Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on Authorization for Use of Military Force After Iraq, Afghanistan
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 hearing titled "Authorization for use of military force after Iraq and Afghanistan." "This hearing will come to order. Let me welcome our panelists to this important hearing on how, when, and where the United States brings to bear the power of our military. "The 9/11 AUMF has served the United States well. It has provided bro… Continue Reading
May 16, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement regarding Election Results in India
Newark, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding the election results in India. "The people of India have proudly participated in the world's largest democratic exercise, which resulted in a historic turnout of more than 550 million citizens exercising their right to vote. I congratulate those who participated in the elections for their robust commitment to the democratic process and send my support to India's… Continue Reading
May 15, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement after Meeting Ioannis Kasoulides, Foreign Affairs Minister for the Republic of Cyprus
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after meeting His Excellency Ioannis Kasoulides, Foreign Affairs Minister for the Republic of Cyprus. "This July marks the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and today Foreign Minister Kasoulides briefed me on his government's ongoing efforts to end the occupation and reunify the island. These negotiations deserve the attention and support of the Unit… Continue Reading
May 15, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Sub-Committee Hearing on Abduction of Nigerian Girls
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 sub-committee hearing addressing the threat of Boko Haram and examining the kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls. "Thank you to Senator Coons and Senator Flake for holding this hearing today. "We are all appalled at the plight of nearly 300 young women abducted in Nigeria by Boko Haram - which means "education is forbidden" … Continue Reading
May 14, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Coal Mine Tragedy in Turkey
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding the coal mine disaster in Turkey. "Turkey is confronting a national tragedy today and during this time of mourning, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Turkish people. The images of suffering and the solemn expressions of loss evident at the coal mine facility in Soma are searing and truly heartbreaking. The United States is ready to assist the Turkish g… Continue Reading
May 14, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on Nominations to the International Monetary Fund, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank
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 nomination hearing for posts at the International Monetary Fund, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Inter-American Development Bank. The remarks follow: "Today we have four well-qualified nominees for the Committee's consideration. These nominees, if confirmed, will represent the United States in the Int… Continue Reading
May 12, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Illegal Referendum in Ukraine
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued this statement on yesterday's illegal referendum in Ukraine: "Yesterday's supposed referendum in eastern Ukraine is another illegal step toward Russia annexing key parts of Ukraine. The so-called referendum has no legitimacy, is a violation of international law, and clearly cannot be recognized by the U.S. "President Putin continues to manipulate domestic politics in Ukraine as a rus… Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Senators Express Concerns over Maritime Dispute in South China Sea, Call Chinese Actions “Troubling”
Washington, DC - A bipartisan group of senators called recent actions by Chinese ships in the South China Sea "deeply troubling," and urged their colleagues to pass a senate resolution reaffirming support of the U.S. government for freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific region and for the peaceful diplomatic resolution of outstanding territorial and maritime disputes. The statement was issued by the co-sponsors of Senate Resolution 412, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Be… Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Attack against Leading Human Rights Activist in Pakistan
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding the murder of Mr. Rashid Rehman, a leading Pakistani human rights activist: "I am deeply concerned about ongoing attacks against human rights activists in Pakistan who are working to defend the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Rashid Rehman, a Pakistan lawyer who was defending a controversial … Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Boxer, Menendez, Collins, Kirk, Shaheen Introduce International Violence Against Women Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), bipartisan legislation that would make reducing the levels of violence against women and girls across the globe a top diplomatic priority for the United States. "The recent kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian school girls underscores the horrific violence that too many women and girls… Continue Reading
May 08, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Venezuela Hearing
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 hearing: "Assessing Venezuela's political crisis: human rights violations and beyond." The remarks follow: "Let me welcome today's panelists from the Department of State, Duke University, the Carnegie Endowment, and Human Rights Watch, which this week released a deeply troubling report on the scale of human rights violations… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on U.S. Treasury Sanctions in South Sudan Conflict
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the Treasury Department's decision to sanction individuals on both sides of the conflict in South Sudan. "Violence is raging in South Sudan and with millions of lives at risk, I welcome today's announcement that the Obama Administration has designated two individuals for sanctions due to their roles in undermining peace and security in the world's newest nati… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Senators Express Shock, Concern in Letter to Nigerian President Regarding Kidnapping of Schoolgirls
Washington, DC -U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Chris Coons (D-DE) wrote a letter to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan expressing deep concern for the welfare of the women and girls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The Senators encourage the Nigerian government to engage with international partners to address the root causes of unrest in the country. The letter appears below: Dear President Jonathan, We writ… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez on Kidnapping of Nigerian Schoolgirls: VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT
Washington, DC -U.S. Senator Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expresses his deep concern for the welfare of the women and girls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram at the beginning of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today. The video follows: Transcript: "I want to note my grave concern about the cowardly and heinous kidnapping of some 276 young Nigerian women from their school and claims by Boko Haram's leader that many of the over 20… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction of Nigerian School Girls
Washington, DC - Today, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) hailed the Senate passage of a resolution condemning the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram on April 14. Most of the abducted girls - the majority of them between 16 and 18 years old - remain missing. The resolution calling for the safe, immediate return of the girls was introduced by Senators Boxer, Landrieu, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Dick Dur… Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on Ukraine – Countering Russian Intervention and Supporting a Democratic State
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 hearing: "Ukraine - Countering Russian Intervention and Supporting a Democratic State." The remarks follow: "Let me welcome today's panelists from State, Defense, Treasury, Georgetown's School of Foreign Service, and Freedom House who can provide a wide range of perspectives to help us assess Putin's actions in Ukraine. "Befo… Continue Reading
May 05, 2014
Chairman Menendez Reacts to Human Rights Watch Report Detailing Abuses, Violations by Venezuelan Security Forces
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to today's report by Human Rights Watch documenting the unlawful use of force by Venezuelan security forces against innocent civilians and antigovernment demonstrators. "The report issued by Human Rights Watch details incidents of physical torture, psychological abuses, and the beating and shooting of unarmed protestors to silence dissent in Venezu… Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Senators Express Concern in Letter to President Obama Over Escalating Crisis in South Sudan
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators wrote President Obama today expressing their concern over the escalating crisis in South Sudan. The letter was signed by Senators Menendez (D-NJ), Coons (D-DE), Rubio (R-FL), Flake (R-AZ), Durbin (D-IL), McCain (R-AZ), Cardin (D-MD), Isakson (R-GA) and Kaine (D-VA). In their letter, the senators write: "At this juncture, continued U.S. leadership is essential as the violence intensifies, with alarming reports of the targeting of civilians a… Continue Reading
May 01, 2014
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction of School Girls in Nigeria
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced a resolution condemning the April 14 abduction of as many as 234 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. While local officials have reported that several students were able to escape, nearly 200 of the abducted girls, most of them between 16 and 18 years old, remain missing, and news reports from the regi… Continue Reading
April 28, 2014
Chairman Menendez's Statement in Observance of Yom Hashoah
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in observance of Yom Hashoah: "Today on Yom Hashoah, we stand together as one community of all faiths in commemorating the Nazi-perpetrated genocide and murder of more than six million Jews. On this day of remembrance, we commit ourselves in words and deeds to never again allow such a tragedy to take place. In Israel, this solemn day is called Holocaust and Heroism Reme… Continue Reading
