Chairman's Press
Senate Unanimously Passes Electrify Africa Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised Senate passage of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015 (S.2152), legislation that will leverage private sector resources through loan guarantees to help 50 million Africans access electricity for the first-time and add 20,000 megawatts of electricity to the grid by 2020. Providing access to electricity will stimulate … Continue Reading
December 17, 2015
Corker Says Failure to Impose Consequences for Iran’s Ballistic Missile Violations Sets Dangerous Precedent for Enforcement of Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON - At the first oversight hearing on expected implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that the Obama administration's failure to impose consequences for Iran's violation of an international ban on ballistic missile testing sets a dangerous precedent for enforcement of the nuclear deal. Today's hearing featured testimony from Obama administration officials with the U.S. Department of Stat… Continue Reading
December 17, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "The Status of JCPOA Implementation and Related Issues"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: The Status of JCPOA Implementation and Related Issues Thursday, December 17, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ChairmanOpening Statement I want to thank our witnesses for being here. I know senators that are here at the moment and I know others that will be joining. This hearing is the first public meeting the committee has held since we began to oversee the implementation of the Iran deal, and I would like to underscore the … Continue Reading
December 15, 2015
Corker Urges U.N. Security Council to Hold Iran Accountable for Ballistic Missile Violation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold Iran accountable for an illicit ballistic missile test after a panel of experts assessment confirmed the October launch violated UNSC Resolution 1929. He also expressed disappointment over the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA's) Board of Governors decision today that ends an inquiry into possible military dimensions (PMD) of Ira… Continue Reading
December 10, 2015
Corker Calls Out South Sudan for Targeting Aid Workers Amid Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today to examine the violence engulfing South Sudan, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called out South Sudanese officials for their government's role in the harassment and targeting of humanitarian aid workers. Relief organizations are providing assistance to more than 1.6 million people who are internally displaced and 750,000 who have fled the country. "I don't know how you can come to a hearing like this represen… Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Corker Calls for Greater Accountability and Effectiveness of UN Peacekeeping Operations
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today to examine reform of United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping operations, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, advocated for greater accountability and effectiveness in peacekeeping missions with an emphasis on preventing instances of abuse by peacekeepers. The committee heard testimony from U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte, and Dr. Bruce J… Continue Reading
December 09, 2015
Senator Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on “United Nations Peacekeeping and Opportunities for Reform”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing "United Nations Peacekeeping and Opportunities for Reform" December 9, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I want to thank our witness [U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power]. I know she has significant responsibility right now at the U.N. Security Council, and I had a chance this week to meet with her and [representatives of U.N. Security Council member states] - [it was] quite educational, I hope on … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
Corker Condemns Lack of U.S. Response to Illicit Iranian Ballistic Missile Tests
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today condemned the lack of a U.S. response to repeated Iranian ballistic missile tests that violate existing U.N. Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR). U.S. officials yesterday confirmed in media reports that Iran conducted an illicit ballistic missile test on November 21, which represents the second such launch since the Iran nuclear agreement was reached in July. "Iran violates U.N. Security C… Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Corker, Cardin Outline Iran Nuclear Deal Oversight Plan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a letter to President Barack Obama presented their plans for ongoing oversight of the Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that was reached in July with members of the P5+1 and Iran. Full text of the letter is included below and is available online here. Dear President Obama: Thank you for providing senior Adminis… Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
Corker in Paris Says U.S. Leadership Critical in Fight Against ISIS
PARIS, France - In an interview today on CNN, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. must make a decision to lead in the fight against ISIS and warned that if the Obama administration continues its strategy of containment in Syria, the world will continue to see unrest and terrorist activities. "As long as our strategy in Syria is containment, more and more and more of [these terrorist activities are] going to occur," said Corker. "I… Continue Reading
November 16, 2015
Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Paris
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously passed a resolution authored by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemning the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday and offering thoughts and prayers for the victims, condolences to their families, resolve to support the people of France, and a pledge to defend democracy and stand in solidarity with the country of France and all our allies in the fac… Continue Reading
November 14, 2015
Corker Statement on Syrian Refugees and Paris Attacks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement today regarding the Syrian refugee crisis and the terrorist attacks yesterday in Paris, France. "At this time, we continue to gather critical details and intelligence about the horrific attacks in Paris and stand ready to assist our friend and ally in the face of this evil," said Corker. "It is important that we remain vigilant and protect the American peopl… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Corker Statement on Paris Attacks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement today about the deadly attacks in Paris, France. "The horrific attacks in Paris are a tragic reminder that terrorism knows no borders or boundaries," said Corker. "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the people of France. America stands with our friend and ally in the face of this evil." ###… Continue Reading
November 06, 2015
Corker Disappointed in Obama Administration’s Rejection of Completing Keystone Pipeline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after President Barack Obama announced his administration's decision to reject completion of the Keystone XL pipeline. "Rejecting completion of the Keystone pipeline defies logic and reflects a decision to put politics ahead of our economy and a rational approach to energy," said Corker. "Multiple reviews by the State Department have said there will be no … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Corker Presses State Department on U.S. Sanctions Against Iran for Violation of UN Ballistic Missile Test Ban
WASHINGTON - During the fourth in a series of hearings on the U.S. role and strategy in the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, pressed the U.S. Department of State to pursue unilateral sanctions against Iran if the United Nation's Security Council cannot agree to hold Tehran accountable for violating the U.N. ban on ballistic missile testing earlier this month. The committee heard testimony today from Assistant Secretary of State f… Continue Reading
October 23, 2015
Corker, Cardin Introduce Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced The Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act (S.2201), bipartisan legislation to improve the effectiveness of U.S. assistance for expanding trade in developing countries. Many countries face infrastructure and institutional limitations that prevent them from fulfilling trade commitments and opening their markets to the U.S. and the world. The Glo… Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Corker Seeks U.S. Leadership at United Nations to Address Sexual Exploitation by Peacekeepers
WASHINGTON - In response to ongoing revelations about the extent of sexual exploitation and abuse at the hands of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is urging the United States to exercise leadership at the UN citing the international body's failure to properly enforce a "zero-tolerance" policy on sexual abuse. The senator offered a series of recommendations for the U.S. to pursue at the UN in a letter to Secre… Continue Reading
October 16, 2015
Corker Statement on Iranian Violation of UN Ballistic Missile Testing Ban
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.) Samantha Power confirmed Iran violated a U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) banning ballistic missile testing: "The U.S. commitment to nonproliferation is meaningless if Iran can violate its international commitments without consequences," said Corker. "This serious violation requires immediate action by… Continue Reading
October 14, 2015
Senators to Secretary Kerry: Did Iranian Ballistic Missile Test Violate International Ban?
WASHINGTON - In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with committee members U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), are seeking a determination from the Obama administration on whether Iran's test of a ballistic missile on October 11th violated an existing Uni… Continue Reading
October 08, 2015
Corker Urges Long-term Framework for U.S. Support to Ukraine
WASHINGTON - During a hearing on the economic and political future of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the U.S. to establish a long-term framework for supporting domestic reform and security in Ukraine. He questioned the Obama administration's commitment to Ukraine after their hesitancy in providing greater defensive military assistance to help the country defend against Russian aggression. "Ukrainians are wondering if the Wes… Continue Reading
