Bob Menendez#Implication in child prostitution scandal

Menendez was born on January 1, 1954, in New York City to Cuban immigrants{{cite news|access-date=January 24, 2013|quote=The son of Cuban immigrants|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/29/AR2009032902460.html|title=Momentum Grows for Relaxing U.S. Policy on Cuba; Bill Would Lift Travel Ban |first1=Shailagh|last1=Murray|first2=Karen|last2=DeYoung|date=March 30, 2009|author2-link=Karen DeYoung|archive-date=November 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121084604/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/29/AR2009032902460.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/menendez.htm|title=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com|publisher=Rootsweb|date=January 1, 1954|access-date=April 5, 2007|archive-date=January 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111132042/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/menendez.htm|url-status=live}} who had left Cuba a few months earlier, in 1953.{{cite book|title=Fidel Castro: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography|year=2008|publisher=Scribner|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4165-5328-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4H45OczqPYC&pg=PA692|page=692|access-date=February 23, 2016|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727121050/https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4H45OczqPYC&pg=PA692|url-status=live}} His father, Mario Menéndez, was a carpenter, and his mother, Evangelina, was a seamstress.Gettleman, Jeffrey (December 10, 2005). [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/nyregion/10menendez.html "Robert Menendez, a Politician Even at 20"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714123211/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/nyregion/10menendez.html |date=July 14, 2013 }}. The New York Times. 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."{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Al|date=December 22, 2013|url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/24270547/article-School-of-his-own--WNY-names-school-after-Sen--Menendez|title=School of his own: WNY names school after Sen. Menendez|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909184921/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/24270547/article-School-of-his-own--WNY-names-school-after-Sen--Menendez|archive-date=September 9, 2018|pages=1, 8|publisher=The Union City Reporter}}[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000639 "Menendez, Robert, (1954 – )"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103171938/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000639 |date=November 3, 2011 }}. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 23, 2012. While at Union Hill, Menendez became the student body president.Bonamo, Mark J. (October 25, 2006). [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2410050/article-Hudson-County-s-culture-of-corruption-Its-local-roots-and-prospects-for-change "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"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106103227/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/2410050/article-Hudson-County-s-culture-of-corruption-Its-local-roots-and-prospects-for-change |date=January 6, 2014 }}. Hudson Reporter. His father, Mario Menéndez, was reportedly a "compulsive gambler" who died by suicide on June 1, 1978, after deciding not to pay gambling debts.{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Sen. Bob Menendez: Gold hoard was because parents fled Cuba |url=https://nypost.com/2024/05/13/us-news/sen-bob-menendez-gold-hoard-was-because-parents-fled-cuba/ |access-date=July 18, 2024 |language=en-US}}

Menendez became the first in his family to go to college, attending Saint Peter's College in Jersey City,[https://menendez.senate.gov/biography/ "Biography"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218205719/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/biography/ |date=December 18, 2014 }}. Robert Menendez-US Senator for New Jersey. United States Senate. Retrieved January 5, 2014.[http://law.newark.rutgers.edu/home/hon-esther-salas-94-first-latina-new-jersey-district-court "Spotlight on: Hon. Esther Salas '94 – First Latina on New Jersey District Court"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408201839/http://law.newark.rutgers.edu/home/hon-esther-salas-94-first-latina-new-jersey-district-court |date=April 8, 2016 }}. Rutgers School of Law at Rutgers University, Newark. Retrieved January 5, 2014. where he was a member of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity.{{cite web|title=Greeks in the 113th Congress |url=http://www.nicindy.org/blog/greeks-in-the-113th-congress/ |publisher=North American Interfraternity Conference |access-date=September 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052229/http://www.nicindy.org/blog/greeks-in-the-113th-congress/ |archive-date=March 27, 2014 }} He graduated with a B.A. in political science and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School in 1979. Menendez was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1980[https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/menendez.html "Robert Menendez"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930122525/http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/menendez.html |date=September 30, 2017 }}. Library of Congress. Retrieved September 23, 2012."Congressional Directory: New Jersey". 2010. Page 168. Retrieved September 23, 2012. and became a lawyer in private practice.[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/M000639 "Robert Menéndez (D)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104235351/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/M000639 |date=November 4, 2012 }}. U.S. Congress Votes Database. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 23, 2012.[http://www3.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2004/people/nj/rep_nj13.htm "Rep. Robert Menendez (D)"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104234838/http://www3.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2004/people/nj/rep_nj13.htm |date=January 4, 2012 }}. Almanac of American Politics 2004. National Journal. May 18, 2003.

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.{{Cite web |last=Wildstein |first=David |date=May 13, 2024 |title=How Bob Menendez rebranded himself in a post-Musto Union City and kept Hudson County blue |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/how-bob-menendez-rebranded-himself-in-a-post-musto-union-city-and-kept-hudson-county-blue/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}} In 1982, he unsuccessfully challenged Musto for mayor.

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.

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.Wherwein, Peter (May 14, 1984). "Alliance sweeps to power", Hudson Dispatch. pp. 1, 14. 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.

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.[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/08/nyregion/menendez-to-seek-congressional-seat.html "Menendez to Seek Congressional Seat"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001074442/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/08/nyregion/menendez-to-seek-congressional-seat.html |date=October 1, 2017 }}. The New York Times. April 8, 1992. Retrieved June 4, 2010.

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%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=481555|title=NJ District 13 – D Primary Race – Jun 02, 1992|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=June 3, 2012|archive-date=December 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216053953/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=481555|url-status=live}} He defeated New Jersey Superior Court Judge Fred J. Theemling Jr. in the general election with 64% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28173|title=NJ District 13 Race – Nov 03, 1992|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=June 3, 2012|archive-date=December 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216054139/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28173|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|publisher=Our Campaigns|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1503|title=Candidate – Robert Menendez|access-date=June 3, 2012|archive-date=May 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513021052/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=1503|url-status=live}}

Menendez, who was described as very close to Republicans on foreign policy,{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/137359-sen-menendez-likely-to-take-foreign-relations-panel-in-wake-of-kerry-exit/|title=Sen. Menendez likely to take Foreign Relations panel in wake of Kerry exit|work=The Hill|first=Julian|last=Pecquet|date=December 18, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=December 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221134715/http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/congressional-delegations/273363-sen-menendez-likely-to-take-foreign-relations-panel-in-wake-of-kerry-departure|url-status=live}} voted for the failed Kosovo Resolution, authorizing the use of military force against Yugoslavia in the Kosovo War.{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/8135|title=S Con Res 21 – Kosovo Resolution – Voting Record|publisher=votesmart.org|date=April 28, 1999|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606070557/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/8135|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|date=October 19, 1998|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/105/hr4851|title=H.R. 4851 (105th): Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1998|publisher=govtrack.us|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219114822/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/105/hr4851|url-status=live}}

File:Robert Menendez official photo.jpg]]

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.{{cite web|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 342|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll342.xml|publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives|access-date=September 14, 2001|date=January 31, 2012|archive-date=December 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218185845/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll342.xml|url-status=live}} In 2002, Menendez voted against the Iraq Resolution to authorize the invasion of Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml|title=Roll Call 455|publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives – Office of the Clerk|access-date=May 31, 2008|archive-date=January 15, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040115043607/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|publisher=votesmart.org|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/20687|title=HR 2745 – United Nations Reform Act of 2005 – Voting Record|date=June 17, 2005|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618161733/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/20687|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr397|title=H.R. 397 (109th): Tsunami Orphans and Unaccompanied Children Act of 2005|publisher=govtrack.us|date=January 26, 2005|access-date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=April 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424230620/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr397|url-status=live}}

