Ranking Member's Press
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 legisl… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Hearing on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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 on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "Thank you, Secretary Kerry for being with us today for this second hearing on ratification of the CRPD. Your presence here sends a strong message about the importance of this issue. So we appreciate you're taking this time to come back to the Committee to… Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Ratifying the Disability Treaty: Statements of Support
Watch: Second Hearing on Disability Treaty Starting at 9:30 a.m. WASHINGTON, DC - A cross section of elected leaders, public servants, activists, columnists and opinion shapers spanning the political spectrum are speaking out and offering their support in favor of ratifying the Disability Treaty. "From op-eds to blogs, interviews to tweets, a broad range of Americans are expressing their support for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," said Sen. Robert Menende… Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Chairman Menendez on Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Dr. Oscar Biscet
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dr. Oscar Biscet. "Today, as President Obama commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he will be joined by an inspiring group of past recipients all deserving of this prestigious award for their contribution to U.S. national interests or world peace. However, there is a glaring and unacc… Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Business Groups, Veteran Organizations, Disability Advocates Express Support for Disability Treaty Ratification
WASHINGTON, DC - A wide range of business groups, veteran organizations, and disability advocates are expressing their support for ratifying the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "The momentum is building in support of ratifying the Disability Treaty from a wide ranging set of communities," said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Corporations and non-profits, veteran groups and disability rights organizations are rallying behin… Continue Reading
November 18, 2013
Menendez Legislation Extending the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Passes the Senate
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen and continue the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act (S. 1545), sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN) extends authorities and strengthens oversight for this landmark program to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Today we demonstrated our commitment to maintaining PEPFAR's proven track record of success. PEPFAR has saved… Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Statement on the Death of Former President Glafkos Clerides of Cyprus
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the death of former President Glafkos Clerides of Cyprus. "I was terribly sorry to hear the news of the death of Glafkos Clerides, former President of the Republic of Cyprus, and a giant in the post-independence history of the island. Mr. Clerides was a statesman who fought for the independence of his country, worked to keep it united, and when that failed, was… Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Resolution Co-Authored by Chairman Menendez Pledging Support for the Filipino People Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - A resolution introduced by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) pledging support for the Filipino people following the tragedy caused by Typhoon Haiyan passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. Joining Menendez and Schatz in introducing Senate Resolution 292 were Senators Durbin (D-IL), Cardin (D-MD), Rubio (R-FL), Hirono (D-HI), Udall (D-NM), Boxer (D-CA), Begich (D-AK), McCain (R-AZ)… Continue Reading
November 09, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Tragedy in the Philippines Caused by Typhoon Haiyan
NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the statement below regarding the tragedy in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan. "Today our hearts go out to the Filipino people. The images of devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan coming out of the Philippines are truly heartbreaking. The Filipino people have my sympathy and support as they deal with the effects of a storm that has, by last accounts, killed at least 1,200 people. The… Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Chairman Menendez Opening Remarks at Today’s Nominations 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 nominations hearing. The remarks follow: "Today we have three nominees before the Committee: Heather Higginbottom to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Dr. Sarah Sewall as Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, and Richard Stengel nominated to be Under Secretary of… Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities Hearing
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks at this afternoon's hearing about the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) Hearing. The remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: "Welcome to our panelists and all of our guests who have taken the time to come here today for this important hearing on the rights of roughly 1 billion people around the world with disabilities. Let me qu… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
Chairman Menendez’s Opening Remarks at Syria Hearing
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks at this morning's hearing about the state of affairs in Syria. The remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow: "Thank you all for being here. We have two panels today. On our first panel is Robert Ford, Ambassador to Syria; Nancy Lindborg, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance at USAID; and Thomas Countryman,… Continue Reading
October 25, 2013
Menendez Comments on Vice President Biden Meeting with Cuban Human Rights Activist Berta Soler
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement about Berta Soler's meeting with Vice President Biden. "Vice President Biden's meeting with Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White, is a truly historic act of support for human rights defenders in Cuba. Through their acts of peaceful protest, Berta and the Ladies in White have remained an unwavering beacon of hope for the restoration of justice, human rig… Continue Reading
October 14, 2013
Bipartisan Senate Leaders to President Obama: “The True Test of Iranian Sincerity is a Willingness to Match Rhetoric with Actions”
WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan group of senate leaders wrote President Obama ahead of the P5 + 1 talks in Geneva supporting efforts to explore a diplomatic opening with Iran, but noted the true test of Iranian sincerity is a willingness to match rhetoric with actions. The letter to President Obama sent on Friday follows: October 11, 2013 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: As representatives of the P5+1 and the Irania… Continue Reading
October 09, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on Administration Announcement regarding Egypt
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the Administration's announcement regarding Egypt: "Our relationship with Egypt is bound by decades of shared concerns to ensure regional stability, maintain the Camp David peace accords, and cooperate on counterterrorism and border security efforts. Assistance to Egypt that supports these common goals should continue," said Menendez. "But ongoing violence in… Continue Reading
October 07, 2013
Chairman Menendez Commends Passage of Senate Resolution Expressing Concern about Political Situation in Venezuela
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution authored by Chairman Robert Menendez and Senator Marco Rubio that urges the U.S. Department of State and countries in the hemisphere to take meaningful steps to ensure that the rule of law in Venezuela is maintained in accordance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter. In response to the ongoing deterioration of the economic and political situation in Venezuela, the resolution calls for a process of dial… Continue Reading
October 02, 2013
Chairman Menendez Welcomes Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to Congress
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement welcoming Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to Congress today: "The relationship between the United States and Greece is an important one, historically rooted in shared values and principles. Prime Minister Samaras is demonstrating continued leadership during trying times as the Greek people confront a severe economic crisis with determination and resilience. It is… Continue Reading
October 01, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on the Expulsion by Venezuela of U.S. Diplomats, Passage of Venezuela Resolution in Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement regarding President Maduro's expulsion of three U.S. diplomats from Venezuela, and the passage of a resolution in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee supporting Venezuelan democracy and condemning violence and intimidation against the country's political opposition. "President Maduro's decision to expel three U.S. diplomats from our Embassy in Caracas is a clear att… Continue Reading
September 30, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement after Meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "During the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, senators spoke with a unity of purpose, hopeful for a diplomatic outcome with Iran that leads to a verifiable termination of its pursuit of nuclear weapons program, but resolute that U.S. national… Continue Reading
September 27, 2013
Chairman Menendez Statement on UN Climate Panel Report
Washington, DC - U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the physical evidence behind climate change. "This report shows that the evidence that humans are causing climate change is at least as strong as the link between cigarette smoking and cancer. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to act swiftly and boldly to reduce pollution that is causing more seve… Continue Reading
