Ranking Member's Press
Corker Seeks President Obama’s Full Implementation of Ukraine Freedom Support Act
WASHINGTON - With Russia refusing to end its direct support of an escalating rebel offensive in Eastern Ukraine, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote President Barack Obama today urging the administration to fully implement the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. "We cannot allow Ukraine to fail. The United States and our allies must be more invested in Ukraine's success than Russia is in its failure," wrote Corker in his letter to the president.… Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Congress Can Create and Lead a Vision for Ending Modern Slavery
WASHINGTON - During a hearing to examine the challenge of modern day slavery today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for Congress to "create and lead a vision" to end this deplorable practice world-wide. "Congress can create and lead a vision to end modern day slavery," Corker said. "With the U.S. behind it; we can lead; we can solve; we can bring others to the table." The committee heard testimony from leading non-governmental organi… Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Ending Modern Slavery
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: Ending Modern Slavery: What is the Best Way Forward? Wednesday, February 4, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ChairmanOpening Statement We have convened this hearing to examine modern slavery and what is being done about it. We recognize that the United States Congress and our executive agencies have worked hard to draw attention to and address modern slavery. But, I believe we have come to a point where we can do more. We need… Continue Reading
February 03, 2015
Corker Statement on Death of Jordanian Pilot
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today regarding his meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan. The meeting followed news reports of the death of a Jordanian pilot, First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, who was killed after being held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS). "I met with King Abdullah II of Jordan today and extended our deepest sympathies to him, to the family of … Continue Reading
January 28, 2015
Corker Announces Republican Membership and Chairmen of Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced Republican members and chairmen of subcommittees for the 114th Congress following a committee vote to approve the jurisdiction, rules and organizational structure for the committee. "Our committee has very good subcommittee chairmen, and I look forward to working with them to help make the case to the American people how strategic U.S. engagement and strong leadership around the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2015
Corker Statement on the Death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia: "Our sympathies go to the family of King Abdullah and to the people of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah was a strong ally of the United States and clear-eyed about many of the challenges the Saudi kingdom faces at home and abroad. I look forward to working with his successor to further strengthen the ties betwee… Continue Reading
January 21, 2015
Corker: Obama Administration Stiff-Arming Congress on Iran Nuclear Talks is Totally Unacceptable
WASHINGTON - In his first Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing as chairman, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) objected to the Obama administration's apparent opposition to Congress having an up-or-down vote on a final agreement with Iran. "I want these negotiations to be successful…but just stiff-arming [Congress]…and saying, 'No, we really don't want you to play a role, we want you to just trust us,' is totally unacceptable from my standpoint," said Corker during the hearin… Continue Reading
January 21, 2015
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on Iran Nuclear Negotiations: "Status of Talks and the Role of Congress"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Iran Nuclear Negotiations: Status of Talks and the Role of Congress Wednesday, January 21, 2015 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), ChairmanOpening Statement I'm going to call the meeting to order. And I would say to people in the audience that we would appreciate you refraining [from interjecting]. We understand people have strong emotions about much of what happens in this committee and others, and we hope you'll respect the work … Continue Reading
January 16, 2015
Corker Seeks Review of USAID Contracting Practices After Prominent Firms Implicated in Major Fraud and Corruption Charges
WASHINGTON - Following major fraud and bribery charges against former employees of two prominent USAID contractors, International Relief and Development (IRD) and the Louis Berger Group, Inc. (LBG), U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is asking the Obama administration to explain why these entities with previous track records of poor performance and criminal abuse continue to be among the top recipients of U.S. taxpayer dollars for reconstructio… Continue Reading
January 15, 2015
Corker Discusses Key Issues Facing Congress in the Year Ahead
HERSHEY, Pennsylvania - Appearing on Bloomberg Television with Peter Cook from the Senate-House Republican retreat today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) discussed some of the major issues facing Congress in the year ahead including Iran nuclear discussions, an authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding in light of President Obama's recent executive action on immigration, the need for Congress to address housing finance reform… Continue Reading
January 07, 2015
Corker Elected Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) issued the following statement upon being named chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the 114th Congress. Corker's appointment will be confirmed Thursday during a meeting of Senate Republicans and is expected to be ratified when the Senate passes a resolution officially organizing committees in the coming days. "Tennesseans have given me the great privilege of serving in the United States Senate, and I am excited about the opportun… Continue Reading
January 04, 2015
Corker Discusses Key Foreign Policy Issues Facing the Senate in the New Congress on FOX News Sunday
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. - Appearing on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), discussed some of the major foreign policy issues facing the Senate in the year ahead including Iran sanctions, the administration's new U.S. policy toward Cuba, the president's plan to close Guantanamo Bay, and the fight against ISIS. *** On the administration's new U.S. policy toward Cuba: "As I said when the announcement was made, the first thing we want to do is understand what be… Continue Reading
January 02, 2015
Corker Statement on North Korea Sanctions
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) issued the following statement today regarding President Obama's executive order to impose additional sanctions on North Korea as a response to its ongoing provocative actions. The executive order included financial sanctions on 10 North Korean officials and three government agencies. "The administration's decision to impose new sanctions on North Korean entities and individuals sends a message to North Korea and others that the United Stat… Continue Reading
December 19, 2014
Chairman Menendez Writes Secretary Kerry on North Korea’s Cyber-Terror Attack on Sony Pictures
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent the following letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to consider re-designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism in wake of the North Korean cyber-terror attack on Sony Pictures. In the letter, Chairman Menendez asked Secretary Kerry to consider the re-designation, noting that: "North Korean actions set a dangerous precedent. Through cyber-attacks North Korea was ab… Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Statement on U.S. – Cuba Relationship
NEWARK, NJ - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), issued this statement regarding the U.S. - Cuba relationship. "Today's policy announcement is misguided and fails to understand the nature of the regime in Cuba that has exerted its authoritarian control over the Cuban people for 55 years. No one wishes that the reality in Cuba was more different than the Cuban people and Cuban-Americans that have fled the island in search of freedom. In November, the Cuban Commi… Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Statement on the Release of Alan Gross
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), issued this statement following the release of Alan Gross. "This is a moment of profound relief for Alan Gross and his family. Mr. Gross' physical and mental health has declined severely as a result of his five-year imprisonment under difficult conditions. He should have been released immediately and unconditionally five years ago. He committed no crime and was simply working to provide internet access to C… Continue Reading
December 16, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Today’s Terrorist Attack in Pakistan
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), issued this statement regarding the terrorist attack in Pakistan. "I condemn in the strongest and most forceful of terms today's attack targeting innocent children. Pakistan is grieving today and we in the United States mourn alongside the families who have lost their loved ones at the Army Public School in Peshawar. The Pakistani Taliban's extremism and terrorism continues to deny peace and stability to t… Continue Reading
December 16, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Remarks About Turkey’s Incursion in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks expressing grave concern over the Republic of Turkey's incursion into Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). "This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion. We hoped that it would have brought a fair settlement to the Cyprus question, that it would have brought an end to 40 year long occupation and division of the island by Turkey. There is… Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 Approved by the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), issued this statement following Senate passage of the bipartisan Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014. The legislation authorizes critical defensive, lethal military and non-military assistance for the government of Ukraine, and imposes additional sanctions against Russia's energy and defense sectors. "The U.S. Senate stands shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with the Ukrainian government and its people again… Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ISIL
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the passage of an Authorization for Use of Military Force against ISIL: "Congress has a constitutional responsibility to uphold and a moral obligation to meet when sending our sons and daughters into war. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee fulfilled this weighty charge today through serious debate and committed action by voting for this Authorization fo… Continue Reading
