Robert Menendez on Foreign Policy Democratic Sr Senator; previously Representative (NJ-13)

International sanctions against nuclear program in Iran

KEAN: The US must be steadfast in our efforts to address nuclear proliferation, most importantly in Iran and North Korea. The concerns arising over nuclear proliferation in Iran are justified when we reflect on North Korea which withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has already declared itself a nuclear state.

MENENDEZ: I've also fought to end Iran's nuclear weapons program through legislation aimed at stopping its development. For years, Iran has deceived the international community and supported terrorist organizations. It's hardly a coincidence that Hezbollah kidnapped Israeli soldiers on the very same day Iran was to answer to the international community- touching off the conflict in Lebanon. As Iran continues its nuclear program-enriching uranium and refusing to dismantle-I support the UN Security Council resolution threatening Iran with international sanctions.

Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China.

• Denial of participation in cooperative research and development
• Prohibition of ownership and control of any business registered as a manufacturer or exporter of defense articles or services
• Removal of all licenses relative to dual-use goods or technology
• Prohibition of participation of any foreign military sales

Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding.

• Requires the creation of an Independent Oversight Board with the authority to evaluate all operations of the UN
• Instructs the UN to implement procedures to protect whistle-blowers, individuals who reveal wrongdoings within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority
• Obliges the creation of a uniform code of conduct for all UN officials
• Requires the shifting of the funding mechanisms of certain organizational programs from the regular assessed UN budget to voluntarily funded programs
• Compels the US President to influence the Secretary General of the UN to waive diplomatic immunity for UN officials under investigation or charged with serious criminal offences
• Creates a certification of UN cooperation to provide documentary evidence to member states investigating the Oil-for-Food program

Voted NO on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released.

Voted YES on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored.

Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction.

Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.

Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations.

Member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC) is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in the United States House of Representatives that works to raise awareness about and combat human rights abuses throughout the world.

The caucus keeps members and their staff informed of opportunities to help through briefings on human rights topics and letter initiatives.

Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s.

• WHEREAS the Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deportation of nearly 2,000,000 Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children were killed, and which succeeded in the elimination of more than 2,500-year presence of Armenians in their historic homeland;
• WHEREAS, on May 24, 1915, the Allied Powers issued the joint statement of England, France, and Russia that explicitly charged, for the first time ever, another government of committing "a crime against humanity";
• WHEREAS, despite the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the failure of the domestic and international authorities to punish those responsible for the Armenian Genocide is a reason why similar genocides have recurred and may recur in the future, and that a just resolution will help prevent future genocides:
• NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate calls on the President, in the President's annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide, to accurately characterize the systematic annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of US intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide.

Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet.

A resolution condemning the violence in Tibet and calling for restraint by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Tibet. Calls for:

1. a dialogue between the government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet within China; and
2. release of peaceful protesters.

Calls on the PRC to:
1. respect the right of the people of Tibet to speak of the Dalai Lama and possess his photograph;
2. respect basic human rights;
3. allow international journalists free access to China; and
4. provide a full accounting of the March 2008 protests in Tibet.