Chairman's Press
Chairman Menendez Statement Calling on Russia to Facilitate Edward Snowden’s Return to the U.S.
Newark, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Russia to facilitate the return of Edward Snowden to the United States. The statement follows: "Edward Snowden should return to the United States on his own volition or be returned home to face espionage charges. His alleged actions are of the utmost sensitivity to our national security and hiding out in Russia would be highly inconsistent with the principles he claims to defend by seek… Continue Reading
June 28, 2013
Legislation Granting Taiwan Observer Status at International Civil Aviation Organization Passes Congress, Heads to President for Signature
WASHINGTON, DC -Legislation advancing efforts for Taiwan to obtain observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly passed the Congress today and heads to the President for signature. Identical legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) in the Senate, and by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY)… Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Chairman Menendez Applauds Administration’s Decision to Suspend Preferential Trade Status to Bangladesh
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commended the Administration's decision to suspend Generalized System of Preference (GSP) benefits to Bangladesh. Earlier this month, Menendez presided over a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing examining labor issues in Bangladesh, following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory. "It is long overdue for Bangladesh to reform its labor practices and ensure workers' rights," said Menend… Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Chairman Menendez Calls on the Russian Government to Release Fugitive Edward Snowden into the Custody of the United States
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Russia to cease sheltering international fugitive Edward Snowden and release him immediately into the custody of the United States. Menendez also warned Ecuador's government led by President Rafael Correa not to grant Snowden asylum, adding that such a decision would severely jeopardize the preferential trade access provided to goods from Ecuador under the Generalized System of Pre… Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Legislation Expanding U.S. Exports to Africa, Compensating American Hostages Held in Iran during Embassy Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) presided over the Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting today, where one bill to create American jobs through increased exports to Africa, another bill to compensate former American hostages held in Iran, as well as five senate resolutions and three ambassadorial nominations were approved by committee members. Senators advanced legislation calling on the Obama administration to establish a trade strategy for Africa that will increas… Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Chairman Menendez: “Edward Snowden is a Fugitive Deserving Prosecution, not a Whistleblower Worthy of Protection.”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the Russian government to cooperate with U.S. extradition requests for Edward Snowden, calling him a fugitive who "betrayed the trust of the American people." "Edward Snowden is not a whistleblower worthy of protection, but a fugitive deserving of prosecution," said Chairman Menendez. "He violated his sworn pledge to protect classified information. He jeopardized our national security. A… Continue Reading
June 20, 2013
Chairman Menendez, Senator Inhofe Applaud Passage of Bill Granting Taiwan Observer Status at International Civil Aviation Organization
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) applauded the passage of legislation advancing efforts for Taiwan to obtain observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. Menendez and Inhofe are co-chairs of the Senate Taiwan Caucus. The bill directs the Secretary of State to develop and implement a plan to obtain ICAO observer status for Taiwan. "We in the United … Continue Reading
June 17, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Camp Liberty Attack in Iraq
WASHINGTON, DC - Chairman Robert Menendez released the following statement regarding the attack on Camp Liberty in Iraq. "I condemn the attack on Camp Liberty in the strongest and most forceful of terms. The attack is a tragic reminder that every person living in Camp Liberty, as well as Camp Ashraf remains in a permanent state of uncertainty, their lives constantly endangered and their homes targets of acts of terrorism. The Government of Iraq must do more to ensure their security, including … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Statement at Hearing, “Labor Issues in Bangladesh”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered this opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's hearing, "Labor Issues in Bangladesh." "It's not often that the Foreign Relations Committee holds a hearing like this - in fact, the last labor hearing this Committee chaired was the debate giving PNTR status to China in 2000. So it's been awhile. But as I said in an op-ed that was published today, the tragedy at Rana Plaza - the … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Menendez Op-Ed on Labor Issues in Bangladesh: “A Cry for Worker Fairness”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote an op-ed below titled, "A Cry for Worker Fairness" which was published in Reuters. The op-ed appears below: Reuters: A cry for worker fairness June 5, 2013 @ 6:09 pm By Senator Robert Menendez The tragedy at the Rana Plaza clothing factory was a sober reminder that Bangladeshi garment workers still lack basic rights and protections. My mother was a seamstress. She worked in the texti… Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Ruling by Egyptian Court against NGO Employees
