Ranking Member's Press
Corker: Obama Administration Should Maintain Commitment to Nuclear Modernization in FY 2015 Budget Request
WASHINGTON - After Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel expressed support for resources to modernize the nation's nuclear arsenal, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called on the Obama administration to include necessary funding in the 2015 budget request to maintain their commitment to full modernization. In the 2010 Senate debate over the New START Treaty with Russia, the president agreed to provide the full and necessary funding to upgrade and m… Continue Reading
December 24, 2013
Bipartisan Congressional Leaders Call for End of Hostilities and Encourage Inclusive Political Dialogue in South Sudan
Washington, D.C. - Today, a bipartisan and bicameral group of Congressional leaders expressed deep concern to South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit about the growing ethnic violence and deteriorating security situation in the world's newest independent nation. The Congressional leaders called on all political leaders to cease hostilities and exercise restraint to prevent the violence from further escalating and emphasized the importance of an inclusive political dialogue. The Congressional… Continue Reading
December 20, 2013
Corker: Advocating for U.S. Disability Rights Abroad Should Not Come at the Expense of the Constitution
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today announced he cannot support Senate approval of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), citing concerns that U.S. ratification could undermine the Constitutional balance between the state and federal governments and the legitimacy of our democratic processes. In doing so, Corker urged the U.S. to pursue different means of advocating for the rights of the disabled … Continue Reading
December 12, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker: “No Sacrifice” for Iran in Interim Deal
WASHINGTON - During a Senate Banking Committee hearing on negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the interim agreement requires "no sacrifice" of Iran and that the sanctions relief being offered by the U.S. risks creating "a rush" to do business with Iran. "Once you begin loosening sanctions, and people begin to see that Iran is now going to become not a rogue country but part of the international commu… Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Corker Comments on Passing of Former South African President Nelson Mandela
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela. "As an inspirational leader, Nelson Mandela brought about a better way of life for his people of South Africa and inspired millions throughout the world. While we are all saddened by his passing, his personal story and contributions to freedom, democracy, and human rights will live on forever," said Cor… Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Corker Completes Middle East Trip with Visits to Oman and Bahrain
MANAMA, Bahrain - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, completed a three-nation trip to the Middle East today in Bahrain where he continued to assess U.S. diplomatic and security relations in the Gulf region. After a visit with U.S. Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski, he met with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa to discuss the state of U.S.-Bahrain relations and the Crown Prince's ongoing efforts for political reform and stability amidst… Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Corker Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Warning China Against Air Defense Zone
WASHINGTON - In a letter to Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, joined fellow colleagues Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Ben Cardin, D-M.D., in urging the Chinese government not to implement an Air Defense Zone in the East China Sea. "We are deeply concerned about your government's recent unilateral announcement of the establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The declaration of … Continue Reading
December 03, 2013
Corker Hears Saudi Concerns on Syria and Iran
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - On a trip to assess U.S. diplomatic and security ties with allies in the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, met with Saudi Arabian officials on Monday and Tuesday in Riyadh where he heard concerns about the worsening conflict in Syria and Iran's role in the region, among other issues. "While U.S. decision-making in the Middle East in recent years has no doubt caught many of our allies off guard and caused them… Continue Reading
December 02, 2013
Corker: PEPFAR Bill Becomes Law, Reinforces Success of U.S. Program Combating HIV/AIDS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said legislation signed into law today will reinforce PEPFAR's (the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) success in combating HIV/AIDS globally. PEPFAR was initiated by President George W. Bush. "PEPFAR has saved millions of lives in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, so with this legislation now signed into law, we will be able to reinforce those gains as the program transitions from a… Continue Reading
December 02, 2013
Corker Objects to Shutting Out U.S. Textile Firms in Defense Bill
WASHINGTON - In a letter to Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-MI, and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, objected to attempts to include language in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 that would shut out U.S. textile firms from selling products to Department of Defense commissaries and exchange stores. If enacted, the language Corker is objecting to would only permit the department to… Continue Reading
