Chairman's Press
Chairman Menendez Introduces Ukraine Legislation
Menendez: "Ukraine is confronting a menacing threat challenging its very existence and in their hour of need, we firmly stand with the Ukrainian people to choose their own destiny without Russian interference." Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered legislation today providing authority for Ukrainian loan guarantees and to assist in the country's stabilization and recovery, including sanctions on individuals responsible… Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Hearing on Syria Spillover, Ukraine Update
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 "Syria Spillover: The Growing Threat of Terrorism and Sectarianism in the Middle East and Ukraine Update. "This hearing will come to order. I want to thank Deputy Secretary of State Burns and all of our panelists for being here to provide their perspective on the increasingly violent spillover from the ongoing confl… Continue Reading
March 04, 2014
Chairman Menendez Remarks at AIPAC
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks today at the AIPAC annual policy conference. "Thank you very much. I am honored to speak to so many with whom I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder for so long - sometimes against the odds, often against the broader international community and sometimes at our own political peril - but we have always, always stood together when it comes to the security of Israel. "… Continue Reading
March 03, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Developments in Ukraine and Congressional Response
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding developments in Ukraine and a Congressional response: "Russia's military intervention in Ukraine constitutes a clear violation of international law and demands a swift and coordinated response from the international community to support the Ukraine and counter Russian efforts to annex Ukrainian territory by force. "The Senate Foreign Relations Com… Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Release of the Annual Country Report on Human Rights
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Annual Country Report on Human Rights issued today by the State Department: "The Annual Country Report on Human Rights documents a world replete with examples of the most vicious human rights violations. In the regions where some of our most vital national security challenges exist, governments trample in the cruelest of ways on their citizens' … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Menendez, Rubio Introduce Resolution Deploring Violence in Venezuela, Calling for Full Accountability for Human Rights Violations
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced a Senate Resolution deploring the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations in Venezuela, calling for full accountability for human rights violations, and supporting the right of the Venezuelan people to live freely and democratically. "This action sends an unequivocal message by condemning the violence perpetrated against innocent Venezuelans by President… Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Hearing on International Parental Child Abduction
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 International Parental Child Abduction. "Let me welcome our panelists. Thank you for being here to help the Committee better understand the scope and nature of the tragic problem of parental child abductions around the world and what we can do to change the dynamic. We look forward to your perspective on the interna… Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at the Hearing, “Prospects for Peace in Democratic Republic of Congo”
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, "Prospects for Peace in Democratic Republic of Congo." "Welcome to our panelists, to our many guests today, and to Mr. Affleck for clearly drawing so much attention to this important international issue. We are here to shed light on the best way forward to end the horrific violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo… Continue Reading
February 25, 2014
Cardin, Rubio, Menendez and Corker Urge Greater Freedom of the Press in China
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, also Subcommittee Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) have introduced a Senate Resolution (S. Res. 361) that urges the People's Republic of China to take meaningful steps to improve freedom of expression in China as fitting of a responsible international stakeholde… Continue Reading
February 20, 2014
Chairman Menendez Outlines Framework for Legislative Action on Ukraine
Bogota, Colombia - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement and outlined this framework for legislative action on Ukraine: "The violence and oppression in Ukraine is spiraling out of control as peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv's Maidan Square are brutalized and killed by government forces. We in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have monitored these developments closely, from holding a hearing last month to intro… Continue Reading
February 19, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Continuing Unrest in Venezuela, Detention of Opposition Leaders
Bogota, Colombia - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding the deteriorating situation in Venezuela: "Venezuela cannot be governed through fear, violence and political retribution as President Maduro, members of his security forces, and government supporters are exhibiting on a daily basis. Venezuelans must be allowed to peacefully assemble, freely express their views, and voice displeasure with a gover… Continue Reading
February 19, 2014
Chairman Menendez Condemns Violence in Ukraine
Bogota, Colombia - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released this statement regarding the unrest in Ukraine: "The state-sponsored violence against the Ukrainian people is abhorrent, demands swift condemnation, and must cease at once," Menendez said. "The responsibility for this tragedy rests with President Yanukovych who has failed at every turn to address the legitimate democratic aspirations of his people. The actions of President Yanuko… Continue Reading
February 18, 2014
Chairman Menendez Unveils Economic Partnership Initiative for the Western Hemisphere
Mexico City, Mexico - Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, unveiled his initiative for increasing economic engagement in the Western Hemisphere during a keynote address in Mexico City. Hosted by the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas, Menendez outlined a plan of action to establish a more comprehensive strategy for partnering with the region in his speech, titled: "Beyond Free Trade: Spurring Growth in the Western Hemisphere." "We must … Continue Reading
February 16, 2014
Chairman Menendez Travels to Mexico, Colombia
Mexico City, Mexico - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will travel to Mexico City, Mexico and Bogota, Colombia from February 16 to the 21st. He will meet with President Peña Nieto in Mexico and President Santos in Colombia, and will discuss economic reforms taking place in each country as well as U.S. partnership opportunities. On Tuesday in Mexico City, Chairman Menendez will deliver a speech hosted by the Americas Society / Council … Continue Reading
February 15, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Anti-Government Protests in Venezuela
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding anti-government protests in Venezuela. "This week, we have seen Venezuelans peacefully gathering to voice their deep concern with President Maduro and his mismanagement of the economy. These demonstrations are being met with government-sanctioned violence that has resulted in the deaths of innocent people and the unjust imprisonment of dozens of peaceful protest… Continue Reading
February 14, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Release of Detainees by the Afghan Government
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding the release of detainees from the Parwan Detention Center in Afghanistan: "I am deeply disappointed by the decision of President Karzai to release 65 militants from the Parwan Detention Center. There is evidence tying some of these individuals to attacks that killed coalition forces and Afghan soldiers, as well as civilians. In all likelihood, many of these indiv… Continue Reading
February 14, 2014
Chairman Menendez Introduces Ukraine Resolution Expressing Concern over Undemocratic Governance, Human Rights Violations
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Sen. James Risch introduced a resolution "expressing concern for undemocratic governance and the abuse of individual rights in Ukraine." "The status quo cannot continue and Ukrainians must be free to chart a more hopeful future absent recrimination or repression. Ukrainians have experienced the denial of basic rights and freedoms at the hands of their own government. During this diffic… Continue Reading
February 11, 2014
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at the Hearing, “Prospects for Democratic Reconciliation and Workers' Rights in Bangladesh”
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, "Prospects for Democratic Reconciliation and Workers' Rights in Bangladesh." The remarks follow: "We meet this morning to discuss U.S. policy in Bangladesh following the controversial January election and ensuing political stalemate. We also meet for a status update on the rights of Bangladesh's garment workers foll… Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez Speech on Iran
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following speech on Iran on the U.S. Senate Floor. The speech transcript follows: "I come to the floor to speak about one of our greatest national security challenges -which is a nuclear-armed Iran.I have long thought of this as a bipartisan national security issue - not a partisan political issue. At the end of the day it is a national security issue that we mus… Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez Welcomes Haitian President Michel Martelly to U.S. Congress
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Haitian President Michel Martelly today: "As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey representing more than 57,000 Haitian-Americans, it is an honor to welcome President Martelly to the Senate," Menendez said. "Our nations share deep ties bound by a centuries-long partnership. The U.S. remains comm… Continue Reading
