South China Sea is an "important step" that should be part of routine patrols in nearby international waters to challenge unlawful territorial claims by China. "Today's passage of a U.S. Navy destroyer near Fiery Cross Reef is an important step in U.S. efforts to defend freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," said Corker. "Th… Continue Reading
May 10, 2016
Senator Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Terrorism and Instability in Sub-Saharan Africa"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: Terrorism and Instability in Sub-Saharan Africa Tuesday, May 10, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ChairmanOpening Statement As much of the world concentrates on the ISIS threat and instability in the Middle East, the committee takes this opportunity to consider efforts by the United States and other partners to counter extremism in the sub-Saharan Africa area. Long-term development has been the norm across much of Africa, in… Continue Reading
April 29, 2016
Corker, Cardin: State Department Authorization Bill Passes Senate for First Time in 14 Years
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 applauded Senate passage of the first State Department authorization bill in 14 years. The 2016 U.S. Department of State authorization bill, which was approved unanimously by the committee in June of 2015, initiates various reforms to diplomacy programs and core operations of the State Department. The bill also includes embassy security provisio… Continue Reading
April 28, 2016
Corker, Cardin: State Department Authorization Bill for 2017 Passes Committee
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 announced committee passage of the bipartisan U.S. Department of State Authorization Act of 2017. The legislation requires U.S. leadership at the United Nations (U.N.) to end sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers, promotes efficiencies in personnel and management at the State Department, and restructures the consular fee system for issui… Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
Corker: China’s Provocative Territorial Claims Threaten U.S. Strategic Interests in Asia-Pacific
WASHINGTON - At a hearing to assess the state of U.S. relations with China, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cited China's increasingly aggressive land reclamation activity in the South and East China Seas as a strategic threat to U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region. He also warned of other provocative Chinese actions that undermine opportunities for improving ties with the United States. "Whether it is China's militarization of the So… Continue Reading
April 21, 2016
Corker Talks to Syrian Opposition Leader as Geneva Peace Talks Appear to Collapse
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke with Dr. Riyad Hijab, a senior representative of the Syrian opposition, as the peace talks in Geneva appear to collapse. "Having just spoken with Dr. Riyad Hijab about the current situation in Syria, I understand why the moderate opposition is withdrawing from the Geneva talks," said Corker. "The Assad regime continues to target civilians, block humanitarian access, and refuse the rel… Continue Reading
April 20, 2016
Corker, Coons Praise Progress in Reform of U.S. Global Food Aid
WASHINGTON - Following unanimous Senate passage of the Global Food Security Act, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today highlighted progress in their bipartisan effort to fix inefficiencies in the delivery of U.S. global food assistance. The Global Food Security Act, which passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March, contains a first-time authorization for the U.S. Agency for International Development'… Continue Reading
April 19, 2016
Corker: Strategic Objectives Key to Success of U.S. Support for Central America Alliance for Prosperity
WASHINGTON - At a hearing to assess progress with Central America's "Alliance for Prosperity" initiative, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stressed the importance of establishing strategic objectives for continued U.S. support of the alliance, which was established by El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to improve security, enforce the rule of law, and promote economic growth as a means of stemming mass migration affecting the region. Franci… Continue Reading
April 13, 2016
Corker Disgusted by Sexual Abuse by UN Peacekeepers
WASHINGTON - At a hearing to examine the United Nations' response to sexual abuse among peacekeeping forces, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed disgust over continued reports of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by peacekeepers and the failure of the United Nations to provide accountability. He suggested the U.S. should consider withholding peacekeeping funds or other forms of assistance when troop-contributing countries fail to pun… Continue Reading
April 07, 2016
Corker: U.S. Debt A Strategic Threat to National Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, convened a hearing Wednesday to examine the strategic challenges mounting national debt poses for the United States. As interest on the debt and spending on entitlement programs increasingly crowd out available resources for other priorities, the United States will face difficult choices in order to maintain economic growth and defend American interests at home and around the world. According to t… Continue Reading
April 05, 2016
Corker: Obama Administration Commitments on Iran Not Squaring with Reality
WASHINGTON - During a hearing to assess Iran's hostile and illicit behavior since the nuclear deal took effect in January, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, disputed previous Obama administration commitments claiming certain restrictions on Iran would remain in place. Today the committee heard testimony from Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. "I think all of us have been - and remain - skeptical of Iran," sa… Continue Reading
April 05, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Recent Iranian Actions and Implementation of the Nuclear Deal"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: Recent Iranian Actions and Implementation of the Nuclear Deal Tuesday, April 5, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ChairmanOpening Statement I want to thank our witness for testifying today. Ambassador [Thomas] Shannon, we congratulate you on your confirmation. We appreciate your continued service to our country, and we look forward to working with you in this capacity. Today, we are looking forward to hearing your thoughts on… Continue Reading
March 30, 2016
Corker: Lack of UN Security Council Action on Iran Defies Assurances from Obama Administration
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said the U.N. Security Council's refusal to hold Iran accountable defies the Obama administration's assurances that a ban on Tehran's ability to test ballistic missiles would remain in place after implementation of the Iran nuclear deal this January. Diplomats cited in a Reuters report today suggest that Iran's repeated ballistic missile tests do not technically violate provisions of U.N… Continue Reading
March 27, 2016
Corker Statement on Deaths of Justin and Stephanie Shults in Brussels Terror Attacks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after reports that Tennessean Justin Shults and his wife Stephanie have been identified as among those killed in the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium. Corker's office worked with the families and the State Department to help locate the couple after they were reported missing in the wake of the attacks at the Brussels Airport. "We are heartbroken by t… Continue Reading
March 18, 2016
Corker, Cardin Continue to Discuss Legislation to Hold Iran Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on legislation to address Iran's ballistic missile provocations, including a joint statement with ranking member Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.). "We are continuing to work on bipartisan sanctions legislation," said Corker and Cardin. "Iran remains a bipartisan concern and we are committed to taking action to ensure that Iran does not become a threshold nuclear weapons… Continue Reading
March 17, 2016
Corker: Many Argue Threat of Nuclear Conflict is Greater than Ever
WASHINGTON - At a hearing to examine the Obama administration's nuclear non-proliferation record ahead of the president's Nuclear Security Summit (March 31 - April 1), U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned of the increasing risk of nuclear conflict around the world and the administration's inattention to the growing threat. President Obama first proposed the Nuclear Security Summit during a speech in Prague in 2009 as an international effor… Continue Reading
March 15, 2016
Corker: Obama Administration Neglects to Connect Russia’s Efforts in Syria and Ukraine
WASHINGTON - During a hearing to examine political, economic, and judicial reforms in Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that the U.S. neglects to connect Moscow's military intervention in Syria with its desire to weaken the European Union's (EU) resolve over maintaining sanctions for the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Given the migrant crisis and the scope of Russian trade with Europe, there is concer… Continue Reading
