Chairman's Press
Corker Urges Administration to Take Time, Not Rush into Bad Deal with Iran
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - As the P5+1 nations and Iran attempt to meet a new July 7 deadline for a nuclear agreement, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, appeared on CBS News' Face the Nation today and urged the Obama administration to take the time needed and to not rush into a bad deal with Iran. "Obviously, [the administration is] very anxious. I think they look at this as a legacy issue," said Corker. "I have had several conversations with [Secr… Continue Reading
July 02, 2015
Corker Statement on Trip to Venezuela
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement upon returning from Venezuela where he met with members of the opposition party, the families of political prisoners, business leaders and some government officials during a two day trip. "Venezuela is a country with great unrealized potential and abundant resources," said Corker. "However, it is very sad to see that the country's flawed economic policies … Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
Corker Convenes Hearing to Evaluate Key Components of Potential Final Nuclear Agreement with Iran
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a hearing with experts on the Middle East and nuclear non-proliferation to evaluate key components of a possible final nuclear agreement with Iran. Among the issues raised, the witnesses stressed the significance of intrusive verification of Iranian compliance backed by strict enforcement mechanisms, the necessity for disclosure of Iran's past weaponization work, and the durability of c… Continue Reading
June 24, 2015
Corker Holds Hearing Examining Past U.S. Negotiations to Stop Proliferation of Nuclear Technology and WMD
"Throughout the negotiations with Iran, I have been concerned that this administration has not learned from history and may repeat many of the mistakes made during the North Korea negotiations," said Corker. "Over the past month, this committee has been educating itself as much as possible so we can fairly evaluate any deal the administration may reach. And as we have met with nuclear scientists, regional experts and former administration personnel, I have become more and more concerned with the… Continue Reading
June 22, 2015
Corker Discusses Iran Nuclear Talks on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”
WASHINGTON - Today in an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, highlighted enactment of his legislation (The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act) that gives Congress the opportunity to review any final nuclear deal before the president can waive congressional sanctions on Iran. He also called U.S. demands for "anytime, anywhere" inspections and disclosure of Iran's past research into weaponization of a nuclear we… Continue Reading
June 19, 2015
Corker: Obama Administration Raises Further Doubts about Iran Nuclear Deal Demands
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responded to reports today that the Obama administration still is prepared to accept concessions regarding full disclosure of Iran's past attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, including permitting sanctions relief before those issues are fully resolved. "Last year, the administration assured our committee that the questions and concerns regarding Iran's previous weaponization efforts would be res… Continue Reading
June 17, 2015
Corker on Fox News: Secretary of State John Kerry Letting U.S. Demands in Iran Nuclear Negotiations Erode
WASHINGTON - Today in an appearance on Fox News' "America's Newsroom," U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Secretary of State John Kerry is letting previous U.S. demands in Iran nuclear negotiations "erode" as a June 30 deadline nears for concluding a final agreement with Iran. "[I]f we can negotiate a strong deal that keeps Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, that's the best for us and for the world. But what's happening right now…… Continue Reading
June 15, 2015
Corker Highlights Concerns with Iran Nuclear Negotiations in Letter to the President
WASHINGTON - In a letter to President Barack Obama today regarding nuclear negotiations with Iran, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed alarm over recent reports that the administration might accept further restrictions on inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities and less than full disclosure of possible military dimensions of Tehran's nuclear program if a final agreement is reached. "It is breathtaking to see how far from your origin… Continue Reading
June 09, 2015
Corker-Cardin State Department Authorization Bill Passes Committee Unanimously
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 unanimous committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Department of State Operations Authorization and Embassy Security Act. The legislation initiates various reforms to diplomacy programs and core operations of the State Department. The bill also includes embassy security provisions to improve protection of U.S. diplomatic facilities a… Continue Reading
June 03, 2015
Corker Holds Hearing on Implications of Iran Nuclear Deal for U.S. Interests in the Middle East
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held a hearing with former U.S. diplomats to the Middle East to discuss how a nuclear agreement with Iran would impact U.S. interests in the region. As negotiators from the P5+1 nations and Iran attempt to meet a June 30 deadline for a final agreement, the committee is holding a series of briefings and hearings this month to prepare members for congressional review of a final deal if one is reache… Continue Reading
