Ranking Member's Press
Corker Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for Nikki Haley to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Nomination Hearing: The Honorable Nikki R. Haley, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations January 18, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman The United Nations Security Council was created after World War II to create stability and to maintain security in the world. And yet as we look around the world today, it is failing in its cause of peace and security. We can only look to Syria,… Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Corker Statement on Committee Approval of Montenegro’s Bid for NATO Membership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding committee approval of a resolution of advice and consent supporting Montenegro's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The committee passed the Montenegro resolution last year, but the Senate did not act on it before the end of the 114th Congress. Representatives of the 28 member states signed the accession protocol for Monten… Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Corker Announces Support for Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced his support for Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State. "From the beginning of this process, I have been committed to ensuring the nominee for Secretary of State receives a fair and thorough hearing, and I am incredibly impressed with how Rex Tillerson has conducted himself," said Corker. "Based on what I know today, I believe Mr. Tillerson has the potential to be an outstanding S… Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Corker Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Nomination Hearing: Mr. Rex Wayne Tillerson of Texas, to be Secretary Of State January 11, 2017 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement We have some new members of the committee today. I was thinking prior to this hearing that 10 years ago, I came on this committee as a new senator. In many ways to broaden my ability to serve our nation and to serve our state, having been mostly a business person. When I came h… Continue Reading
December 22, 2016
Corker Statement on Confirmation Process for Rex Tillerson
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the confirmation process for Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson. "As is long-standing precedent for nominees considered by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the committee has not asked Mr. Tillerson to provide copies of his tax returns," said Corker. "By all accounts, Mr. Tillerson is currently ahead of schedule in providing inf… Continue Reading
December 17, 2016
Corker: First State Department Authorization in 14 Years Becomes Law
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised the end of a "14-year drought" after President Obama signed the first State Department authorization bill into law since 2002. The legislation (S.1635) was unanimously approved by the Senate last Saturday after referral from the House of Representatives where lawmakers incorporated provisions from State Department authorization bills for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, which were… Continue Reading
December 16, 2016
Corker Statement on Deputy Secretary of State
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement: "Despite some in Washington trying to use rumor and innuendo to influence the decision, I have never had any conversation with anyone in the Trump organization about who should serve in the Deputy Secretary of State position, including the Secretary of State nominee, Rex Tillerson." ###… Continue Reading
December 13, 2016
Corker: Religious Freedom Bill to Become Law
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised unanimous passage of H.R.1150, the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, by the House of Representatives. The legislation, which was approved by the committee last Tuesday and the full Senate on Saturday, is now on its way to the president's desk to be signed into law. The bill seeks to advance religious freedom through enhanced diplomatic and foreign assistance … Continue Reading
December 13, 2016
Corker Statement on Nomination of Rex Tillerson
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding President-elect Donald J. Trump's intention to nominate Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. "I very much appreciated President-elect Trump calling me last night to let me know that he would be nominating Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State," said Corker. "Mr. Tillerson is a very impressive individual and has an extraordinary working know… Continue Reading
December 10, 2016
Corker: Congress Sends President First State Department Authorization in 14 Years
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced that for the first time in 14 years, a State Department authorization bill will be sent to the president's desk to be signed into law. Today, the Senate unanimously approved S.1635, legislation referred to the Senate earlier this week from the House of Representatives where lawmakers incorporated provisions from State Department authorization bills for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, w… Continue Reading
December 09, 2016
Corker Reiterates Strong Opposition to Arms Trade Treaty
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today reiterated his strong opposition to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty after the Obama administration submitted the treaty to the Senate. Corker was among a bipartisan group of 53 senators who voted in favor of an amendment in 2013 to protect Americans' Second Amendment rights and prevent the U.S. from entering into the treaty. "Since 2012, many senators, including myself, have expressed … Continue Reading
December 08, 2016
Corker: Bill to Launch End Modern Slavery Initiative to Become Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced passage of his bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery worldwide. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA) overwhelmingly passed the Senate today and includes authorizing legislation for the End Modern Slavery Initiative. The initiative will help establish a powerful effort in concert with the private sector and foreign governments to eliminate modern slavery… Continue Reading
December 06, 2016
Corker Statement on Committee Approval of Montenegro’s Bid for NATO Membership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding committee approval of a resolution of advice and consent supporting Montenegro's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Representatives of the 28-member states signed the accession protocol for Montenegro to join the alliance on May 19, 2016. The U.S. Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate for the U.S. to approve… Continue Reading
December 06, 2016
Corker Praises Committee Passage of Religious Freedom Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised committee passage of H.R.1150, the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. The committee-approved legislation seeks to advance religious freedom through enhanced diplomatic and foreign assistance efforts, including improved training for foreign service officers and greater flexibility for responding to cases of religious persecution. "This bill will help ensure that defe… Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Corker Statement on Extension of Iran Sanctions Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which ensures President-elect Donald J. Trump has the ability to reimpose the sanctions the Obama administration lifted to implement the Iran nuclear deal. The Senate extended ISA, which otherwise would expire at year's end, by a vote of 99 to 0. "Extending the Iran Sanctions Act gives us the ability to reimpose the sanctions the Obama admini… Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on “The Future of Counterterrorism Strategy”
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: "The Future of Counterterrorism Strategy" Thursday, December 1, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I want to thank our witnesses for testifying today. Both of you have had long careers working to defend our country against terrorists, and today is a great opportunity for us to learn from your experiences and hear your insights about the future. As the Mosul operation continues and the Raqqa c… Continue Reading
December 01, 2016
Corker: Effective U.S. Strategy to Fight Terrorism Must Respond to Evolving Threat
WASHINGTON - At a hearing today on the future of U.S. counterterrorism strategy, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed the need to address the evolving terrorist threat to protect the American people. The committee heard testimony from former U.S. counterterrorism officials, Juan C. Zarate and Daniel Benjamin. "As ISIS changes from an organization intent on retaining territory to one focused more on inspiring and directing violence and … Continue Reading
November 26, 2016
Corker Statement on the Death of Fidel Castro
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro. "Under Fidel Castro's brutal and oppressive dictatorship, the Cuban people have suffered politically and economically for decades, and it is my hope that his passing might turn the page toward a better way of life for the many who have dreamed of a brighter future for their country," said Co… Continue Reading
September 29, 2016
Corker Laments Obama’s “Failed Presidency” on Foreign Policy
WASHINGTON - During a hearing on the conflict in Syria, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused the Obama administration of a "failed presidency" on foreign policy after repeated refusal to take steps that could have alleviated humanitarian suffering and deterred the Assad regime's targeting of civilians. The latest U.S. attempt to broker a ceasefire collapsed after Russian forces were accused of attacking an aid convoy destined to relieve t… Continue Reading
September 28, 2016
Corker Statement on Passing of Shimon Peres
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres. "Shimon Peres was a close friend of the United States who will be remembered for his many years of loyal service to Israel and his efforts to seek peace," said Corker. "I extend my condolences to his family and the people of Israel as they mourn his passing and reflect on his many accom… Continue Reading
