Bob Menendez

Robert Menendez

U.S. SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ

D-NEW JERSEY

 

RACE SUMMARY: 

VOTING RECORD: Project Vote Smart, Govtrack US

 

BIOGRAPHY POLITICAL CAREER

PARTY: Democrat

BORN: 1/1/1954

EDUCATION: Saint Peter's College (B.A.); Rutgers School of Law in Newark (J.D.)

OCCUPATION: Lawyer

FAMILY: 2 Children

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

CAREER:

  • Member of the New Jersey General Assembly (1988-1991)
  • U.S. House of Representatives (1993-2006)
  • Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus (2003-2006)
  • U.S. Senator (2006-present)

COMMITTEES:

  • Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Committee on Finance
  • Committee on Foreign Relations - Chair

ELECTED: 2005

 

ISRAEL


  • Co-sponsored U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act which states that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States and directs the U.S. to engage in cooperative activities with Israel in the areas such as water, energy, agriculture and homeland security
  • Supported U.S. funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense program
  • Supported a resolution expressing vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders

CHOICE


  • Supports Roe v. Wade
  • Voted against the Blunt Amendment, also known as the Birth Control Refusal Law, which would have allowed any employer to refuse to cover contraception or any health service required under the health reform law for virtually any reason
  • Supports Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive insurance coverage policy
  • Supported increased funding for women’s health services, which includes Title X family planning programs

In His Own Words


“Strong advocate for the Jewish people’s right to live in peace and security in their homeland.  The legitimacy of any peace process must be weighed against the assurances Israel requires for its security.  A peace agreement must be sustainable and can be achieved only by the two parties negotiating with each other.” 1

““We have worked too hard to expand the availability of women’s health care services to have any confusion created by those who would deliberately deceive a woman to suit their own purposes. I am proud to be an original sponsor of this legislation that is aimed at reducing the risk of women encountering unnecessary worry, anxiety and interference with getting the health care they need.” 2 

SOURCES: 1) www.menendez.senate.gov  , 2) www.menendez.senate.gov

Interesting Facts


He was born in New York City to Cuban immigrants and grew up in a tenement house

He was the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college.