Chairman's Press
Kerry, Lugar Applaud New Policy Bureau At U.S. Agency For International Development
Washington, D.C.-- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) today issued statements applauding Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), for reestablishing the bureau for policy, planning, and learning within USAID. This bureau will restore strategic thinking and policy expertise to the agency. The new policy bureau closely mirrors legislation in the Kerry-Lugar Foreign Assistance Revitaliz… Continue Reading
May 05, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Crisis In Greece
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today offered support to Prime Minister Papandreou, condemned the violence in Greece, and applauded the funding support package announced for Greece by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "I offer my moral support to Prime Minister Papandreou and to the Greek people facing this challenging road ahead. I also condemn the violence that we've seen on the streets of Athens today and urge calm - thi… Continue Reading
May 05, 2010
Chairman Kerry Welcomes Additional Funding For Prevention Against Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS
Washington, D.C.-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator that the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will commit $30 million to support Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to prevent and respond to gender-based violence: "In the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against women has reached epidemic proportions, and HIV/AIDS r… Continue Reading
May 03, 2010
Chairman Kerry Welcomes Efforts To Strengthen The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John F. Kerry (D-MA) today issued a statement in support of the Obama Administration's efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Senator Kerry emphasized that ratifying the New START treaty and strengthening the NPT are two critical steps toward improving our national security: "As Secretary Clinton said today at the United Nations, nuclear proliferation can be stopped, but it will take strong leadership by the United States,… Continue Reading
May 03, 2010
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Report Urges Reform Of Radio And TV Marti
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee majority staff has issued a report examining the effectiveness of Radio and TV Marti titled, "Cuba: Immediate Action Is Needed to Ensure the Survivability of Radio and TV Marti". Radio Marti was created in 1983 to support the Cuban people in their quest for "accurate, unbiased, and consistently reliable" news and current affairs. TV Marti, created in 1990, sought to expand Radio Marti's goals with television programming. The report find… Continue Reading
April 29, 2010
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing On The New START Treaty
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released the following statement at a hearing titled, "The Historical and Modern Context for U.S.- Russian Arms Control": The full text of his statement as prepared is below: Thank you all for coming. This afternoon, we begin a series of hearings on the New START Treaty. In the coming weeks, administration witnesses and outside experts from across the political spectrum will testify about this his… Continue Reading
April 29, 2010
Chairman Kerry Marks The Opening Of The 2010 Shanghai Expo
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released the following statement celebrating the opening of the 2010 Shanghai Expo: "I congratulate the people of China on the opening of World Expo 2010in Shanghai and wish them every success with this endeavor. Expo 2010 represents a chance to recognize China's progress on its 30-year path of reform. It also serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished if China continues along this road. I know t… Continue Reading
April 29, 2010
Arms Control Experts Urge New START Approval
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. James Schlesinger and Dr. William Perry, two veteran arms control experts, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in testimony today that the New START Treaty should be approved for ratification by the Senate. Both of them said they believe the Senate has an obligation to approve the treaty as an important step forward in stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. They also said the treaty could improve Russian cooperation with the United States and other countries tr… Continue Reading
April 27, 2010
For First Time in Five Years, Foreign Relations Committee Passes Authorization Bill
Washington, D.C.---For the first time since 2005, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today passed bipartisan legislation approving an overall budget and policy framework for the U.S. State Department, Peace Corps, and Broadcasting Board of Governors. Under the leadership of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN), the Committee approved by a voice vote the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010-11, S.2971. This l… Continue Reading
April 26, 2010
Senate Foreign Relations Committee To Mark Up And Vote On Legislation That Will Strengthen U.S. Diplomacy
Washington, D.C.-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) will mark up the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010-11(S.2971) at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, in Room S-116 of the U.S. Capitol. The mark up will authorize funding levels for the State Department and related accounts and demonstrate the strong commitment of Congress for our diplomatic and foreign policy priorities. "Marking up the Foreign Relations Auth… Continue Reading
