Meeting With Secretary of State-Designate Mike Pompeo
Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after an hour-long meeting with Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of state.
“Director Pompeo and I had a very good meeting,” said Corker. “I was very impressed with him and his knowledge base and appreciated the opportunity to understand his world view. As I shared with him, our committee will move through the nomination process as expeditiously as possible.”
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee expects to hold a hearing on the Pompeo nomination in April.
Wide-Ranging Conversation on CBS' Face the Nation
Senator Corker on Sunday appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation. The senator sat down with moderator Margaret Brennan last week to discuss the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state, President Trump’s decision to accept an invitation to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the Iran nuclear deal, and other news of the day.
On the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state:
“It's my sense that [Mike] Pompeo is much more aligned with the president. And so I think one of the questions he’ll get…during the hearing process, is just ensuring that he's going to be giving honest assessments and that full range of options to the president as decisions are being made. My sense is, though, they will get along. They will move much more fully together as they move down the path on foreign policy.”
On confirmation of a secretary of state by May:
“I hope that's the case, but we'll see…[W]e have 21 members, and so it takes 11. And we have one member who said they would oppose him. There were two Democrats who voted for [Mike] Pompeo on the floor, who are members of the committee, for CIA.”
On the future of the Iran nuclear deal:
“The Iran deal will be another issue that's coming up in May, and right now it doesn’t feel like it’s going to be extended. I think the president likely will move away from it, unless our European counterparts really come together on a framework [to strengthen the agreement]. And it doesn’t feel to me that they are. Now, as we get within two weeks of the May 12th date, that could change.”
On a meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un:
“I think ultimately it happens. I do. You've already…seen the administration sort of move away from an instant meeting. They've said that…they don't know exactly when it's going to occur…I think you're seeing that happen because the realities of what you have to do in preparation to make sure that it’s successful. It takes a while for that to occur.”
On Rex Tillerson’s service as secretary of state:
“I think he knows he's laid the groundwork for North Korea. He feels like he's moved things along in a good way. [He] wants to have a very good transition with [Mike] Pompeo. He's a class act in that regard. So I think he's at peace. I think he obviously wanted to stay a year. He moved beyond that. I think he was planning to be here this entire year also to make it two, but, look, I think he feels like he served his country well.”
Click here or on the image above to watch the full interview.
Talking News of the Day on Fox News With Laura Ingraham
Last week, in an interview on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle”, Senator Corker discussed the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state, whether sanctuary cities will be defunded in the upcoming spending bill, his support for tax reform, and other news of the day.
On the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as secretary of state:
“I look forward to a good confirmation process… The president called me on his way out West about 10:00 from Air Force One, and as I mentioned to him, every one of these people serve at his pleasure. It is his decision.”
On whether sanctuary cities will be defunded in the upcoming spending bill:
“I think we should follow through on defunding [sanctuary cities]… But regardless of the defunding, which I hope occurs, it is an awful amount of money. We are spending $2 trillion more over the next decade if we go through with this process. I think the American people ought to be alarmed by the massive amount of spending that is in this bill, and we ought to defund sanctuary cities.”
On his support for tax reform:
“I have been a deficit hawk my entire time [in the Senate], but I have also been a pro-growth [tax reform] person. Nothing is perfect here… But at the end of the day, I am glad the economy is growing. I am glad businesses are hiring people and wages are going up.”
On deterring Russian aggression:
“[During the Obama administration], we tried to get lethal defensive weapons into Ukraine and couldn’t do it. We passed a bill to make that happen, and now the Trump administration is sending those lethal defensive weapons [into Ukraine].”
“I heard President Trump speak up about the [situation] in the U.K. I think the rhetoric from him is getting stronger. Certainly, Congress on both sides of the aisle has been pushing back. Russia is a problem.”
On the administration’s decision to impose new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports:
“Well, I wish [the president] would focus more on China. I’ll just be honest. It looks like we’re trying to punish our allies when the focus should be multilaterally against China.”
