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Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate. Throughout its history, the committee has been instrumental in developing and influencing United States foreign policy, at different times supporting and opposing the policies of presidents and secretaries of state. The committee has considered, debated, and reported important treaties and legislation, ranging from the purchase of Alaska in 1867 to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. It also holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations. Through these powers, the committee has helped shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations. Members of the committee have assisted in the negotiation of treaties, and at times have helped to defeat treaties they felt were not in the national interest. (source)

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Chair:
Sen. James Risch [R-ID]
Ranking Member:
Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez [D-NJ]
Republicans:
12
Democrats:
10

The chair is always selected from the majority party and the ranking member is the most senior member of the minority party. The majority party ensures it has a majority on every committee.

Members

Portrait of James Risch
Chair
Republican
Idaho
ex officio, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Portrait of Robert “Bob” Menendez
Ranking Member
Democrat
New Jersey
ex officio, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Portrait of Cory Gardner
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Colorado
chair, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity ...
Portrait of Lindsey Graham
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
South Carolina
chair, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy
Portrait of John “Johnny” Isakson
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Georgia
chair, Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, ...
Portrait of Ron Johnson
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Wisconsin
chair, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Portrait of Mitt Romney
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Utah
chair, Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and ...
Portrait of Marco Rubio
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Florida
chair, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, ...
Portrait of Todd Young
Subcommittee Chair
Republican
Indiana
chair, Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International ...
Portrait of Cory Booker
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
New Jersey
ranking member, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy
Portrait of Benjamin Cardin
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
Maryland
ranking member, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, ...
Portrait of Timothy “Tim” Kaine
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
Virginia
ranking member, Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and ...
Portrait of Edward “Ed” Markey
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
Massachusetts
ranking member, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity ...
Portrait of Jeff Merkley
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
Oregon
ranking member, Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International ...
Portrait of Christopher Murphy
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
Connecticut
ranking member, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Portrait of Jeanne Shaheen
Subcommittee Ranking Member
Democrat
New Hampshire
ranking member, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Portrait of John Barrasso
Republican
Wyoming
Portrait of Chris Coons
Democrat
Delaware
Portrait of Ted Cruz
Republican
Texas
Portrait of Rand Paul
Republican
Kentucky
Portrait of Robert “Rob” Portman
Republican
Ohio
Portrait of Tom Udall
Democrat
New Mexico

Members are listed in order of their rank on the committee and its subcommittees. Committee membership information is from the unitedstates project on github.

Bills

There are 288 bills referred to this committee. Below find the top 100:

Press Statements

Committee press statements from ProPublica Represent:

“Menendez to Block Trump Admin from Exporting U.S. Firearms with less Oversight and Accountability”
    — Dec 13, 2019

“U.S. Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling for the Immediate Release of Leading Cuban Democracy Activist José Daniel Ferrer”
    — Dec 13, 2019

“Senate Passes Menendez Resolution Recognizing the Armenian Genocide”
    — Dec 12, 2019

“SFRC Democrats Introduce Legislation Honoring U.S. Diplomats and Development Professionals”
    — Dec 12, 2019

“Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Resolution Supporting the Republic of Korea”
    — Dec 11, 2019

“Risch Praises Committee Passage of Turkey Sanctions Bill, Additional Legislation, Nominees”
    — Dec 11, 2019

“Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Comprehensive Syria-Turkey Legislation”
    — Dec 11, 2019

“Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Comprehensive Syria-Turkey Legislation”
    — Dec 11, 2019

“Risch, Menendez, Gardner, Coons Mark Anniversary of the Chinese Government’s Unlawful Detention of Canadian Citizens, Call for Their Immediate Release”
    — Dec 10, 2019

“Menendez, Risch, Gardner, Coons Mark Anniversary of the Chinese Government's Unlawful Detention of Canadian Citizens, Call for Their Immediate Release”
    — Dec 10, 2019

“Following Reports of Pompeo Courting GOP Donors, Menendez Reiterates Need for Hatch Act Review”
    — Dec 9, 2019

“Menendez Statement on Iran’s Release of Princeton Student Xiyue Wang”
    — Dec 7, 2019

“***VIDEO RELEASE*** Menendez, Sowore Family Call for Immediate Release of NJ Journalist being Detained in Nigeria”
    — Dec 6, 2019

“Menendez Condemns Harassment and Re-arrest of NJ Journalist in Nigeria”
    — Dec 6, 2019

“U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation Expressing Concern over Irregularities in Bolivia’s Elections, Call for Democratic Elections”
    — Dec 5, 2019

“Senators Menendez and Rubio Introduce Reauthorization of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act”
    — Dec 5, 2019

“Risch Hosts SFRC Meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok”
    — Dec 4, 2019

“Risch Statement on House Passage of Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act”
    — Dec 4, 2019

“Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Oversight Hearing on the Millennium Challenge Corporation”
    — Dec 4, 2019

“Senate Republican Again Blocks Menendez Legislation Recognizing the Armenian Genocide”
    — Dec 4, 2019