Chairman's Press
Senator Menendez Statement on Today’s Terrorist Attack in France
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding today's terrorist attack in France: "I express my sincere condolences to the families of those innocent people who lost their lives in today's terrorist attack at the office of the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo. This horrific attack on an independent media outlet is an attack against our values and our freedoms. France and the United States have stood shoul… Continue Reading
January 06, 2015
Senator Menendez Statement on President Peña Nieto’s Visit
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding Mexican President Peña Nieto's visit to Washington, D.C. "President Peña Nieto's visit brings with it an opportunity to advance the United States' and Mexico's shared pursuit of prosperity and economic opportunities for all our citizens. With over thirty-three million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living in the U.S. and regular migration bet… Continue Reading
January 06, 2015
Senator Menendez Names Jodi Herman as Democratic Staff Director for Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced today that he has appointed longtime aide Jodi Herman to serve as the Democratic Staff Director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "For over ten years, first in the House of Representatives and now in the Senate, Jodi Herman has served as a trusted advisor and valued voice on foreign policy matters," Senator Menendez said. "She is highly respected throughout Capitol Hill for her keen intellect, deep understanding of legislative … Continue Reading
December 18, 2014
Corker Statement on President Obama Signing Ukraine Freedom Support Act into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement after President Obama signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act into law. "I am pleased the president signed our bill into law, and I hope he will do the hard work to convince the Europeans to adopt similar measures and stand with Ukraine against the ongoing threat of Russian aggression," said Corker. "This legislation passed with the full support of Congre… Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Corker Statement on Release of Alan Gross, President’s Announcement of U.S. Policy Change toward Cuba
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the president's announcement of the release of American Alan Gross and the administration's policy change toward Cuba: "This morning, I was notified of the release of Alan Gross as well as the president's negotiations with the Cuban government. I am pleased Alan Gross will be reunited with this family after suffering years of unjust imprisonment an… Continue Reading
December 15, 2014
Senate Passes Durbin-Corker Water for The World Act
WASHINGTON-The Senate today unanimously passed The Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014, bipartisan legislation to significantly improve access to clean water and sanitation around the world. The bill is sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Corker (R-TN), and cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). The bill was passed earlier this month by the House of Representatives, where it is sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Ted Poe (R-… Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
Corker Statement on Committee Consideration of Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against ISIS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, made the following statement today regarding the committee's consideration of legislation authorizing the use of military force against ISIS. "We know the legislation the committee considered today is going nowhere," said Corker, who opposed the legislation that passed on a party-line vote. "I think it would be stronger for our country if the administration would work with Congress on an … Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
Senate Unanimously Passes Corker Legislation to Support Ukraine, Expand Sanctions Against Russia
WASHINGTON - Following Senate passage today of his bill to provide lethal military and non-military assistance for Ukraine and expand sanctions against Russia, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said unanimous support for the legislation demonstrates "a firm commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty" in response to a continued Russian invasion. Since the last round of U.S. sanctions on September 12, Russia has repeatedly violated its commitment… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Corker: Committee Passage of Partisan AUMF Against ISIS Would Weaken Our Nation
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today to consider an authorization for the use of military force against ISIS, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned committee passage of a partisan bill at the end of the congressional session that does not become law would weaken the nation's ability to defeat the terrorist organization. He continued to urge the administration to explicitly seek an authorization from Congress. "I know we're not going to get… Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Corker Statement on Diplomatic Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the administration and Senate Majority Leader's decision to push through two controversial, political ambassador nominees rather than focus on approving experienced diplomats to fill vacancies in positions around the world: "It is disappointing that in a transparent move, the White House and the Senate Majority Leader have chosen to prioritize doing p… Continue Reading
November 24, 2014
