Bob Menendez

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Redirect Template:Protection padlock Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox officeholder Robert Menendez (Template:IPAc-en; born January 1, 1954) is an American former politician and lawyer who represented New Jersey in the United States Senate from 2006<ref>Template:Cite book Gale Biography In Context.</ref> until his resignation in 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he also represented New Jersey's 13th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2006. His political career ended after he was convicted in a political corruption case in 2024, making him the first sitting member of Congress convicted of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ABC2024">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1974, Menendez was elected to the Union City School District's Board of Education. He studied political science at Saint Peter's University and graduated from Rutgers Law School. In 1986, he was elected mayor of Union City. While continuing to serve as mayor, he was elected in 1988 to represent the state's 33rd district in the New Jersey General Assembly and moved to the New Jersey Senate in 1991 upon winning the special election for the 33rd Senate district. The next year, Menendez won a seat in the House of Representatives. In January 2006, Menendez was appointed by Governor Jon Corzine to fill his vacated Senate seat. He was elected to a full six-year term in November and reelected in 2012 and 2018. Menendez chaired the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from 2013 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023.

Menendez was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2015; the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and the charges were dropped in 2018. In 2018, the United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics "severely admonished" Menendez for accepting gifts from donor Salomon Melgen without obtaining committee approval, failing to disclose certain gifts, and using his position as a senator to advance Melgen's interests.

In September 2023, Menendez was again indicted on federal corruption charges that he aided and provided sensitive information to the government of Egypt.<ref name="Weiser-2023" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following month, he was charged with conspiracy to act as a foreign agent of the Egyptian government<ref name="scannell">Template:Cite news</ref> for accepting bribes in exchange for promoting Egypt's opposition to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile and for trying to convince the U.S. State Department to adopt Egypt's stance on this issue. A superseding indictment in January 2024 accused Menendez of also working for the government of Qatar. In March 2024, Menendez was indicted for obstruction of justice.<ref name="reuters-obstruction" /> In July 2024, a jury found him guilty of all charges.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez resigned from the Senate in August 2024<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in January 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NBC News-2025">Template:Cite web</ref> He has maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal the verdict.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of July 2025, Menendez was incarcerated at the minimum-security federal prison in Allenwood, Pennsylvania (FCI Allenwood Low).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

Menendez was born on January 1, 1954, in New York City to Cuban immigrants<ref name=WaPo_2009>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> who had left Cuba a few months earlier, in 1953.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> His father, Mario Menéndez, was a carpenter, and his mother, Evangelina, was a seamstress.<ref>Gettleman, Jeffrey (December 10, 2005). "Robert Menendez, a Politician Even at 20" Template:Webarchive. The New York Times.</ref> The family subsequently moved to New Jersey, where he grew up in an apartment in Union City. He attended Union Hill High School, where his speech teacher, Gail Harper, helped him develop as a public speaker. Menendez has said, "My mother and Miss Harper made me understand the power of education, what it means to put a premium on learning and working hard."<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=CongressBio>"Menendez, Robert, (1954 – )" Template:Webarchive. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 23, 2012.</ref> While at Union Hill, Menendez became the student body president.<ref>Bonamo, Mark J. (October 25, 2006). "Hudson County's culture of corruption Its local roots and prospects for changeRead more: Hudson Reporter – Hudson County s culture of corruption Its local roots and prospects for change" Template:Webarchive. Hudson Reporter.</ref> His father, Mario Menéndez, was reportedly a "compulsive gambler" who died by suicide on June 1, 1978, after deciding not to pay gambling debts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez became the first in his family to go to college,<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13"/> attending Saint Peter's College in Jersey City,<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13"/><ref name=SenateBiography>"Biography" Template:Webarchive. Robert Menendez-US Senator for New Jersey. United States Senate. Retrieved January 5, 2014.</ref><ref name=Rutgers>"Spotlight on: Hon. Esther Salas '94 – First Latina on New Jersey District Court" Template:Webarchive. Rutgers School of Law at Rutgers University, Newark. Retrieved January 5, 2014.</ref> where he was a member of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He graduated with a B.A. in political science and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School in 1979.<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13"/><ref name=SenateBiography/><ref name=Rutgers/> Menendez was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1980<ref>"Robert Menendez" Template:Webarchive. Library of Congress. Retrieved September 23, 2012.</ref><ref>"Congressional Directory: New Jersey". 2010. Page 168. Retrieved September 23, 2012.</ref> and became a lawyer in private practice.<ref name=CongressBio/><ref>"Robert Menéndez (D)" Template:Webarchive. U.S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 23, 2012.</ref><ref>"Rep. Robert Menendez (D)" Template:Webarchive. Almanac of American Politics 2004. National Journal. May 18, 2003.</ref>

Early political career

Union City politics (1974Template:Ndash1992)

At the start of his career, Menendez was an aide to Union City mayor and state senator William V. Musto. In 1974, he was elected to the Union City Board of Education, the youngest candidate ever to win election to the board.<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13" /><ref name="Wildstein-2024">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1982, he unsuccessfully challenged Musto for mayor.<ref name="Wildstein-2024" />

In the 1984 presidential election and 1985 state elections for governor and General Assembly, the Republican Party carried Hudson County, with crucial support from Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann. To build on their gains in the urban, normally Democratic county, Republicans made a significant investment in the 1986 municipal elections. In Union City, Republicans funded an "Alliance Civic Association" (ACA) ticket for city council, led by Republican Assemblyman Ronald Dario. His running mates were two Republicans, Manny Alcobar and Charles Velli, and two Democrats, Menendez and future mayor Bruce Walter.<ref name="Wildstein-2024" />