Menendez voted for the PATRIOT Act in 2001, and in 2006 for its reauthorization.{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 398 To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world|publisher=clerk.house.gov|date=October 24, 2001|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-date=February 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205082816/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll020.xml|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 20 USA Patriot Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act|publisher=clerk.house.gov|date=March 7, 2006|access-date=January 31, 2013|archive-date=December 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213092951/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll020.xml|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll570.xml |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 570 Financial Services Modernization Act |publisher=clerk.house.gov |date=November 4, 1999 |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018051819/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll570.xml |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/106-2000/h540 | title =H.R. 4541 (106th): Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended) | publisher =govtrack.us | date =May 25, 2000 | access-date =February 2, 2013 | archive-date =April 27, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427232443/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/106-2000/h540 | url-status =live }} After the 2001 Enron scandal, Menendez voted with 333 other House members for the Sarbanes–Oxley Act.{{cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/h110 | title =H.R. 3763 (107th): Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (On Passage of the Bill) | publisher =govtrack.us | date =February 14, 2002 | access-date =February 2, 2013 | archive-date =April 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419102251/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/h110 | url-status =live }}

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".[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15728199&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8 Menendez on the move: Corzine appoints replacement in Senate] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309110105/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15728199&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8 |date=March 9, 2007 }}, Union City Reporter, December 11, 2005 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."{{cite news|title=New Jersey's New Senator|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/opinion/new-jerseys-new-senator.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 9, 2005|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131184218/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/opinion/new-jerseys-new-senator.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/16/nyregion/16christie.html|work=The New York Times|title=U.S. Attorney Emerges as a Legal, and Political, Force|first=David W.|last=Chen|date=September 16, 2006|access-date=March 27, 2010|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031752/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/16/nyregion/16christie.html|url-status=live}} No charges were brought and the case was closed in 2011 after Christie became the governor of New Jersey.

{{cite news|access-date=May 29, 2025

|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/01/menendez-has-faced-ethics-complaints-before/70727080/ |date=April 1, 2015|work=USA Today|title=Sen. Menendez has faced ethics complaints before

|first=Nicole |last=Gaudiano}}

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.{{cite news|last=Chen|first=David W.|title=Corzine Is Said to Have Picked a Replacement|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/politics/08senate.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 8, 2005|access-date=December 13, 2012|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031755/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/politics/corzine-is-said-to-have-picked-a-replacement.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Hernandez|first=Raymond|title=ON POLITICS; Menendez Wastes No Time In Declaring for the Senate |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F1091FF83B550C718DDDAB0994DC404482|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131012844/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F1091FF83B550C718DDDAB0994DC404482|archive-date=January 31, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 12, 2004}} Corzine's decision to appoint Menendez got the support of several Latino groups, including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.{{cite news|last=Cillizza|first=Chris|title=N.J. Senate: Momentum For Menendez?|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/nj-senate-momentum-for-menende.html |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 16, 2005|access-date=December 13, 2012|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201063021/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/nj-senate-momentum-for-menende.html|url-status=dead}} Menendez was the sixth Latino to serve in the United States Senate.{{cite news|title=Rep. Menendez gets new title: Senator|newspaper=USA Today |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2006-01-18-menendez_x.htm|date=January 18, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2012|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107191807/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2006-01-18-menendez_x.htm|url-status=live}}

In 2015, Menendez was ranked No. 1 on The Hudson Reporter{{'}}s annual Power List of the "Fifty Most Powerful Political Figures in Hudson County".{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Al |last2=Davis |first2=Carlo |last3=Schwartz |first3=Art |last4=Passantino |first4=Joseph |date=January 18, 2015 |newspaper=The Union City Reporter |title=The 'Power List' The Hudson Reporter's fourth annual rankings of Hudson County's most influential people |pages=1, 5, 9, 12 |url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/26393083/article-The--Power-List--The-Hudson-Reporter-s-fourth-annual-rankings-of-Hudson-County-s-most-influential-people- |access-date= November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904120928/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/26393083/article-The--Power-List--The-Hudson-Reporter-s-fourth-annual-rankings-of-Hudson-County-s-most-influential-people-|archive-date= September 4, 2018}}

File:N.J.-Sen.-Robert-Menendez.jpg

{{main|1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}

When incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Bradley decided to retire in August 1995,{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0DB47D56EB0CC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D |title=Sen. Bill Bradley to Retire: Lawmaker Becomes 6th Democrat not to run |publisher=Newsbank |series=Archive: The Sacramento Bee |access-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132453/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0DB47D56EB0CC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/05/nyregion/congressman-rejects-race-for-the-senate.html|work=The New York Times|first=James|last=Dao|title=Congressman Rejects Race For the Senate|date=March 5, 1999|access-date=February 6, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916103708/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/05/nyregion/congressman-rejects-race-for-the-senate.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}

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,[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/opinion/30mon2.html "New Jersey's Senate Race"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816152243/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/opinion/30mon2.html |date=August 16, 2018 }}. The New York Times. October 30, 2006 The Philadelphia Inquirer,[https://web.archive.org/web/20151017203545/http://articles.philly.com/2006-10-15/news/25416922_1_robert-menendez-bob-menendez-port-security "Robert Menendez for U.S. Senate"]. The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 15, 2006 The Star-Ledger,[http://www.nj.com/opinion/ledger/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1162097047226220.xml&coll=1 "Robert Menendez for U.S. Senate"]. The Star-Ledger. October 29, 2006.{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112060116/http://www.nj.com/opinion/ledger/editorials/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-1%2F1162097047226220.xml&coll=1 |date=January 12, 2008 }} and The Record.[http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxNCZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzAxMTY1Mg== "Bland or blemished – Editorial"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. The Record. October 29, 2006{{dead link|date=June 2012}}

File:Robert Menendez official Senate portrait.jpg

{{main|2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}

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%.

{{main|2018 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}

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%.

{{main|2024 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Bob Menendez faces fresh corruption allegations involving Qatar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/02/bob-menendez-new-corruption-allegations-qatar |access-date=September 30, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} 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.{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez says he won't run in Democratic primary|url=https://apnews.com/article/menendez-bribery-senate-new-jersey-7a8cd625f5be3d2f2c4c1f2c2a72ff9e|first=Mike|last=Catalini|website=The AP|date=March 21, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey to seek independent reelection bid amid federal corruption trial|url=https://apnews.com/article/menendez-new-jersey-independent-bribery-trial-e216825389acdb2c55b634e196f0f083|first=Mike|last=Catalini|website=Associated Press|date=June 3, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024}} But on July 23, upon his criminal conviction, Menendez announced his resignation from the Senate altogether.

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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm|title=Committee Assignments of the 116th Congress|website=U.S. Senate|access-date=July 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512200450/https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm|archive-date=May 12, 2017}}

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

• Armenian Caucus[http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/04/17/armenian-genocide-marked-by-u-s-legislators-at-annual-capitol-hill-observance/ Armenian Genocide Marked by U.S. Legislators at Annual Capitol Hill Observance] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816215551/http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/04/17/armenian-genocide-marked-by-u-s-legislators-at-annual-capitol-hill-observance/ |date=August 16, 2011 }}. The Armenian Weekly. April 17, 2011
• Congressional Autism Caucus
• Senate Taiwan Caucus{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=February 5, 2004|access-date=October 8, 2024}}
• International Conservation Caucus
• Human Rights Caucus
• Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
• Friends of the Irish National Caucus{{Cite web |url=http://www.irishnationalcaucus.org/congressional-friends-of-the-irish-national-caucus-114th-congress-2015-2017/|title=CONGRESSIONAL FRIENDS OF THE IRISH NATIONAL CAUCUS 114th CONGRESS 2015–2017 |access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403020738/http://www.irishnationalcaucus.org/congressional-friends-of-the-irish-national-caucus-114th-congress-2015-2017/|url-status=live}}
• Afterschool Caucuses{{cite web |title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm |publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427115234/http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|url-status=live}}
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus{{cite web |url=https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members |title=Members |work=Congressional Hispanic Caucus |access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515183838/https://congressionalhispaniccaucus-lujangrisham.house.gov/members|archive-date=May 15, 2018}}

