Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Kerry: Bridge Trust Deficit With China
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement following today's congressional meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao: "It was my pleasure to help welcome President Hu to the Senate today. At times, last year was a challenging one in U.S.-China relations. Despite the shared gains achieved working together on global problems, many in Congress today believe the United States and China are on a collision course. It's critical that… Continue Reading
January 18, 2011
Chairman Kerry On Changes To Cuba Travel Regulations
Washington, D.C. -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement after the White House announced this afternoon that it is amending Treasury Department regulations to allow for increased travel to Cuba by Americans from religious, educational, cultural and other groups: "I warmly applaud the President's decision to allow more Americans to travel to Cuba. These measures, expanding people-to-people relations between the United States and Cuba and a… Continue Reading
January 18, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Political Situation In Tunisia
Washington, D.C. -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the statement below following reports that Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has left the country after weeks of political unrest and violence: "Tunisia has long been an important ally to the United States. It is my hope that the political transition unfolding in Tunisia will be peaceful and in accordance with its people's legitimate democratic aspirations. While the unrest was sparked by the trag… Continue Reading
January 18, 2011
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Legislation To Create A Professional Exchange Program With Muslim-Majority Countries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today passed legislation written by Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) to establish a professional exchange program between the United States and Muslim-majority countries. The International Professional Exchange Act will help build professional capacity, strengthen civil society, and improve ties between the United States and Muslim-majority countries at a pivotal moment. "Educational exchange programs like the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program tr… Continue Reading
January 12, 2011
Op-ed By Chairman Kerry: What Haitians Can Do For Themselves
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote an op-ed on the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti that appears in The Miami Herald today. The full text of the op-ed below: What Haitians can do for themselves By John Kerry On Jan. 11, 2010, things were looking up for Haiti. U.N. peacekeepers had cracked down on Haiti's notorious gangs and reduced urban violence. Dangerous slums, like Cite Soleil, were safer than they h… Continue Reading
January 11, 2011
Chairman Kerry On U.S.-Russia Civilian Nuclear Energy Cooperation
Washington, D.C. -- Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued this statement following the announcement that the U.S.-Russia Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy entered into force: "This agreement will enable world-class scientists and engineers in both of our countries to work more closely together to tackle the common energy and environmental challenges we face. Economic cooperation between Russia and the United States is … Continue Reading
January 09, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Historic Referendum In Southern Sudan
Juba, Southern Sudan - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) has been in Sudan this week in advance of today's start of the referendum in which Southern Sudan is expected to vote to secede from the North. This is Chairman Kerry's fourth trip to Sudan. Following a press conference with human rights activists George Clooney and John Prendergast, Chairman Kerry released the following statement: "Today marked an historic occasion for the people of Southern Sudan. I am ext… Continue Reading
January 09, 2011
Chairman Kerry Delivers Speech On The Referendum At Church Service In Southern Sudan
Juba, Southern Sudan - At a church service this morning with President Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following remarks as voters in Southern Sudan began casting ballots in a referendum to determine whether to secede from the North. Chairman Kerry has been in Sudan this week in advance of today's start of the referendum. This is Chairman Kerry's fourth trip to Sudan. Below the full text of Chairman Kerry's speech as prep… Continue Reading
January 04, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Assassination Of Salman Taseer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement condemning the assassination of the governor of the Pakistani state of Punjab, Salman Taseer, who was gunned down today in Islamabad: "Governor Taseer was a proud champion of democracy and respect for the rights of women and minorities," said Chairman Kerry. "He fearlessly stood up to the threats of extremists, and lost his life in defense of moderation and tolerance, values shared… Continue Reading
December 31, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Sentencing Of Mikhail Khodorkovsky
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement on yesterday's sentencing of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to an additional six years in prison: "The whole Khodorkovsky episode raises concerns about the strength of the rule of law in Russia and will do little to calm concerns about the abuse of power in Moscow. The world needs a Russia where the rule of law is sacrosanct. In addition to human rights concerns, it is essential that American… Continue Reading
