Chairman's Press
Chairman Menendez Statement on Attack against Leading Human Rights Activist in Pakistan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding the murder of Mr. Rashid Rehman, a leading Pakistani human rights activist: "I am deeply concerned about ongoing attacks against human rights activists in Pakistan who are working to defend the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Rashid Rehman, a Pakistan lawyer who was defending a controversial … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Boxer, Menendez, Collins, Kirk, Shaheen Introduce International Violence Against Women Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), bipartisan legislation that would make reducing the levels of violence against women and girls across the globe a top diplomatic priority for the United States. "The recent kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian school girls underscores the horrific violence that too many women and girls… Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Venezuela Hearing
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's hearing: "Assessing Venezuela's political crisis: human rights violations and beyond." The remarks follow: "Let me welcome today's panelists from the Department of State, Duke University, the Carnegie Endowment, and Human Rights Watch, which this week released a deeply troubling report on the scale of human rights violations… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on U.S. Treasury Sanctions in South Sudan Conflict
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the Treasury Department's decision to sanction individuals on both sides of the conflict in South Sudan. "Violence is raging in South Sudan and with millions of lives at risk, I welcome today's announcement that the Obama Administration has designated two individuals for sanctions due to their roles in undermining peace and security in the world's newest nati… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Senators Express Shock, Concern in Letter to Nigerian President Regarding Kidnapping of Schoolgirls
Washington, DC -U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Chris Coons (D-DE) wrote a letter to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan expressing deep concern for the welfare of the women and girls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The Senators encourage the Nigerian government to engage with international partners to address the root causes of unrest in the country. The letter appears below: Dear President Jonathan, We writ… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez on Kidnapping of Nigerian Schoolgirls: VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expresses his deep concern for the welfare of the women and girls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram at the beginning of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today. The video follows: Transcript: "I want to note my grave concern about the cowardly and heinous kidnapping of some 276 young Nigerian women from their school and claims by Boko Haram's leader that many of the over 20… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction of Nigerian School Girls
Washington, DC - Today, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) hailed the Senate passage of a resolution condemning the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram on April 14. Most of the abducted girls - the majority of them between 16 and 18 years old - remain missing. The resolution calling for the safe, immediate return of the girls was introduced by Senators Boxer, Landrieu, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Dick Dur… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on Ukraine – Countering Russian Intervention and Supporting a Democratic State
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's hearing: "Ukraine - Countering Russian Intervention and Supporting a Democratic State." The remarks follow: "Let me welcome today's panelists from State, Defense, Treasury, Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, and Freedom House who can provide a wide range of perspectives to help us assess Putin's actions in Ukraine. "Befo… Continue Reading
May 05, 2014
Chairman Menendez Reacts to Human Rights Watch Report Detailing Abuses, Violations by Venezuelan Security Forces
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to today's report by Human Rights Watch documenting the unlawful use of force by Venezuelan security forces against innocent civilians and antigovernment demonstrators. "The report issued by Human Rights Watch details incidents of physical torture, psychological abuses, and the beating and shooting of unarmed protestors to silence dissent in Venezu… Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Senators Express Concern in Letter to President Obama Over Escalating Crisis in South Sudan
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators wrote President Obama today expressing their concern over the escalating crisis in South Sudan. The letter was signed by Senators Menendez (D-NJ), Coons (D-DE), Rubio (R-FL), Flake (R-AZ), Durbin (D-IL), McCain (R-AZ), Cardin (D-MD), Isakson (R-GA) and Kaine (D-VA). In their letter, the senators write: "At this juncture, continued U.S. leadership is essential as the violence intensifies, with alarming reports of the targeting of civilians a… Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction of School Girls in Nigeria
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced a resolution condemning the April 14 abduction of as many as 234 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. While local officials have reported that several students were able to escape, nearly 200 of the abducted girls, most of them between 16 and 18 years old, remain missing, and news reports from the regi… Continue Reading
April 28, 2014
Chairman Menendez's Statement in Observance of Yom Hashoah
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in observance of Yom Hashoah: "Today on Yom Hashoah, we stand together as one community of all faiths in commemorating the Nazi-perpetrated genocide and murder of more than six million Jews. On this day of remembrance, we commit ourselves in words and deeds to never again allow such a tragedy to take place. In Israel, this solemn day is called Holocaust and Heroism Reme… Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Tragedy in Bangladesh
Newark, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh: "One year ago this week, the world's conscience was shocked by the deaths of over 1,130 Bangladeshi garment workers when Rana Plaza, the building which housed their factories, collapsed on top of them. "For many, the tragedy was a call to action. The U.S. government has suspended trade benefits … Continue Reading
April 18, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Latest Developments in Ukraine
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Ukraine: "Since the day in February when President Putin directed Russian forces to unlawfully invade Crimea, Russia has continued to flout the most basic of international laws by abridging the national sovereignty of Ukraine. Yesterday's negotiations in Geneva that involved Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and European Union were a necessary step in tryin… Continue Reading
April 17, 2014
Chairman Menendez Releases Report on the Obama Administration’s “Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific” Policy
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a report today titled "Rebalancing the Rebalance: Resourcing U.S. Diplomatic Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region." The report examines the progress made, and the challenges that remain, for the Obama Administration's strategic policy of "rebalancing" to the Asia-Pacific. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has a duty and responsibility to assure that resources are allocated ef… Continue Reading
April 10, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on International Development Budget Priorities
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's hearing: "International Development Priorities in the FY 2015 Budget." "Administrator Shah, welcome back to the Committee. "You come at a time when USAID is making headlines for, in my mind, doing nothing more than the job you were appointed to do. "Let me say for the record: When it comes to the issue of Cuba or your work… Continue Reading
April 09, 2014
Fifty-two Senators Commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act in Letter to President Obama
WASHINGTON, DC - Fifty-two U.S. Senators wrote President Obama to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The letter was spearheaded by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Inhofe (R-OK). In their letter, the fifty-two senators wrote: "The 35th anniversary not only represents an important milestone in our longstanding relationship with Taiwan; it also consolidates the foundation on which our bilateral security, economic and trade relations will continue to grow and flourish and r… Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
Senators introduce resolution marking 20 years since the Rwandan genocide
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) introduced a resolution on Monday night marking 20 years since the genocide in Rwanda, which claimed 800,000 lives in 100 days starting on April 7, 1994. The resolution honors the memory of those lost and expresses support for the people of Rwanda on this day of reflection. It also affirms that it is in the national interest of the United States to prevent and mitigate acts of genocide and mass at… Continue Reading
April 08, 2014
Chairman Menendez Opening Statement at Foreign Policy Budget Hearing with Secretary of State Kerry
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at the hearing: "National Security and Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY 2015 International Affairs Budget." "Mr. Secretary, welcome back to Washington. I understand you've travelled to 44 countries and logged over 855 hours in the air which translates into an incredible 35 days of flying. So, I imagine it feels good to have your fee… Continue Reading
April 07, 2014
Chairman Menendez Floor Speech on Cuba
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement as prepared for delivery on Cuba. "M. President, as the attention of the world has been focused on the pre-1991 Soviet behavior of President Putin in Crimea - I come to the floor to remind the American public and members of this body that there is also a full-fledged human rights crisis ongoing in our own hemisphere, just 90 miles from our shores in Cuba. "As U… Continue Reading
