Ranking Member's Press
Corker Statement on Trump Address to United Nations General Assembly
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly. "President Trump sent a very clear signal yesterday about what America stands for and who and what the world must stand against," said Corker. "After years of ambiguous messaging, the president's direct approach was a welcomed change, and I shared that with him when w… Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Corker Statement at Nomination Hearing for US Ambassador to Russia and Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on delivered the following remarks at a hearing on the nominations of Governor Jon Huntsman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Russia and Wess Mitchell to serve as assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs. "Europe and Eurasia are home to some of our closest partners and also some of our greatest challenges. "Formed in 1949 to defend the free people of the West from the Soviet t… Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Corker: UK Matches $25 Million US Investment in Global Fund to End Modern Slavery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leader in the global fight against modern slavery, today applauded the United Kingdom for matching the $25 million U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS) announced last week. The initial $50 million establishes a global fund aimed at dealing a mortal wound to modern slavery and human trafficking internationally as originally conceived and directed by the End Modern S… Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Corker: Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi Refuses to Acknowledge Military’s Role in Atrocities Against Rohingya
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in response to a speech by Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma about the humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya minority. "Aung San Suu Kyi has long been dismissive of human rights concerns," said Corker. "She had yet another opportunity today to stand up for the Rohingya minority in Burma but instead refused to acknowledge the military's role in the ongoing atrocities. I join… Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Senators Praise Committee Passage of Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised committee passage of legislation that strengthens U.S. global leadership in the fight to end modern slavery and human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017, which amends and reauthorizes international provisions of the Trafficking Victims Protect Act, will modify the criteri… Continue Reading
September 14, 2017
Corker: “Truly Monumental Day” as Global Fund to End Modern Slavery is Awarded $25 Million
WASHINGTON - On Thursday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held a news conference with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) to applaud the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons award of $25 million to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). The funding establishes a bold global fund aimed at dealing a mortal wound to modern slavery and human trafficking internationally as originally c… Continue Reading
September 14, 2017
Senators Applaud $25 Million Award for Global Fund to End Modern Slavery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today applauded a $25 million award from the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) for the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). The funding establishes a bold global fund aimed at dealing a mortal wound to modern slavery and human trafficking internationally as originally conceived and directed by the End Modern Slavery Initiative Ac… Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Nominations
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Nominations September 12, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement The position [of under Secretary for management] that Senator Enzi was just mentioning is vitally important to the functioning of the [State] Department, as he stated. Fourteen bureaus and offices report to the under secretary for management, including diplomatic security, consular affairs, and overseas building operations. The under … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on US-Turkey Relationship
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following remarks at a hearing to assess priorities and challenges in the United States' relationship with Turkey. "Since serving beside the United States in the Korean War and then joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1952, Turkey has proven itself to be a strong ally and important partner to the United States. "We continue to see positive day-to-day cooperation… Continue Reading
September 03, 2017
Corker Statement on North Korea Nuclear Test
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to reports of a nuclear test by North Korea, the sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. "I spoke with General Kelly this morning as the president and his national security team continued their work to assess the situation in North Korea and communicate with our regional partners," said Corker. "We stand ready to work with the admin… Continue Reading
August 31, 2017
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Action Against Russia
JACKSON, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding steps taken by the Trump administration to regain parity in our diplomatic relationship by forcing the Russian government to close its consulate in San Francisco, a chancery annex in Washington, D.C., and a consular annex in New York City. The action follows recent demands by President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. reduce its footprint in Russia.… Continue Reading
August 28, 2017
Corker Statement on State Department Special Envoy Changes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to a letter from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson outlining organizational changes related to special envoys and related positions at the State Department. "Through the years, numbers of special envoys have accumulated at the State Department, and in many cases, their creation has done more harm than good by creating an environment in whi… Continue Reading
August 25, 2017
Corker Applauds Trump Administration Financial Sanctions on Venezuela
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Trump administration announced financial sanctions on Venezuela. "These carefully calibrated sanctions send a strong signal to the Maduro regime while still allowing for much needed humanitarian assistance," said Corker. "As I said when I visited the country in 2015, Venezuela is a country with great unrealized potential and its people dese… Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Corker Statement on President Trump’s Address on Afghanistan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump's address to the nation on the way forward in Afghanistan. "I had the opportunity to talk with Secretary Tillerson in advance of this evening's address, and while I look forward to receiving additional details, I support the direction President Trump laid out tonight for the U.S. role in Afghanistan," said Corker. "Whil… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Urges Ambassador Haley to Lead UN Campaign Against Palestinian Terror Payments
WASHINGTON - In a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged the U.S. to wage an international campaign against the Palestinian Authority's (PA) compensation of terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Cosigners of the letter include Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Cory Gardne… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Corker Statement on Violence Ahead of Kenyan Presidential Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement in response to the murder of Christopher Msando, the head of information technology for Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), prior to the August 8 presidential election. "Violence against someone responsible for the integrity of the election is extremely troubling and demands a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justic… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Graham, Corker Praise Committee Passage of Taylor Force Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today praised Senate Foreign Relations Committee passage of legislation demanding the Palestinian Authority end its policy of rewarding terrorism. The Taylor Force Act, legislation introduced by Graham and Corker this week, would restrict U.S. economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza until the Palestinian Authority stops paying terrorists guilty of violence against Israelis and Americans. The bill is named after a Vanderbi… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Corker Holds News Conference on Committee Passage of Taylor Force Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held a news conference with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after committee passage of their legislation that demands the Palestinian Authority end its policy of compensating terrorists. The Taylor Force Act would restrict U.S. economic aid to the West Bank and Gaza until the Palestinian Authority stops paying terrorists guilty of violence against Israelis and Americans. The bill is named after a … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Corker Statement on North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to reports of a ballistic missile launch by North Korea. Yesterday, Corker supported near unanimous Senate passage of legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea, which has been sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. "In a resounding vote yesterday, the Senate sent a bill to the president that will impose tough sanct… Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Corker Applauds Passage of Iran, Russia, North Korea Sanctions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded Senate passage of legislation to sanction Iran, Russia and North Korea. H.R.3364, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed by a vote of 98 to 2 and will now be sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. "With near unanimous support in both chambers of Congress, this legislation sends a strong signal to Iran, Russia and North Korea that our countr… Continue Reading
