Chairman's Press
Corker: “Extremely Lacking in Judgment” for President Not to Seek Authorization from Congress to Defeat ISIS
WASHINGTON - Appearing on CNN's "The Situation Room" today to discuss President's Obama's address Wednesday night on U.S. plans to defeat the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the administration's apparent decision not to seek authorization from Congress is "extremely lacking in judgment." "I think the president should come to Congress and ask for the authorization for… Continue Reading
September 08, 2014
Menendez, Corker Ask Speaker Boehner to Invite Ukrainian President Poroshenko to Address a Joint Session of Congress
Washington, D.C. - Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) wrote Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) asking him to invite Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to speak before a joint session of Congress on September 18th during his upcoming visit to Washington D.C. In the letter, the Senators wrote: "We believe that it is critically important for every Member of Congress to hear from Ukraine's President at this defining moment for not only Ukraine, but for Russia and the po… Continue Reading
September 03, 2014
Corker: U.S. Should Strongly Push Back Until Russia Ends its Aggression in Eastern Ukraine
WASHINGTON - Following President Obama's remarks in Estonia today regarding the situation in Ukraine and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, (R-Tenn.) ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said "the best show of our resolve" would be to "share intelligence inside Ukraine, provide appropriate lethal support" and "impose additional crippling sanctions" on Russia. Last week, NATO presented evidence of a dramatic escalation of Russian military… Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Corker: Congress Should Weigh in On U.S. Action Against ISIS
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Appearing on MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown" this morning to discuss reports that the U.S. is laying the groundwork for airstrikes in Syria following actions by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), who have taken control of major cities in the region, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he hopes the White House will come to Congress and ask for a new authorization to address this threat t… Continue Reading
August 22, 2014
Corker Statement on Russian Convoy Entering Ukraine
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding reports of a Russian convoy entering Ukraine with military artillery and personnel: "Reports of further Russian movement into Ukraine bear all the hallmarks of Crimea and must be met with strength, including broader, more crippling sanctions, appropriate lethal assistance and long-requested intelligence support for Ukraine. Our constant… Continue Reading
August 08, 2014
Corker Statement on President Obama’s Announcement on Iraq
MANILA, Philippines - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement regarding the U.S. response to the situation in Iraq: "I regret the situation in Iraq has devolved to where it is and the many decisions and circumstances that have led us to this point," said Corker. "While I support the administration's short-term actions to respond to the current crisis, I expect them to lay … Continue Reading
August 06, 2014
Corker Op-ed in The Washington Post: Obama is an Unreliable Ally
WASHINGTON - In an op-ed in The Washington Post today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, writes that the administration's handling of the massacres in Syria, the unrest in Libya and the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine are unfortunate learning lessons for U.S. allies across the globe that President Obama, "despite his bold pronouncements and moral posturing, cannot be counted on." Washington Post (Corker op-ed): Obama is an unrelia… Continue Reading
August 04, 2014
Joint Statement on the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit and the 13th Annual AGOA Forum
July 29, 2014
Corker: Obama Administration Won’t Commit to Seeking Congressional Review of Final Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON - During questioning today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing regarding Iran nuclear negotiations, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, exposed the administration's willingness to sign a final agreement with Iran without seeking review and approval from Congress. In testimony before the committee, Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman instead only committed to consulting with Congress on the negotiations, a departur… Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Corker Releases Hold on Venezuela Sanctions Bill After Maduro Government Disrupts Extradition of Drug-Trafficker Wanted in the U.S.
