United States Senator Bob Corker, Tennessee

Corker Statement in Honor of Memorial Day

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made the following statement in honor of Memorial Day, Monday, May 27:

“My job gives me the opportunity to meet with members of our military serving all over the world. It is humbling and often emotionally overwhelming to be in their presence. On Memorial Day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, and we can honor them by working to make the country they fought and died for even stronger. Tennessee has a long tradition of sending brave men and women into harm’s way. To the Tennesseans missing loved ones, I hope you will feel an especially strong outpouring of support this Memorial Day,” said Corker.

Corker, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Help Encourage More Global Investment in the U.S., Improve American Competitiveness

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., today introduced bipartisan legislation to help create jobs and improve American competitiveness for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Recognizing the important impact global investment has on the economy of states and communities across the nation, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act (S.1023) directs the Department of Commerce to initiate the first-ever interagency assessment for Congress focused on making the U.S. more effective in competing for investment from top companies around the world. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Kay Hagan, D-N.C.

“If we want the U.S. to be the very best place in the world to do business, we need to take a close look at what we’re doing right, what we’re doing wrong and how we can eliminate barriers that diminish investment in the U.S.,” said Corker. “Volkswagen, Nissan and Electrolux are a few examples of companies that have made significant, long-term investments in Tennessee, creating good-paying jobs for Tennesseans and fueling economic development. This bill will help give us the information we need so we can continue to attract more of these kinds of investments throughout the country.”

“Global investment in our companies is critical to drive economic growth, support our workforce and keep our country competitive,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation will help make sure that Minnesota and states across the country can continue to attract investment and create good jobs here at home.”

Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, which employs over 5,900 Americans across the country, including 2,450 in Tennessee, said, “I applaud Senators Corker and Klobuchar for their leadership in introducing this important bill. Volkswagen Group of America knows the U.S. is a good place to invest. Our story is just one example of how global investment benefits the American economy, as seen by our more than $4 billion commitment to this market, including our $1 billion investment in our manufacturing facility in Tennessee. This legislation rightly aims to ensure that the United States is focused on enhancing its ability to attract and retain investment from around the world, which is imperative for creating stability in the U.S. economy and continued job creation.”

“The Global Investment in American Jobs Act, is widely supported, bipartisan legislation,” said Sharon Sayles Belton, Vice President, Government Affairs and Community Relations at Thomson Reuters which employs over 7,500 people in Minnesota. “With the expansion of the global economy we are in the most competitive environment our nation has ever experienced. Having a comprehensive, interagency review of our policies and laws on foreign direct investment will contribute to making us more competitive and will help attract and retain sound investments from abroad. I applaud Senators Klobuchar and Corker for their leadership on this critical legislation and hope it fast tracks through the legislative process.”

According to information provided by the Organization for International Investment, foreign-based companies have a significant impact on the local economies of both Tennessee and Minnesota. In Tennessee, foreign-based companies contribute 112,500 jobs to the state’s economy and make up five percent of the state’s private-sector workforce. In Minnesota, foreign-based companies contribute 89,300 jobs to the state’s economy and make up four percent of the state’s private-sector workforce. Additional data showing the economic benefit of foreign investment nationwide can be found here: http://www.ofii.org/resources/jobs-by-state.html.

The American subsidiaries of companies headquartered abroad employ over five million American workers, produce nearly 18 percent of U.S. exports, and invest heavily in research and innovation. However, from 1999 to 2009, the U.S. share of global investment declined by more than 50 percent. For more information, visit: http://www.ofii.org/resources/insourcing-facts.html.

The Global Investment in American Jobs Act is focused on helping regain this lost ground by:

• recognizing that America is competing for investment and that our share of the world’s invested capital is declining;

• expressing the Sense of Congress that it is a top priority to enhance the nation’s competitiveness, prosperity, and security by ensuring the United States remains the premier global destination in which to invest, hire, innovate, and manufacture; AND

• tasking the Department of Commerce with assessing United States competitiveness for attracting FDI, producing an analysis of policies at the federal level that are closely linked to the ability to attract FDI, and making recommendations to ensure that the laws, regulations, and policies of the United States are properly aligned to give investors’ confidence to create American jobs.

A copy of the Global Investment in America Jobs Act is attached and available online here.

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Corker Writes to Army Corps Regarding River Barge

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – In a letter today regarding a barge moored in the Tennessee River across from the Chattanooga Riverfront, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., wrote to Lieutenant Colonel James DeLapp, commander of the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging the Corps to, “keep in mind the significant negative effects that this has on the community when making the decision whether or not to revoke its permit.”

Full text of the letter follows and is attached.

