Ranking Member's Press
Corker Statement on Terrorist Attack in Nice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement regarding the terrorist attack yesterday in Nice, France. "We are heartbroken by the senseless terror attack in Nice that took the lives of so many innocent people," said Corker. "The United States mourns with the people of France and joins them in solidarity to confront the evil responsible for this attack. Working with the French and our other foreign pa… Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Corker: U.S. Policy Must not be Held Hostage by Iranian Threats to Walk Away from Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today to assess the Iran nuclear deal one year later, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reaffirmed his opposition to the agreement and warned against U.S. policy being held hostage by Iranian threats to walk away from its nuclear commitments. Today, Corker introduced bipartisan legislation that expands sanctions for ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, and other illicit Iranian actions; sanctions … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "The Iran Nuclear Agreement: One Year Later"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: The Iran Nuclear Agreement: One Year Later Thursday, July 14, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement I'd like to thank our witnesses for testifying today. Both of you have been great resources for this committee as we continue to develop and refine our policies towards Iran. So, thank you both for again appearing. I personally opposed the Iran nuclear deal because I did not believe that it would u… Continue Reading
July 13, 2016
Senators to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Iran Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced they will introduce the Countering Iranian Threats Act of 2016. The bipartisan bill expands sanctions for ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, and other illicit Iranian actions; sanctions transfers of conventional weapons to or from Iran; and extends the Iran Sanctions Act. "As many anticipated, Iran continues to test the will of the United … Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Corker: Continued Progress Needed to Strengthen Integrity of Human Trafficking Report
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today to examine the State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted improvements over last year's report but argued for continued progress to strengthen the integrity of the Tier Rankings that will help support global efforts to fight human trafficking and end modern slavery. The annual report ranks countries based upon their commitment to enforcing laws agains… Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Review of the 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing: Review of the 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report Tuesday, July 12, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Today, we will examine the recently released 2016 State Department Trafficking in Persons Report. The integrity of last year's report was called into question because of controversy over how the Tier Rankings were made regarding certain countries. This report and Tier Ranking… Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Corker Statement on Ruling in South China Sea Maritime Dispute
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued a ruling that invalidates China's expansive sea claims surrounding disputed areas of the South China Sea. In 2013, the Philippines challenged China's attempts to establish control over an area encompassing nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea. The PCA settles disputes among states, state-entities, international orga… Continue Reading
July 08, 2016
Corker Applauds South Korea’s Decision to Enable Deployment of U.S. Missile Defense System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded South Korea's decision to enable deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system as a deterrent to the North Korea ballistic missile threat. "South Korea's decision to enable deployment of this system is a significant step in strengthening our alliance's capability to deter the North Korean ballistic missile threat," said Corker. "This imp… Continue Reading
July 07, 2016
Corker, Coons: House Passage of Global Food Security Act Marks Further Progress in U.S. Global
WASHINGTON - Following passage of the Global Food Security Act in the House of Representatives yesterday, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, highlighted further progress in their bipartisan effort to ensure U.S. food assistance is being used as effectively as possible. The Global Food Security Act, which passed the Senate in April, contains a first-time authorization for the U.S. Agency for International Developmen… Continue Reading
July 06, 2016
Corker Statement on President Obama’s Announcement on U.S. Forces in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after President Obama announced his decision to maintain 8,400 U.S. forces in Afghanistan through the end of the year. "Announcing this decision prior to the NATO Summit helps set expectations about our commitment to a stable and democratic Afghanistan and continued support of our allies in this effort," said Corker. "While I think the number of U.S. forces sho… Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
Corker Condemns Abduction and Murder of Individuals Associated with IJM
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today condemned the abduction and murder of three individuals associated with International Justice Mission (IJM), including staff member, Willie Kimani, taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri, and client, Josephat Mwenda, who were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 23. "I am profoundly saddened to learn of the deaths of Willie Kimani, Joseph Muiruri and Josephat Mwenda, three individuals who gave … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Corker: Global Corruption Can Present National Security Risks to U.S.
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today on U.S. efforts to fight global corruption, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned of the threat corrupt governments pose to U.S. national security interests. The annual cost of corruption, according to estimates cited by the World Economic Forum, amounts to approximately five percent of global economic output or roughly $2.6 trillion. "Widespread, pervasive public breach of trust internationally can unde… Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Corker: U.S. Must Lead Global Effort to End Human Trafficking and Modern Slav
WASHINGTON - Following the release of the State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act, reiterated his call for a U.S.-led global effort to end human trafficking and modern slavery. He attended the launch event for the 2016 report today at the State Department, where he congratulated individuals who were honored for their contributions to comba… Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Violent Extremism, Kleptocracy, and the Dangers of Failing Governance"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: Corruption: Violent Extremism, Kleptocracy, and the Dangers of Failing Governance Thursday, June 30, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman We'll consider the huge challenge of corruption and the extent to which widespread, pervasive public breach of trust internationally can undermine our most important national interests. Our witnesses today will point out that corruption goes far beyond the loss of foreign aid dol… Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Corker: Obama Administration ISIS Strategy Not Adequate to Threat Facing U.S.
WASHINGTON - During a hearing today on global efforts to defeat ISIS, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern that the Obama administration's strategy is not adequate to the threat facing the United States from the terrorist group. "I fear that in spite of continued attacks on our homeland, our military response to ISIS does not adequately reflect the direct nature of this threat to the United States," said Corker. "I think many o… Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Corker: Report Confirms White House Spin Contradicted Benghazi Reality
WASHINGTON - In an appearance on Fox News today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the findings from the House Select Committee on Benghazi's report reveals the extent to which the Obama administration's initial public explanation of the September 11, 2012, terror attack on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Libya deviated from on-the-ground reports and the administration's own communications following the attack. "I don't think anyone&helli… Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Corker Opening Statement at Hearing on "Global Efforts to Defeat ISIS"
United States Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsHearing: Global Efforts to Defeat ISIS Tuesday, June 28, 2016 U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman Opening Statement Mr. McGurk, I'd like to thank you for again appearing before the committee. You have always been a direct witness, and we thank you for that. I think after most of your testifying, whether classified or in public, most people leave far more informed than they do with most witnesses. Hopefully you'll live up to that to… Continue Reading
June 26, 2016
Corker Expects U.S. to Draw Closer to UK after Brexit Vot
WASHINGTON - In an appearance on CNN's State of the Union today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, anticipated the U.S. would draw closer to the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the referendum to leave the European Union. He also pushed back on previous threats from President Obama that the UK's departure from the EU would force to them to the "back of the queue" on negotiating future trade agreements with Europe and the U.S. "To make comme… Continue Reading
June 24, 2016
Corker Statement on Brexit Vote
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement about the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union. "A free people should choose their own way, and we respect the British decision to leave the European Union," said Corker. "Today's referendum will not change our special relationship with the United Kingdom. That close partnership will endure, and we will continue to work together to stren… Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded committee passage of the Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act (S.2201), their bipartisan legislation to improve the effectiveness of U.S. assistance for expanded trade in developing countries. "We need to reform U.S. foreign assistance to promote economic growth that can improve living standards and make societies more self-sufficient a… Continue Reading