WASHINGTON - Following recent attempts by the Venezuelan government to prevent the extradition of former Venezuelan General Hugo Carvajal who is wanted on drug-trafficking charges in the United States, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced today that he has withdrawn his objection to S.2142, the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014. "A regional dialogue remains the best option to help Venezuelans find a … Continue Reading
July 24, 2014
Corker: Continued Flow of Russian Weapons into Ukraine Demands “Decisive U.S. Action with or without Europe”
WASHINGTON - With NATO reporting Russian weaponry continues to flow into Ukraine after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. must take "decisive action with or without Europe" to expand existing sanctions against significant Russian entities in key sectors of the Russian economy. "Since the Malaysia Airlines tragedy, Russia continues to send weapons into Ukraine and build up troops… Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
Senators Seek Congressional Review and Enforcement of Any Final Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON - With a four-month extension of Iran nuclear talks announced by the Obama administration last week, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), James Risch (R-Idaho), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced legislation today requiring congressional review of any final agreement with Iran. The bill also would prevent further extensions of the negotiations, strictly enforce Iran's compliance, and prevent implementation of a fina… Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
Corker: MH17 Investigation is “Going to Point Directly at Russia”
WASHINGTON - Appearing on MSNBC's Daily Rundown today to discuss the missile strike on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the investigation is "going to point directly at Russia" and there is bipartisan support for the U.S. "to act alone without Europe" in expanding existing sanctions against significant Russian entities in the energy, financial and defense sectors. "[W]e want to make sure… Continue Reading
July 20, 2014
Corker on Fox News Sunday: Missile Strike on Malaysian Airliner Should “Galvanize” U.S. and International Community to Make Putin Pay for “This Outrageous Act”
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. - Appearing on Fox News Sunday today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the missile strike on a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine should "galvanize" the U.S. and the international community to finally make Russian President Vladimir Putin pay for his role in supporting pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine. "I've been incredibly discouraged by not only the U.S. response but candidly Europe's response [to Russia… Continue Reading
July 18, 2014
Corker on Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks: “We All Knew This Was Coming”
WASHINGTON - Following the announcement of an extension in nuclear talks with Iran, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said there must be a firm end date to the negotiations while also insisting on the opportunity for Congress to weigh in on any final deal and ensure Iran's full compliance. "With a disappointing beginning negotiating position that included a built-in extension, we all knew this was coming," said Corker. "In spite of that… Continue Reading
July 16, 2014
Corker Statement on New U.S. Sanctions Against Russian Entities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the administration's announcement that it has imposed new U.S. sanctions against Russian entities in the banking, energy and defense sectors, including Gazprombank, Novatek, Rosneft and Vnesheconombank (VEB bank): "While the delay in imposing real costs on Russia has been damaging to U.S. credibility, today's announcement by the administration … Continue Reading
July 09, 2014
In Case You Missed It: Corker: “Hollow” Threats of Tougher U.S. Sanctions on Russia Resemble Administration’s “Red Line” in Syria
WASHINGTON - At a hearing to examine developments in Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said the "hollow" threats of tougher U.S. sanctions against Russia resemble the Obama administration's decision not to enforce a red line in Syria after the Assad regime used chemical weapons. "I really feel like the sanctions threats have been very hollow….[and] have some of the same characteristics of the 'red line'…in S… Continue Reading
June 19, 2014
Menendez, Corker Introduce International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) today introduced the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act to better address the growing problem of international parental child abduction. "It was New Jersey native David Goldman's extraordinary five-year battle to bring his son, Sean, home from Brazil that highlighted for me the horrendous problem of international parental child … Continue Reading
June 19, 2014
Menendez, Corker, Coons, Isakson, Markey, Johanns Introduce Energize Africa Bill
Bill will stimulate economic growth, improve access to education in Africa Supporters encouraged to utilize hash tag #EnergizeAfrica on social media Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Mike Johanns (R-NE) introduced the Energize Africa Act, a bill seeking to help contribute a meaningful role in providing nearly 600 mil… Continue Reading
June 14, 2014
Corker Calls for President Obama to Impose Tough Sanctions on Russia for Tanks Crossing Into Ukraine
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today called on President Obama to impose tough sanctions against Russia now that the U.S. has confirmed Russian tanks crossed the border of Ukraine. "With Russian tanks having crossed into Ukraine, the president must impose the tough sanctions he promised as the situation on the ground has clearly escalated. None of the minor actions that have been taken so far have changed Putin's … Continue Reading
