Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Approval of a New Iraqi Government
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the formation of a new Iraqi government in Baghdad, Iraq: "I congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haydar al-Abadi and all of Iraq's new leaders that were sworn into office. This is a critical step for all Iraqis who voted in April 2014 for new leaders committed to leading Iraq on a different path, one that is inclusive and capable of addressing the… Continue Reading
September 08, 2014
Menendez, Corker Ask Speaker Boehner to Invite Ukrainian President Poroshenko to Address a Joint Session of Congress
Washington, DC - Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) wrote Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) asking him to invite Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to speak before a joint session of Congress on September 18th during his upcoming visit to Washington D.C. In the letter, the Senators wrote: "We believe that it is critically important for every Member of Congress to hear from Ukraine's President at this defining moment for not only Ukraine, but for Russia and the post… Continue Reading
September 03, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Ukraine Developments, NATO Summit in Wales
NEWARK, NJ - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the latest developments in Ukraine and tomorrow's NATO Summit in Wales. "Having just returned yesterday from travel to Estonia, Poland, and Ukraine where I heard from the Presidents of each country on the security crisis in Eastern Europe, I commend President Obama for the commitments he made in his speech today to Ukraine and to our allies who are facing imm… Continue Reading
August 30, 2014
Chairman Menendez from Kyiv, Ukraine: Calls for Providing Weapons to Ukraine, Additional Support and Training for Ukrainian Military in Letter to President Obama
KYIV, UKRAINE - While in Kyiv, following high-level meetings in Estonia and Poland, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez urged President Obama to engage European allies in a robust response to the security crisis in Ukraine and to strongly support Ukraine and Eastern European NATO allies threatened by Russian military action. Menendez encouraged President Obama to significantly expand sanctions on the banking, energy, and defense sectors of the Russian economy, and expre… Continue Reading
August 28, 2014
Senator Menendez Statement on Reports of the Death of New Jersey Student Aaron Sofer in Israel
WARSAW, POLAND - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), issued the following statement regarding Aaron Sofer, a yeshiva student from Lakewood, New Jersey who went missing on Friday and whose body was reportedly found dead today: "With the heartbreaking news of the death of Aaron Sofer, our worst nightmare has come true. There are no adequate words to convey my personal condolences to the Sofer family and to the people of Lakewood for this terrible loss. "Ever since Aaron went missing, communitie… Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Chairman Menendez Travels to Estonia, Poland and Ukraine
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is traveling this week to Estonia, Poland, and Ukraine. The trip will focus on the ongoing security concerns caused by continued Russian destabilization throughout the region, and in particular, in Ukraine, where thousands have been killed and injured and separatist militias are responsible for the savage downing of a civilian airline resulting in the death of 298 innocent people. "Russian agg… Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Sen. Menendez Statement on the Search for Missing NJ Student Aaron Sofer in Israel
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Aaron Sofer, a yeshiva student from Lakewood, New Jersey who went missing on Friday while hiking with a friend outside Jerusalem: "I am deeply concerned over the disappearance of New Jersey student Aaron Sofer in Israel and I stand in solidarity with his family. My thoughts are with them and the Lakewood community during this trying time. By all accoun… Continue Reading
August 14, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Resignation of Iraqi President Nuri al-Maliki
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Iraqi President Nuri al-Maliki: "I welcome the encouraging news today regarding Mr. Maliki's decision to end legal challenges to the nomination of Dr. Haydar al-Abadi to serve as Iraq's next Prime Minister. This non-violent transfer of leadership is a critical for Iraq's democratic transition, and is a vital step toward addressing the… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Menendez, Royce, Coons Meet Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila
Washington, DC - Today, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), and Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Coons (D-DE) met with President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila. Menendez, Royce, and Coons issued the following joint statement after the meeting: "We look forward to a time when a lasting peace and the opportunity for prosperity is a reality for all Congolese citi… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Menendez, Royce Meet South Sudan President Salva Kiir
Washington, DC - Today, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) met with President of South Sudan Salva Kiir. Menendez and Royce issued the following joint statement after the meeting: "We are gravely concerned by the continuing crisis in the world's newest nation, where over a million people are displaced and a man-made famine looms. We are deeply disappointed by South Sudan's terrible slide backwards into… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Menendez, Royce, Coons Meet South African President Jacob Zuma