The ACA swept the council elections with 57% of the vote, beating the reform slate "Transformation '86" and the incumbent "Union City Together" ticket. The Together party, which included Musto's wife, Commissioner Rhyta Musto, represented the remnants of Musto's political machine.<ref>Wherwein, Peter (May 14, 1984). "Alliance sweeps to power", Hudson Dispatch. pp. 1, 14.</ref> Although Republicans had formed and funded the ACA ticket on the premise that the new council would elect Dario mayor, Menendez and Walter convinced Alcobar to switch his vote to Menendez.<ref name="Wildstein-2024" />

New Jersey legislature (1987Template:Ndash1992)

In November 1987, Menendez was elected to represent New Jersey's 33rd district in the General Assembly. He also continued to serve as mayor until 1992. He held both offices until March 1991, when he moved from the Assembly to the New Jersey Senate upon winning the special election following the death of Christopher Jackman.<ref>"Menendez to Seek Congressional Seat" Template:Webarchive. The New York Times. April 8, 1992. Retrieved June 4, 2010.</ref>

U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2006)

Elections

In 1992, incumbent Democratic U.S. Congressman Frank Guarini, of New Jersey's 14th congressional district, retired after redistricting. The district had been renumbered as the 13th district and reconfigured as a Latino-majority district. Menendez decided to run in the primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—and defeated Robert Haney Jr., 68%–32%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He defeated New Jersey Superior Court Judge Fred J. Theemling Jr. in the general election with 64% of the vote.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After that, he was reelected every two years with at least 71% of the vote until he was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tenure

Menendez, who was described as very close to Republicans on foreign policy,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> voted for the failed Kosovo Resolution, authorizing the use of military force against Yugoslavia in the Kosovo War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was an early advocate of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities, sponsoring the Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1998, which passed the House but failed to pass the Senate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Representative Bob Menendez during the 109th Congress

Menendez voted for Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, authorizing the President to use military force in Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2002, Menendez voted against the Iraq Resolution to authorize the invasion of Iraq.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez voted against the United Nations Reform Act of 2005, cutting U.S. funding to the U.N. by 50% over three years, and sponsored the Tsunami Orphans and Unaccompanied Children Act of 2005 to assist victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez voted for the PATRIOT Act in 2001, and in 2006 for its reauthorization.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 105th Congress, Menendez voted for the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, repealing provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 that limited investment banks from acquiring insurance companies or other commercial banks, and voted for the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the 2001 Enron scandal, Menendez voted with 333 other House members for the Sarbanes–Oxley Act.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Although he had sometimes been portrayed as the political boss of Hudson County, he strongly dislikes this appellation, particularly because, according to an anonymous close source quoted in the December 11, 2005 Union City Reporter, "there is no boss of Hudson County".<ref>Menendez on the move: Corzine appoints replacement in Senate Template:Webarchive, Union City Reporter, December 11, 2005</ref> According to a 2005 New York Times op-ed, "Since entering politics as a corruption-fighting mayor of Union City, N.J., Mr. Menendez has become a proponent of business as usual. He has long been an entrenched de facto leader of the Hudson County Democratic machine."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In September 2006, just a few weeks before the 2006 Senate elections, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey, headed by Chris Christie, began investigating a rental deal with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, subpoenaing records from them. Some Democrats criticized the investigation, particularly the timing of the investigation and news leaks, as politically motivated.<ref name=NYT-Chen-2006>Template:Cite news</ref> No charges were brought and the case was closed in 2011 after Christie became the governor of New Jersey.<ref name=USAtoday-Gaudiano-2015> Template:Cite news</ref>

U.S. Senate (2006–2024)

In January 2006, Governor Jon Corzine appointed Menendez to fill the remaining year in Corzine's Senate term, from which Corzine resigned after being elected governor of New Jersey two months before. While several others had been mentioned, Menendez was the early favorite among pundits for Governor-elect Corzine's choice.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Corzine's decision to appoint Menendez got the support of several Latino groups, including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez was the sixth Latino to serve in the United States Senate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2015, Menendez was ranked No. 1 on The Hudson ReporterTemplate:'s annual Power List of the "Fifty Most Powerful Political Figures in Hudson County".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Elections

Official portrait, 2013

1996

Template:Main When incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Bradley decided to retire in August 1995,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez made known his intention to run in the 1996 election for the seat, but eventually dropped out of the race and endorsed Robert Torricelli, the Democrat representing New Jersey's 9th congressional district. Similarly, in 1999, when the state's other U.S. Senator, Frank Lautenberg, announced his planned retirement, Menendez again decided not to run, with the Democratic nomination for the 2000 race going to Goldman Sachs CEO Jon Corzine, who won the general election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2006

In the midterm elections held on November 7, near the end of his one-year appointment, Menendez ran to retain his Senate seat. He defeated Republican Thomas Kean Jr., incumbent minority whip in the New Jersey Senate, and son of former state governor Thomas Kean, with 53% of the vote to Kean's 45%.

Menendez was endorsed by several newspapers including The New York Times,<ref>"New Jersey's Senate Race" Template:Webarchive. The New York Times. October 30, 2006</ref> The Philadelphia Inquirer,<ref>"Robert Menendez for U.S. Senate". The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 15, 2006</ref> The Star-Ledger,<ref>"Robert Menendez for U.S. Senate". The Star-Ledger. October 29, 2006.Template:Webarchive</ref> and The Record.<ref>"Bland or blemished – Editorial"Template:Dead link. The Record. October 29, 2006Template:Dead link</ref>

Official portrait, 2015

2012

Menendez ran for reelection to a second full term and defeated Republican Joe Kyrillos on November 6, with 58% of the vote to Kyrillos's 39%.

2018

Menendez ran for reelection to a third full term and defeated Republican Bob Hugin on November 6, with 54% of the vote to Hugin's 42%.

2024

Template:Main In January 2024, Menendez was charged with corruption for promoting the interests of Qatar while receiving various illicit gifts such as cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz automobile.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 21, he announced that he would not run in the Democratic primary due to his indictment on federal corruption charges. He did not rule out running as an independent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 3, Menendez officially filed to run as an independent. He told the Associated Press that despite running as an independent he would not leave the Democratic Party.<ref name=IND>Template:Cite web</ref> But on July 23, upon his criminal conviction, Menendez announced his resignation from the Senate altogether.