Dear Lieutenant Colonel DeLapp:

It has come to my attention that the permit for a barge moored in the Tennessee River across from the Chattanooga Riverfront is under review for being in non-compliance. While I understand and respect that the Army Corps has a process for reviewing such matters, I want to encourage you to keep in mind the effect that allowing this barge permit to continue could have on the Chattanooga downtown.

Chattanooga has undertaken significant actions in recent years to develop its downtown. These efforts have served to make the Chattanooga Riverfront the jewel in the downtown crown and have helped attract new business and tourists to the area. The beautification of the Riverfront has been integral to this process and it would be disappointing to see the productive activities of hard working Chattanoogans undermined by allowing this partially sunken, dilapidated barge to mar the otherwise picturesque area. It is my sincere hope that you keep in mind the significant negative effects that this has on the community when making the decision whether or not to revoke its permit.

Thank you for your service and I appreciate your attention to this matter. Please keep me informed should any decision be made concerning the future of this permit.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker
United States Senator

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Senators Corker and Manchin Introduce Bill to Fix Unintended Consequence of Renewable Fuels Mandate

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today introduced the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act,” legislation that would help ensure only domestically-sourced fuels are used to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“It’s become obvious that the Renewable Fuel Standard is having some unintended consequences. This bill is a common sense step toward potentially mitigating gasoline price increases the RFS may contribute to in the near future. Because its mandated biofuels volumes are too high, the RFS is also unintentionally incentivizing ethanol imports. Our bill helps to correct that problem by more properly aligning mandated levels with what we produce domestically,” said Corker.

“It is time for America to create an all-of-the-above energy policy that will help lead us to energy independence,” Manchin said. “It’s simply common sense to use all of our resources, and that includes non-food based biofuels. I am proud to cosponsor this bill with my good friend Senator Bob Corker to make sure that we continue to develop domestic non-food based biofuels while stopping the current system’s incentives to import food-based ethanol products from foreign countries."

The Foreign Fuel Reduction Act would require that a reduction to the volume of cellulosic biofuel required under the RFS also results in a pro rata reduction to the total volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels, thereby helping to ensure that the RFS is met only by domestically sourced biofuels.

A fact sheet on the Foreign Fuels Reduction Act is attached.

In Case You Missed It: Obama Administration Stonewalls American People on Corker Question About Secret U.S. Cash Payments to Afghan President

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman stonewalled the American people when asked by U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the committee, whether allegations of secret U.S. cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai help prevent corruption in Afghanistan.

“[D]oes delivering cash to an elected leader--does that help us root out corruption in that country,” asked Corker.

Sherman responded saying, “My sense is the particular instance that you’re discussing is better discussed in a classified session.”

“Well, had it been discussed in a classified setting I couldn’t talk about it. And yet the president of Afghanistan is talking about it; and so it is in a public setting, and I expect a public response…I guess I’ll have to ask the president of Afghanistan what is happening with this cash,” replied Corker, who has twice written President Barack Obama seeking an explanation for how these payments support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan but has yet to receive a response.

At yesterday’s White House press briefing, MSNBC’s Chuck Todd followed up on Corker’s requests for answers from the president, and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney also declined to respond.

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Corker, Colleagues Demand Complete Cooperation Into IRS Investigation

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

In letter to President Obama, Senate Republicans write: “We demand that your Administration comply with all requests related to Congressional inquiries without any delay, including making available all IRS employees involved in designing and implementing these prohibited political screenings, so that the public has a full accounting of these actions.”

Corker, Menendez Introduce Syria Transition Support Act

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

Bipartisan Legislation Set to be Taken Up by Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mark Up Scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st...

Corker Continues to Seek Explanation from President Obama for Secret U.S. Cash Payments to Afghan President

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – Following up on a May 2 letter to President Obama today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, continued to seek an explanation for reports alleging the U.S. has made millions of dollars in secret cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the past decade. Responding to press inquiries, President Karzai has said the payments are “the choice of the American government” and will continue following personal assurances from the CIA station chief in Kabul.

“As I indicated in my earlier letter, our assistance to Afghanistan should have long since evolved to a carefully coordinated, fully transparent effort across federal agencies with appropriate congressional oversight to ensure U.S. aid meets our national interests. These secret payments lack any kind of accountability, encourage the very kind of corruption we’re trying to prevent in Afghanistan, and further undermine U.S. taxpayers’ confidence in our government,” said Corker. “I believe a prompt response to how these payments meet our objectives in Afghanistan is warranted.”

A complete copy of the letter is included below and in the attached document.