April 22, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Global Hunger And Food Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today chaired a hearing to explore the steps that Congress and the Administration can take to lessen world hunger and improve food security. "As we gather here on Earth Day, we must recognize that this already urgent challenge is poised to grow in the years ahead as climate change creates new strains on food supplies everywhere," said Chairman Kerry. "This hearing comes at a moment when our International Affairs Bu… Continue Reading
April 22, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Political Unrest In Thailand
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement in response to escalating political unrest in Thailand: "As a friend of our long-time ally Thailand, I am deeply concerned about the recent political unrest in Bangkok and saddened by the related violence. I hope thatall parties will seek a peaceful, negotiated settlement of their differences. The only way to reach a lasting agreement that can strengthen Thai society is through … Continue Reading
April 22, 2010
Kerry: Cutting International Affairs Budget Jeopardizes National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today cautioned that the $4 billion cut to the international affairs budget, which passed out of the Budget Committee markup for the FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution this afternoon, puts into jeopardy key foreign policy and national security priorities. "Our objectives in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq and the civilian component of our national security strategy depend on a strong budget and these cuts are an enorm… Continue Reading
April 20, 2010
Chairman Kerry Urges Colleagues To Support A Robust International Affairs Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN), along with 29 senators from both parties,asked Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Ranking Member Judd Gregg (R-NH) to support the President's FY 2011 $58.5 billion dollar request for the U.S. international affairs budget. "The programs funded by the international affairs budget are critical for restoring America's leadership role in the world and demonstrate… Continue Reading
April 16, 2010
To Improve Security And Enhance Environmental Sustainability, Chairman Kerry Introduces Legislation To Advance U.S. Embassy And Consulate Design
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced legislation that will redefine U.S. embassy and consulate design and enhance their security. The Embassy Design and Security Act of 2010 will mandate a new generation of secure and sustainable diplomatic and consular facilities in support of United States diplomacy. It will require the Secretary of State to establish an embassy design program, which will focus on sustainabil… Continue Reading
April 14, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Earthquake In China
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a statement in response to a series of earthquakes that struck a mountainous region in western China: "I am saddened to hear news of a major earthquake in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of western China. This region is one of the cradles of Tibetan culture, home to many important Buddhist monasteries and sensitive environmental zones, including the headwaters of the Mekong River. My heart go… Continue Reading
April 13, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Nuclear Security Summit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement today about the historic two-day nuclear security summit: "The leaders of 47 nations are gathering in Washington this week to discuss the critical matter of how to keep nuclear weapons materials out of the hands of terrorists. The objective is to develop the most effective means of securing nuclear stockpiles worldwide within the next three years, a goal that I first set out in 2004… Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Senate Passes Kerry, Lugar Resolution Calling For Recovery, Rehabilitation, And Rebuilding Of Haiti
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) issued the following statements announcing the Senate's passage of a resolution (S.Res.414) calling for the recovery, rehabilitation, and rebuilding of Haiti following the humanitarian crisis caused by the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti. This legislation urges the U.S. government and the international community to provide resources to support the government of Haiti's lea… Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Senate Passes Kerry, Lugar Resolution Expressing Solidarity With Chile Following The Massive Earthquake
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution expressing profound concern, deepest sympathies, and solidarity on behalf of the people of the United States to the people and Government of Chile following the massive earthquake. The resolution (S.Res.431), introduced by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN), states that the United States Senate: • applauds the friendship between the Governments and people of the United States and Chile and … Continue Reading
March 04, 2010
At Kerry, Bayh Urging, Western Union and MoneyGram Agree to Modify Practices on Money Transfers to Haiti
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After strong urging from Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance, Western Union has agreed to reduce fees on money transfers to those devastated by last month's earthquake in Haiti, and MoneyGram will contribute a small amount to relief efforts when a remittance is sent. MoneyGram's relief contributions will continue through June, an… Continue Reading