Committee assignments

As of July 2019, Menendez served on the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the United States Senate Committee on Finance; and the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Foreign Relations (suspended chair)

Caucus memberships

• Armenian Caucus<ref>Armenian Genocide Marked by U.S. Legislators at Annual Capitol Hill Observance Template:Webarchive. The Armenian Weekly. April 17, 2011</ref>
• Congressional Autism Caucus
• Senate Taiwan Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• International Conservation Caucus
• Human Rights Caucus
• Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
• Friends of the Irish National Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Afterschool Caucuses<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tenure

On January 6, 2021, Menendez was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol. After rioters breached the Capitol, he was evacuated to an undisclosed location with other senators. He called the attack "anarchy" and "a sad day for our democracy".<ref name="Haskell">Template:Cite news</ref> After the Capitol was secure and Congress reconvened, Menendez voted to certify the election. Menendez blamed Trump and Republicans who supported Trump's baseless claims of voter fraud for inciting the attack.<ref name="Austin">Template:Cite news</ref> He also called for an investigation into white supremacy in the military.<ref name="Biryukov">Template:Cite news</ref>

Immigration

File:6.6.10StackMenendezByLuigiNovi16.jpg

Menendez (second from right) marching in the 2010 North Hudson Cuban Day Parade with Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack (second from left)

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Menendez marching in the 2010 Cuban Day Parade at Union City's northern border with West New York

Menendez is an "aggressive advocate" of immigration reform,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> calling it the "civil rights issue of our time".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has introduced multiple pieces of legislation in attempts to overhaul what he calls our "failed immigration system".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but it died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, he introduced the Orphans, Widows, and Widowers Protection Act, granting a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented widowers and orphans of deceased U.S. citizens.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez is a strong supporter of the DREAM Act, saying, "Children should not be punished for the actions of their parents. These kids have grown up as Americans, worked hard in school and now they want to serve our country in the military or pursue a college education. This is the only home many of them have known and they should be encouraged to pursue the American dream."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He voted for the DREAM Act in 2007 and was a cosponsor along with 31 other senators in the Act's failed passage in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez voted against denying legal status to illegal immigrants convicted of domestic violence, crimes against children and crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, but voted to establish a six-month to 20-year ban for undocumented immigrants seeking citizenship who had been convicted for the same crimes along with obstruction of justice, human trafficking and the participation of criminal gang activity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez supported the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, voting for both bills.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He voted against Senate Amendment 1151, declaring English the national language of the Federal government of the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He voted to continue federal funding for declared "sanctuary cities".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, building 700 miles (1,100 km) of physical barriers and expanding surveillance at the Mexico–U.S. border, and supported Senate Amendment 4775, which would have appropriated $1.8 billion for the construction of Template:Convert of triple-layered fencing, and Template:Convert of vehicle barriers along parts of the Southwest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 28, 2013, Menendez was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators that announced principles for comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014 the National Council of La Raza (America's largest Latino advocacy organization) recognized Menendez for his work in supporting immigration reform as a member of the "Gang of Eight".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Agriculture

In June 2019, Menendez and 18 other Democratic senators sent USDA Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong a letter requesting that she investigate USDA instances of retaliation and political decision-making and asserted that not conducting an investigation would mean these "actions could be perceived as a part of this administration's broader pattern of not only discounting the value of federal employees, but suppressing, undermining, discounting, and wholesale ignoring scientific data produced by their own qualified scientists".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Disaster relief

In April 2018, Menendez was one of five Democratic senators to sign a letter to FEMA administrator Brock Long calling on FEMA to enter an agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development that would "stand up the Disaster Housing Assistance Program and address the medium- and longer-term housing needs" of evacuees of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The senators asserted that "FEMA's refusal to use the tools at its disposal, including DHAP, to help these survivors is puzzling – and profoundly troubling" and that hundreds of hurricane survivors were susceptible to being left homeless in the event that FEMA and HUD continued not to work together.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Environment

Menendez introduced legislation that would incentivize the conversion of vehicles to run on natural gas; the bill did not make it out of committee in its first incarnation and failed to receive 60 votes required to pass in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news
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In February 2019, in response to reports of the EPA intending to decide against setting drinking water limits for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as part of an upcoming national strategy to manage the aforementioned class of chemicals, Menendez was one of 20 senators to sign a letter to Acting EPA Administrator Andrew R. Wheeler calling on the agency "to develop enforceable federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, as well as institute immediate actions to protect the public from contamination from additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In June 2019, Menendez was one of 44 senators to introduce the International Climate Accountability Act, legislation that would prevent President Trump from using funds in an attempt to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and directing the Trump administration to develop instead a strategic plan for the United States that would allow it to meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Education

Menendez sponsored the Student Non-Discrimination Act, expanding Title IX of the Education Amendments Act to LGBT students, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011, which would also amend the Higher Education Act of 1965.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He voted for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, saying, "When someone is harassed, assaulted or killed simply because of the type of person they are, it's a crime against an entire community and our nation's values."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Menendez received a 94% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During a press conference about the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, Menendez claimed that New Jersey was facing a $10.5 billion shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget that would lead to cuts in state spending on education. PolitiFact rated this statement "false" because the 2012 budget was balanced and increased education funding.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

LGBT policy

Menendez voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as a congressman in 1996; on December 18, 2011, he came out in support of, and co-sponsored, the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez also voted for the U.S. military's Don't ask, don't tell as a congressman, and co-sponsored the DADT repeal act in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1999, Menendez voted against a proposed amendment that would have banned adoption in Washington D.C. by same-sex couples and other persons not related by blood or marriage. The amendment failed with 213 votes in favor and 215 votes against.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of gay rights, Menendez has said, "Two people who want to be committed to each other should be able to enter into marriage, and they should receive the benefits that flow from that commitment."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gun policy