Washington, DC - Today, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), and Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Coons (D-DE) met with President of South Africa Jacob Zuma. Menendez, Royce, and Coons issued the following joint statement after the meeting. "The ties between our democratic nations are historic and strong. We recognize South Africa's growing leadership across Africa and the world … Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement in Support of USAID Efforts to Empower Cuban Civil Society
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in support of USAID efforts to empower Cuban civil society: "In an era in which societies around the globe are interconnected in unprecedented ways, sadly there are governments that still seek to sow distrust and disunion between their own citizens. In Cuba - as in North Korea, Iran and Belarus - the government has perpetuated its grip on power by breaking down the ve… Continue Reading
August 04, 2014
Menendez, Royce, Coons Meet Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in U.S. Capitol
Washington, DC - Today, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), and Senate Foreign Relations Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Coons (D-DE) met with President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan in the U.S. Capitol. Menendez, Royce, and Coons issued the following joint statement after the meeting: "Nigeria is a vital partner for the United States and the ties between our people are close. We called on President Jon… Continue Reading
August 04, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at US-Africa Leaders Summit Congressional Reception
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the below statement, as prepared for delivery, at today's U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Congressional Reception. "To the esteemed leaders of the many African nations represented here today, welcome to Washington. This Summit is the first of its kind to be held in Washington - a gathering of African and American dignitaries, presidents and prime ministers, members of Congress, CEOs, and … Continue Reading
August 04, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Statement following Meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni and Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding his meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni and Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz. "I welcome Prime Minister Thinni and Foreign Minister Abdelaziz to Washington and to the United States Senate. "I have followed the alarming and tragic situation in Libya closely; my thoughts are with the Libyan people who have sacrificed so much for their freedom a… Continue Reading
August 01, 2014
Chairman Menendez Calls on Senate to Confirm U.S. Ambassadorial Nominees; Republicans Reject Request
Watch Menendez on Senate Floor Here Washington, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for the immediate confirmation of 25 ambassadorial nominees, all career Foreign Service Officers, during the final hours of the Senate's legislative session - a request that was rejected outright by Republicans on the Senate floor. Republican obstructionism resulted in the continued and growing backlog of countries and postings where the United States … Continue Reading
July 30, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Administration’s Announcements of Visa Restrictions against Human Rights Abusers in Venezuela
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Administration's announcement today to apply visa restrictions against human rights abusers in Venezuela. "Today's announcement sends an unambiguous and direct message to President Maduro, members of his Administration, and the Venezuelan government: the United States will never tolerate systemic human rights violations conducted by a merciless governmen… Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on U.S. and European Sanctions against Russia
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today's announcement by President Obama and the European Union on applying a new round of targeted sectoral sanctions against Russia. "President Putin responds only to strength and determined actions, and the sanctions announced today by the United States and European Union demonstrate a clear unity of purpose. I am pleased that the announced sancti… Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Bipartisan Group of U.S. Senators Express Deep Concern over Deterioration of Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights in Venezuela in Letter to Secretary of State Kerry
Washington, DC - A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators wrote Secretary of State Kerry today expressing deep concern over the deterioration of democracy, rule of law, and human rights in Venezuela and urged the Administration to apply targeted sanctions against Venezuelan individuals complicit in human rights violations. The letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Menendez (D-NJ), Rubio (R-FL), Nelson (D-FL), Cruz (R-TX), Cardin (D-MD), Alexander (R-TN), Kaine (D-VA), McCain (R-AZ), and Kirk (R-IL). In … Continue Reading
July 29, 2014
Chairman Menendez on Argentina’s Default Deadline
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the nearing default deadline for Argentina. "There is no reason that a member of the G20 should fail to meet its international financial and legal obligations. Last month's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court should have sent a clear signal to the Government of Argentina that it needed to enter into good faith negotiations with its creditors. Instead, the Ki… Continue Reading