WASHINGTON, DC - Chairman Robert Menendez released the following statement following the ruling by an Egyptian court to convict 43 NGO employees earlier today: "Today's ruling by an Egyptian court to convict 43 NGO employees is a step in the wrong direction for a nation undergoing a democratic transition. These workers, many of them American, were on the ground in Egypt over the last two years to encourage democratic processes, openness, civilian participation and electoral integrity. The cour… Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Chairman Menendez Expresses Concerns over Chinese Human Rights Violations to Obama before Meeting with President Xi Jinping
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote President Obama ahead of his June 7-8 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing deep concern over ongoing human rights violations taking place in China, oftentimes by officials acting outside China's legal structures. The letter follows: The Honorable Barack ObamaPresident of the United StatesThe White HouseWashington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I was pleased to hear the anno… Continue Reading
May 31, 2013
Menendez Statement on the Sanctioning of Companies Helping Iran Evade Sanctions
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the Administration's announcement to sanction companies for helping Iran evade sanctions. "It is a losing strategy for companies to assist Iran in evading sanctions and today's announcement serves as a warning: Cease this illicit activity immediately or face severe consequences. Increased sanctions from encouraging further reductions in energy sector purchases from… Continue Reading
May 29, 2013
Chairman Robert Menendez Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. The following comments were made during the meeting: "For twenty years, as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate and now as the Chairman of the SenateForeign Relations Committee, I've always asked two questions in terms of the US foreign policy abroad: What is in the national interest of the United States? What is in the national securi… Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Statement at Hearing, “European Union Economic Relations: Crisis and Opportunity”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's hearing, "European Union Economic Relations: Crisis and Opportunity." The remarks follow: "Thank you for attending this hearing on the economic relationship between the United States and the European Union and thank you to our witnesses who will provide the Committee with a deeper understanding of the realities behind the headlines. … Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Resolution Introduced by Graham, Menendez Condemning Iran’s Pursuit of Nuclear Capability Passes Senate
Resolution Passes by a Vote of 99 to 0 WASHINGTON, DC - A senate resolution condemning Iran's pursuit of nuclear capability introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed by a vote of 99 to 0. The resolution supports Israel's right to self-defense and reaffirms the close security cooperation between the United States and Israel. "Iran's provocative actions threaten not just regional stability, but pos… Continue Reading
May 22, 2013
Menendez Calls for Full Implementation of Iran Sanctions on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor today, in support of his resolution authored with Sen. Graham calling on the implementation of Iran sanctions, while reaffirming the U.S.-Israel relationship: "I rise today to in favor of the Menendez-Graham Resolution strongly supporting full implementation of U.S. and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of those sanc… Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Syria Transition Support Act Introduced by Menendez, Corker Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Bill Provides for Lethal Aid and Training to Vetted Syrian Opposition, Sanctions Weapon Sales and Petroleum Sales to the Assad Regime, While Delivering Humanitarian Assistance and Planning for a Post-Assad Syria WASHINGTON, DC - The Syria Transition Support Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The legislation plans for a post-Assad Syr… Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Menendez Statement on State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report for 2012
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below following the State Department's release of their International Religious Freedom Report for 2012: "From Pakistan where blasphemy laws are abused to settle personal scores, to Iran where minorities are persecuted particularly within the Baha'i community, to Central Asian countries where governments place growing restrictions on religious freedom in the name of nati… Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Menendez Statement on Cuban Independence Day
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Cuban Independence Day: "Today marks the 111th Anniversary of Cuba's independence from Spain but, sadly, Cubans in Cuba are not free. The people of Cuba are not free to assemble peacefully without facing repression at the hands of the Castro regime. They are not free to speak their minds without fear of incarceration. They are not free to claim their future at … Continue Reading