Dear Mr. President,

I continue to wait for a response to my letter of May 2 requesting an explanation for reports that the CIA has been delivering bags of cash to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has confirmed receiving these payments for the past decade. As I indicated in my earlier letter, our assistance to Afghanistan should have long since evolved to a carefully coordinated, fully transparent effort across federal agencies with appropriate congressional oversight to ensure U.S. aid meets our national interests. These secret payments lack any kind of accountability, encourage the very kind of corruption we’re trying to prevent in Afghanistan, and further undermine U.S. taxpayers’ confidence in our government.

Since my original letter, President Karzai has claimed that the CIA station chief in Kabul assured him the payments will continue, stating, “It is the choice of the American government.” I believe a prompt response to how these payments meet our objectives in Afghanistan is warranted. I have attached my previous letter for your reference.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker

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Corker: IRS Actions Outrageous and Disturbing, Will Further Erode Americans’ Trust in the Federal Government

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made the following statement today in response to reports that the Internal Revenue Service inappropriately flagged conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election.

“As I said last year, all nonprofit organizations seeking tax-exempt status should be treated fairly and equitably by the IRS,” said Corker. “The IRS’s admission that its employees were specifically targeting conservative groups – including groups in Tennessee – is outrageous, disturbing, and will further erode Americans' trust in the federal government. Swift and decisive action should be taken to punish those responsible and to assure the American people that these actions will not be tolerated at the IRS or any other federal agency.”

Last March, Senator Corker joined Senate colleagues in asking the Internal Revenue Service to treat all nonprofit groups seeking tax-exempt status fairly in the designation process.

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Corker, Colleagues Request Hearing on Benghazi

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – In a letter today to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., committee Republicans including Bob Corker, R-Tenn.; James E. Risch, R-Idaho; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.; John Barrasso, Wyo.; and Rand Paul, R-Ky., requested a hearing on the deadly Benghazi terrorist attacks to examine new revelations “regarding the level of security leading up to the attacks and how the State Department and the administration responded to the attacks,” in addition to the lack of accountability for State Department officials who remain on paid leave despite their role in security failures that left the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya vulnerable to attack.

“Recent reports indicate that senior State Department officials – at levels above those individuals found to be responsible in the Accountability Review Board report – were directly responsible for decisions about security staffing in Libya and therefore may have some measure of culpability. In addition, recent reports also indicate that the State Department was directly involved in making changes to the Intelligence Community’s explanation of events on the ground that was provided to the House Intelligence Committee for public use; these changes may have been intended to minimize the State Department’s culpability in failing to prepare for possible threats against U.S. government facilities in Libya,” wrote the committee members in their letter to Chairman Menendez.

“Finally, to date, no resolution has occurred regarding employment status for those State Department officials named in the ARB report as a result of their handling of events in Benghazi. It has been nearly eight months since the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, and numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the level of security leading up to the attacks and how the State Department and the administration responded to the attacks. As the committee of primary jurisdiction, we believe that it is our responsibility to conduct additional oversight of our government’s preparation and response to the attack on our diplomatic facilities that took the lives of four brave Americans.”

Full text of the senators’ letter is included below.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

As members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we respectfully request that you schedule an additional committee hearing and additional member and staff briefings to review the open questions surrounding the September 11, 2012 terrorist attacks at the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Recent reports indicate that senior State Department officials – at levels above those individuals found to be responsible in the Accountability Review Board report – were directly responsible for decisions about security staffing in Libya and therefore may have some measure of culpability. In addition, recent reports also indicate that the State Department was directly involved in making changes to the Intelligence Community’s explanation of events on the ground that was provided to the House Intelligence Committee for public use; these changes may have been intended to minimize the State Department’s culpability in failing to prepare for possible threats against U.S. government facilities in Libya.

Finally, to date, no resolution has occurred regarding employment status for those State Department officials named in the ARB report as a result of their handling of events in Benghazi. It has been nearly eight months since the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, and numerous questions remain unanswered regarding the level of security leading up to the attacks and how the State Department and the administration responded to the attacks.

As the committee of primary jurisdiction, we believe that it is our responsibility to conduct additional oversight of our government’s preparation and response to the attack on our diplomatic facilities that took the lives of four brave Americans. We would like to work with you to select the appropriate witnesses for a hearing, as well as the appropriate individuals to brief members and staff.

Please let us know your views on this matter at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker
James E. Risch
Marco Rubio
Ron Johnson
Jeff Flake
John Barrasso
Rand Paul

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Corker Praises Passage of Marketplace Fairness Act

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

States’ Rights Bill Passes Senate by a Vote of 69 to 27...

Corker to President Obama: Secret U.S. Cash Payments to Karzai Lack Accountability, Promote Corruption, and Break Trust with Taxpayers

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

In a letter to President Obama today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requested an explanation regarding recent reports alleging the U.S. has made millions of dollars in secret cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the past decade.