Menendez has an "F" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund and a "F−" rating from the Gun Owners of America due to his support of gun law reform.<ref name="Blake1005g">Template:Cite news</ref> Specifically, he supports universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In January 2019, Menendez was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for either the sale or transfer of all firearms, including all unlicensed sellers. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law enforcement, loaning firearms for either hunting or sporting events on a temporary basis, providing firearms as gifts to members of one's immediate family, firearms transferred as part of an inheritance, or giving a firearm to another person temporarily for immediate self-defense.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In June 2019, Menendez was one of four senators to cosponsor the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act, legislation that would ban suppressors being imported, sold, made, sent elsewhere, or possessed and grant a silencer buyback program as well as include certain exceptions for current and former law enforcement personnel and others. The bill was intended to respond to the Virginia Beach shooting, where the perpetrator used a .45-caliber handgun with multiple extended magazines and a suppressor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Health care

In December 2018, Menendez was one of 42 senators to sign a letter to Trump administration officials Alex Azar, Seema Verma, and Steve Mnuchin arguing that the administration was improperly using Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act to authorize states to "increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions". The senators requested the administration withdraw the policy and "re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In January 2019, during the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, Menendez was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Commissioner of Food and Drugs Scott Gottlieb recognizing the efforts of the FDA to address the effect of the government shutdown on the public health and employees while remaining alarmed "that the continued shutdown will result in increasingly harmful effects on the agency's employees and the safety and security of the nation's food and medical products".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Foreign affairs

File:Senator Robert Menendez, CODEL, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept. 1, 2014 (14929307248).jpg

Menendez with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv, Ukraine, September 2014

Menendez holds that the success of America's foreign policy is "inextricably linked to the health of her domestic democracy", stating in the January 19, 2021, confirmation hearings of Secretary-designate Antony Blinken that public servants and senators have a "duty to stand up for democracy, for the constitution, and for the rule of law". He identified chief concerns as "rebuilding alliances, restoring American leadership in international institutions, and addressing complex global challenges like climate change, migration, pandemics like COVID-19". He identifies the "core American values" as "democracy, human rights, and the rule of law", upon which foreign policy should be recentered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2006, Menendez cosponsored legislation with Senator Hillary Clinton to make it illegal for foreign governments to buy U.S. port operations. The legislation was a direct response to Dubai Ports World's efforts to purchase Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) of the United Kingdom, which operates six major U.S. ports. Menendez said, "Our ports are the front lines of the war on terrorism. They are both vulnerable targets for attack and venues for smuggling and human trafficking. We wouldn't turn the Border Patrol or the Customs Service over to a foreign government, and we can't afford to turn our ports over to one either."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former undercover FBI agent Robert Eringer wrote in his 2008 book Ruse: Undercover with FBI Counterintelligence that Cuban diplomats approached him to infiltrate Cuban exile organizations. He said that the Cuban government believed Menendez and Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Díaz-Balart were receiving illicit payments from such organizations, and that it wanted to identify the source of the payments in order to "expose and humiliate" the three Congress members.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2009, Menendez sent a strongly worded letter of protest to Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, criticizing him for his praise of the Cuban government. Christofias, the leader of AKEL, Cyprus's communist party, from 1988 to 2009 and president from 2008 to 2013, had paid a state visit to Cuba in September 2009 for the opening of Cyprus's new embassy and, in his speech, made several anti-American embargo references, and spoke of the "common struggle of Cyprus and Cuba". In his letter to Christofias, Menendez wrote, "you cannot claim human rights violations by Turkey in your country and then ignore such violations in Cuba. Second, you cannot call for property rights for Greek Cypriots and then deny them on Cuba. Finally, you cannot take issue with the militarization of northern Cyprus and then ignore the state security apparatus that oppresses the Cuban people."<ref>Evripidou, Stefanos. "Christofias pressed in US over Havana embassy plan"Template:Dead link, Cyprus Mail, September 23, 2008.</ref><ref>Hazou, Elias. "US Senator calls Christofias' Cuba remarks 'disrespectful and insensitive'"Template:Dead link, Cyprus Mail, November 24, 2009.</ref>

In December 2010, Menendez voted for the ratification of New Start,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and the Russian Federation obliging both countries to have no more than 1,550 strategic warheads or 700 launchers deployed during the next seven years along with providing a continuation of on-site inspections that halted when START I expired the previous year. It was the first arms treaty with Russia in eight years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On August 18, 2015, Menendez announced his opposition to the nuclear deal with Iran, saying, "President Obama continues to erroneously say that this agreement permanently stops Iran from having a nuclear bomb, Let's be clear: What the agreement does is to recommit Iran not to pursue a nuclear bomb, a promise they have already violated in the past."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In March 2017, Menendez co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S.270), which made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2018, Menendez urged Vice President Mike Pence to enter talks with Ecuador about withdrawing its asylum for Julian Assange. His letter, signed by nine other senators, alleged that it was Assange's goal to "undermine democratic processes globally".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2018, Menendez voted against Bernie Sanders's and Chris Murphy's resolution that would end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> But Menendez criticized Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen,<ref>"Senators doubt benefit of US support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen Template:Webarchive". Al-Jazeera. April 18, 2018.</ref> saying, "The Saudi Coalition bears significant responsibility for the magnitude of human suffering and scale of destruction in Yemen. Seventy-five percent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 8 million are on the brink of famine."<ref name="senate">Template:Cite web</ref> Noting concerns with the language after voting for Bob Corker's resolution naming the Saudi crown prince "responsible" for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, he said, "regardless of all of my other concerns about language is the central essence of what the chairman is going to do. I think it's incredibly important for the Senate to speak on that issue and hopefully speak with one voice."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:HK activists at the U.S. Senate Foreign Committee.jpg

