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Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement today after the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, led by President Thabo Mbeki, announced that South Sudan and Sudan have reached an agreement on the transit of oil. "A lot of people said this couldn't happen and they...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after meeting with Chen Guangcheng, a Chinese lawyer and human rights activist who was arrested, jailed, and later confined to his home and brutally beaten for challenging a government policy. He eventually escaped from...

Washington, DC – This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing that explored possible next steps for U.S. policy on Syria.  “We are currently looking at a dangerous and downward spiral in the heart of the Middle East, and one that has the potential –...

Washington, DC – This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement on the nominations of James B. Cunningham to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Richard G. Olson to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. “The signing of the Strategic...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), today announced that he plans to hold additional hearings in the fall to continue educating members and the public on the importance of the Law of the Sea Treaty for the U.S. economy and national security. "The Foreign Relations Committee has held a series of...

Washington, DC – On the 22nd anniversary of the landmark passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Chairman John Kerry and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution of advice and consent to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Treaty Doc. 112-7).  The resolution was amended and passed by a strong bi-partisan...

Washington, DC – On the 22nd anniversary of the landmark passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Chairman John Kerry made the following statement during a meeting of the Foreign Relations Committee to consider a resolution of advice and consent to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Treaty Doc. 112-7).  The...

Washington, DC – On the 22nd anniversary of the landmark passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Chairman John Kerry and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution of advice and consent to Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Treaty Doc. 112-7).  The resolution was amended and passed by a strong bi-partisan...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, met with Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, and UNAIDS Director Michel Sidibé who were in town for the International AIDS Conference.  During the meeting they discussed current investments in research, policies and next steps for fighting the...

Washington, DC – This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following remarks at the international AIDS 2012 conference.  “Dramatic, life-saving improvements to HIV/AIDS care in this country and across the globe are well within our reach,” said Sen. Kerry. “We only have to...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, on the death of Oswaldo Payá:   “Cuba has lost a valiant champion for tolerance, democracy and social responsibility.  Oswaldo Payá’s legacy will be an enduring inspiration to Cubans...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, in response to Russia’s and China’s veto today of the United Nations Syria resolution:   “Russia and China's veto of the Syria resolution is as surreal as it is dangerous. As Rome burns, they're...

Washington, DC – This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing entitled, “The Next Ten Years in the Fight Against Human Trafficking:  Attacking the Problem with the Right Tools.” The hearing explored the major factors that enable the ongoing...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today after confirming with State Department and Egyptian officials that the two Massachusetts natives who were kidnapped on Friday, July 13th while traveling in the Sinai Peninsula have been released.  The two were traveling with other tourists on their way to...

Washington, DC – Today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” experts and interested parties from government and civil society expressed strong support for Senate ratification of the treaty.  The Convention is an international agreement for the...

Washington, DC – This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered the following statement at a hearing analyzing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Treaty Doc. 112-7). “Americans may not witness these discriminatory acts in our daily lives, but they sting our conscience from...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a staff report entitled, “Judicial and Police Reforms in Mexico:  Essential Building Blocks for a Lawful Society.” The report calls on the incoming Mexican and U.S. Administrations to expand their support for Mexico’s reform of...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) made the following statement today in response to the outcome of the elections in Libya. “Libya has made an important step forward by holding elections. They are to be congratulated. It is hard to underestimate what an amazing year it’s been for Libyans...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement by Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, on the first anniversary of South Sudan’s independence. “Last July 9th, against enormous odds, a new state was born, and a remarkable victory achieved for the people of South Sudan and their newly established...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) made the following statement today in response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement to Pakistan on behalf of the United States regarding a strike that claimed the lives of members of the Pakistani military. “Secretary Clinton’s statement...