Chairman's Press
Twenty-Seven Senators Introduce the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act
Senators Call for a Final Agreement that Verifiably Results in the Termination of Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program, Prevents Iran from Achieving a Nuclear Weapon WASHINGTON, DC. - U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), joined by 25 U.S. Senators, introduced the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, bipartisan legislation proposing prospective sanctions on Iran should the regime violate the interim Joint Plan of Action agreed to in Geneva or should Iran fail to reach a final agreemen… Continue Reading
December 18, 2013
Bipartisan Egypt Assistance Reform Act of 2013 Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC - The bipartisan Egypt Assistance Reform Act of 2013 authored by Chairman Robert Menendez and Ranking Member Bob Corker passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. "This legislation reaffirms the enduring U.S. commitment to our partnership with the Egyptian government by authorizing continued assistance and endorsing the importance of ongoing cooperation. Assistance however is not a blank check; it should be used for programs that support the Egyptian people as they purs… Continue Reading
December 11, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Nomination 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 nomination hearing: "Today, as we approach the holiday recess, we have seven well-qualified nominees for the Committee's consideration. These nominees, if confirmed, will hold some of the most important positions in the State Department and in this hemisphere: We are considering nominees for the two top economic positions i… Continue Reading
December 10, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at “Transition in Afghanistan” 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 on the transition in Afghanistan. The remarks follow: "Good afternoon everyone. And thank you to our witnesses - Ambassador Dobbins and Acting Assistant Administrator Donald Sampler. In July, this Committee met to assess the transition in Afghanistan. Mr. Ambassador, you had been on the job only two months at the time… Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Chairman Menendez Honors the Life and Legacy of President Nelson Mandela
Newark, NJ - Chairman Robert Menendez released the following statement honoring the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela: "Nelson Mandela taught us about humanity in the face of inhumanity, and left an unjust world a more just place. He ended Apartheid and united a nation, while demonstrating almost supernatural gifts of inner strength, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Few individuals in human history can truly claim a legacy of peace and perseverance like Mandela c… Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Ongoing Unrest in Ukraine
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding ongoing unrest in Ukraine: "The Ukranian people have the robust support of the American public in their pursuit of its democratic aspirations. President Yanukovych's support for the brutal dispersal of peaceful protests and beating of journalists constitute serious violations of peoples' basic rights, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Ukrai… Continue Reading
November 22, 2013
Chairman Menendez Releases Foreign Relations Committee Report Marking One Year Anniversary of Tazreen Fashion Factory Fire in Bangladesh
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a committee report today on safeguarding and advancing gains in labor rights for Bangladesh's garment workers. The report was issued one-year after the Tazreen Fashion factory fire that killed 112 workers. In April 2013, a collapse at Rana Plaza factory resulted in the death of 1,131. Both tragedies galvanized world attention towards the plight of garment workers in Bangladesh. "The… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Bipartisan Statement on Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan group of 14 U.S. Senators today released the following statement regarding the Senate's consideration of Iran sanctions legislation: "A nuclear weapons capable Iran presents a grave threat to the national security interest of the United States and its allies and we are committed to preventing Iran from acquiring this capability. We will work together to reconcile Democratic and Republican proposals over the coming weeks and to pass bipartisan Iran sanctions legisl… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Hearing on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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 on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "Thank you, Secretary Kerry for being with us today for this second hearing on ratification of the CRPD. Your presence here sends a strong message about the importance of this issue. So we appreciate you're taking this time to come back to the Committee to… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Ratifying the Disability Treaty: Statements of Support
Watch: Second Hearing on Disability Treaty Starting at 9:30 a.m. WASHINGTON, DC - A cross section of elected leaders, public servants, activists, columnists and opinion shapers spanning the political spectrum are speaking out and offering their support in favor of ratifying the Disability Treaty. "From op-eds to blogs, interviews to tweets, a broad range of Americans are expressing their support for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," said Sen. Robert Menende… Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Chairman Menendez on Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Dr. Oscar Biscet
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dr. Oscar Biscet. "Today, as President Obama commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he will be joined by an inspiring group of past recipients all deserving of this prestigious award for their contribution to U.S. national interests or world peace. However, there is a glaring and unacc… Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Business Groups, Veteran Organizations, Disability Advocates Express Support for Disability Treaty Ratification
WASHINGTON, DC - A wide range of business groups, veteran organizations, and disability advocates are expressing their support for ratifying the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "The momentum is building in support of ratifying the Disability Treaty from a wide ranging set of communities," said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Corporations and non-profits, veteran groups and disability rights organizations are rallying behin… Continue Reading
November 18, 2013
Menendez Legislation Extending the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Passes the Senate
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen and continue the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act (S. 1545), sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN) extends authorities and strengthens oversight for this landmark program to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Today we demonstrated our commitment to maintaining PEPFAR's proven track record of success. PEPFAR has saved… Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Statement on the Death of Former President Glafkos Clerides of Cyprus
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the death of former President Glafkos Clerides of Cyprus. "I was terribly sorry to hear the news of the death of Glafkos Clerides, former President of the Republic of Cyprus, and a giant in the post-independence history of the island. Mr. Clerides was a statesman who fought for the independence of his country, worked to keep it united, and when that failed, was… Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Resolution Co-Authored by Chairman Menendez Pledging Support for the Filipino People Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - A resolution introduced by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) pledging support for the Filipino people following the tragedy caused by Typhoon Haiyan passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. Joining Menendez and Schatz in introducing Senate Resolution 292 were Senators Durbin (D-IL), Cardin (D-MD), Rubio (R-FL), Hirono (D-HI), Udall (D-NM), Boxer (D-CA), Begich (D-AK), McCain (R-AZ)… Continue Reading
November 09, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Tragedy in the Philippines Caused by Typhoon Haiyan
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the statement below regarding the tragedy in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan. "Today our hearts go out to the Filipino people. The images of devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan coming out of the Philippines are truly heartbreaking. The Filipino people have my sympathy and support as they deal with the effects of a storm that has, by last accounts, killed at least 1,200 people. The… Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Today’s Nominations 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 nominations hearing. The remarks follow: "Today we have three nominees before the Committee: Heather Higginbottom to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Dr. Sarah Sewall as Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, and Richard Stengel nominated to be Under Secretary of… Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities Hearing
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks at this afternoon's hearing about the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) Hearing. The remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: "Welcome to our panelists and all of our guests who have taken the time to come here today for this important hearing on the rights of roughly 1 billion people around the world with disabilities. Let me qu… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Syria Hearing
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks at this morning's hearing about the state of affairs in Syria. The remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: "Thank you all for being here. We have two panels today. On our first panel is Robert Ford, Ambassador to Syria; Nancy Lindborg, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance at USAID; and Thomas Countryman,… Continue Reading
October 25, 2013
Menendez Comments on Vice President Biden Meeting with Cuban Human Rights Activist Berta Soler
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement about Berta Soler's meeting with Vice President Biden. "Vice President Biden's meeting with Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White, is a truly historic act of support for human rights defenders in Cuba. Through their acts of peaceful protest, Berta and the Ladies in White have remained an unwavering beacon of hope for the restoration of justice, human rig… Continue Reading
