Ranking Member's Press
Menendez Bill to Reshape U.S. Strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean Approved by Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation authored by Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J), which would update the United States' strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean to meet new challenges and opportunities in that region. The Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 would allow the U.S. to fully support the trilateral partnership of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus through energy and defense cooperation initiatives-including by lifting t… Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Saudi Arabia False Emergencies Act Approved by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statement after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved their bipartisan legislation limiting the ability of the President to skip Congressional approval of proposed arms sales by invoking an "emergency." The Saudi Arabia False Emergencies (SAFE) Act restricts the cir… Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Menendez Statement on State Department’s 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to the publication of the 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the U.S. State Department. "The Trafficking in Persons report is a crucial part of the United States' commitment to advancing the fight to end the scourge of modern day slavery. While this year's report shows some improvement over past years in its assessment of global human t… Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Menendez Leads Democrats in Marking World Refugee Day with Senate Resolution
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led a group of twenty-seven Democratic senators in introducing a Senate Resolution commemorating June 20th as World Refugee Day. The effort draws attention to the ongoing global refugee crisis and reaffirms the United States' commitment to provide support for the world's refugees and the countries that host them. "Today, on World Refugee Day, we find ourselves in the midst of the worst re… Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Menendez Speaks Ahead of Senate Passage of his 22 Resolutions Blocking Trump Admin’s Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor ahead of a series of votes on his 22 joint resolutions of disapproval to block the Trump Administration's unprecedented attempt to push through over $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE based on a false emergency and without Congressional consent. Following this speech, the Senate voted in support of blocking the sales. "Mr. Presid… Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Menendez Announces Deal Clearing Path for Senate to Disapprove Trump Admin’s Saudi and UAE Arm Sales
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor this afternoon to announce he had reached a Unanimous Consent agreement with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that will provide for votes tomorrow on his 22 joint resolutions of disapproval to block the Trump Administration's unprecedented attempt at approving over $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi and UAE based on a false emergency and without Congressional… Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Menendez Officially Starts Process for Senate to Block Trump Admin’s Proposed Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this morning spoke on the Senate Floor to officially start the process of consideration for the Senate to use privileged authorities to block the Trump Administration's unprecedented attempt at approving over $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi and UAE without Congressional consent. Menendez was joined earlier this month by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Rand Paul … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Menendez, Risch, Rubio, Cardin, Reintroduce Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today reintroduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, bipartisan legislation that would reaffirm U.S. commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law at a time when Hong Kong's autonomy is under assault by interference from the Chinese government and Com… Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Menendez Remarks in Support of Senate Debate of Resolutions of Disapproval for Arm Sales to Bahrain, Qatar
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Senate Floor on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval by Senator Rand Paul that seek to block proposed arms sales to Bahrain and Qatar. In his remarks, the Senator announced that though he would ultimately oppose the disapproval of the sales, he would vote in support of Senator Paul's right to seek full consideration by the Senate. Today's vote comes ahead … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Menendez, Leahy, Durbin, Shaheen, Coons Raise Alarm over Trump Administration’s Plans to Redefine Human Rights through New Commission
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) in calling on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to refrain from taking any additional steps to establish the recently announced Commission on Unalienable Rights without first providing Congress the necessary information about the process and true intent behind the Commission. … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Menendez Asks Sec. Mnuchin to Explain Attempts at Changing International Tax Treaties
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin regarding the highly irregular process by which the Trump Administration has attempted to alter tax treaties between the United States and the governments of Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg, Japan, Chile, Hungary, and Poland without first going through proper channels of Congressional oversight. "Regretfully, the Administration's engagement with … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Menendez Remarks at Hearing on the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following statement at the opening of a committee hearing titled, "Rule By Fear: 30 Years After Tiananmen Square." "Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our three witnesses. The 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre provides an important opportunity to discuss human rights in China and the importance of a values-driven American foreign policy. Indeed, the events … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Senators Menendez and Romney Introduce Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Support for Tunisia amid Democratic Transition
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), yesterday introduced a Senate resolution to reaffirm the U.S.-Tunisia partnership, and to publicly support Tunisia's ongoing transition into a vibrant and stable democracy. As Tunisia heads towards scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections later this year, the senators praised the Tunisian people and their political leaders for their commitment to democ… Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Menendez, Rubio Bipartisan Resolution Demands Cuba Extradite NJ Cop Killer Joanne Chesimard, William Morales and Other American Fugitives and Terrorists
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution calling for the immediate extradition of convicted felons Joanne Chesimard, William Morales, and all other fugitives from justice who are receiving safe haven in Cuba in order to avoid prosecution or confinement for criminal offenses committed in the United States. The Resolution was cosponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). "This Resolution underscor… Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Menendez, Engel, Top National Security Democrats Call on Trump to Extend New START Nuclear Treaty with Russia
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and six other Democratic leaders on national security issues, today raised concerns over the Trump Administration's nuclear strategy and the overall direction of its arms control agenda. In a letter to President Trump, the lawmakers called on the Administration to better protect our nation's arms control archi… Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Menendez, Graham, Murphy, Paul, Leahy, Young, Reed Announce 22 Joint Resolutions to Block Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE without Congressional Approval
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) today announced they are introducing 22 separate Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to protect and reaffirm Congress' role of approving arms sales to foreign governments. Today's introductions come after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared an emergency on May… Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Menendez Statement on Sudanese Forces Opening Fire on Protesters in Khartoum
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement in response to violence in Khartoum, Sudan, where security forces stormed a pro-democracy protest on Monday, reportedly killing at least 30 people. "I strongly condemn the disproportionate use of force by Sudanese security forces in today's military raid against peaceful protestors. The disturbing images depicting the chaos in Khartoum show there is no … Continue Reading
May 30, 2019
Menendez, Graham, Murphy, Barrasso Urge Pres. Trump to Support a Peaceful Political Solution to Crisis in Libya
WASHINGTON - Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senators Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in sending a letter calling on President Donald Trump to publicly express support for a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the ongoing crisis in Libya. The senators asked the President to reaffirm the United States' historical position of promoting a negotiated, UN-backed political process. N… Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Menendez on Trump Admin’s Decision to Flout Congress’ Role in Approving Arm Sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE
NEWARK - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Trump Administration formally informed Congress that it is invoking an obscure provision of the Arms Export Control Act to eliminate the statutorily-required Congressional review of the sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others, but failed to explain its legal or practical basis for doing so. The unprecede… Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Leading Lawmakers Unveil Congressional Oversight Framework for the Potential Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula
WASHINGTON - Congressional national security leaders unveiled legislation to provide stringent congressional oversight of U.S. diplomacy with North Korea and any agreement that emerges from the Trump Administration's engagement with Kim Jong Un. The bipartisan North Korea Policy Oversight Act of 2019 was introduced today in the Senate by Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), and in the House of Representatives by Rep… Continue Reading