June 03, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Implications of The Iran Nuclear Agreement For U.S. Policy In The Middle East
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Implications Of The Iran Nuclear Agreement For U.S. Policy In The Middle East June 3, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement This hearing is the part of a series of events we are holding this month to prepare members of the committee to evaluate a possible nuclear agreement with Iran. We are not here today to focus on the specific parameter. Just for edification, last night we met in a classified settin… Continue Reading
May 22, 2015
Corker’s Bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act Becomes Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the president signed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 into law. The bill, which passed the Senate 98 to 1 and the House of Representatives 400 to 25, requires congressional review of any final nuclear agreement with Iran before the president can waive sanctions imposed by Congress. "After more than a year of bipartisan work and a veto threat from … Continue Reading
May 20, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on “U.S.-Cuban Relations - The Way Forward”
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: "U.S. Cuban Relations - The Way Forward"Wednesday, May 20, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Today we will hear from the State Department's Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs on the strategy behind the President's significant shift in U.S. policy towards Cuba. Assistant Secretary Jacobson is joined at the witness table by the Counselor of the State Department, Ambassador Thomas Shannon… Continue Reading
May 14, 2015
Corker’s Bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act Passes House 400 to 25
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed his bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The bill, which will now be sent to the president to be signed into law, requires congressional review of any final nuclear agreement with Iran before the president can waive or suspend sanctions imposed by Congress. Last week, the Senate approved the le… Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on “Safeguarding American Interests in the East and South China Seas”
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: "Safeguarding American Interests in the East and South China Seas"May 13, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement In June 2014, this committee held a hearing on the future of U.S.-China relations. And at that time, I raised concerns over the lack of a coherent China policy, including the absence of sustained high-level engagement from senior administration officials despite the consistent rhetoric that the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Corker: Lack of Effective Deterrent to China’s Provocative Maritime Expansion Threatens U.S. Credibility in Asia-Pacific
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today on provocative Chinese territorial expansion in disputed islands of the East and South China Seas, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about the U.S. losing credibility in the Asia-Pacific by the Obama administration providing no effective deterrent to China's actions. "I see no price whatsoever that China is paying for their activities in the South and East China Seas. None…We're paying t… Continue Reading
May 12, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Renewal of U.S.-China Civil Nuclear Agreement
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: "The Civil Nuclear Agreement With China: Balancing The Potential Risks and Rewards"May 12, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Today we begin the exercise of our statutory responsibility - a responsibility Congress requested - to review agreements between the United States and foreign nations related to cooperation on civil nuclear programs. We must examine the political, economic and security aspec… Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Corker’s Bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act Passes Senate 98 to 1
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate overwhelmingly passed his bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The bill, which will now be considered by the House of Representatives, requires congressional review of any final nuclear agreement with Iran before the president can waive or suspend sanctions imposed by Congress. "Today's overwhelming, bipartisan vote sends a strong… Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Corker: Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 Now Has Veto-Proof Majority Support in Senate
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 now has 67 Senate sponsors, which is enough to override a presidential veto. The legislation, which is now being debated on the Senate floor, requires the president to submit any final nuclear deal with Iran to Congress before being able to waive or suspend congressional sanctions. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted… Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Corker Amendment Requires Persian Text of Any Final Nuclear Agreement with Iran to Be Submitted to Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced an amendment to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 that would require the Persian text of any final deal with Iran to be submitted to Congress. The amendment is intended to clear up any disputes between the United States and Iran over interpretations of a final agreement. After the recent framework agreement was announced, significant disagreements emerged between Wash… Continue Reading
