Ranking Member's Press
Menendez Opening Remarks at Nomination Hearing for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening statement at this morning's hearing on the nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. "It is deeply reassuring that President Biden nominated you - a diplomat of immense expertise and skill - to be the next U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. I believe you are superbly qualified to advance… Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Menendez Remarks Ahead of Vote Confirming Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor ahead of today's confirmation vote for Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. "I strongly support Mr. Blinken's nomination today because he is the right person for the job and because we cannot afford to leave this post vacant any longer," Senator Menendez said. "Mr. Blinken must be confirmed so we can start addressing the challenges we face abr… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menendez Remarks Ahead of SFRC Approval of Antony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks at this evening's Committee business meeting calling for the confirmation of Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. Mr. Blinken's nomination now moves to the Floor for consideration by the full Senate. "I believe [Secretary Blinken] is the right person to repair and restore our alliances to reinvigorate the relationship betwe… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menéndez, Colegas Presentan Proyecto de TPS para Apoyar a Venezolanos Huyendo del Régimen de Maduro
WASHINGTON - El Senador Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.), el presidente entrante del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado, en colaboración con Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), el presidente entrante del Comité Judicial del Senado, y los Senadores Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), y Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) hoy presentarán el Proyecto de Ley de Estatus de Protección Temporal de Venezuela de 2021. El Proyecto de Ley le otorgaría un estatus de protecció… Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Menendez, Colleagues Introduce TPS Legislation to Support Venezuelans Fleeing Maduro Regime
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today was joined by incoming Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in introducing the Venezuela Temporary Protected Status Act of 2021, legislation to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Venezuelans fleeing the dire conditions in their home country and to strengthen migration syste… Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Menendez Praises Biden Administration’s Plan to Fully Extend New START Treaty, Encourages Biden to Challenge Russian Malign Activities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the Biden administration's effort to better protect our nation's arms control architecture by seeking a five year extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), a rigorous post-Cold War nuclear arms control agreement designed to ensure limits on Russia's nuclear arsenal: "I'm very pleased to hear the Biden administration is rapidly mo… Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Incoming Chairman Menendez Remarks Urging Senate Vote for Secretary of State Nominee
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this afternoon urging Senate Republicans to allow a swift confirmation vote this week for Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State: "The Secretary of State is fourth in the line of succession. Leaving that office vacant is irresponsible," said Menendez. Below are Senator Menendez's remarks as delivered. "I come to the Floor today to urge the swift co… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Incoming SFRC Chairman Urges Swift Confirmation for Blinken
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, issued the following statement: "Secretary Antony Blinken's testimony today demonstrated he has the qualifications, temperament and commitment to public service that is required to repair the damage from the last four years and to reinvigorate American diplomacy. He is the right person to rebuild and restore our alliances and institutions, and needs to be confirmed as quickly as possibl… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Menendez Opening Remarks at Committee Hearing on Antony Blinken Nomination to Serve as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening remarks at this afternoon's hearing on the nomination of Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State. Blinken has previously served as Staff Director of the Foreign Relations Committee, Deputy Secretary of State, and as a member of the Obama-Biden administration's national security team. If confirmed, your task will be to repair and restore Americ… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Senator Menendez Statement on Uganda’s Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on Uganda's January 14 elections, which saw President Yoweri Museveni secure a 6th term in office amid government repression and allegations of vote rigging. "Sadly, Uganda's January 14th elections were yet another reminder that the Museveni regime has no interest in respecting the democratic aspirations of the Ugandan people. The pervasive harassment of oppo… Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Menéndez Publica Nuevo Informe Documentando Crueldad, Coerción y Contorsiones Legales en los Acuerdos de Asilo de la Administración Trump
WASHINGTON - El equipo demócrata del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado hoy publicó un informe comisionado por el presidente entrante del Comité Bob Menéndez (D-N.J.) sobre los Acuerdos de Cooperación de Asilo (ACAs, por sus siglas en inglés) entre Estados Unidos y Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador. Detallando una de las políticas migratorias más draconianas instituidas por la administración de Trump, el informe demues… Continue Reading
January 18, 2021
Menendez Publishes New Report Documenting Cruelty, Coercion, and Legal Contortions in Trump Administration’s Asylum Agreements
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democratic staff today is releasing a report commissioned by incoming Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on the United States' Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACAs) with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Exposing one of the most draconian immigration policies instituted under the Trump administration, the report demonstrates how the ACAs were effectively designed to punish people seeking safety in the U.S. by forcibly sending them to c… Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Menendez Statement on 10thAnniversary of Former Dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s Flight from Tunisia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tunisia's ouster of former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali: "Ten years ago today, the people of Tunisia cast off their authoritarian regime and began an inspiring journey towards freedom, democracy and the rule of law. In the ten years since, Tunisia has become a close and trusted security partner for the United… Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Menendez Joins Calls Demanding VOA Director’s Resignation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement joining the growing calls for Voice of America (VOA) Director Robert Reilly to resign after he demoted senior White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara for asking Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the seditious attack on the U.S. Capitol. Widakuswara questioned Secretary Pompeo after he delivered a speech to Voice of America (VOA) employees in which he ac… Continue Reading
December 31, 2020
Ranking Member Menendez Statement for the Senate Record on Safeguarding Democracy in Uganda
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, strongly condemns the arrest of the Honourable Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, and calls on the Ugandan government to immediately release him and cease its harassment of his presidential campaign. Yesterday, Senator Menendez submitted the following statement for the Senate record in advance of upcoming January 2021 elections in Uganda: "Mr. President, I rise with grave concern to speak about t… Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
Senators Menendez, Rubio, Leahy, Coons, Shaheen Celebrate Expected Passage of Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today released the following statements on securing passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (S.712) as part of the end-of-year funding legislation approved by the Senate today: "Earlier this year, we learned that Bob Levinson, the longest-held hostage … Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
Menendez, Schumer Announce Breakthrough in Negotiations on Legislation to Protect Victims of Terrorism and Improve Relations With Sudan
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued the following statement announcing they have reached an agreement with the Trump administration to include historic legislation to protect victims of terrorism and restore Sudan's immunity from terror-related lawsuits as part of the end of year omnibus spending package being voted on by Congress. Passage of the Senators' Sudan Claims Resolution Act (SCRA… Continue Reading
December 18, 2020
Bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act Signed into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Don Young (R-Alaska) in welcoming the signing of the Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Congress to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal ecosystems and communities and harming marine life. "I am … Continue Reading
December 18, 2020
Menendez, Colleagues Demand Heightened UN Focus on Detained Migrants’ Health and Reproductive Rights
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today honored International Migrants' Day by leading seven of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet demanding her increased attention to the plight of migrants in detention around the world. The letter emphasizes migrants' inadequate access to health care while in detention and their vulnerability to coercion and cru… Continue Reading
December 17, 2020
Ranking Member Menendez Introduces Resolution in Support of Free and Fair Elections in Uganda
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced a Senate Resolution calling on the government of Uganda to improve the pre-election environment and to create conditions for credible democratic elections in January 2021. The Resolution follows an escalating campaign of repression against opposition candidates and their parties by President Yoweri Museveni. "The United States government must be clear in its rejection of … Continue Reading