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".{{cite news |last1=Haskell |first1=Peter |title=Sen. Menendez on US Capitol riots: 'This is not patriotism, this is anarchy' |url=https://www.radio.com/wcbs880/news/local/sen-menendez-reacts-to-riots-on-capitol-hill |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=www.radio.com |date=January 6, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031755/https://www.radio.com/wcbs880/news/local/sen-menendez-reacts-to-riots-on-capitol-hill |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last1=Austin |first1=Ahmad |title=State and local officials react to Capitol Hill insurrection |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/state-and-local-officials-react-to-capitol-hill-insurrection/article_581e863b-255c-5ee5-b028-0799b286d36d.html |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=Press of Atlantic City |date=January 7, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108033435/https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/state-and-local-officials-react-to-capitol-hill-insurrection/article_581e863b-255c-5ee5-b028-0799b286d36d.html |url-status=live }} He also called for an investigation into white supremacy in the military.{{cite news |last1=Biryukov |first1=Nikita |title=Menendez wants Defense Department to investigate racism in the military |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-wants-defense-department-to-investigate-racism-in-the-military/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=New Jersey Globe |date=January 14, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031755/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-wants-defense-department-to-investigate-racism-in-the-military/ |url-status=live }}

File:6.6.10StackMenendezByLuigiNovi16.jpg Mayor Brian P. Stack (second from left)]]

File:6.6.10StackMenendezByLuigiNovi10.jpg]]

Menendez is an "aggressive advocate" of immigration reform,{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=169424700 | title =AP Exclusive: US Ordered Delay In Intern's Arrest | publisher =NPR | date =January 15, 2013 | access-date =February 3, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/senator-menendez-calls-election-mandate-enact-immigration-reform/story?id=17719241 | title=Senator Menendez Calls for Immigration Reform | work=ABC News | author=DeRuy, Emily | date=November 14, 2012 | access-date=September 19, 2020 | archive-date=July 27, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727012941/https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/senator-menendez-calls-election-mandate-enact-immigration-reform/story?id=17719241 | url-status=live }} calling it the "civil rights issue of our time".{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/bob-menendez-immigration-reform-civil-rights_n_2569402.html | title =Senator Bob Menendez: Immigration Reform Is The 'Civil Rights Issue Of Our Time' (VIDEO) | work =The Huffington Post | date =January 28, 2013 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | first =Lindsay | last =Wilkes-Edrington | archive-date =February 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205074737/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/bob-menendez-immigration-reform-civil-rights_n_2569402.html | url-status =live }} He has introduced multiple pieces of legislation in attempts to overhaul what he calls our "failed immigration system".{{cite web|url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/issues/immigration |title=Home | Robert Menendez-US Senator for New Jersey |access-date=February 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216070733/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/issues/immigration |archive-date=February 16, 2013 }} Menendez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011,{{cite web |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-colleagues-re-introduce-comprehensive-immigration-reform | title =Menendez, Colleagues Re-introduce Comprehensive Immigration Reform | publisher =menendez.senate.gov | date =June 22, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =February 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219025122/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-colleagues-re-introduce-comprehensive-immigration-reform | url-status =live }} but it died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.{{cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s1258 | title =S. 1258 (112th): Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011 | publisher =govtrack.us | date =June 22, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =March 29, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329231459/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s1258 | url-status =live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-nelson-gillibrand-provisions-for-immigrant-widows-and-orphans-gains-final-senate-passage | title =Menendez, Nelson, Gillibrand Provisions For Immigrant Widows and Orphans Gains Final Senate Passage | publisher =menendez.senate.gov | date =October 20, 2009 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =February 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216134004/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-nelson-gillibrand-provisions-for-immigrant-widows-and-orphans-gains-final-senate-passage | url-status =live }}

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."{{cite web |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/senator-menendez-on-first-dream-act-hearing | title =Senator Menendez On First DREAM Act Hearing | publisher =menendez.senate.gov | date =June 28, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =February 22, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222142300/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/senator-menendez-on-first-dream-act-hearing | url-status =live }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/16122| title =S 2205 – DREAM Act – Voting Record| publisher =votesmart.org| date =October 24, 2007| access-date =February 3, 2013| archive-date =May 11, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511161502/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/16122| url-status =live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-durbin-reid-30-others-introduce-the-dream-act | title =Menendez, Durbin, Reid, 30 Others Introduce The Dream Act | publisher =menendez.senate.gov | date =May 11, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =February 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216134009/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-durbin-reid-30-others-introduce-the-dream-act | url-status =live }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/13435 | title=S Amdt 1184 – Denying Legal Status for Immigrants Convicted of Certain Crimes – Voting Record | publisher=votesmart.org | date=June 6, 2007 | access-date=February 3, 2013 | archive-date=May 2, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502135242/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/13435 | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/13451|title=S Amdt 1333 – Barring Immigrants with Certain Criminal Histories – Voting Record|publisher=votesmart.org|date=June 6, 2007|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=May 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503124509/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/13451|url-status=live}}

Menendez supported the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, voting for both bills.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157| title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress – 2nd Session A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes.| publisher=senate.gov| date=May 25, 2006| access-date=February 3, 2013| archive-date=December 17, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217165943/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157| url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00204|title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress – 1st Session A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes.|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=March 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307235454/http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00204|url-status=live}} He voted against Senate Amendment 1151, declaring English the national language of the Federal government of the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00198|title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress – 1st Session|publisher=senate.gov|date=June 6, 2007|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116111616/http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00198|url-status=live}} He voted to continue federal funding for declared "sanctuary cities".{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/international/Robert_Menendez_Immigration.htm|title=Robert Menendez on Immigration|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-date=January 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131040517/http://www.ontheissues.org/international/Robert_Menendez_Immigration.htm|url-status=live}}

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 {{convert|370|mi|km}} of triple-layered fencing, and {{convert|461|mi|km}} of vehicle barriers along parts of the Southwest.{{cite web|date=September 29, 2006|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00262|access-date=February 3, 2013|title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress – 2nd Session|publisher=senate.gov|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630104555/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00262|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/12753|title=S Amdt 4775 – Triple-Layered Fencing Amendment – Voting Record|publisher=votesmart.org|date=August 2, 2006|access-date=February 3, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502111225/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/12753|url-status=live}}

On January 28, 2013, Menendez was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators that announced principles for comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).{{cite web|title=Senators Reach a Bipartisan Agreement for Comprehensive Immigration Reform|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/senators-reach-bipartisan-agreement-comprehensive-immigration-reform|publisher=Fowler White Boggs P.A.|work=The National Law Review|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=February 1, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025529/https://www.natlawreview.com/article/senators-reach-bipartisan-agreement-comprehensive-immigration-reform|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite web|title=Senate Gang of Eight and Fast for Families Honored at 2014 NCLR Capital Awards Gala|url=http://www.nclr.org/index.php/events/nclr_capital_awards-1/|website=National Council of La Raza|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714120718/http://www.nclr.org/index.php/events/nclr_capital_awards-1/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}

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".{{cite news|url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-booker-join-call-investigation-usda-amid-reports-scientific-data-suppression/|title=Menendez, Booker Join Call for Investigation at USDA amid Reports of Scientific Data Suppression|publisher=insidernj.com|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=June 26, 2019|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626212130/https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-booker-join-call-investigation-usda-amid-reports-scientific-data-suppression/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2018/04/us_sens_elizabeth_warren_ed_ma_19.html|title=US Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey urge FEMA and HUD to find long-term housing fix for Hurricane Maria survivors|date=April 20, 2018|publisher=Masslive.com|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415042202/https://www.masslive.com/politics/2018/04/us_sens_elizabeth_warren_ed_ma_19.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hurricane-housing-20180423-story.html|title=A FEMA program has sheltered thousands of Puerto Ricans since Hurricane Maria. But now the evacuees fear its days are numbered|date=April 23, 2018|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415042201/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hurricane-housing-20180423-story.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |title=Menendez' bill could have aided donor's investment |first=Stephen |last=Braun |url=http://apnews.myway.com/article/20130304/DA4Q68HG1.html |agency=Associated Press |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |archive-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119093359/http://apnews.myway.com/article/20130304/DA4Q68HG1.html |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |title=Menendez bill offers incentives for natural-gas vehicles |first=Herb |last=Jackson |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/138183799_Menendez-led_bill__offers_incentives_for_natural_gas_vehicles.html?page=all |newspaper=The Record |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=March 1, 2013 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114132145/http://www.northjersey.com/news/138183799_Menendez-led_bill__offers_incentives_for_natural_gas_vehicles.html?page=all |url-status=live }}