Click here or on the image above to watch the interview.
Helping Our Community Bank Better Serve Hardworking Americans
Senator Corker, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, released the following statement last week after Senate passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S.2155). The bipartisan legislation, authored by Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and cosponsored by Corker, is targeted toward helping community banks, credit unions, mid-sized banks and regional banks.
“Since Dodd-Frank was signed into law in 2010, community banks in Tennessee and across our country have faced an overwhelming and disproportionate regulatory burden,” said Corker. “These reforms are long overdue and not only will help our community banks better serve hardworking Americans but also will ensure small businesses have access to the credit they need. I thank Chairman Crapo for his leadership on this legislation and many of my colleagues for coming together in this bipartisan effort.”
Federal Tax Reform and Tennessee’s Business-Friendly Environment Helping Drive Investments
On Wednesday, Senator Corker released the following statement after Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and FedEx Corporation Chairman and CEO Frederick W. Smith announced the company is making a capital investment of more than $1 billion to modernize its Memphis hub and improve operational efficiency and reliability.
“It is a point of pride that every day from its Memphis headquarters, FedEx connects 220 countries and territories together – linking more than 99 percent of the world’s GDP,” said Corker. “This investment will help ensure FedEx’s continued growth in the region and benefit thousands of current and future employees. I applaud FedEx for deepening their commitment to the Volunteer State and am pleased to see federal tax reform and Tennessee’s business-friendly environment helping drive investments in our state.”
In January, following passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, FedEx announced more than $3.2 billion in wage increases, bonuses, pension funding, and expanded U.S. capital investment, including modernization of the Memphis Hub project.
Thrilled to See Volkswagen Realizing Its Full Potential
Senator Corker released the following statement after Volkswagen announced it will invest approximately $340 million to build a new five-passenger SUV at its Chattanooga plant.
“Following a collective effort by so many in our community and state to bring a major auto manufacturer to Enterprise South, one of the most meaningful days in my public service career occurred nearly ten years ago when I received the call that Volkswagen had chosen Chattanooga,” said Corker. “And over the years, we have worked hand in hand with Volkswagen leadership in Germany and our state officials to ensure the company would continue to thrive in our city. This important partnership has benefited thousands of families and generated extensive economic activity in surrounding communities while solidifying Tennessee as the premier location for automobile manufacturing. I am thrilled to see Volkswagen realizing its full potential and congratulate the hardworking employees on their continued success.”
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant currently employs 3,450 individuals and assembles the Atlas SUV and Passat midsize sedan. As mayor of Chattanooga from 2001-2005, Corker worked with officials and community leaders to develop the 1,200 acre Enterprise South Industrial Park, which is now home to Volkswagen’s North American manufacturing headquarters. Much of the negotiation that led to Volkswagen choosing Chattanooga occurred around the dining room table of Corker’s Chattanooga home.
Working to Give Songwriters the Fair Pay They've Earned
Last week in Tennessee, Senator Corker and Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) spoke with a group of Nashville songwriters about legislation they introduced earlier this year to help ensure songwriters are paid fair market value for their songs. The legislation – the Music Modernization Act – would set up a new simplified licensing entity to make it easier for digital music companies to obtain a license to play songs and ensure songwriters are paid the royalties they are owed.
The songwriters, who are a part of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), talked about how the bill would be beneficial for the thousands of songwriters in Tennessee and those across the country. The songwriters called the legislation the “most significant change in music licensing laws in decades” to ensure they are paid fair value for their songs.
“It was great to be in Nashville to hear from songwriters and discuss how we can ensure that these talented individuals and those coming after them can thrive,” said Corker. “Our state is blessed with a vibrant music industry composed of talented songwriters, skilled musicians, and countless small and large businesses. While the industry has transformed with advances in technology and new platforms providing access to music, we have yet to modernize the way music creators are compensated for their work. This legislation will help improve the music marketplace so that it works not only for consumers but also the countless people who bring to life the music we enjoy each day.”
