Chairman's Press
In Case You Missed It: Corker Presses Obama Administration for Clarity on Sanctions as U.S. Pursues Negotiations to End Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, pressed the Obama administration for clarity regarding sanctions on Iran as the U.S. pursues negotiations to end Iran's nuclear weapons program. "I do believe the sanctions that we've put in place have created this moment. And I do know that the administration, in fairness, opposed some of those sanctions. And we had to sort of push the administration to the table. And yet, … Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Corker Statement on U.N. Security Council Resolution on Syria’s Chemical Weapons
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding the U.N. Security Council's resolution on Syria's chemical weapons. "While we all want a verifiable diplomatic solution to Syria's chemical weapons, the lack of enforcement measures makes me highly skeptical of Russia's willingness to impose real consequences on Syria for non-compliance. As Syria is given a chance to fulfill its obligations, it's import… Continue Reading
September 25, 2013
Menendez, Corker Introduce Legislation to Strengthen PEPFAR and the Global Fight against HIV/AIDS
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN) today introduced the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act, legislation to extend critical authorities and strengthen oversight of the landmark 2003 legislation - The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). "PEPFAR has saved millions of lives over the last ten years and today we recommit ourselves to this critical fight by extending and enhancing this vital program," said Menendez. "On this bipartisan legisl… Continue Reading
September 24, 2013
Corker Warns Obama Administration Against Any Action to Implement U.N. Arms Trade Treaty Without Senate Advice and Consent
WASHINGTON - Asserting the Senate's constitutional role on treaties, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, in a letter today warned the Obama administration against taking any action to implement the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty without Senate advice and consent. "The ATT raises significant legislative and constitutional questions. Any act to implement this treaty, provisionally or otherwise, before the Congress provides its advice and consent… Continue Reading
September 19, 2013
Corker: After 5 Years, Obama Administration Is the Only Thing Standing in the Way of Thousands of New Jobs, More North American Energy from Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON - Five years after TransCanada's initial application for the Keystone XL pipeline, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today said the Obama administration is now the only thing standing in the way of thousands of new jobs and access to a large supply of North American energy from completion of the pipeline. The State Department has yet to approve construction of the final section of the pipeline, which, if completed, will have the capa… Continue Reading
September 14, 2013
Corker Statement on U.S.-Russia Agreement on Syrian Chemical Weapons
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding the announcement of an agreement between the U.S. and Russia on Syria's chemical weapons. "Absent the threat of force, it's unclear to me how Syrian compliance will be possible under the terms of any agreement. I'm still reviewing the details and believe Syria's willingness to follow through is very much an open question, but I remain supportive… Continue Reading
September 09, 2013
Corker Statement on Possible Negotiations on Syria’s Chemical Weapons
WASHINGTON - In response to reports of the possibility for negotiations that could lead to Syria turning over its chemical weapons, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement. "While at this point I have healthy skepticism that this offer will change the situation and it will be several days before we can fully determine its credibility, I do know that it never would have been floated if the Senate Foreign Relations Committe… Continue Reading
September 04, 2013
Corker Statement on Foreign Relations Committee Passage of Limited Use of Force in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding committee passage of a limited authorization for the use of military force in Syria. "None of us want the U.S. mired down in another conflict, so the committee has significantly limited the president's original authorization, while still providing for an appropriate use of force in response to Assad's use of chemical weapons. It prevents boots on the gro… Continue Reading
September 03, 2013
Corker: New Syria Authorization Limits Scope and Duration of Military Action Against Assad Regime in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today said the agreement he reached this evening with Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., limits the scope and duration of a congressional authorization for the use of military force against the Assad regime in Syria. The new draft legislation being circulated to committee members this evening would strictly prohibit American "boots on the ground," limit the duration of any military action to 6… Continue Reading
September 02, 2013
Corker Statement on Foreign Relations Committee Hearings on Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week to consider legislation authorizing the use of U.S. military force in response to the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons in Syria. "Congress's role in U.S. military force has too often been abdicated to presidential authority, so I look forward to a vigorous debate on this important authorization," said … Continue Reading
August 31, 2013
Corker Statement on President Obama Asking for Congressional Authorization for U.S. Military Action in Syria