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)".{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/428102-senators-call-on-epa-to-restrict-key-drinking-water-contaminants/|title=Senators call on EPA to restrict key drinking water contaminants|date=February 1, 2019|newspaper=The Hill|author=Cama, Timothy|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091436/https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/428102-senators-call-on-epa-to-restrict-key-drinking-water-contaminants|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/oregon-senators-call-on-trump-to-honor-climate-agreement/1085035967|title=Oregon senators call on Trump to honor climate agreement|date=June 10, 2019|publisher=ktvz.com|access-date=June 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611130357/https://www.ktvz.com/news/oregon-senators-call-on-trump-to-honor-climate-agreement/1085035967|archive-date=June 11, 2019}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s555/text | title =S. 555 (112th): Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 | publisher =govtrack.us | date =March 10, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =June 25, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625175616/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s555/text | url-status =live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s506 | title =S. 506 (112th): Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011 | publisher =govtrack.us | date =March 8, 2011 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =July 19, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719050850/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s506 | url-status =live }} 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."{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00326 | title =U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress – 1st Session | publisher =senate.gov | date =October 22, 2009 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =December 17, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217143822/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00326 | url-status =live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-hails-final-passage-of-landmark-hate-crimes-legislation | title =Menendez Hails Final Passage Of Landmark Hate Crimes Legislation | publisher =menendez.senate.gov | date =October 22, 2009 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =February 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216041433/http://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-hails-final-passage-of-landmark-hate-crimes-legislation | url-status =live }} In 2012, Menendez received a 94% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.{{cite web |url=http://www.hrc.org/apps/yourelectedofficials/profile_sen.php?profile=62#1 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414234007/http://www.hrc.org/apps/yourelectedofficials/profile_sen.php?profile=62%231 | archive-date =April 14, 2013 | title =Your Elected Officials Robert Menendez | publisher =hrc.org | access-date =February 3, 2013 }}

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.{{cite news|last1=Wichert|first1=Bill|title=Robert Menendez says New Jersey budget shortfall means education funding cuts|url=http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2011/nov/03/robert-menendez/robert-menendez-says-new-jersey-budget-shortfall-m/|access-date=November 7, 2014|work=Politifact|date=November 3, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107185828/http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2011/nov/03/robert-menendez/robert-menendez-says-new-jersey-budget-shortfall-m/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1996/roll316.xml | title =Final Vote Results for Roll Call 316 Defense of Marriage Act | publisher =clerk.house.gov | date =July 12, 1996 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =October 17, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017063745/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1996/roll316.xml | url-status =live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s598/show | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530093525/http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s598/show | archive-date =May 30, 2011 | title =S.598 – Respect for Marriage Act of 2011 | publisher =opencongress.org | access-date =February 3, 2013 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/15579 | title =H Amdt 318 – "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Amendment – Voting Record | publisher =votesmart.org | date =September 29, 1993 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =June 28, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628165345/http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/15579 | url-status =live }}{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SN04023:@@@P | title =Bill Summary & Status 111th Congress (2009–2010) S.4023 Cosponsors Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 | publisher =thomas.loc.gov | date =December 10, 2010 | access-date =February 3, 2013 | archive-date =December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211155037/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:SN04023:@@@P | url-status =live }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1999-346.htm | title =House Votes on 1999-346 | publisher =ontheissues.org | access-date =October 16, 2018 | archive-date =October 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029200858/http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1999-346.htm | url-status =live }}

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."{{cite web |url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2011/12/discrimination_against_same-se.html |title=Discrimination against same-sex marriages cannot be tolerated in our society as a matter of law |author=Menendez, Robert |website=nj.com |date=December 18, 2011 |access-date=February 3, 2013 |archive-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107090005/http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2011/12/discrimination_against_same-se.html |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Where the Senate stands on guns — in one chart|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/where-the-senate-stands-on-guns-in-one-chart/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=December 17, 2012|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004060337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/where-the-senate-stands-on-guns-in-one-chart/|url-status=live}} Specifically, he supports universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Robert_Menendez_Gun_Control.htm|title=Robert Menendez on Gun Control|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320200534/http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Robert_Menendez_Gun_Control.htm|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-helps-introduce-background-check-expansion-act-to-reduce-gun-violence/|title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Background Check Expansion Act To Reduce Gun Violence|date=January 9, 2019|publisher=urbanmilwaukee.com|access-date=June 26, 2019|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626032111/https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-helps-introduce-background-check-expansion-act-to-reduce-gun-violence/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/450178-dem-senator-introduces-bill-to-ban-gun-silencers/|title=Democratic senator introduces bill to ban gun silencers|date=June 25, 2019|newspaper=The Hill|author=Frazer, Rachel|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021053240/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/450178-dem-senator-introduces-bill-to-ban-gun-silencers|url-status=live}}

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".{{cite news|url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-stop-pushing-health-insurance-plans-that-weaken-pre-existing-condition-protections/|title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans that Weaken Pre-Existing Condition Protections|date=December 20, 2018|publisher=urbanmilwaukee.com|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=January 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117122353/https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-calls-on-trump-administration-to-stop-pushing-health-insurance-plans-that-weaken-pre-existing-condition-protections/|url-status=live}}

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".{{cite news|url=https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/democratic-senators-e2809calarmede2809d-by-shutdowne28099s-potential-impact-on-food-safety/|title=Democratic Senators "Alarmed" by Shutdown's Potential Impact on Food Safety|date=January 15, 2019|work=Food Safety Magazine |access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015436/https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/news/democratic-senators-e2809calarmede2809d-by-shutdowne28099s-potential-impact-on-food-safety/|url-status=live}}

File:Senator Robert Menendez, CODEL, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept. 1, 2014 (14929307248).jpg, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-011921|title=Senate Foreign Relations Committee Nomination Hearing – Antony Blinken|date=January 19, 2020|access-date=January 22, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122033838/https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-011921|url-status=live}}

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."{{cite web|url=http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2ODgxNDc1JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==|title=Menendez, Clinton seek to stop UAE port deal|author=Davis, Tom|work=The Record|date=February 18, 2006|access-date=February 21, 2006|archive-date=May 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507043612/http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2ODgxNDc1JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg%3D%3D}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/aroundnj/FBI_agent_says_Cuba_sought_dirt_on_Menendez.html|title=FBI agent says Cuba sought dirt on Menendez|author=Llorente, Elizabeth|work=The Record|date=April 25, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2008|archive-date=August 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818232605/http://www.northjersey.com/news/aroundnj/FBI_agent_says_Cuba_sought_dirt_on_Menendez.html}}

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."[http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/christofias-pressed-us-over-havana-embassy-plan Evripidou, Stefanos. "Christofias pressed in US over Havana embassy plan"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Cyprus Mail, September 23, 2008.[http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/us-senator-calls-christofias-cuba-remarks-disrespectful-and-insensitive Hazou, Elias. "US Senator calls Christofias' Cuba remarks 'disrespectful and insensitive'"]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Cyprus Mail, November 24, 2009.