Click here to learn more about the Music Modernization Act.
Freeing Up $300 Million to Feed Nearly 9 Million More People
On Wednesday, Senators Corker and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize U.S. global food assistance programs as part of the 2018 farm bill. The Food for Peace Modernization Act of 2018 (FPMA) proposes greater efficiencies in the Food for Peace program so the U.S. can free up as much as $275 million to provide life-saving food to nearly 9 million more people in a shorter time period.
“We currently spend 30 cents on the dollar for actual food in the Food for Peace program. At no extra taxpayer expense, we can put more food into food aid and have it arrive months faster to feed millions of additional starving people without lessening the critical role of American farmers,” said Corker. “This bill is a win for everyone involved. We have made substantial progress in recent years in building support among stakeholders for these reforms, including support from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The farm bill provides the opportunity to more fully modernize our food aid efforts when there is enormous need around the world, and I am hopeful with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate that we will be successful.”
Around the world today, 75 million people are at risk of starvation and 800 million people are in need of food aid, and yet only 30 percent of Food for Peace funding pays for food. The remaining 70 percent accounts for overhead and transportation costs from inefficiencies required in existing law. FPMA would amend current food aid authorities in the farm bill to deliver more food faster to those in need around the world while maintaining an important role for U.S. farmers.
Click here to learn more about the Food for Peace Modernization Act of 2018.
Welcoming Tennesseans to Washington
Last week, Senators Corker and Alexander hosted more than 200 Tennesseans at “Tennessee Tuesday,” a regular breakfast held on Capitol Hill every week the Senate is in session for visitors from the Volunteer State. For more information, click here.
Last week, Senator Corker welcomed students from Robert E. Ellis Middle School (Hendersonville) to the Capitol.
Senator Corker last week met with Tennessee members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority to discuss a wide range of issues.
Making It Clear That the U.S. Stands With Our Allies in the Face of Russia's Destabilizing Behavior
On Thursday, Senator Corker, a lead author of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), released the following statement in response to new sanctions imposed by the administration against Russia for malicious cyber-attacks and interference in the 2016 elections. The U.S. also signed a joint statement with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom condemning the use of a banned nerve agent in Britain and allegations of Russia’s involvement in the attack.
“The administration continues to use the diverse tools at its disposal, including CAATSA, to push back against Putin’s aggression,” said Corker. “I applaud the president for joining with us to make clear that the U.S. stands with our allies in the face of Russia’s destabilizing behavior.”
Protecting Our Peace Corps Volunteers
On Wednesday, Senator Corker praised unanimous Senate passage of legislation to reform the Peace Corps. The Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 would improve access to medical care for volunteers, strengthen accountability and oversight, and enhance procedures to reduce the risk of crime in the countries in which volunteers serve. The legislation is named in honor of Nick Castle, of Brentwood, Calif., who lost his life at age 23 due to inadequate health care while serving in China in 2013. It was later determined by the inspector general that flaws in medical care and the response to his illness contributed to his death. Nick passed away five years ago last month.
“Very simple steps would have saved Nick’s life," said Sue and David Castle, the parents of Nick Castle. “As parents, we have worked for legislation to ensure this never happens to another family, and we believe this legislation will make the changes that are needed. Nick wanted to make a difference in this world, but he didn't have time to do that. We hope with the passing of this legislation that he can make a true lasting impact on the Peace Corps.”
“I am always inspired by young people, like Nick Castle, who dedicate themselves to making a difference early in life,” said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Nick exemplified the extraordinary commitment of Peace Corps volunteers who devote 2-3 years in service to our country. They deserve the very best support we can provide. Our bill will expand oversight and accountability at the Peace Corps while improving the care our volunteers receive overseas and for service-related injuries when they return home. Following unanimous passage of this legislation in the Senate, I am encouraged by continued progress in our efforts to strengthen the Peace Corps and honor Nick Castle’s memory.”
Click here to learn more about the Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018.