Corker Statement on Iran Nuclear Negotiations
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement on the Iran nuclear negotiations. "Since the beginning, I have been concerned about a series of rolling extensions becoming the norm and reducing our leverage. However, I would rather the administration continue to negotiate than agree to a bad deal that would only create more instability in the region and around the world," said Corker. "With so muc… Continue Reading
November 08, 2014
Corker: Secretary Kerry “Undermines His Credibility and that of our Nation” by Denying Link between Iran Nuclear Talks and ISIS Strategy
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Secretary of State John Kerry "undermines his credibility and that of our nation" by denying a link between the Iran nuclear negotiations and the administration's strategy against ISIS. "Secretary Kerry undermines his credibility and that of our nation by making such a disingenuous statement. Of course the negotiations with Iran are affecting the administration's approach t… Continue Reading
November 03, 2014
Corker: Russia’s Recognition of Illegal Rebel Vote in Eastern Ukraine Demands Firm Response from U.S. and Europe
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Following reports that Russia has affirmed a rebel-held election in parts of Eastern Ukraine and violated terms of a ceasefire agreement, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said recognition of the illegal vote demands a firm response from the U.S. and Europe, including consideration of stiffer sanctions on Russia and stepped-up assistance to Ukraine given the ongoing threat from Russian aggression. "Russia's recognit… Continue Reading
October 21, 2014
Corker Urges U.S. and Other Nations to Accelerate Efforts to Stop Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today after speaking with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah about the U.S. response to Ebola in West Africa. "As we address this problem, the most important thing for us to do is to contain and stop Ebola in West Africa, and for that reason, I talked with Administrator Shah to receive an update on the U.S. res… Continue Reading
October 14, 2014
Wall Street Journal Editorial Says Corker-Sponsored Bill “Gives U.S. Stronger Leverage” in Iran Nuclear Negotiations
WASHINGTON - An editorial ("Obama, Congress and Iran") in today's Wall Street Journal urges the Obama administration to embrace legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that "gives U.S. stronger leverage" in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The editorial states the Iran Nuclear Negotiations Act of 2014 sends a message to Iran "that Congress won't sign off on a bad agreement that puts America's interests at risk and is ready t… Continue Reading
September 29, 2014
Corker, Hatch Seek Update from Obama Administration on WTO Compliance for Foreign Export-Import Banks
WASHINGTON - In a letter to United States Trade Representative Michael Froman, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) asked the Obama administration to update Congress on efforts to ensure that foreign export-import banks are in compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Recent growth in the size and scope of some foreign entities has raised questions about their adherence to the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and standards set by the Organ… Continue Reading
September 23, 2014
Corker Statement on U.S.-Arab Coalition Military Strikes Against ISIS in Syria
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding military strikes carried out by the U.S. and a coalition of Arab nations against ISIS in Syria: "I'm encouraged by the participation of our Arab allies in this operation and hope this is the first step in building a lasting regional coalition committed to confronting ISIS," said Corker. ###… Continue Reading
September 19, 2014
United States Senate pledges support for fight to contain Ebola outbreak and save lives
United States Senate pledges support for fight to contain Ebola outbreak and save lives Unanimously passes bipartisan resolution supporting those affected by humanitarian crisis WASHINGTON - The United States Senate this week recognized the severe threat posed by the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and offered its support for robust efforts to combat the virus and provide humanitarian relief for those affected. In a resolution adopted unanimously Thursday night, the Senate recognized the supp… Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
Corker: Foreign Relations Committee Unanimously Approves Ukraine Freedom Support Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the committee's unanimous passage (18-0) today of bipartisan legislation that expands sanctions on Russia's defense, financial and energy sectors, as well as provides lethal military and non-military assistance for Ukraine. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addressed a joint session of Congress in which he appealed to the U.S. for lethal military aid to help d… Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
Corker Supports Bill to Train Vetted, Moderate Syrian Opposition in Fight Against ISIS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today issued the following statement after voting for a three-month authorization to arm and train the moderate Syrian opposition in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS): "Thus far, the administration has been sophomoric, vague and unprepared to define an approach to ISIS that meets any test of seriousness. I am willing to give the administration three months to try to develop a training program in hopes it can be a … Continue Reading