December 22, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Historic Passage Of New START
Washington, D.C. -Today the U.S. Senate approved a resolution of advice and consent to ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by a vote of 71-26 continuing a tradition of bipartisan support for strategic arms agreements that spans four administrations. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement after the vote: "This historic Senate vote makes our country safer and moves the world further away from the danger of nuc… Continue Reading
December 22, 2010
Chairman Kerry’s Closing Floor Statement On New START
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today delivered closing remarks regarding the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) on the Senate floor. The full text of Chairman Kerry's remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. President, as we end our debate on the New START Treaty, I believe we can say the Senate has done its duty, and done it with diligence, serious purpose, and honor. And I am confident that our nation's security-and that of the wor… Continue Reading
December 22, 2010
Chairman Kerry On U.S. Travel Sanctions Against Members Of The Gbagbo Administration In Cote d’Iviore
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement today on the United States imposing travel sanctions against members of the Gbagbo administration in Cote d' Iviore for failing to recognize the outcome of the November 28 election. Cote d'Ivoire's independent electoral commission and the United Nations have certified that Alassane Ouattara won the run-off presidential election. "I welcome the State Department's announcement of travel sanction… Continue Reading
December 21, 2010
Chairman Kerry On New START Cloture Vote
Washington, D.C. -Following the Senate's vote to end debate and move to final passage of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement: "Today's bipartisan vote clears a significant hurdle in the Senate. We are on the brink of writing the next chapter in the 40-year history of wrestling with the threat of nuclear weapons. We've spent months building toward this moment. In these final hours of de… Continue Reading
December 21, 2010
Chairman Kerry Welcomes The Formation Of A New Government In Iraq
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement today welcoming the formation of Iraq's new government: "I applaud the news that an Iraqi government has finally been formed. While negotiations seemed at times interminable and distracted from Iraq's many vexing challenges, it is also worth considering what did not happen in the nine long months since the election. The commitment of Iraq's leaders to political process over viole… Continue Reading
December 21, 2010
Senators Kerry, McCain, Lieberman Condemn Human Rights Abuses In Belarus
Washington, D.C. -- Senators John Kerry (D-MA), John McCain (R-AZ), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT), all cosponsors of the Belarus Freedom Act of 2003, issued the following statement in response to the election crackdown in Belarus: "We condemn the actions and human rights abuses of the Belarusian government, which demand a strong, determined, and vocal response. We also condemn the palpable fraud that characterized Sunday's election in Belarus, which clearly violated international standards. We cal… Continue Reading
December 20, 2010
In New Letter, Admiral Mullen Reiterates Military’s Unanimous Call To Ratify New START As Soon As Possible
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today welcomed a letter in which the country's military leadership unanimously called for the ratification of the New START Treaty as soon as possible. "This should remind every one of us that this treaty is vital to our national security and to reducing the risk of nuclear weapons," said Chairman Kerry. Read the letter on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Admiral Mullen. ###… Continue Reading
December 19, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Motion For Cloture On The New START Treaty
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released the following statement after a motion for cloture was filed on the New START Treaty: "We have now spent 5 days having a very good debate on New START and proposed amendments. That is as much time as the Senate spent on START I, and more than it spent on START II and the Moscow Treaty combined, but we are looking forward to continuing the debate this week. "This is a big test of the Senate because t… Continue Reading
December 19, 2010
Chairman Kerry on New START: “Why the Delay?”
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today responded on the Senate floor to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) comments about rushing the New START Treaty before Christmas. The Senate has been considering the treaty for over seven months, held over 20 hearings, and received answers to more than 900 formal questions that it submitted to the Obama administration. Highlights from the unofficial transcript of Chairman Kerry's remarks: "I wan… Continue Reading
December 16, 2010
Chairman Kerry Welcomes Progress In Afghanistan, Announces New Oversight Hearings
Washington, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review: "The administration review provides welcome evidence of progress in key parts of Afghanistan, particularly the Taliban heartland of Kandahar, and underscores that the President's commitment to transferring authority to the Afghans has created a useful sense of urgency. At the same time, the assessment reminds us of the fragile nature of… Continue Reading