In December 2010, Menendez voted for the ratification of New Start,{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Memmott |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start |title=Senate Ratifies START |publisher=NPR |date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331202810/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html|title=Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26|first=Peter|last=Baker|work=The New York Times|date=December 22, 2010|access-date=February 21, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229151646/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html|url-status=live}}

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."{{cite web|author=Jackson, Herb|title=Menendez announces opposition to Iran nuclear deal|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/menendez-announces-opposition-to-iran-nuclear-deal-1.1394026|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908095032/http://www.northjersey.com/news/menendez-announces-opposition-to-iran-nuclear-deal-1.1394026|archive-date=September 8, 2015|access-date=August 18, 2015}}

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,{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|website=Intelligencer|language=en|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727013113/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors – S.720 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621142604/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|url-status=live}}

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".{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/a3911fb8cd2d4ae2bae5e6c2033695f6|title=Senate Democrats urge Pence to discuss Assange with Ecuador|publisher=Associated Press|date=June 27, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174226/https://www.apnews.com/a3911fb8cd2d4ae2bae5e6c2033695f6|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=Sen. Bill Nelson Votes to Continue Helping Saudi Arabia Kill Yemeni Citizens |author=Iannelli, Jerry |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-senator-bill-nelson-votes-for-yemen-war-10192904 |work=Miami News Times |date=March 21, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919165603/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-senator-bill-nelson-votes-for-yemen-war-10192904 |url-status=live }} But Menendez criticized Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen,"[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/senators-doubt-benefit-support-saudi-arabia-yemen-180418085443641.html Senators doubt benefit of US support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041508/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/senators-doubt-benefit-support-saudi-arabia-yemen-180418085443641.html |date=May 26, 2018 }}". Al-Jazeera. April 18, 2018. 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."{{cite web|url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-remarks-on-senate-debate-on-yemen|title=Menendez Remarks on Senate Debate on Yemen|work=menendez.senate.gov|date=March 20, 2018|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008192749/https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-remarks-on-senate-debate-on-yemen|url-status=live}} 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."{{cite web |last1=Carney |first1=Jordain |title=Senate passes resolution naming crown prince 'responsible' for Khashoggi slaying |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/421287-senate-passes-resolution-naming-crown-prince-responsible-for-khashoggi/ |website=The Hill |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213234334/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/421287-senate-passes-resolution-naming-crown-prince-responsible-for-khashoggi |url-status=live }}

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

Menendez condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to the crisis.{{cite news |title=Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar |url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |author=Hussein, Fatima |work=IndyStar |date=October 22, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608003143/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Lawmakers urge U.S. to call Myanmar's Rohingya campaign genocide |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-myanmar-congress/lawmakers-urge-us-to-call-myanmars-rohingya-campaign-genocide-idUSKCN1M62ES |author=Zengerle, Patricia |work=Reuters |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818080101/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-myanmar-congress/lawmakers-urge-us-to-call-myanmars-rohingya-campaign-genocide-idUSKCN1M62ES |url-status=live }}

Menendez raised the issue of Xinjiang internment camps and called China's persecution of Uyghurs "beyond abhorrent",{{cite news |title=U.S. lawmakers introduce bill hitting China for Uighur repression |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/11/15/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/u-s-lawmakers-introduce-bill-hitting-china-uighur-repression/ |work=The Japan Times |date=November 15, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124510/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/11/15/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/u-s-lawmakers-introduce-bill-hitting-china-uighur-repression/ |url-status=live }} 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."{{cite news |title=Bipartisan legislation in US senate against China's human rights abuses in Xinjiang |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/bipartisan-legislation-in-us-senate-against-chinas-human-rights-abuses-in-xinjiang/articleshow/66633742.cms |work=The Times of India |date=November 15, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031805/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/bipartisan-legislation-in-us-senate-against-chinas-human-rights-abuses-in-xinjiang/articleshow/66633742.cms |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news|title=Don't Let Democrats Become the Party of War|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/04/dont-let-democrats-become-the-party-of-war-trump-syria-afghanistan-north-korea-pelosi-schumer/|first1=Trita|last1=Parsi|first2=Stephen|last2=Wertheim|work=Foreign Policy|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003135841/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/04/dont-let-democrats-become-the-party-of-war-trump-syria-afghanistan-north-korea-pelosi-schumer/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign/|title=More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts|first=Rachel|last=Frazin|date=April 4, 2019|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404221454/https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign|url-status=live}}

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.[https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/where-is/30185531.html Where Are...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018104352/https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/where-is/30185531.html |date=October 18, 2019 }} // «Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty», September 30, 2019{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/senatormenendez/status/1144006856790237185 |title=Senator Bob Menendez on Twitter: "Two years after being seized by Russian govt-backed separatists, journalist & @RFERL contributor Stanislav Aseyev remains in captivity with almost no connection to the outside world. His detention is an attack on journalists everywhere. I call for Mr. Aseyev's immediate release." |access-date=October 18, 2019 |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204093510/https://twitter.com/SenatorMenendez/status/1144006856790237185 |url-status=live }}{{better source needed|date=November 2019}}

In October 2019, Menendez stated his opposition to the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria.{{cite news |title=Trump 'Unleashed the Gates of Hell' by Green-Lighting Turkey's Syria Invasion, Senator Menendez Says |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-unleashed-gates-hell-green-lighting-turkey-syria-invasion-senator-menendez-1466009 |work=Newsweek |author=Lemon, Jason |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005203802/https://www.newsweek.com/trump-unleashed-gates-hell-green-lighting-turkey-syria-invasion-senator-menendez-1466009 |url-status=live }}

Menendez called for the Trump administration to immediately suspend U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan,{{cite news |title=Democrats urge halt to security aid to Azerbaijan in Armenia conflict |url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/06/democrats-urge-halt-to-security-aid-to-azerbaijan-in-armenia-conflict/ |work=Defense News |date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006162051/https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/10/06/democrats-urge-halt-to-security-aid-to-azerbaijan-in-armenia-conflict/ |url-status=live }} sent through Pentagon's "building partner assistance program".{{cite news |title=US Allocates $100 million in Security Aid to Azerbaijan in 2018–19 |url=https://armenian.usc.edu/us-allocates-100-million-in-security-aid-to-azerbaijan/ |work=USC Institute of Armenian Studies |date=July 17, 2019 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008151829/https://armenian.usc.edu/us-allocates-100-million-in-security-aid-to-azerbaijan/ |url-status=live }} According to critics, the aid could be used in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.{{cite news |title=During Major Azerbaijani War Games, US Pulls Plug on Artsakh Demining |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2020/05/22/during-major-azerbaijani-war-games-us-pulls-plug-on-artsakh-demining/ |work=Armenian Weekly |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009123200/https://armenianweekly.com/2020/05/22/during-major-azerbaijani-war-games-us-pulls-plug-on-artsakh-demining/ |url-status=live }} In September 2020, Menendez tweeted: "I strongly condemn Azerbaijan's attack on Nagorno Karabakh, yet another act of aggression supported by Turkey."{{cite news |title=Democrats warn Turkey over involvement in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/518737-democrats-warn-turkey-over-involvement-in-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict/ |work=The Hill |date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004085716/https://thehill.com/policy/international/518737-democrats-warn-turkey-over-involvement-in-azerbaijan-armenia-conflict |url-status=live }} 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."

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.{{cite news |title=Team Biden Balks on Africa Sanctions |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/20/us-africa-sanctions-human-rights-biden-ethiopia-sudan/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=October 20, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101113405/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/20/us-africa-sanctions-human-rights-biden-ethiopia-sudan/ |url-status=live }}

Menendez became chair of the Foreign Relations Committee after John Kerry's confirmation as Secretary of State in January 2013.{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-28/news/36579124_1_menendez-foreign-policy-larger-role | title =Sen. Robert Menendez is about to assume a more powerful role in Washington | newspaper =The Philadelphia Inquirer | first =Jonathan | last =Tamari | date =January 28, 2013 | access-date =January 31, 2013 | archive-date =March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001543/http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-28/news/36579124_1_menendez-foreign-policy-larger-role | url-status =dead }} His "Syria force resolution" was praised by President Obama and others. Menendez has supported taking a "hard line" on Iran.{{cite news |last=Bennett |first=John T. |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Senators Vow Progress as Menendez Indicted |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2015/04/01/menendez-charges-iran-isis/70724298/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150404121757/http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2015/04/01/menendez-charges-iran-isis/70724298/ |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |newspaper=Defense News |location=United States |access-date=April 2, 2015 }}

• Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (S. 793; 113th Congress) – Menendez introduced this bill on April 24, 2013.{{cite web|title=S. 793 – Summary|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/senate-bill/793|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=January 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106103819/http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/senate-bill/793|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|title=CBO – S. 793|date=July 31, 2013|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44475|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060937/http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44475|url-status=live}} The act would require the Secretary to provide quarterly briefings to Congress on the progress of implementing that strategy.
• 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.{{cite web|title=S. 1901 – Summary|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/senate-bill/1901|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114051/http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/senate-bill/1901|url-status=live}} The bill passed the Senate on January 27, 2014, and the House on January 28, 2014.{{cite news

|last=Kasperowicz

|first=Pete

|title=House quickly passes South Korea nuke deal extension

|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/196713-house-quickly-passes-south-korea-nuke-deal-extension/

|access-date=January 30, 2014 |newspaper=The Hill

|date=January 28, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202211314/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/196713-house-quickly-passes-south-korea-nuke-deal-extension

}}

• Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 ({{USBill|113|S.|2828}}), 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2828/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors: S.2828 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)|date=December 11, 2014 |publisher=United States Congress|access-date=May 19, 2023|archive-date=May 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519171905/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2828/cosponsors|url-status=live}} President Obama signed the bill into law on December 18, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/18/statement-president-ukraine-freedom-support-act| title =Statement by the President on the Ukraine Freedom Support Act| date =December 18, 2014| access-date =January 31, 2015| archive-date =January 29, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129155356/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/18/statement-president-ukraine-freedom-support-act| via =National Archives| work =whitehouse.gov| url-status =live}}
• 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".{{cite web |title=S.3652 - A bill to counter the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and Eastern European allies, to expedite security assistance to Ukraine to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, and to impose sanctions relating to the actions of the Russian Federation concerning Ukraine and for other purposes. |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ROS22031.pdf |publisher=117th Congress 2d Session |page=10 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129183240/https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ROS22031.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Sirota |first1=Sara |title=Neo-Nazis Not Top of Mind for Senate Democrats Pushing Weapons for Ukraine |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/02/18/ukraine-weapons-neo-nazis-bob-menendez/ |access-date=February 24, 2022 |work=The Intercept |date=February 18, 2022 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224175830/https://theintercept.com/2022/02/18/ukraine-weapons-neo-nazis-bob-menendez/ |url-status=live }} The bill also reimposed sanctions on Russia.{{cite news |title=Sen. Menendez: 'Mother of all sanctions bill' will deter Putin from invading Ukraine |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/sen-menendez-mother-sanctions-bill-183434264.html |access-date=February 24, 2022 |work=Yahoo! |agency=NBC Universal |date=January 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224175832/https://www.yahoo.com/now/sen-menendez-mother-sanctions-bill-183434264.html |url-status=live }}

On September 28, 2006, Menendez voted for the Military Commissions Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00259| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213002727/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00259|archive-date=December 13, 2007 |title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress – 2nd Session |agency=United States Senate}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2011|website= Hillary Clinton For President|title=Press Release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430225123/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2011 |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/02/menendez-stock-falls-with-dem-losses-033102|title=Menendez stock falls with Dem losses|last1=Bresnahan|first1=John|first2=Glenn|last2=Thrush|date=February 17, 2010|work=Politico|access-date=February 19, 2010|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220092829/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33102.html|url-status=live}}

A group of New Jersey citizens launched an effort to recall Menendez in early 2010.{{cite news|last=Fuchs |first=Mary |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/tea_party_activitists_look_to.html |title=Tea Party activists look to unseat U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez |date=February 5, 2010 |publisher=NJ.com |work=Newark Star-Ledger |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909080548/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/tea_party_activitists_look_to.html }} Although Article 1, Paragraph 2(b) of the New Jersey Constitution expressly authorizes such a recall,{{cite web

|url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/lawsconstitution/constitution.asp

|title=New Jersey State Constitution

|archive-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/lawsconstitution/constitution.asp

}} state officials fought the effort in court.{{cite news

|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/tea_party_group_seeking_to_rec.html

|title=Tea Party group seeking to recall Sen. Robert Menendez appears before N.J. appeals court

|publisher=NJ.com

|work=The Star-Ledger

|last=Ackermann

|first=Peggy

|date=March 2, 2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2012

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904055347/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/tea_party_group_seeking_to_rec.html

}} On March 16, 2010, a State Appeals court ruled that the recall petition could proceed.{{cite news

|last=Ackermann

|first=Peggy

|title=Court rules Tea Party can proceed with effort to recall Sen. Robert Menendez

|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/court_says_nj_tea_party_cannot.html

|publisher=NJ.com

|work=The Star-Ledger

|date=March 16, 2010 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120813214332/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/court_says_nj_tea_party_cannot.html

|archive-date=August 13, 2012

}} Menendez said he was surprised that a group claiming to be true to the Constitution was trying, in his words, "to undermine it".{{cite news |url=http://www.kyw1060.com/Tea-Party-Petition-Aims-to-Oust-NJ-Senator-Menende/6926615 |title=Tea Party Petition Aims to Oust NJ Senator Menendez|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923065054/https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |work=KYW |date=April 29, 2010}} He appealed the ruling.{{cite news|url=https://abc13.com/archive/7371141/ |title=US senator from NJ appeals recall ruling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009213920/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=7371141 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 | work=KTRK-TV |location=Houston, TX |publisher=Associated Press|url-status=live | date=April 6, 2010}} Legal experts have debated the constitutionality of a state recall of a federal officeholder.{{cite web |author1=Volokh, Eugene|date=March 16, 2010 |url=http://volokh.com/2010/03/16/why-recalls-of-u-s-senators-are-unconstitutional/ | title=Why Recalls of U.S. Senators Are Unconstitutional | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408013016/http://volokh.com/2010/03/16/why-recalls-of-u-s-senators-are-unconstitutional/ |archive-date=April 8, 2010 | website=The Volokh Conspiracy|url-status=live}} On November 18, 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court found that the New Jersey provision violated the U.S. Constitution.{{cite news|last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |date=November 18, 2010 |title=Court kills Robert Menendez recall push |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/11/court-kills-menendez-recall-push-045347 |archive-date=June 30, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45347.html }}

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported that Menendez had written to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke,{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Menendez|title=Letter to Bernanke|access-date=February 14, 2012|url=https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/menendez0208.pdf|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822225759/https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/menendez0208.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|last=Paletta|first=Damian|title=Senator Prodded Fed to Aid Ailing Bank From Home State|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB20001424052748703615904575053664017840360|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=February 14, 2012|date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604173607/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB20001424052748703615904575053664017840360|archive-date=June 4, 2015}} 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".{{cite web |title=Menendez Sought Bank Bailout For Campaign Contributors |url=http://njtoday.net/2010/02/11/menendez-sought-bank-bailout-for-campaign-contributors/ |work=NJ Today |date=February 11, 2010 |publisher=CMD Media |access-date=February 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123214336/http://njtoday.net/2010/02/11/menendez-sought-bank-bailout-for-campaign-contributors/ |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |url-status=live }} 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". 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/enforcement/2007-08-04.pdf|title=FDIC 07-177b|access-date=June 30, 2011|archive-date=July 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728164343/http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/enforcement/2007-08-04.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/menendez0208.pdf|title=United States Senate|place=Washington, D.C.|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=March 13, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822225759/https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/menendez0208.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news

|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/us_sen_robert_menendez_defends.html

|title=U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez defends bailout request for struggling BankAmericano in Elizabeth

|newspaper=The Star-Ledger

|author=Sherman, Ted

|date=February 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904183354/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/us_sen_robert_menendez_defends.html

|archive-date=September 4, 2012

}}{{cite news|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/83991622_Failing_bank_aided_execs.html |title=Lesniak, other insiders got loans at failed bank|first1=Jeff|last1=Pillets|first2=John|last2=Reitmeyer|first3=Richard|last3=Newman|first4=Herb|last4=Jackson|work=The Record|date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.northjersey.com/news/83991622_Failing_bank_aided_execs.html }}