Menendez with Hong Kong activists who became prominent figures in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests

Menendez condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Menendez raised the issue of Xinjiang internment camps and called China's persecution of Uyghurs "beyond abhorrent",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> adding, "The President needs to have a clear and consistent approach to China, and not turn a blind eye as a million Muslims are unjustly imprisoned and forced into labor camps by an autocratic regime."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In January 2019, Menendez opposed Trump's planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan as a threat to U.S. national security.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2019, Menendez was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America", asserting that Trump had "consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance" since becoming president and that he was "personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity" by preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding. The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S. by helping to improve conditions in those countries.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In June 2019, Menendez called for the immediate release of Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev, who was being held in custody by militants from the so-called Donetsk People's Republic.<ref>Where Are... Template:Webarchive // «Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty», September 30, 2019</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Better source needed</ref>

In October 2019, Menendez stated his opposition to the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Menendez called for the Trump administration to immediately suspend U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan,<ref name="defensenews">Template:Cite news</ref> sent through Pentagon's "building partner assistance program".<ref name="defensenews"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to critics, the aid could be used in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.<ref name="defensenews"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2020, Menendez tweeted: "I strongly condemn Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno Karabakh, yet another act of aggression supported by Turkey."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He co-signed a letter stating: "We have been very critical of U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan given the country's human rights record and aggression in the region. Earlier this year, at Senator Menendez's request, the Government Accountability Office agreed to conduct a review of security assistance to the country to ensure that it aligns with U.S. interests; this violence indicates that it does not."<ref name="defensenews"/>

In September 2022, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Menendez criticized the Biden administration for hesitating to impose sanctions on the governments of Sudan and Ethiopia, where many atrocities and war crimes were committed in the Tigray War.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Menendez became chair of the Foreign Relations Committee after John Kerry's confirmation as Secretary of State in January 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His "Syria force resolution" was praised by President Obama and others. Menendez has supported taking a "hard line" on Iran.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Foreign affairs legislation sponsored

• Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (S. 793; 113th Congress) – Menendez introduced this bill on April 24, 2013.<ref name=793sum>Template:Cite web</ref> The bill would require the Secretary of State to develop a multiyear strategy to bolster the Organization of American States (OAS) and improve the OAS's processes for managing its budget and personnel.<ref name=cbo793>Template:Cite web</ref> The act would require the Secretary to provide quarterly briefings to Congress on the progress of implementing that strategy.<ref name="cbo793"/>
• Support for United States-Republic of Korea Civil Nuclear Cooperation Act – Menendez introduced this bill, which would authorize the President to extend the term of the "Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy" to a date no later than March 19, 2016.<ref name=1901sum>Template:Cite web</ref> The bill passed the Senate on January 27, 2014, and the House on January 28, 2014.<ref name=petehousequickly>Template:Cite news</ref>

• Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (Template:USBill), was introduced by Menendez to the 113th Congress on September 16, 2014, to address pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine. It was co-sponsored by 14 other senators.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> President Obama signed the bill into law on December 18, 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022. In light of the prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, this legislation gave Ukraine $500 million "to assist the country in meeting its defense needs".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The bill also reimposed sanctions on Russia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Other issues

On September 28, 2006, Menendez voted for the Military Commissions Act.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On June 12, 2007, Menendez endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and was given the position of National Campaign Co-chair. He made numerous media appearances in support of her campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2009, Menendez succeeded Senator Chuck Schumer of New York as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Menendez's tenure, which followed two straight election cycles of dramatic Democratic gains, was marked by a more troubled Democratic outlook. Critics of Menendez pointed out the surprising Democratic loss in the 2010 Massachusetts Senate special election that followed the death of Ted Kennedy; Menendez's lower-key, more cautious management style; and problems caused by retirements in Indiana and elsewhere. Others, such as Schumer, defended Menendez's performance, citing the negative political climate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A group of New Jersey citizens launched an effort to recall Menendez in early 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although Article 1, Paragraph 2(b) of the New Jersey Constitution expressly authorizes such a recall,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> state officials fought the effort in court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 16, 2010, a State Appeals court ruled that the recall petition could proceed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez said he was surprised that a group claiming to be true to the Constitution was trying, in his words, "to undermine it".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He appealed the ruling.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Legal experts have debated the constitutionality of a state recall of a federal officeholder.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 18, 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court found that the New Jersey provision violated the U.S. Constitution.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported that Menendez had written to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> asking him to approve an acquisition that would rescue from the prospect of receivership a New Jersey bank, First Bank Americano, operated by Menendez donors.<ref name=bank>Template:Cite news</ref> It was discovered that "eight of 15 directors, including the bank's chairman and vice-chairman, have been contributors to Menendez or his political action committee".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Former federal bank regulator William K. Black called the letter "grotesquely inappropriate" and said that "the letter crossed an unofficial line by asking regulators to approve an application instead of simply asking that it be given consideration".<ref name=bank/> An aide to Menendez said that political contributions did not influence his decision to write the letter. A highly critical Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation report found that the institution had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices, including operating without adequate supervision by its board of directors, excessive delinquent or bad loans, inadequate earnings, and insufficient coverage of its assets.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On January 5, 2012, Menendez blocked Judge Patty Shwartz, an Obama administration nominee, to a federal judgeship, drawing speculation that the block was placed because of Shwartz's relationship with the head of the public corruption unit for New Jersey's federal prosecutor, who had investigated Menendez during his 2006 campaign.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez denied personal motivation for the block. He has long contended that the corruption investigation was politically motivated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The investigation was closed in late 2011 with no charges filed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On December 12, 2012, it was reported that Menendez's office had an unpaid intern volunteering who had let his visitor visa expire and was a registered sex offender.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been aware of the man as early as October 2012 but according to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructed their agents not to arrest the man until after Election Day. Menendez denied knowing about the allegation of the directive to delay the arrest and only recently learned of the arrest. According to two federal officials who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the case, the intern was arrested in front of his New Jersey home on December 6, 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In May 2014, Menendez received an award for Political Courage at a gala organized by the American Friends of Likud, where he reaffirmed the strong alliance between the U.S. and Israel and said, "several thousands of years of history lead to an undeniable conclusion: the reestablishment of the State of Israel in modern times is a political reality with roots going back to the time of Abraham and Sarah and historical texts and artifacts". He rejected movements to boycott Israel.<ref name="Fishman 2014">Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez became an outspoken advocate of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) after it was delisted.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Menendez spearheaded a nonbinding resolution in July 2018 "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution states the United States "should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of Vladimir Putin". It passed 98–0.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In April 2019, Menendez was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators hoped the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Menendez has pushed for a complete tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT). Most of the benefits of such a policy would benefit the wealthiest taxpayers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Implication in child prostitution scandal

