Chairman's Press
Kerry Opening Statement: Business Community Supports Law of the Sea
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following opening statement at a hearing that brought together top leaders of the business community - including leaders in telecommunications, oil and gas and manufacturing - who support the Law of the Sea Treaty. "Our companies want this Treaty, simply bottom line, because it affects their bottom lines," said Sen. Kerry. "Our failure to join the Treaty actually forces them to look elsewh… Continue Reading
June 27, 2012
Chairman Kerry on Nomination of Derek Mitchell to be Ambassador to Burma
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement on the nomination of Derek Mitchell to be the Ambassador to the Union of Burma. "The last year's changes in Burma have laid the foundation for progress towards genuine democracy, economic reform, and national reconciliation. Sending a U.S. Ambassador to Burma is a logical step forward, especially given the concrete steps Burma has taken, the bipartisan shift in how Congres… Continue Reading
June 24, 2012
Kerry on Egyptian Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The following is a statement by Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, on the Egyptian presidential election: "The Egyptian people deserve enormous praise for conducting the first democratically-elected presidential election of the post-Mubarak era. This is an historic moment for them in their post-revolutionary period, and it's an Egyptian moment just as it's been an Egyptian revolution. "During my recent visits to Cairo, I've had two candid discus… Continue Reading
June 22, 2012
Kerry, Lugar Bill Would Help Prevent Corrupt, Fraudulent Adoptions Abroad
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN) along with Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced legislation to elevate and standardize adoption services across the globe to safeguard against corruption and fraudulent adoptions. After years of conflicting, country-by-country standards for Adoption Service Providers (ASPs), the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 will for th… Continue Reading
June 21, 2012
Kerry: New START Treaty One Year Later
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that analyzed implementation of the New START Treaty to date. The Foreign Relations Committee held 12 hearings over several months before voting New START out of Committee in September 2010. The full Senate subsequently approved the treaty in December 2010, continuing a tradition of bipartisan support for strategic arms reduction accords that spans four adm… Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Kerry Recognizes World Refugee Day
Washington, DC - In recognition of World Refugee Day, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement about America's important role in helping refugees across the globe: "Abraham Lincoln once spoke of our nation as the last best hope on earth. On this World Refugee Day-the 11th of its kind and the 61st anniversary of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees-it is fitting that we give careful pause to remember that the respons… Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Kerry, Corker Bill to Encourage Global Investment in the U.S., Create Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, today endorsed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman and Senior Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, that would create jobs and increase foreign investment in the United States by examining laws and regulations to eliminate ou… Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
Kerry: On Eve of Rio+20, An Honest Assessment of Climate Change Challenge
WASHINGTON, DC - As world leaders meet this week for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, delivered a major floor speech today urging U.S. action to combat the threat of global climate change. The conference, which takes place June 20 - 22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio, which Sen… Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Report Identifies Security Challenges in the Persian Gulf
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Report Identifies Security Challenges in the Persian Gulf Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a staff report examining the evolving security framework in the Persian Gulf. The report, "The Gulf Security Architecture: Partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council," identifies challenges and opportunities associated with promoting U.S. interests and a stable security environment in the Gulf region. Home… Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves U.S.-Israel Legislation; Resolutions, Ambassadorial Nominations
Washington, DC - At a business meeting led by Chairman John Kerry this afternoon, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved S. 2165, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 62 Senators. The bill reinforces the strong security bonds between the United States and Israel and underscores the need for continuing security coo… Continue Reading
June 14, 2012
“24 Star” Military Witnesses Voice Strong Support for Law of the Sea Treaty
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today chaired a hearing entitled "The Law of the Sea Convention: Perspectives from the U.S. Military" featuring witness testimony from six high ranking military officials - four Admirals and two Generals - all urging ratification of the treaty. "There's a reason every living Chief of Naval Operations supports U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea," said Chairman Kerry. "They know the United States needs the Treaty's… Continue Reading
June 12, 2012
Kerry Responds to Beating of Cuban Dissident After Testifying to Foreign Relations Committee
Kerry Responds to Beating of Cuban Dissident After Testifying to Foreign Relations Committee Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today after news reports of the detention and beating of a Cuban dissident who testified last week via teleconference before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics. "A number of Cuban citizens have demonstrated tremendo… Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
Kerry on Egypt Elections
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement in response to the ongoing elections in Egypt: "Despite some minor irregularities, reports so far indicate that the voting process has been free, fair, and peaceful. That speaks volumes about the resilience of the Egyptian people after a year of economic and political turmoil. "We do not yet know the winner, but we know that person starts off with a steep hill to climb, with const… Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
Kerry Statement Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Ivory and Insecurity: The Global Implications of Poaching in Africa
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that analyzed the global implications of poaching in Africa. "Yes, we have a lot of urgent, everyday problems that consume our politics-- deficits, unemployment, terror-challenges we know too well and numerous enough to make anyone dizzy," said Sen. Kerry. "But history reminds us we never have the right to turn our backs on the values that define us. It is … Continue Reading
May 24, 2012
Kerry on Conviction, Sentencing of Dr. Shakil Afridi
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement in response to the conviction of Dr. Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor who assisted the United States in locating Osama bin Laden. Dr. Afridi was found guilty of treason by a Pakistani court and sentenced to serve 33 years in prison. "Americans will have great difficulty knowing that one year after the United States found and killed the most notorious terrorist in modern history h… Continue Reading
May 23, 2012
Kerry Statement on The Law of the Sea Convention: The U.S. National Security and Strategic Imperatives for Ratification
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that analyzed the U.S. national security and strategic imperatives for ratifying the Law of the Sea Convention (Treaty Doc. 103-39) with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving as witnesses. "Some may ask why now, why consider a Treaty that's been untou… Continue Reading
May 10, 2012
Kerry Statement Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on NATO: the Chicago Summit and Beyond
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that assessed the current state of NATO and its long-term objectives following the 2012 NATO Summit. "One thing is pretty clear about NATO - it has already confounded its skeptics," said Sen. Kerry. "From Bosnia to Kosovo, from Afghanistan to Libya, the Alliance has demonstrated an ability to adapt to the post-Cold War security environment. Obviously we'… Continue Reading
April 27, 2012
Chairman Kerry on Former President of Liberia Charles Taylor
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement: "These events are important because they should send a chilling message to war criminals that they can't operate with impunity. Charles Taylor is at last being punished and held accountable for his role in the murder, rape, and mutilation of untold numbers of men, women, and children in Sierra Leone, and now President Obama's Atrocities Prevention Board will lead the U.S. effort… Continue Reading
April 19, 2012
Bi-Partisan Kerry-Boozman Legislation Would Help Bring Kony, War Criminals to Justice
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand and modernize the existing Department of State Rewards Program. This legislation (S. 2318) would provide the State Department with valuable tools to help bring to justice those accused of committing mass atrocities-such as Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony-or engaging in transnational organized crime, including intellectual property rights piracy,… Continue Reading
April 19, 2012
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement at Hearing on Syria Options
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that assessed the United States' role and policy options in Syria. "Bashar al-Assad has lost all governing legitimacy except what is at the barrel of a gun or tank - both at home and abroad. If he simply maintained the status quo, it would be not just a moral outrage but also a severe blow to the democratic aspirations of the Middle East." The full tex… Continue Reading