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.{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 5, 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-stalls-obama-move-to-promote-judge-patty-shwartz.html |title=In Act of Defiance, Democrat Stalls Obama Choice for Court |first=Kate |last=Zernike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413102845/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-stalls-obama-move-to-promote-judge-patty-shwartz.html |archive-date=April 13, 2014 | url-status=live}} Menendez denied personal motivation for the block. He has long contended that the corruption investigation was politically motivated.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-in-statement-airs-concerns-with-judge-patty-shwartz.html |title=Senator Says His Concerns With Nominee Aren't Personal |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Kate |last=Zernike |date=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413102833/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-in-statement-airs-concerns-with-judge-patty-shwartz.html | url-status=live}}{{cite news

|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/feds_tell_menendez_2006_probe.html

|title=Feds tell Sen. Menendez 2006 probe now closed, subpoena had come in heat of election

|work=NJ.com

|first=Mark

|last=Mueller

|date=October 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911222454/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/feds_tell_menendez_2006_probe.html

|archive-date=September 11, 2012 | url-status=live

}} The investigation was closed in late 2011 with no charges filed.{{cite news

|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/robert_menendez/index.html

|title=Robert Menendez

|newspaper=The New York Times

|first=Laura

|last=Pedrick

|date=March 26, 2010 |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327004508/http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/robert_menendez/index.html | url-status=live

}}

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.{{cite news |author= |title=ICE reportedly arrested illegal immigrant sex offender interning for Menendez |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ice-reportedly-arrested-illegal-immigrant-sex-offender-interning-for-menendez/ |newspaper=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |location=Washington, D.C. |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120061403/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/12/govt-arrests-illegal-immigrant-senate-intern-for-menendez.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |first=Alicia A. |last=Caldwell |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SENATE_INTERN_ARRESTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-12-12-14-18-16 |title=Gov't arrests illegal immigrant Senate intern |agency=Associated Press |date=December 12, 2012 |archive-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SENATE_INTERN_ARRESTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-12-12-14-18-16 }}{{cite web|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/12/15868303-sen-menendez-employed-intern-who-was-illegal-immigrant-sex-offender-ap-reports |title=Sen. Menendez employed intern who was illegal immigrant, sex offender, AP reports |work=NBC News |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=December 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/12/15868303-sen-menendez-employed-intern-who-was-illegal-immigrant-sex-offender-ap-reports |archive-date=June 30, 2009 }}

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.{{cite web | last=Fishman | first=Adam | title=Senator Bob Menendez Outlines Positions on Israel, Iran | website=Algemeiner.com | date=May 26, 2014 |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2014/05/26/senator-bob-menendez-outlines-positions-on-israel-iran/ | access-date=January 2, 2018 | archive-date=June 5, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605011517/https://www.algemeiner.com/2014/05/26/senator-bob-menendez-outlines-positions-on-israel-iran/ | url-status=live }}

Menendez became an outspoken advocate of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) after it was delisted.{{citation|url=https://theintercept.com/2015/02/26/long-march-yellow/|title=Long March of the Yellow Jackets: How a One-Time Terrorist Group Prevailed on Capitol Hill|work=The Intercept|author=Ali Gharib, Eli Clifton|date=February 26, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331140458/https://theintercept.com/2015/02/26/long-march-yellow/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Carney |first1=Jordain |title=Senate approves resolution warning Trump not to hand over US officials |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/397904-senate-approves-resolution-warning-trump-not-to-hand-over-us-officials/ |website=The Hill |date=July 19, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018 |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721200949/http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/397904-senate-approves-resolution-warning-trump-not-to-hand-over-us-officials |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|title=Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=ktvz.com|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|archive-date=April 18, 2019}}

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.{{Cite web|author1=Salant, Jonathan D.|work=NJ Advance Media |date=September 26, 2021|title=Congress may restore your property tax break, but just for a little while, N.J. congressman says|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/09/congress-may-restore-your-property-tax-break-but-just-for-a-little-while-nj-congressman-says.html|access-date=October 19, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223144/https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/09/congress-may-restore-your-property-tax-break-but-just-for-a-little-while-nj-congressman-says.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 15, 2013|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-probing-allegations-sen-menendez-patronized-prostitutes-in-dominican/2013/02/15/49b64e7c-77c5-11e2-8f84-3e4b513b1a13_story.html|title=FBI investigating allegations Sen. Menendez patronized prostitutes in Dominican Republic|first1=Carol D.|last1=Leonnig|first2=Peter|last2=Wallsten|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413090043/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-probing-allegations-sen-menendez-patronized-prostitutes-in-dominican/2013/02/15/49b64e7c-77c5-11e2-8f84-3e4b513b1a13_story.html|url-status=live}} 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. 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/nyregion/partisan-push-led-to-troubling-revelations-about-senator-menendez.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 13, 2013 |date=February 16, 2013 |first=Eric |last=Lipton |title=Inquiry on Democratic Senator Started With a Partisan Push |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217162734/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/nyregion/partisan-push-led-to-troubling-revelations-about-senator-menendez.html }}{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/woman-paid-lie-claim-sex-senator-menendez/story?id=18653773|work=ABC News|title=Woman Says She Was Paid to Lie About Claim of Sex With Senator Menendez|access-date=March 13, 2013|date=March 5, 2013|first=Rhonda|last=Schwartz|archive-date=March 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308042856/http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/woman-paid-lie-claim-sex-senator-menendez/story?id=18653773|url-status=live}}{{cite web |work=The Atlantic |date=March 8, 2013 |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/03/only-daily-caller-thought-daily-callers-scoop-was-scoop/62906/ |title=Daily Caller's Prostitution 'Scoop' Was So Thin Even the "New York Post" Passed |first=Philip |last=Bump |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/03/only-daily-caller-thought-daily-callers-scoop-was-scoop/62906/ }} One accuser stated that she had been paid to falsely implicate Menendez and had never met him.{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Escort says Menendez prostitution claims were made up|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/escort-says-menendez-prostitution-claims-were-made-up/2013/03/04/31299fe2-8514-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_story.html|first1=Carol D.|last1=Leonnig|first2=Ernesto|last2=Londoño|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-date=March 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306220245/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/escort-says-menendez-prostitution-claims-were-made-up/2013/03/04/31299fe2-8514-11e2-999e-5f8e0410cb9d_story.html|url-status=live}} The Daily Caller said this woman was not interviewed for its story.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/05/menendez-prostitution-scandal-takes-dramatic-turn|title=Menendez Prostitution Scandal Takes Dramatic Turn|author=Nelson, Steven|work=U.S. News & World Report|date=March 5, 2013|access-date=September 19, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727034131/https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/03/05/menendez-prostitution-scandal-takes-dramatic-turn|url-status=live}} Menendez's office called the allegations "manufactured" by a "right-wing blog" as a politically motivated smear.{{cite news|title=Menendez: Prostitution allegations 'manufactured' by 'right-wing blog'|first=Rachel|last=Weiner|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/30/menendez-prostitution-allegations-manufactured-by-right-wing-blog/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 30, 2013|access-date=February 9, 2013|archive-date=January 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131023236/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/30/menendez-prostitution-allegations-manufactured-by-right-wing-blog/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|last=Lazo|first=Luz|title=Dominican police: 3 women paid to make false claims about Menendez|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dominican-police-3-women-paid-to-make-false-claims-about-menendez/2013/03/18/f2ff253c-8fe7-11e2-9abd-e4c5c9dc5e90_story.html|access-date=March 19, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 18, 2013|archive-date=March 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319025217/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dominican-police-3-women-paid-to-make-false-claims-about-menendez/2013/03/18/f2ff253c-8fe7-11e2-9abd-e4c5c9dc5e90_story.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news |date=September 8, 2006 |title=Feds probe Menendez rental deal: Senator took in at least $300,000 from nonprofit in Union City |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |url=http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1157696151222550.xml&coll=1 |url-status=live |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410103615/http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-8%2F1157696151222550.xml&coll=1 |archive-date=April 10, 2015}} 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.{{cite web |author=Gohlke, Josh |date=August 26, 2006 |title=GOP calls Menendez rent profits unethical |url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTgxNjEw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309214228/http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2OTgxNjEw |archive-date=March 9, 2007 |access-date=September 23, 2006 |work=northjersey.com}} Menendez said that he rented the property out below market value because "he was supportive of its work".{{cite news |date=August 25, 2006 |title=Agency was paying rent to its champion: Menendez denies Kean's charge that role of landlord poses conflict |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |url=http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1156486000219130.xml |url-status=live |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408202102/http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-4%2F1156486000219130.xml |archive-date=April 8, 2016}} The total rent collected over nine years was over $300,000.