In November 2012, the conservative political news and opinion website Daily Caller published allegations that Menendez had contact with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic.<ref name="wapo-investigate">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nyt-partisan" /> The allegations were promoted by Republican Party operatives, who arranged for ABC News and the Daily Caller to interview two women who accused Menendez of patronizing prostitutes.<ref name="abc-says"/> ABC News and other news organizations such as The New York Times and the New York Post declined to publish the allegations, viewing them as unsubstantiated and lacking credibility.<ref name="nyt-partisan">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="abc-says">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="atlantic-post">Template:Cite web</ref> One accuser stated that she had been paid to falsely implicate Menendez and had never met him.<ref name="abc-says"/><ref name="wapo-madeup">Template:Cite news</ref> The Daily Caller said this woman was not interviewed for its story.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez's office called the allegations "manufactured" by a "right-wing blog" as a politically motivated smear.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 18, 2013, Dominican police announced that three women had said they had been paid $300–$425 each to lie about having had sex with Menendez.<ref name="wapo-politics-03192013">Template:Cite news</ref>

Corruption charges and conviction

On August 27, 2006, two Republican state lawmakers filed an ethics complaint against Menendez, alleging he broke conflict-of-interest rules when renting property to a nonprofit agency that receives federal funds. Menendez helped the agency win designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center in 1998. That designation allowed it to receive additional federal grants.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez allies said that the organization in question, the North Hudson Community Action Corp., which provides social services and health care to the poor and was founded in 1960, had received federal funding for years before Menendez was in Congress, and receives its funding based on mathematical formulas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez said that he rented the property out below market value because "he was supportive of its work".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The total rent collected over nine years was over $300,000.

2015 indictment

Template:External media In January 2013, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents raided the office of Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, a close friend and major donor to Menendez.<ref name="eugbw">Jackson, Herb (October 24, 2013) Feds again raid Menendez doner's office. The Record.</ref> Later that month, a federal grand jury in Miami began investigating Menendez for his role in advocating for Melgen's business interests.<ref name="nytimes.com">Template:Cite web</ref> It was revealed over the following months that Menendez had paid Melgen nearly $59,000 for two private flights to the Dominican Republic in 2010.<ref name="eugbw"/> This raised questions about whether the flights violated Senate Ethics Committee rules.<ref name="egoi5">Phillis, Michael (July 16, 2014). Menendez defense fund sent more than $300,000. The Herald-News.</ref> It was also found that Melgen's company had contributed more than $950,000 to Menendez's 2012 reelection campaign.<ref name="eugbw"/> Melgen's home was raided again on October 22<ref name="eugbw"/> but he still refused to cooperate investigators.<ref>Tucker, Eric (March 31, 2015). Fed charges loom for friend of Menendez. Courier-Post.</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nytimes.com"/>

On April 1, 2015, the United States Department of Justice indicted Menendez and Melgen in United States v. Menendez (3d Cir. 2016). The charges against Menendez included bribery, fraud, and making false statements.<ref name="DOJ">Template:Cite web</ref> According to the indictment, Menendez asked top State Department officials to pressure the Dominican Republic's government to enforce a port-security contract that would benefit Melgen's company while at the same time Melgen was promising to give $60,000 to Menendez's campaign.<ref name="Paul">Template:Cite news</ref> Prosecutors also charged that Menendez acted as Melgen's "personal senator", helping obtain visas for several of Melgen's girlfriends.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Opening Arguments">Template:Cite news</ref> In return, Menendez was accused of accepting a range of gifts from Melgen, including trips on Melgen's private jet, three nights at a five-star Paris hotel, a round of golf at a private club in West Palm Beach, and access to an exclusive Dominican resort—some of which Menendez allegedly failed to report on financial disclosure forms.<ref name="DOJ" /> Melgen also donated a substantial amount of money to Menendez's political campaigns, and prosecutors said that $750,000 of those contributions were tied to personal benefits Menendez accepted.<ref name=majoritypac>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="WaPoSept7">Template:Cite news</ref>

After his indictment, Menendez voluntarily stepped down as ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> His trial began on September 6, 2017, before Judge William H. Walls of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.<ref name="Opening Arguments" /> On November 16, 2017, Walls declared a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a verdict on any charges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On January 31, 2018, the Justice Department announced it was dropping all charges against Menendez.<ref name="wapo 20180131">Template:Cite news</ref> The case was strongly shaped by McDonnell v. United States, the 2016 Supreme Court decision to vacate the corruption conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, which narrowed the legal definition of public corruption and made it harder for prosecutors to prove that a political official engaged in bribery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Melgen was convicted of 66 counts of health-care fraud and in February 2018 was sentenced to 17 years in prison; President Trump commuted his sentence in January 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In April 2018, the United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics "severely admonished" Menendez in a letter,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> writing:

2023 indictment

File:Robert Menendez at Morton's The Steakhouse in Washington DC, May 2019.png

Menendez was surveilled and photographed by FBI agents at Morton's The Steakhouse in Washington, DC in May 2019.<ref name="nyt-trial-june-4">Template:Cite news</ref>

