Chairman's Press
Cardin Statement on Iran Nuclear Agreement
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the just announced P5+1 Plan of Action regarding Iran's nuclear program: "The United States - executive branch and Congress - are unified in our goal to ensure that Iran is blocked from ever having a nuclear weapon. The best outcome is a strong diplomatic one. This framework and the ultimate agreement cannot be based on trust; there is no trust when … Continue Reading
April 02, 2015
Cardin Named Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since he joined the Senate in January 2007, issued the following statement: "I am humbled that Democratic Leader Reid has asked me to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at this time. It is clear to all of us that the pressing national security challenges facing our nation require having active and effective leadership in our engagement with Senator Corker and the W… Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement Regarding Nigerian Elections
Newark, NJ - Senator Robert Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the elections in Nigeria. "I applaud the Nigerian people and political leaders on both sides for their commitment and dedication to the democratic process. I congratulate President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari on his victory, and commend incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan for graciously conceding defeat and endorsing a peaceful transition of leadership. I also c… Continue Reading
April 01, 2015
Senators Menendez and Johnson Lead Letter Calling on FIFA to Deny Russia the Privilege of Hosting 2018 World Cup
Washington, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, were joined by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), David Perdue (R-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Risch (R-ID), Patrick Toomey (R-PA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in sending the following letter to President Josef Blatter… Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Senator Menendez Reacts to Associated Press Report on Allowing Iran to Operate Centrifuges at Fordow
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding an Associated Press report that Iran will be allowed to operate centrifuges at Fordow as part of a potential nuclear agreement. "If today's news report from Lausanne is true, we are not inching closer to Iran's negotiating position, but leaping toward it with both feet. We have pivoted away from demanding the closure of Fordow when the negotiations began, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2015
Senator Menendez Urges President Obama to Respond to Syria’s Alleged use of Chlorine Gas
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent the following letter to President Barack Obama urging him to work closely with the international community to respond swiftly to the alleged use of chlorine gas by the Assad regime in attacks against Syrian civilians in Syria. In the letter, Senator Menendez urged President Obama to put pressure on Assad and his supporters: "Bashar al-Assad and those forces backing his regime, including the … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement on President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani’s Joint Meeting of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement prior to Wednesday's Joint Meeting of Congress by President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani. "The first democratic transition in Afghanistan's history, inaugurating President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah, marked the start of a new day for the Afghan people. I welcome them both to the United States and look forward to President Ghani's remarks to the Joint Meeting of Co… Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement on Reports of Being Sanctioned by the Russian Government
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after reports of being sanctioned by the Russian government. "In the year since I was last sanctioned by President Putin, my active and vocal support for Ukraine has only increased. Today's report from Moscow about my name appearing on a new sanctions list will not deter me whatsoever in my outspoken defense of Ukraine, and in support of their democracy, sove… Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Senator Menendez and Bipartisan Senators Introduce Resolution Honoring Greece’s 194th Independence Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a Resolution commemorating the 194th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day, March 25, 2015 and recognizing the strong relationship between the people of Greece and the United States. "The United States and Greece are connected by deep historical bonds, and today, I am proud to stand with my Senate colleagues and join Greek-Americans across the United States in celebrating 1… Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Senator Menendez Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing on the Deepening Political and Economic Crisis in Venezuela
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the subcommittee hearing titled "Deepening Political and Economic Crisis in Venezuela: Implications for U.S. Interests and the Western Hemisphere." "Last May, after 40 deaths, more than 50 documented cases of torture, high profile political persecutions, and thousands of arbitrary and unlawful detentions by the Venezuelan govern… Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
Senator Menendez Opening Remarks at Hearing on “The President's Request for Authorization to Use Force Against ISIS: Military and Diplomatic Efforts”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the hearing titled "The President's Request for Authorization to Use Force Against ISIS: Military and Diplomatic Efforts." "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to Secretaries Kerry and Carter and Chairman Dempsey for being here today. "Last December this Committee reported a resolution to authorize the use of military force … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Senator Menendez Remarks at CSIS Brzezinski Institute on Geostrategy
Washington, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Brzezinski Institute on Geostrategy discussion on "America's Strategic Dilemma: A Revisionist Russia in a Complex World." "Thank you, CSIS for inviting me. It is a pleasure to share the stage with one of the most distinguished and accomplished foreign policy practitioners… Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Senator Menendez on Announcement to Implement Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society
Washington, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the announcement that the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act will be implemented. "Today's announcement on the implementation of Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act, which I authored, sends a forceful message to Venezuelan officials complicit in the systematic human rights abuses and rampant political oppress… Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement Celebrating Holi
Newark, NJ - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement celebrating Holi, the ancient Indian Hindu festival known as the "festival of colors" or "Spring Festival." "To everyone celebrating Holi and those who simply wish to celebrate the coming of spring in a colorful way - Happy Holi to you all. This is a visually beautiful holiday with thousands of people tossing colored powders in the air to commemorate comradery an… Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Senators Write Majority Leader McConnell to Object to Fast Tracking Iran Review Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-sponsor of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act was joined by co-sponsors Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Angus King (I-ME), as well as Democratic Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), in sending the following letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to object … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Senator Menendez Floor Remarks Objecting to Partisan Handling of Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and co-sponsor of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, delivered the following speech on the Senate Floor, as prepared for delivery, objecting to the Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's partisan handling of the bill which will bypass committee process and go directly to the Senate floor for debate and vote. "M. President, I come to the floor to express my disappointment that the Majority L… Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
Senator Menendez’s Remarks at AIPAC National Convention
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following speech, as prepared for delivery, at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee National Convention. "Thank you to my good friend Lonny Kaplan and all of AIPAC's leaders and members. As I look out at this sea of fellow Americans I want to recognize the New Jersey delegation - this year almost 500 strong. To all of you from New Jersey and around the nation... we… Continue Reading
February 28, 2015
Statement Regarding Announcement that President Maduro Will Sanction Senator Robert Menendez and Other U.S. Officials
NEWARK, NJ - Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding being sanctioned by President Maduro. "President Maduro's failed economic policies and the regime's heavy-handed tactics against peaceful protesters and innocent bystanders are directly responsible for the unnecessary suffering of the Venezuelan people. Human rights violations are a new constant in Venezuela. The killing of fourteen-year-old Kluiverth Roa … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement on Kluiverth Roa - Teen Killed by Venezuelan Police
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the murder of Kluiverth Roa and the ongoing human rights abuses and violations by the Maduro goverment. "The killing of fourteen-year-old Kluiverth Roa by Venezuelan security forces is the latest example in a long string of human rights abuses taking place in Venezuela today," said Menendez. "My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's family… Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
On Cuba: Senator Menendez Writes Secretary of State Kerry, FBI Director Comey and Demands Harbored American Fugitives Face Justice in the United States
WASHINGTON, DC - With a second round of talks between the United States and Cuba scheduled for tomorrow, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent separate letters to Secretary Kerry and FBI Director James B. Comey urging the administration and the FBI to recognize Cuba's history of providing sanctuary to terrorists and requesting a full list of U.S. fugitives currently receiving sanctuary by the Castro regime. In the letter to Secretary Kerr… Continue Reading
