Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Zimbabwe's Parliament approved a constitutional amendment extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030. US politicians criticized the move, with Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Gregory Meeks accusing Mnangagwa of consolidating power and citing concerns over corruption. Mnangagwa faces existing US sanctions over corruption and human rights abuses.

Congress evaluates the consequences of President Trump's nearly four-month war with Iran, including lives lost, financial costs, and regional political shifts. Senators express divided opinions, with some calling the conflict a 'failure' and others claiming it made the U.S. 'safer.' The Pentagon seeks increased funding, and an investigation into a U.S. strike on an Iranian elementary school remains unresolved.

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded Congress receive an immediate briefing on the US-Iran agreement, stating lawmakers must review any nuclear accord as required by law. She criticized President Donald Trump for entering the conflict without a clear strategy, citing weakened US position, 14 service member deaths, and economic impacts like higher inflation.

Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation to authorize sanctions on Sudan’s warring factions, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee passing a bill and the Senate introducing a similar measure. The bills aim to pressure the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, address humanitarian aid blockages, and extend the Special Envoy to Sudan role. The conflict in Sudan continues, with both sides accused of atrocities against civilians.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is demanding transparency from the State Department regarding Trump’s Board of Peace, citing concerns about accountability and the use of $10 billion in U.S. funding. She questioned whether funds could compensate Trump and highlighted that international donations are deposited in a JPMorgan account instead of a planned World Bank fund.

Jeff Bartos, U.S. ambassador for United Nations Management and Reform, claims significant progress in UN reform with $570 million in budget cuts and 2,900 positions eliminated through consensus among 193 member states. The Trump administration has linked continued U.S. funding to structural changes at the UN, which faces a liquidity crisis due to delayed member-state payments.

The United States may resume funding for a global humanitarian vaccine alliance, reversing a decision by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to hold up the money because of vaccine concerns, as indicated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio stated the State Department was wresting back control.

Iran has mined parts of the Hormuz Strait, according to Secretary of State Rubio, who called the actions illegal in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stating Cuba requires systemic reforms. The administration is engaging with Cuban officials, including Raul Castro's grandson.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that despite significant irritants in the US-China relationship, both countries must maintain communication to de-escalate potential conflicts. He emphasized the need for dialogue to prevent broader issues between the world's two largest economies and militaries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in back-to-back Capitol Hill hearings about the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts, facing criticism from a Democratic lawmaker over the impact of Elon Musk’s involvement in dismantling USAID programs. Protests occurred during his testimony, and the Senate discussed funding for immigration enforcement amid a paused $1.776 billion settlement for Trump allies.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Iran war 'is over now' during Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony. He faced a heated exchange with Sen. Cory Booker over proposals to ease sanctions on Iran and denied claims the Trump administration seeks a deal similar to the Obama-era agreement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about potential nuclear talks with Iran, despite a fragile ceasefire and congressional skepticism. He noted Iran's willingness to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program previously rejected but acknowledged no guarantees of a successful outcome. Democrats criticized Trump administration policies on Iran, with Sen. Chris Van Hollen accusing the administration of recklessness in supporting Israeli military actions.

Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized State Secretary Marco Rubio during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing over the Trump administration's war in Iran and changes to foreign aid policies. Van Hollen denounced the administration's actions as a 'dumpster fire' and labeled the Iran war 'illegal.'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the war in Iran. CBS News congressional correspondent Taurean Small provided further details on the testimony.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims Iran has agreed to negotiate aspects of its nuclear program that it previously refused to discuss, while Iran announced it is halting peace talks and moving to fully close the Hormuz Strait.

State Secretary Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stating there are indications that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive. He expanded on the communication methods being used to negotiate with Tehran.

Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stating that Trump initiated an Iran war due to Iran's missile and drone buildup aimed at defending its nuclear aspirations. The conflict, linked to Operation Epic Fury, faces criticism for its prolonged duration.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Live coverage is available for the hearing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department budget request as negotiations to end the war in Iran face a roadblock. President Trump expressed optimism last week about securing a deal with Iran to end hostilities.

Republican senators led by Jim Risch are backing Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz and condemning violent protests against his government. Paz, who was elected on promises of economic reform, is facing backlash over unpopular policies like ending fuel subsidies. The US senators are calling on the international community to support Bolivia's economic stabilization efforts.

Senator Jim Risch won the Idaho Republican primary, moving closer to a fourth Senate term, after being endorsed by President Donald Trump. Risch is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has been involved in debates over Trump's foreign policies. The win sets him up for a potential fourth term in the Senate.

Sen. Jim Risch won Idaho's Republican primary, moving closer to a fourth Senate term. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump and is chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The win sets him up for a potential fourth term in the Senate.

Two influential Republican congressional staffers on US-Africa policy, John Tomaszewski and Joe Foltz, are departing Capitol Hill this month. Tomaszewski is joining the National Endowment for Democracy while Foltz is moving to logistics company Zipline. Their simultaneous departures occur as Frank Garcia is confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, potentially weakening Capitol Hill advocacy for Africa policy during critical regional conflicts.

Republican and Democratic senators are urging President Trump to counter China's expanding influence in Latin America ahead of his May meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The bipartisan resolution, introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), highlights concerns over China's regional impact.