Chairman's Press
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Nomination Hearing for Caroline Kennedy, Anne Patterson, and Gregory Starr
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 for Caroline Kennedy, Anne Patterson, and Gregory Starr. The remarks follow: "Our first nominee this morning is Ms. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg of New York to be Ambassador to Japan. Welcome to the Committee. Let me take this opportunity to recognize Japan's Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Sas… Continue Reading
September 17, 2013
Chairman Robert Menendez, Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson Meet Cuban Democracy Activist Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez”
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) met with Cuban democracy activist Jorge Luis García Pérez "Antúnez" today. At the meeting, Antúnez discussed the growing strength and unity of the Cuban opposition, the need to overcome the information blockade that the Castro regime continues to impose on the Cuban people, and the ways in which the government cont… Continue Reading
September 13, 2013
Chairman Menendez Denounces Attack on Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan
Newark, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan. "I denounce today's attack on our consulate in Herat. Days after we paused to honor four brave Americans killed last year in Benghazi and pledged to move forward with renewed vigor to properly fund and secure our diplomatic posts overseas, we are reminded yet again of the severe challenges our personnel face, e… Continue Reading
September 12, 2013
Chairman Menendez Condemns Attacks on Camp Ashraf Residents, Calls on Iraqi Government to Protect Community now in Camp Liberty and Secure Release of Seven Hostages taken after Massacre at Camp Ashraf
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released this statement condemning the attacks on Camp Ashraf residents, and called on the Iraqi government to protect the community and secure the release of seven hostages taken after the massacre at Camp Ashraf. "I condemn the brutal violence targeting Camp Ashraf residents in the most forceful of terms and personally offer my deepest sympathies to the families of this horrific act of terro… Continue Reading
September 11, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Attacks on U.S. Diplomatic Facility in Benghazi, Libya
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below on the one-year anniversary of the diplomatic facility attack in Benghazi, Libya. "One year ago, as our nation paused to honor the September 11th tragedies, we awoke to news that our diplomatic facility in Benghazi was under attack. The loss of four Americans that day, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, cast a dark shadow on an already solemn day. From trage… Continue Reading
September 10, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement Following President Obama’s Speech on Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below following President Obama's speech tonight on Syria. "The diplomatic door has opened ever so slightly and while I have doubts about this 11th hour offer, it would be wrong to slam the door shut without due consideration. A negotiated solution to a crisis is always preferable and if this possibility is legitimate, I'll give it serious thought. At the same time, the… Continue Reading
September 09, 2013
Menendez Speaks on Senate Floor on Authorizing the Use of Force in Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor today, talking about his resolution to authorize the use of military force in Syria. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aoDh3D9AQ4 The statement, as prepared for delivery, follows: We come to this Chamber, as we have many times before, to make one of the most difficult decisions we are tasked to make: the authorization of the use of American military power, this time in Syri… Continue Reading
September 04, 2013
Chairman Menendez’s Final Remarks at Business Meeting on Syria Authorization (VIDEO)
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following brief closing remarks after the committee passed the resolution authorizing the use of military force in Syria. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrcbplFc7xI ###… Continue Reading
September 03, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Agreement with Ranking Member Corker on Text for Authorization for the Use of Military Force
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below after successfully negotiating with Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) on the text for an Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Syria: "Sharing President Obama's view that our nation is best served when we come together as one, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has crafted a bipartisan Authorization for the Use of Military Force that we believe reflects… Continue Reading
September 03, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at the Hearing on Authorization of Use of Military Force in Syria
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, "Authorization of Use of Force in Syria." The remarks follow: "Let me welcome Secretary Kerry, Secretary Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, to the Committee. We convene this hearing, as we have convened many before, to make one of the most difficult decisions we are tasked to make: th… Continue Reading
August 31, 2013
Chairman Menendez and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Hold Hearing on Tuesday regarding Authorization for Use of Military Force in Syria
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will preside over a hearing beginning this Tuesday to debate the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Syria. "I have spoken with Leader Reid and beginning this Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will debate the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Syria. Senior Administration witnesses will testify before the Committee and the Congress will debate this issue actively, full… Continue Reading
August 31, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Syria
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below following the President's address. Within the past hour, Chairman Menendez was briefed by the White House Chief of Staff on the latest developments in Syria. "The mass atrocity committed by the Assad regime in grave violation of international law is searing to the soul and blinding to the eye. To allow a despot to gas their population indiscriminately and with impunity… Continue Reading
August 29, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement Following National Security Call on Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below following the national security call on Syria that just concluded. "The use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime requires a decisive response. Our national security interests, those of our allies, and regional stability are at risk as Syria is disintegrating into a failed state. This is not a moment to look the other way, to blind ourselves to the horrifying i… Continue Reading
August 22, 2013
Chairman Menendez Calls for United Nations Security Council to Take Action Against Syria in Response to Chemical Attack
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the reported chemical weapon attack by the Assad regime in Syria. "I am shocked and deeply concerned by reports that more than a thousand Syrian civilians may have been killed in a chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government," said Senator Menendez. "It is imperative that the United Nations investigative team currently in Syria be allowed to do its work… Continue Reading
August 19, 2013
Chairman Menendez Promotes NJ Business Opportunities During Taiwan Visit
Taipei, Taiwan- U.S. Sen Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, shared his views about New Jersey's education system, supply chain integration, valuable ports, and market access advantages with leaders in Taiwan, including Vice President Wu Dunyi. "New Jersey is home to numerous cutting-edge research facilities, world-renowned educational institutions and our state's port accessibility connects all that we have to offer to opportunities throughout the global… Continue Reading
August 19, 2013
Chairman Menendez Speaks in South Korea about Asia-American Policies
Seoul, South Korea - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gave a speech about economic statecraft and the new American internationalism at the Asan Institute. This is Chairman Menendez's first visit to the region as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In addition to South Korea, other stops on his trip include Japan, Taiwan and China. Official speech photo is copied below and available for download. Below is the text of the s… Continue Reading
August 15, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Violence in Egypt
Tokyo, Japan - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Egypt while on travel in Asia: "The violent attacks in Egypt are tragic and this bloodshed is counterproductive to the aspirations of all the Egyptian people. A prosperous, thriving, and democratic Egypt is a nation that renounces violence and that respects the basic human rights of its citizens. I call on all parties immediately and unequivocally to dem… Continue Reading
August 12, 2013
Chairman Menendez Travels to Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China for Bilateral Meetings
Newark, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) departed this afternoon for a nine-day visit to Asia, his first visit to the region as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez will visit: Japan on August 13th through the 15th Taiwan on August 15th through the 17th Korea on August 17th through the 19th China on August 19th through the 21st In Japan, Chairman Menendez is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Abe, Foreign Minister Kishida, Defense Minister Onodera, as we… Continue Reading
August 08, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Visit by Greek Prime Minister Samaras to Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below regarding today's visit to Washington, D.C. by Greek Prime Minister Samaras: "The relationship between the United States and Greece is built on a special bond of trust and shared values, and that friendship was on display today during Prime Minister Samaras' visit with President Obama and Secretary Kerry," said Menendez. "The bond between the United States and Gre… Continue Reading
August 07, 2013
Chairman Menendez Praises Ambassador Power’s Call for Cuba to Investigate Death of Oswaldo Payá
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below applauding U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power for calling on Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla to investigate the death of Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá. "The new U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, has delivered a forceful message in support of freedom and human rights in Cuba by calling on the Cuban government to conduct an ind… Continue Reading