Beginning in late 2022, questions were raised about whether Menendez or his wife accepted allowable gifts from an Edgewater, New Jersey, halal meat provider and whether an Egyptian firm received unwarranted favorable treatment.<ref>Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey to set up legal defense fund amid criminal probe Template:Webarchive, NBC News, Jonathan Dienst, Ken Dilanian and Zoë Richards, April 17, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.</ref> Subpoenas unrelated to the latter firm were issued in May 2023 to Nicholas Sacco, the mayor of North Bergen, New Jersey, and others.<ref>Criminal investigation into Sen. Bob Menendez expands with new subpoenas Template:Webarchive, NBC News, Jonathan Dienst and Courtney Copenhagen, May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.</ref> Investigators found $480,000 in cash and more than $100,000 worth of gold bars at Menendez's home.<ref name="Associated Press-2023">Template:Cite web</ref> On September 22, 2023, federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged five people, including Menendez and his wife Nadine, with corruption in a new indictment.

One of the allegations was that Menendez "provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt".<ref name="Weiser-2023">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Another was that he used his position to pressure prosecutors in New Jersey who were involved in the cases of his friends Fred Daibes and Jose Uribe in exchange for financial gifts from the two men.<ref name=Ramey>Template:Cite news</ref> According to the Senate Historical Office, Menendez is the first sitting senator to be indicted on two unrelated criminal matters.<ref name="Associated Press-2023" /> After the indictment, he gave up his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Over the following days, Democratic Party politicians such as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and numerous U.S. senators called for Menendez's resignation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez said: "It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Menendez "has a right to due process and a fair trial".<ref name=Ramey/> Representative Andy Kim responded that given Menendez's refusal to resign, he would run in the Democratic primary for Menendez's seat in the 2024 United States Senate election in New Jersey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On NovemberTemplate:Nbsp15, 2023, Murphy's wife, Tammy Murphy, announced that she was running for Menendez's Senate seat. On MarchTemplate:Nbsp24, 2024, she suspended her campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On OctoberTemplate:Nbsp13, 2023, prosecutors filed new charges that Menendez "provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt" and failed to register as an agent of a foreign power for over four years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Senator John Fetterman called on the Senate to expel Menendez.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a superseding indictment filed on JanuaryTemplate:Nbsp2, 2024, prosecutors alleged that Menendez made positive comments about Qatar in order to help a New Jersey real estate developer secure millions in funding from a member of the Qatari royal family.<ref name="qatar">Template:Cite news</ref> In exchange, Menendez allegedly received gifts including cash, gold, designer watches, and Formula One tickets.<ref name="qatar"/>

On MarchTemplate:Nbsp5, 2024, Menendez and his wife were charged with obstruction of justice after prosecutors alleged that his attorneys had lied about payments two businessmen made on his wife's house and car.<ref name="reuters-obstruction">Template:Cite news</ref> Menendez claims the payments were loans he later repaid, but prosecutors claim they were bribes.<ref name=reuters-obstruction /> The indictment came the week after one of the businessmen, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and bribery.<ref name=reuters-obstruction />

Trial, conviction, and sentencing

Template:Infobox court case Jury selection for Menendez's trial began on MayTemplate:Nbsp13, 2024.<ref name=reuters-obstruction /> On JuneTemplate:Nbsp4, an FBI agent testified about surveillance she had conducted against Menendez in May 2019 at Morton's The Steakhouse in Washington, D.C., where Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were dining with three others, including an Egyptian official. Agents also testified about a search they performed of a safe deposit box in New Jersey Nadine Menendez used, in which they found $80,000 in cash. The defense noted that Menendez himself had never accessed the safety deposit box.<ref name="nyt-trial-june-4"/>

On JuneTemplate:Nbsp6, the prosecution called former New Jersey attorney general Gurbir Grewal to the stand. Grewal told the court that in September 2019 Menendez invited him to a meeting at Menendez's office in Newark, at which Menendez complained about Grewal's office's treatment of Hispanic defendants in a trucking insurance fraud investigation; when Menendez made clear he was referring to an ongoing case, Grewal ended the meeting and left.<ref name="nyt-trial-june-6">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ap-trial-june-6">Template:Cite news</ref>

Closing arguments took place on July 9 and 10.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jury deliberations began on July 12.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On July 16, the jury convicted Menendez of all charges, including bribery, extortion, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.<ref name="AP Verdict">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sentencing was originally scheduled for October 29, but was delayed to January 29, 2025.<ref name="AP Verdict"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 29, 2025, Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison. The start of his sentence was delayed to June 6, 2025, so he could attend his wife's trial for bribery and corruption charges in March.<ref name="NBC News-2025" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Outside the court, Menendez stated the "process is political and it's corrupted to the core [...] I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On April 21, 2025, Menendez's wife Nadine was found guilty by a jury in her federal bribery trial.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Among the fifteen counts were obstruction of justice and conspiring to make her husband an agent of Egypt. Egypt had granted Wael Hana's company, IS EG Halal, a monopoly on halal meat imports to Egypt, and the company was used to funnel bribes to Robert and Nadine Menendez.<ref name="j871">Template:Cite web</ref>

Menendez's reporting date was then pushed back to June 17, 2025, to allow him to attend his stepdaughter's wedding. This was the final delay granted, with the judge stating that no further postponements would be allowed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez began serving his sentence on June 17, 2025.<ref name="guard">Template:Cite web</ref> He was originally incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill,<ref name="guard" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> before being transferred to FCI Allenwood Low on July 1, 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On September 11, 2025, Nadine Menendez was sentenced to 4½ years in prison and three years of supervised release. Nadine's judge ordered her to report to prison on July 10, 2026.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards and honors