Corker Statement on President Obama’s USTR Nomination

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 EST

U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding President Obama’s nomination of Mike Froman as U.S. Trade Representative.

Corker Statement on President Obama's Nominee to Lead FHFA

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, made the following statement regarding reports that President Obama will today nominate U.S. Congressman Mel Watt, D-N.C., to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

"I could not be more disappointed in this nomination. This gives new meaning to the adage that the fox is guarding the hen house,” said Corker. “The debate around his nomination will illuminate for all Americans why Fannie and Freddie failed so miserably.”

“Before any nominee should be considered for this post, regardless of their qualifications, the administration should explicitly lay out how they will unwind these entities.”

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Corker Statement on the Marketplace Fairness Act

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

Corker Says States’ Rights Bill Helps Protect Tennessee from State Income Tax...

Corker Statement on Senate Consideration of Gun Legislation

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST

Chattanooga – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made the following statement regarding the Senate’s consideration of gun legislation this week.

“What has happened over the last week in the Senate cannot be satisfying to anyone. We spent the balance of the week debating an amendment that, if it had been enacted, would have had no effect on preventing the tragedy in Sandy Hook. I think most believe, like I do, that we should be working to ensure that criminals and the mentally ill are not able to have access to guns, while at the same time ensuring that the Second Amendment rights of our citizens are not infringed upon. Going forward, that is the balance we need to strike legislatively. With the technological advances that exist in our society today surely we can find a way to thread this needle.”

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FHFA Acting Director DeMarco Praises Bipartisan Bill to Reform Fannie and Freddie

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST

“Jumpstart GSE Reform Act” introduced by Corker, Warner, Vitter, Warren...

Corker Votes for Grassley Amendment, Against Toomey-Manchin Amendment

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., today voted in favor of the Grassley amendment and against the Toomey-Manchin amendment.

“Like most Americans, I want to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and dangerous mentally ill people. Today I supported the Grassley amendment to enhance mental health reporting requirements, which I believe is the central issue, and to improve the background check system in a way that is not an impediment to Second Amendment rights. Unfortunately, the Toomey-Manchin amendment overly burdens a law abiding citizen’s ability to exercise his or her Second Amendment rights and creates uncertainty about what is and is not a criminal offense when it comes to gun ownership.”

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Corker Warns of Lack of Clarity in US Syria Strategy, Calls for Post-Assad Plan and Congressional Consultation Prior to Significant Changes in US Involvement

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST

WASHINGTON – During a hearing on the crisis in Syria with senior Obama administration officials, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that an ad hoc, reactive approach leaves the United States vulnerable to being drawn into “very dangerous circumstances” without a clear strategy. Corker called for a clear articulation of U.S. goals and plans, advance preparations for the eventual fall of the Assad regime, and close congressional consultation prior to any significant change in U.S. involvement.

“Without clear objectives, principles, or parameters, events might pull us into a very dangerous circumstance where we have too little control – or where we miss a critical opening to do what’s necessary. I am also concerned that we could overestimate the value of and underestimate the difficulty of a limited military involvement, such as a no-fly zone. There is a clear humanitarian imperative to bring Assad’s barbaric violence to an end, but there are long-term challenges in Syria that we can’t solve with a quick military fix,” said Corker in his opening statement. “I’m very interested in what our preparations are for the ‘day after’ the Assad regime falls, as it eventually will - we all hope. Are we making preparations with our allies in the region? Are we preparing for the chaos of sectarian violence that may explode among opposition groups when they lose their common enemy? And if we are preparing for these eventualities, how so?”

Referencing a letter to the president this week, Corker repeated his expectation that Congress’s constitutional role in authorizing foreign assistance and military action overseas will be respected in Syria.

“While we may have little control over events in Syria, we do have control over our own decision-making process for foreign assistance and for involvement in a war. Earlier this week, I sent a letter to the president noting the constitutional role of Congress in such decisions and my expectation that major changes or engagements can lawfully proceed only with Congress,” said Corker.

Testifying before the committee today are Robert Ford, U.S. Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic; Elizabeth Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; Daniel Glaser, Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, U.S. Department of Treasury; and Dennis Ross, Counselor, Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

For full committee testimony and live video coverage of the hearing, visit: http://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/us-policy-toward-syria.

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Corker Statement on Senate Proceeding to Debate on S. 649

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made the following statement on the Senate proceeding to debate on S. 649.

“I don’t understand why any senator wouldn’t want to debate these issues, but in the end, I will not support any legislation that violates our Second Amendment rights.”

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