November 24, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker on Fox News Sunday: Time for Congress to Hold Obama Administration’s Feet to the Fire on Iran
WASHINGTON - On Fox News Sunday, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said Congress should hold the Obama administration's "feet to the fire" over the interim deal with Iran to ensure it does not become a final agreement. He also raised concerns about the interim deal granting tacit approval for Iran to continue enriching uranium, which violates six U.N. Security Council resolutions. "Iran has consolidated their gains and have sanctions relief. I … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Bipartisan Statement on Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan group of 14 U.S. Senators today released the following statement regarding the Senate's consideration of Iran sanctions legislation: "A nuclear weapons capable Iran presents a grave threat to the national security interest of the United States and its allies, and we are committed to preventing Iran from acquiring this capability. We will work together to reconcile Democratic and Republican proposals over the coming weeks and to pass bipartisan Iran sanctions legis… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Corker Introduces Legislation to Keep Pressure on Iran
WASHINGTON - Following an announcement that the Senate will consider Iran legislation in December, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill setting conditions for an acceptable final agreement with Iran that would restrict sanctions relief until Iran agrees to eliminate the threat of its nuclear program. The Iran Nuclear Compliance Act of 2013, consistent with Iran's existing obligations under the U.N. Security Council, requir… Continue Reading
November 19, 2013
Corker Statement Following White House Meeting on Iran Negotiations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after a meeting at the White House to discuss negotiations with Iran. "Democrats have procedurally blocked the Senate from taking any action on Iran this week. As such, we will closely monitor what happens in Geneva and examine the details of any interim deal. After leaving the meeting at the White House today, I am still concerned we will trade away our leverag… Continue Reading
November 18, 2013
Corker: PEPFAR Bill Passes Senate, Reinforces Success of U.S. Program Combating HIV/AIDS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said legislation unanimously passed by the Senate today will reinforce PEPFAR's (the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) success in combating HIV and AIDS globally. PEPFAR was initiated by President George W. Bush. "PEPFAR has saved millions of lives in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, and this legislation will help reinforce those gains as the program transitions from an emergency… Continue Reading
November 10, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker on NBC’s “Meet the Press”: “We’re Worried We're Dealing Away Our Leverage” in Iran Negotiations
WASHINGTON - In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about the Obama administration potentially "dealing away" U.S. leverage in negotiations with Iran by prematurely lifting sanctions as part of a partial agreement that does not halt Iran's path to a nuclear weapon. "The [U.N.] security council resolutions call for a complete stoppage [of Iran's enrichment activities]…so you can… Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker: Supreme Court Case Highlights Concerns about Impact of Treaties on U.S. Law
WASHINGTON - During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider the U.N. Disabilities Treaty, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the committee, noted a current Supreme Court case as evidence of a treaty's potential to expand federal power beyond current limits and sought answers as to whether Congress can impose appropriate limitations (known as "reservations, understandings and declarations" or "RUDs" that accompany passage of a treaty and represent U.S. understand… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
In Case You Missed It: Corker: Lack of U.S. Support for Moderate Opposition in Syria “An Embarrassment,” Allies Questioning U.S. “Reliability”
WASHINGTON - In response to U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford's testimony defending the Obama administration's slow delivery of long-promised aid to moderate forces in Syria, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called the lack of U.S. support for the opposition an "embarrassment," arguing that with Russia's hands "now on the steering wheel" in Syria, the U.S. lacks a strategy for resolving the conflict or for the region as whole, which is causi… Continue Reading
October 30, 2013
Corker Urges Obama to Address Security, Iran, Governance Issues with Iraqi PM Maliki
WASHINGTON - In a letter to President Obama about Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Washington this week, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., Carl Levin, D-Mich., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Robert Menendez, D-NJ, and Lindsey Graham, R-SC, in calling on the president to use his meeting Friday with Maliki to address important issues regarding the United States' strategic relationship with Iraq, includi… Continue Reading
October 28, 2013
Corker: Inconsistency in Civilian Nuclear Deals Threatens U.S. Non-Proliferation Goals
WASHINGTON - In a letter today to Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about inconsistencies in new civilian nuclear cooperation agreements (known as "123 agreements") with other countries threatening U.S. nuclear non-proliferation goals. A recently completed agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam, for example, could permit future enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) of spent nuclear fuel in direct confl… Continue Reading