West New York, New Jersey, which borders Menendez's childhood hometown of Union City to the north, renamed Public School No. 3 in his honor; it is now known as Robert Menendez Elementary School. The renaming ceremony was held on December 4, 2013.<ref name="UCReporter12.22.13"/><ref>Lin, Jonathan (December 4, 2013). "School 3 in West New York renamed after Sen. Robert Menendez" Template:Webarchive. NJ.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018.</ref> Following Menendez's conviction in July 2024, West New York officials agreed to revert the school to its previous name in time for the upcoming school year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2021, President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou awarded Menendez the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour for "his contribution to the deepening of Greek-US relations and the promotion of peace and cooperation in the wider region".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez also received the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III from President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades for "his contribution to promoting human rights, the rule of law, and democracy".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy awarded Menendez the Grand Cross of The Order of Isabella the Catholic for "his dedication to Spain and the Hispanic community and his excellent work in developing the links between Spain and the United States".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Greece:
  • File:GRE Order of Honour Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
  • Star for Merit and Honour (Ministry of National Defence commendation)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Cyprus:
  • File:CYP Order of Makarios III ribbon.svg Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
• Spain:
  • File:ESP Isabella Catholic Order GC.svg Grand Cross of The Order of Isabella the Catholic

Personal life

In 1976, Menendez married Jane Jacobsen, a teacher for the Union City Board of Education and Union City Public Schools. They had two children: Alicia Menendez, an MSNBC television commentator/host,<ref name="LatinoMag">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Menendez, Alicia (June 1, 2012). "A Conversation About Identity: IV. Alicia Menendez: My Gringa Mother" Template:Webarchive. Pew Research Center.</ref> and Rob Menendez, who worked as the Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and was elected to Congress in New Jersey's 8th congressional district in 2022 as a Democrat.<ref name="njglobe">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Menendez and Jacobsen divorced in 2005.<ref name="PolAt20">Gettleman, Jeffrey. "Robert Menendez, a Politician Even at 20" Template:Webarchive. The New York Times. December 10, 2005</ref> He has four grandchildren.

Later, Menendez dated Gwendolyn Beck, an author who later ran for Congress.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, he brought her to the White House for a state dinner.

In December 2013, Menendez proposed to his girlfriend, Alicia Mucci, in the Capitol rotunda.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some sources say they married that month, but many others indicate that they never married.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He began a relationship with Nadine Arslanian in 2018. Reports conflict as to whether they had an "on-again, off-again relationship" for most of the year or met in December 2018 at the IHOP in Union City.<ref name="Fandos-2023">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=engaged>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2019 they traveled to India and he proposed to her at the Taj Mahal.<ref name=engaged/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They married in October 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She has two children from a prior marriage, and was divorced in 2005.<ref name="Tully-2023">Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2023, Arslanian was indicted on federal bribery charges alongside Menendez.<ref name="Weiser-2023"/><ref name="Associated Press-2023"/> It was subsequently reported that she had been involved in a December 2018 car accident that left a pedestrian dead.<ref name="Fandos-2023"/> The case, which drew no charges or media coverage at the time, resurfaced in the federal indictment, where prosecutors allege Menendez interfered with the prosecution of a New Jersey businessman in exchange for a Mercedes to replace his wife's car.<ref name="Fandos-2023"/>

As of 2009, Menendez lived in Hoboken.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, he lived in North Bergen,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in 2014 he moved to Paramus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, he moved to Harrison,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in 2020 he moved into his new wife's home, in Englewood Cliffs.<ref name="Tully-2023" />

Since February 2025, Menendez's daughter Alicia has co-hosted MSNBC's 7pm ET weekday newscast.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Electoral history

New Jersey Assembly

1987 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district Democratic primary election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr.	10,132	33%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	9,788	32%
Democratic	Leonard Altamura	5,493	18%
Democratic	Sixto Macias	5,147	17%

1987 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr.	18,810	30%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	18,446	29%
Republican	Angelo Valente	12,888	20%
Republican	Jose Arango	12,638	20%
"Pride-Responsibility"	Michael Dapuzzo	557	1%
"Pride-Responsibility"	Wanda Morales	312	<1%

1989 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr. (inc.)	24,294	34%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez (inc.)	23,767	34%
Republican	Ann Clark	11,738	17%
Republican	Antonio Miguelez	10,800	15%

State Senate

1991 New Jersey's 33rd State Senate district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	19,151	69%
Republican	Carlos Munoz	8,652	31%

House

1992 New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	24,245	68%
Democratic	Robert Haney Jr.	11,409	32%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary: 1996
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	34,685	93%
Democratic	Christopher Curioli	2,685	7%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary: 2004
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez	33,622	87%
Democratic	Steven Fulop	4,851	13%

Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, Donald K. Stoveken as an America First Populist received 682 votes. In 2000, Alina Lydia Fonteboa received 233 votes and Kari Sachs received 168 votes. In 2002, a candidate listed only as "Independent (The American Party)" received 34 votes; also, Herbert Shaw's full party name was "Politicians are Crooks – Politicos son Corruptos" (shortened for display purposes above).

Senate

2006 New Jersey United States Senate Democratic primary election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ("Bob") Menendez (inc.)	159,604	84%
Democratic	James Kelly Jr.	30,340	16%

File:New Jersey U.S. Senate Democratic primary, 2018.svg

2018 Democratic primary results by county: Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend Template:Legend

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Trump–Ukraine scandal
• Eric Adams case, George Santos case, and Donald Trump cases; contemporary 2020s federal political corruption cases.

External links

• Senator Robert Menendez Template:Webarchive official U.S. Senate website
• Bob Menendez for Senate
• Template:C-SPAN

Articles

• "New Jersey's New Senator", editorial, The New York Times, December 9, 2005
• "Menendez on the Move", Al Sullivan, Union City Reporter, December 11, 2005

Notable congressional hearings

• Senate Foreign Relations Committee—Antony Blinken confirmation hearing for US Secretary of State (1/19/2021)

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