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after President Obama asked for congressional authorization to take military action against the Assad regime in Syria. "I am very pleased that the president has listened to the suggestion we and many others have made to bring this authorization to Congress. At this point in our country's history, this is absolutely the right decision, and I look forward to seeing what the Admi… Continue Reading
August 29, 2013
Corker Statement Following Obama Administration Briefings on Assad Regime’s Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after participating in a conference call with senior Obama administration officials regarding evidence of the Assad regime's continued use of chemical weapons in Syria. Early this morning, Corker received a separate classified briefing from the administration that was also about intelligence on Syria. "While I'm opposed to American boots on the ground in Syria, I … Continue Reading
August 28, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker Again Urges Administration to Seek Congressional Approval for Surgical, Proportional Action in Syria
WASHINGTON - In an interview on CNN's "OutFront," U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called on President Obama to call Congress back to Washington to seek approval for possible surgical, proportional military action in Syria. "[T]he administration has consulted and we have been aggressive, candidly, about being consulted…. I do think we would be so much better off if the administration would come to Congress, call everybody back and let … Continue Reading
August 26, 2013
Corker Urges Obama Administration to Seek Congressional Authorization for U.S. Strikes in Response to Evidence of Chemical Attacks in Syria
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Urging the Obama administration to eventually seek congressional authorization for any use of military force in Syria, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today said he would support a decision by the president to engage in surgical strikes against the Syrian government given the evidence of the Assad regime's continued use of chemical weapons. However, he cautioned against any further involvement beyond supporting vetted, mod… Continue Reading
August 25, 2013
Corker Anticipates Surgical U.S. Response to Likely Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria, Does Not Want Action to Upset Overall Strategy to Strengthen Moderate Opposition
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - In an interview for Fox News Sunday that was taped on Saturday but aired today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, anticipated a surgical U.S. response to the likely confirmation of the recent chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime in Syria, expecting President Obama to seek authorization from Congress. But Corker cautioned against any such action upsetting an overall strategy to strengthen vetted, moderate opposition f… Continue Reading
August 21, 2013
Corker Seeks Full Briefing for Senators on NSA Surveillance Activities
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Following additional revelations regarding the extent of NSA surveillance activities that appear to include details not previously disclosed to members of Congress outside of the intelligence committees, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, in a letter to President Obama today requested a full briefing for senators by September 13 to include "all collections and activities conducted pursuant to statutory and other authorities, including… Continue Reading
August 20, 2013
Corker Statement on State Department Decision Not to Discipline Employees Involved in Security Failures in Benghazi
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, today questioned how the State Department could ensure accountability in light of its decision not to discipline employees involved in security failures that led to the deadly 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya. "I am highly disappointed that no one at the State Department will be held accountable in any real way over the failures that led to the tragedy in Benghazi.… Continue Reading
August 18, 2013
Corker on ABC’s “This Week” Calls for U.S. to Recalibrate Aid to Egypt, Focus on American National Interests in the Region
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Today on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for the U.S. to "recalibrate" future foreign aid to Egypt, consistent with America's national interests. "We need to keep the lines of communication open," said Corker. "I hope we will continue to have an aid relationship with Egypt…I think we need to tier [our aid]. There are certain things that obviously should … Continue Reading
August 17, 2013
Corker Returns from Middle East Trip to Turkey, Iraq and Jordan
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, returned today from a week-long trip (August 10-17) to the Middle East where he visited with U.S. and foreign officials in Turkey, Iraq and Jordan. The trip focused on regional political and security issues important to the U.S., including the violence in Egypt, the conflict in Syria and the threat of sectarian violence and terrorism in the region. Corker will discuss his trip and oth… Continue Reading
August 15, 2013
Corker Statement on Violence in Egypt
JORDAN - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement today regarding the violence in Egypt. "The United States should continue to try to be a voice of calm in Egypt. I appreciated much of what the president had to say, and while it reflected an arms-length disapproval of the military's actions, I wish he had stressed more clearly the need for the Muslim Brotherhood to also act responsibly. I hope the White House is act… Continue Reading
