Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Menendez Remarks on Training, Equipping Moderate Vetted Syrian Opposition
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Senate floor regarding training and equipping the moderate vetted Syrian opposition. "M. President, I rise to support the President's request for authorization to stand up a Title 10, overt train and equip mission for vetted, moderate Syrian opposition. The hearing I held yesterday in the Senate Foreign Relations Comm… Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Unanimously Passes Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014
Washington, DC - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 today by a vote of 18 to 0. The legislation was introduced by Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) and it imposes broad sanctions on Russia's defense, energy, and financial sectors, as well as increasing military and non-military assistance for Ukraine. "We stand as one today in Congress, united in our support for President Poroshenko and the Ukrain… Continue Reading
September 17, 2014
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Hearing on “United States Strategy To Defeat The Islamic State In Iraq And The Levant”
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 "United States Strategy to Defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant." "Mr. Secretary, having just returned from a coalition-building mission that will determine the breadth of support and course of the anti-ISIL strategy in the near and long term - you are here at a critical moment for the Iraqi and Syri… Continue Reading
September 16, 2014
Menendez, Corker Introduce Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014
Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on legislation this Thursday, hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses a joint meeting of Congress Washington, D.C. - Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014, legislation that imposes broad sanctions on Russia's defense, energy, and financial sectors, as well as increases military and non-military assistance for Ukraine. The legislation will be taken u… Continue Reading
September 11, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on Anniversary of September 11, 2001
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), New Jersey's Senior Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered the following reflection 13 years after the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11th, 2001: "Thirteen years ago, we looked across the Hudson and saw our lives change forever. I remember visiting the New Jersey communities that became staging areas for volunteers in the days following 9/11. Americans volunteered; Americans ral… Continue Reading
September 10, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on President Obama’s Speech on ISIL
Washington DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following President Obama's speech tonight on ISIL. "ISIL is a savage, blood-thirsty organization carrying out a reign of terror across large swaths of Iraq and Syria. This terrorist organization's capacity to threaten U.S. national security is growing. Tonight, President Obama showed important leadership in laying out an initial plan to confront the threat from ISIL be… Continue Reading
September 10, 2014
Chairman Menendez Statement on President Poroshenko’s Address to Congress Next Week
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following Speaker Boehner's announcement that Ukrainian President Poroshenko will address a joint meeting of Congress next Thursday, September 18th. Earlier this week, Chairman Menendez and Ranking Member Corker (R-TN), wrote Speaker Boehner and urged him to invite President Poroshenko to address Congress. "President Poroshenko is standing at the frontlines of an inter… Continue Reading
September 09, 2014
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
