Joseph Biden

June 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Edward M. Kennedy today introduced a bill to establish a senior position at the White House to coordinate, develop and implement strategies to more effectively address the plight of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. Since the 2003 invasion, more than four million Iraqis have been displaced from their home or have become refugees. Senator Kennedy is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime & Drugs, introduced legislation today designed to ensure the identification, apprehension, and extradition of felony fugitives.    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today after the Administration announced it will provide $10.2 billion in aid to Afghanistan:

“This is a good start – but only a start. We have to remember that one-third of the promised funds have already been delivered by Congress.

As for the remainder, the breakdown of how the funds are distributed and allocated is key: Will there be a genuine increase in development aid and will it actually reach the Afghan people?    » read more »

Biden: “We need diplomacy to forge a common strategy among energy consuming countries in Europe, a shared effort that can confront Russian dominance.”

June 12, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) held a hearing this afternoon entitled, “Oil, Oligarchs, and Opportunity: Energy from Central Asia to Europe” to examine Russia's use of its enormous oil and gas reserves, and regional pipeline system, to expand its global political influence and economic leverage.

Russian oil pump: Photo by Amanda Graham (CC)    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Boumediene v. Bush, which held that Guantanamo Bay prisoners have the right to contest their detention in federal courts:

Guantanamo Bay protest outside US Supreme Court: Photo by takomabibelot (CC)

“Today, our nation’s highest court again rejected the Bush Administration’s expansive view of executive power.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, reiterated his call for the Congress and the Administration to fully support state and local law enforcement in wake of new data detailing nationwide decreases in murders, robberies and other felonies.    » read more »

June 6, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today after news reports indicated that Senator McCain supports President Bush’s wire-tapping program:

John McCain: Photo by Christy Frink (CC)    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- Washington, DC -- Yesterday in Kabul, Afghanistan, General Dan McNeil, the American who has led NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), handed over his command.

General McNeil told reporters: "This is an under-resourced war and it needs more maneuver units, it needs more flying machines, it needs more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance apparatus.

US Army and Afghan soldiers in Afghanistan: Afghan National Army and coalition forces soldiers rmove west across a wadi back to Main Supply Route Vermont in the Tagab District, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan Jan. 19, 2008, after a security patrol. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Johnny R. Aragon    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement urging the 40 heads of state expected at tomorrow’s world food summit in Rome to unite in taking bold, decisive steps to alleviate the global food crisis:

“Tomorrow’s summit offers a significant opportunity for world leaders to address the global food crisis. For 20 years we have not invested enough in agricultural assistance. The results for the developing world have been disastrous. We are in danger of reversing the progress against poverty we’ve made over the last seven years.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement in response to Senator John McCain’s speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual meeting earlier today.

John McCain: Photo by Wigwam Jones (CC)

“Today, Senator McCain made clear that he would continue the policies of George Bush – policies that have made the entire Middle East more dangerous and left the United States and our allies, including Israel, less secure.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today following Senator McCain’s speech on nuclear security:

Nuclear cruise missile    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 26th, 2008.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), issued the following statement on the Senate’s failure to change course in Iraq.

“I am disappointed that the Senate voted down key provisions in the supplemental war funding bill that would begin to end the war in Iraq. I have been particularly outspoken on two of its provisions: the prohibition on permanent American military bases in Iraq and a restriction on a long-term security agreement with Iraq unless authorized by the U.S. Senate.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), issued the following statement on the Senate’s failure to change course in Iraq.

“I am disappointed that the Senate voted down key provisions in the supplemental war funding bill that would begin to end the war in Iraq."

A US Marine base in Iraq: Photo by James Gordon (CC)

"I have been particularly outspoken on two of its provisions: the prohibition on permanent American military bases in Iraq and a restriction on a long-term security agreement with Iraq unless authorized by the U.S. Senate.    » read more »

“These substances not only pose great health risks, but they threaten the fundamental integrity of sport and send the wrong message to our kids -- that cheating to get ahead is acceptable, no matter the cost.”

May 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) held a hearing this morning entitled, “International Convention Against Doping in Sports.”

Chicago Olympics logo: Photo by M. Jeremy Goldman (CC)    » read more »