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United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

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Background
United States Congress • United States Senate • United States House of Representatives • United States Constitution • 113th United States Congress • 112th United States Congress

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

Leadership

119th Congress

The committee chairman in the 119th Congress is Jim Risch (R).

118th Congress

The committee chairman in the 118th Congress is Ben Cardin (D). [2]

117th Congress

The committee chairman in the 117th Congress was Robert Menendez (D).

116th Congress

The committee chairman in the 116th Congress was Jim Risch (R).

115th Congress

The committee chairman in the 115th Congress was Bob Corker (R).

114th Congress

The committee chairman in the 114th Congress was Bob Corker (R).

113th Congress

The committee chairman in the 113th Congress was initially John F. Kerry (D). He was subsequently replaced by Robert Menendez (D), after Kerry accepted the nomination for U.S. Secretary of State.[3]

112th Congress

The committee chairman in the 112th Congress was John F. Kerry (D).

Membership


2025-2026 (119th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments


2023-2024 (118th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

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]


2021-2022 (117th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments


2019-2020 (116th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2020.

Cory Gardner (R) left this committee in 2020.


2017-2018 (115th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2018.

Cory Gardner (R) left this committee in 2018.


2015-2016 (114th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

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.


2013-2014 (113th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

Tom Udall (D) left this committee in 2014.


2011-2012 (112th Congress)

Source: US Senate - Membership Assignments

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 page here.

Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (3)
Cory Booker ChairmanRand Paul
Christopher A. Coons John Barrasso
Jeff Merkley James E. Risch Ex Officio
Brian Schatz
Chris Van Hollen


Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Cory Booker Ranking MemberJeff Flake Chairman
Chris Coons Todd Young
Tom Udall John Barrasso
Jeff Merkley Johnny 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 page here.

Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (3)
Chris Van Hollen ChairmanBill Hagerty
Jeff Merkley Pete Ricketts
Brian Schatz James E. Risch Ex 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 Markey Ranking MemberCory Gardner Chairman
Jeff Merkley Jim Risch
Chris Murphy Marco Rubio
Tim Kaine John 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 page here.

Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (4)
Jeanne Shaheen ChairmanPete Ricketts Ranking Member
Christopher Murphy Rand Paul
Chris Van Hollen John Barrasso
Tammy Duckworth James E. Risch Ex Officio


Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Chris Murphy Ranking MemberRon Johnson Chairman
Edward Markey James Risch
Bob Menendez John Barrasso
Jeanne Shaheen Rob 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 page here.

Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (5)Republican members (4)
Tammy Duckworth ChairmanJohn Barrasso Ranking Member
Christopher A. Coons Bill Hagerty
Brian Schatz Rand Paul
Jeanne Shaheen James E. Risch Ex 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 Merkley Ranking MembersTodd Young Chairman
Tom Udall Jeff Flake
Chris Coons Cory Gardner
Edward Markey John 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 page here.

Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (2)
Christopher Murphy ChairmanTed Cruz
Jeanne Shaheen James E. Risch Ex 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 Kaine Ranking MemberJames Risch Chairman
Bob Menendez Marco Rubio
Chris Murphy Ron Johnson
Cory Booker Todd 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 page here.

Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development Members, 2025-2026
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Tim Kaine Bill Hagerty Ranking Member
Cory Booker Pete Ricketts
Christopher A. Coons Ted Cruz
Christopher Murphy Rand Paul
James E. Risch Ex Officio


Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development Members, 2017-2018
Democratic members (4)Republican members (5)
Jeanne Shaheen Ranking MemberJohnny Isakson Chairman
Chris Coons James Risch
Cory Booker Marco Rubio
Bob Menendez Rob 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 page here.

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 Kaine ChairmanTed Cruz
Jeff Merkley James E. Risch Ex 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 Menendez Ranking MemberMarco Rubio Chairman
Tom Udall Ron Johnson
Jeanne Shaheen Jeff Flake
Tim Kaine Cory 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
Nominee Announced Hearings Received Status Vote
Marco Rubio November 13, 2024 January 15, 2025 January 20, 2025 Confirmed on January 20, 2025 99-0
Tony Blinken November 23, 2020 January 19, 2021 January 20, 2021 Confirmed on January 26, 2021 78-22
Mike Pompeo March 13, 2018 April 12, 2018 March 20, 2018 Confirmed on April 26, 2018 57-42
Rex Tillerson December 13, 2016 January 11, 2017 January 20, 2017 Confirmed on February 1, 2017 56-43
John Kerry December 21, 2012 January 24, 2013 January 22, 2013 Confirmed on January 29, 2013 94-3
Hillary Clinton December 1, 2008 January 13, 2009 January 20, 2009 Confirmed on January 21, 2009 94-2

Jurisdiction

According to the official Senate 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, and Ben Cardin (D) became chairman. It became permanent in August when Menendez resigned from Congress. Please click 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. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named subcom
  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
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