With much of the attention given to the Federal Government's shutdown this week some developments abroad have been glossed over. As Chairman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Menendez is a key player in America's foreign policy and this week responded to the draft U.N resolution on Syria's chemical weapons and announced a new round of sanctions on Iran. In response to the draft U.N resolution on Syria's chemical weapons Menendez stated that while the resolution showed positive development it remained to be seen whether Assad was committed to the process, and whether Russia would compel them to cooperate with the international mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons (Tinder). Menendez went on to state that the continued potential use of force must remain on the table "to ensure the elimination of all of Syria's chemical weapons and production facilities" (Tinder). Menendez has played a part in a small development in regards to Iran. This week Menendez stated that the Senate intends to move forward with new sanctions on Iranian petroleum; however Menendez also went on to state that Iran could be given some relief from sanctions if they meet its "Security Council responsibilities" (Mohammed). Though no substantive developments have occurred in foreign policy over the last week, which have involved Senator Menendez, the Senator continues to be involved in America's response to key developing situations abroad.
This week the federal government shutdown as a result of Congress failing to pass a budget prior to Tuesday. Since Monday the Senate has refused three separate Continuing Resolutions (Politico). Senator Menendez has voted to strip the House Continuing Resolutions of the language which would alter the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act each time it has reached the Senate, he then voted to pass the "clean" Continuing Resolutions each time (Opencongress). In response to the shutdown Senator Menendez called it a "tragedy for the nation that is totally unnecessary" (Stirling). Menendez went on to call the Republicans "morally irresponsible" for causing the shutdown, arguing that the law was passed by congress, signed by the president, and upheld by the courts; and that until they can take Congress and the Presidency and repeal the law they are tasked with keeping the government running (Stirling). To Senator Menendez the Democrats have already compromised with Republicans by offering to agree to a budget with sequestration cuts, about $80 billion, included; stating that the Republicans can claim a victory from this (Stirling). Menendez served in the House of Representatives during the last government shutdown and has stated that the economic consequences of the shutdown amount to real damage, not only federal employees but to any person or business which need to access federal agencies ( NBC40.net).
Sources:
Tinder, Paul. Corker, Menendez issue statements on U.N Syrian resolution. BioPrepWatch.com. posted October 1, 2013. http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/corker-menendez-issue-statements-on-u-n-syrian-resolution/332787/
Mohammed, Arshad. Senator Menendez says moving on new Iran oil sanctions, open to relief. Reuters. Posted October 3, 2013. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/03/us-iran-usa-sherman-menendez-idUSBRE9920LA20131003
Politico. 2013 government shutdown timeline: Congress' path to gridlock. Politico.com. Posted October 1, 2013. http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/government-shutdown-timeline-2013-97670.html
OpenCongress. Voting History: Senator Robert Menendez. http://www.opencongress.org/people/voting_history/400272_Robert_Menendez
Stirling, Stephen. Menendez calls on House Republicans to fund government, end shutdown. NJ.com. Posted October 1, 2013. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/menendez_calls_on_republicans_to_fund_government_end_shutdown.html
NBC40.net. Senator Menendez speaks about government shutdown. NBC40.net. Posted October 1, 2013. http://www.nbc40.net/story/23583148/senator-menendez-speaks-about-government-shutdown
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