Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing (but not administering) and funding foreign aid programs as well as funding, arms sales and training for national allies. 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. Along with the Finance and Judiciary committees, the Foreign Relations Committee is one of the oldest in the Senate, going back to the initial creation of committees in 1816. Its sister committee in the U.S. House of Representatives is the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (renamed from International Relations by the 110th Congress in January 2007).

Bolton nomination
On September 7, 2006, the committee postponed a scheduled vote on the nomination of John R. Bolton to be the U.S. representative to the United Nations. Bolton had been serving the post since 2005, when President Bush appointed him through a recess appointment. The delay was caused by the opposition of Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), who sits on the committee. Given that all eight committee Democrats opposed Bolton’s nomination, the vote was likely to be 9-9, one short of the necessary majority to send the nomination to the Senate floor. 

Petraeus report
On September 11, 2007, General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Senate Committee on Armed Services. During his testimony he was questioned by five Presidential hopefuls, Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Joe Biden (D-Del.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.), along with many other senators. During the questioning, Democrats sought to portray Petraeus's description of the situation in Iraq as overly optimistic, while Petraeus and Crocker defended their assessment.

External articles

 * Libby George, “Postponed Vote on U.N. Nominee Bolton Puts Confirmation in Question,” Congressional Quarterly, September 7, 2006.

Contact information
Committee Web site


 * Majority staff office - (202) 224-4651
 * Minority staff office - (202) 224-3953