Public policy made simple. Dive into ourinformation hub today!

United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

From Ballotpedia

CongressLogo.png

Committees of the U.S. Congress
Joint Congressional Committees
Economic •Library •Printing •Taxation
U.S. Senate Committees
Aging •Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry •Appropriations •Armed Services •Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs •Budget •Commerce, Science, and Transportation •Energy and Natural Resources •Environment and Public Works •Ethics (Select) •Finance •Foreign Relations •Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions •Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs •Indian Affairs •Intelligence (Select) •Judiciary •Rules and Administration •Small Business and Entrepreneurship •Veterans' Affairs
U.S. House Committees
Agriculture •Appropriations •Armed Services •Budget •Education and the Workforce •Energy and Commerce •Ethics •Financial Services •Foreign Affairs •Homeland Security •House Administration •Intelligence (Permanent Select) •Judiciary •Natural Resources •Oversight and Government Reform •Rules •Science, Space, and Technology •Small Business •Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party •Transportation and Infrastructure •Veterans' Affairs •Ways and Means
Background
United States Congress •United States Senate •United States House of Representatives •United States Constitution •113th United States Congress •112th United States Congress

Contents

TheUnited States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of theU.S. Senate. It was created in 1816, and its inaugural session was chaired by James Barbour.[1]

Leadership

119th Congress

The committee chairman in the119th Congress isJim Risch (R).

118th Congress

The committee chairman in the118th Congress isBen Cardin (D).[2]

117th Congress

The committee chairman in the117th Congress wasRobert Menendez (D).

116th Congress

The committee chairman in the116th Congress wasJim Risch (R).

115th Congress

The committee chairman in the115th Congress wasBob Corker (R).

114th Congress

The committee chairman in the114th Congress wasBob Corker (R).

113th Congress

The committee chairman in the113th Congress was initiallyJohn F. Kerry (D). He was subsequently replaced byRobert Menendez (D), after Kerry accepted the nomination for U.S. Secretary of State.[3]

112th Congress

The committee chairman in the112th Congress wasJohn F. Kerry (D).

Membership



Rick Scott (R) left this committee in 2024.[Source]

Bob Casey Jr. (D) left this committee in 2024.[Source]

Bob Menendez (D) left this committee on September 22, 2023.[Source]



Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2020.

Cory Gardner (R) left this committee in 2020.


Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2018.

Cory Gardner (R) left this committee in 2018.


Cory Gardner (R) left this committee in 2016.

David Perdue (R) left this committee on January 03, 2021.

Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2016.


Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2014.


Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2012.



Subcommittees

Africa and Global Health Policy

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (3)
Cory BookerChairmanRand Paul
Christopher A. CoonsJohn Barrasso
Jeff MerkleyJames E. RischEx Officio
Brian Schatz
Chris Van Hollen


Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Cory BookerRanking MemberJeff FlakeChairman
Chris CoonsTodd Young
Tom UdallJohn Barrasso
Jeff MerkleyJohnny Isakson
Rand Paul


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "African Affairs" to "Africa and Global Health Policy."[4]

East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (3)
Chris Van HollenChairmanBill Hagerty
Jeff MerkleyPete Ricketts
Brian SchatzJames E. RischEx Officio
Tammy Duckworth
Christopher A. Coons



Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Ed MarkeyRanking MemberCory GardnerChairman
Jeff MerkleyJim Risch
Chris MurphyMarco Rubio
Tim KaineJohn Barrasso
Johnny Isakson


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "East Asian and Pacific Affairs" to "East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy."[4]

Europe and Regional Security Cooperation

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (4)
Jeanne ShaheenChairmanPete RickettsRanking Member
Christopher MurphyRand Paul
Chris Van HollenJohn Barrasso
Tammy DuckworthJames E. RischEx Officio


Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Chris MurphyRanking MemberRon JohnsonChairman
Edward MarkeyJames Risch
Bob MenendezJohn Barrasso
Jeanne ShaheenRob Portman
Rand Paul


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "European Affairs" to "Europe and Regional Security Cooperation."[4]

Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (4)
Tammy DuckworthChairmanJohn BarrassoRanking Member
Christopher A. CoonsBill Hagerty
Brian SchatzRand Paul
Jeanne ShaheenJames E. RischEx Officio
Tim Kaine


Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Jeff MerkleyRanking MembersTodd YoungChairman
Tom UdallJeff Flake
Chris CoonsCory Gardner
Edward MarkeyJohn Barrasso
Rob Portman


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection, and Peace Corps" to "Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy."[4]

Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (2)
Christopher MurphyChairmanTed Cruz
Jeanne ShaheenJames E. RischEx Officio
Tim Kaine
Cory Booker


Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Tim KaineRanking MemberJames RischChairman
Bob MenendezMarco Rubio
Chris MurphyRon Johnson
Cory BookerTodd Young
Rob Portman


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs" to "Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism."[4]

State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Tim KaineBill HagertyRanking Member
Cory BookerPete Ricketts
Christopher A. CoonsTed Cruz
Christopher MurphyRand Paul
James E. RischEx Officio


Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Jeanne ShaheenRanking MemberJohnny IsaksonChairman
Chris CoonsJames Risch
Cory BookerMarco Rubio
Bob MenendezRob Portman
Rand Paul


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women's Issues" to "State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development."[4]

Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues

To view the jurisdiction and recent activities of this subcommittee, please see the official committee pagehere.

Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (2)
Tim KaineChairmanTed Cruz
Jeff MerkleyJames E. RischEx Officio
Jeanne Shaheen
Christopher Murphy


Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Bob MenendezRanking MemberMarco RubioChairman
Tom UdallRon Johnson
Jeanne ShaheenJeff Flake
Tim KaineCory Gardner
Johnny Isakson


Note: Beginning in 2015, the name of this committee changed from "Western Hemisphere and Global Narcotics Affairs" to "Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues."[4]

Nominations for secretary of state

The following nominations were made for secretary of state in the Obama, Biden, and Trump administrations.[5][6]

Confirmation process for nominees for secretary of state
NomineeAnnouncedHearingsReceivedStatusVote
Marco RubioNovember 13, 2024January 15, 2025January 20, 2025Confirmed on January 20, 202599-0
Tony BlinkenNovember 23, 2020January 19, 2021January 20, 2021Confirmed on January 26, 202178-22
Mike PompeoMarch 13, 2018April 12, 2018March 20, 2018Confirmed on April 26, 201857-42
Rex TillersonDecember 13, 2016January 11, 2017January 20, 2017Confirmed on February 1, 201756-43
John KerryDecember 21, 2012January 24, 2013January 22, 2013Confirmed on January 29, 201394-3
Hillary ClintonDecember 1, 2008January 13, 2009January 20, 2009Confirmed on January 21, 200994-2

Jurisdiction

According to the officialSenate website, the jurisdiction of the Foreign Relations Committee includes the following:

“
  1. Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and legations in foreign countries.
  2. Boundaries of the United States.
  3. Diplomatic service.
  4. Foreign economic, military, technical, and humanitarian assistance.
  5. Foreign loans.
  6. International activities of the American National Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
  7. International aspects of nuclear energy, including nuclear transfer policy.
  8. International conferences and congresses.
  9. International law as it relates to foreign policy.
  10. International Monetary Fund and other international organizations established primarily for international monetary purposes (except that, at the request of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, any proposed legislation relating to such subjects reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations shall be referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs).
  11. Intervention abroad and declarations of war.
  12. Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign nations and to safeguard American business interests abroad.
  13. National security and international aspects of trusteeships of the United States.
  14. Ocean and international environmental and scientific affairs as they relate to foreign policy.
  15. Protection of United States citizens abroad and expatriation.
  16. Relations of the United States with foreign nations generally.
  17. Treaties and executive agreements, except reciprocal trade agreements.
  18. United Nations and its affiliated organizations.
  19. World Bank group, the regional development banks, and other international organizations established primarily for development assistance purposes.
  20. to study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to the national security policy, foreign policy, and international economic policy as it relates to foreign policy of the United States, and matters relating to food, hunger, and nutrition in foreign countries, and report thereon from time to time.
  21. review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, and execution of those laws or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the committee.”
  22. responsibility to assist the Senate in its constitutional function of providing “advice and consent” to all treaties entered into by the United States and all nominations to the principal executive branch positions in the field of foreign policy and diplomacy.

[7]

”
—United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations[8]

Contact

423 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6225

Majority Phone: (202) 224-4651

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, "History of the Committee History," accessed March 20, 2012
  2. ↑Editor's note: In September 2023,Bob Menendez Sr. (D) temporarily stepped down as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, andBen Cardin (D) became chairman. It became permanent in August when Menendez resigned from Congress. Pleaseclick here to see sources read more about this story.
  3. ↑United States Senate Democrats, "Reid Announces Updated Committee Assignments For 113th Congress," January 4, 2013
  4. ↑4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedsubcom
  5. ↑United States Senate, "Barack H. Obama Cabinet Nominations," accessed January 19, 2021
  6. ↑United States Senate, "Donald J. Trump Cabinet Nominations," accessed January 19, 2021
  7. ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  8. ↑United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
v • e
Committees of the U.S. Congress
Joint Congressional committeesCongressLogo.png
U.S. Senate Committees
U.S. House Committees