The sentencing of Bob Menendez marked a significant fall from grace for the once-powerful politician. Judge Sidney Stein, in delivering the sentence, remarked, "You stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way, you lost your way."{{cite web | url=https://abc7.com/post/former-new-jersey-senator-bob-menendez-set-sentenced-corruption-charges/15845857/ | title=Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison on corruption charges | date=January 29, 2025 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/30/former-us-senator-bob-menendez-given-11-year-prison-sentence-for-bribery | title=Former US Senator Bob Menendez given 11-year prison sentence for bribery }} The conviction made Menendez the first sitting member of Congress to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/former-sen-bob-menendez-sentenced-gold-bar-bribery-case-rcna189044 | title=Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison in gold bar bribery case | website=NBC News | date=January 29, 2025 }}

The corruption scheme involved Menendez accepting over $100,000 in gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and more than $480,000 in cash hidden in various locations. Prosecutors argued that Menendez used his position to push for U.S. military aid to Egypt and share nonpublic information with Egyptian officials.

Two of Menendez's co-conspirators, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to 8 and 7 years in prison respectively. The case against Menendez included substantial evidence, such as Daibes' fingerprints on envelopes of cash found at Menendez's home and serial numbers on gold bars traced to both Daibes and Hana. Menendez's legal team had sought leniency, arguing for a non-custodial sentence due to his age and his wife's ongoing cancer treatment. However, the prosecution pushed for a substantial prison sentence to address what they called an "extraordinary abuse of power and betrayal of the public trust".{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyekv226l2o | title=Ex-US Senator Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison | date=January 29, 2025 }}{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Luc |date=30 January 2025 |title=Former US Senator Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison in gold bar bribery case |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/bob-menendez-be-sentenced-gold-bar-bribery-case-that-ended-us-senate-career-2025-01-29/}}{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2025/01/29/sen-bob-menendez-sentenced-to-11-years-in-prison-in-corruption-case/ | title=Sen. Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison in Corruption Case | website=Forbes }}

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?433916-1/qa-randall-eliason Q&A interview with former U.S. attorney Randall Eliason on the Menendez indictment and trial, September 17, 2017], C-SPAN}}

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.Jackson, Herb (October 24, 2013) [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-feds-again-raid-menendez-done/136563084/ Feds again raid Menendez doner's office]. The Record. Later that month, a federal grand jury in Miami began investigating Menendez for his role in advocating for Melgen's business interests.{{cite web|last1=Hernandez|first1=Raymond|last2=Robles|first2=Frances|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/nyregion/senator-menendezs-ties-to-political-donor-are-scrutinized.html|title=Senator Menendez's Ties to Political Donor Are Scrutinized|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=April 6, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331020602/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/nyregion/senator-menendezs-ties-to-political-donor-are-scrutinized.html|url-status=live}} 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. This raised questions about whether the flights violated Senate Ethics Committee rules.Phillis, Michael (July 16, 2014). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-menendez-defense-fund-se/136564524/ Menendez defense fund sent more than $300,000]. The Herald-News. It was also found that Melgen's company had contributed more than $950,000 to Menendez's 2012 reelection campaign. Melgen's home was raided again on October 22 but he still refused to cooperate with investigators.Tucker, Eric (March 31, 2015). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-fed-charges-loom-for-friend/136564250/ Fed charges loom for friend of Menendez]. Courier-Post.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grand-jury-investigating-sen-robert-menendez-d-nj-people-familiar-with-probe-say/2013/03/14/2eb4fad4-8b24-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html|title=Grand jury investigating Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), people familiar with probe say|first1=Carol D.|last1=Leonnig|first2=Peter|last2=Wallsten|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 15, 2013|date=March 15, 2013|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grand-jury-investigating-sen-robert-menendez-d-nj-people-familiar-with-probe-say/2013/03/14/2eb4fad4-8b24-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/senator-robert-menendez-and-salomon-melgen-indicted-conspiracy-bribery-and-honest-services |title=Senator Robert Menendez and Salomon Melgen Indicted for Conspiracy, Bribery and Honest Services Fraud |publisher=Department of Justice |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |archive-date=April 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401231223/http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/senator-robert-menendez-and-salomon-melgen-indicted-conspiracy-bribery-and-honest-services |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news|last1=Kane|first1=Paul|first2=Carol D.|last2=Leonnig|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/menendez-expected-to-be-indicted-as-soon-as-wednesday-sources-say/2015/04/01/623024c6-d86e-11e4-8103-fa84725dbf9d_story.html|title=Sen. Robert Menendez indicted on corruption charges|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 1, 2015|archive-date=April 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401192310/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/menendez-expected-to-be-indicted-as-soon-as-wednesday-sources-say/2015/04/01/623024c6-d86e-11e4-8103-fa84725dbf9d_story.html|url-status=live}} Prosecutors also charged that Menendez acted as Melgen's "personal senator", helping obtain visas for several of Melgen's girlfriends.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/sen_bob_menendez_indicted_on_federal_corruption_ch.html|title=Sen. Robert Menendez indicted on federal corruption charges|author=Salant, Jonathan D.|work=nj.com|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 1, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405034056/http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/sen_bob_menendez_indicted_on_federal_corruption_ch.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Corasaniti|first1=Nick|title=Opening Arguments in Menendez Trial Focus on the Meaning of Friendship|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-trial-melgen.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907014903/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-trial-melgen.html|url-status=live}} 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. 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.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Henry |last2=Braun |first2=Stephen |date=February 12, 2013 |title=Report: Menendez emails sought to aid donor's firm |url=http://nbclatino.com/2013/02/12/report-menendez-emails-sought-to-aid-donors-firm/ |website=nbclatino.com |agency=Associated Press |location=Washington |access-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911213857/http://nbclatino.com/2013/02/12/report-menendez-emails-sought-to-aid-donors-firm/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|title=Bribery trial prosecutor: Menendez acted as 'personal senator' for rich doctor|url=http://wapo.st/2vNiz37|access-date=September 7, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031812/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bribery-trial-prosecutor-menendez-acted-as-personal-senator-for-rich-doctor/2017/09/06/79a5ec40-9337-11e7-89fa-bb822a46da5b_story.html|url-status=live}}

After his indictment, Menendez voluntarily stepped down as ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee.{{cite magazine |last=Mimms |first=Sarah |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/bob-menendez-stepping-down-foreign-relations-20150401 |title=Menendez Will Give Up Foreign Relations Post |magazine=National Journal |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402023705/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/bob-menendez-stepping-down-foreign-relations-20150401 |url-status=live }} His trial began on September 6, 2017, before Judge William H. Walls of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On November 16, 2017, Walls declared a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a verdict on any charges.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/menendez-jury-says-again-that-it-is-deadlocked/2017/11/16/c6ae9096-c951-11e7-aa96-54417592cf72_story.html|title=After mistrial, Menendez speaks of 'resurrection,' but joy may be short-lived|first1=Alan|last1=Maimon|first2=Devlin|last2=Barrett|date=November 16, 2017|access-date=November 17, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117001547/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/menendez-jury-says-again-that-it-is-deadlocked/2017/11/16/c6ae9096-c951-11e7-aa96-54417592cf72_story.html|url-status=live}} On January 31, 2018, the Justice Department announced it was dropping all charges against Menendez.{{Cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/justice-departments-seeks-to-toss-out-charges-against-sen-menendez/2018/01/31/19a3094c-06a8-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html |title=Justice Department seeks to toss out charges against Sen. Menendez |last=Barrett |first=Devlin |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=January 31, 2018 |work=The Washington Post |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075520/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/justice-departments-seeks-to-toss-out-charges-against-sen-menendez/2018/01/31/19a3094c-06a8-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-corruption.html|title=Corruption Case Against Senator Menendez Ends in Mistrial|first1=Nick|last1=Corasaniti|first2=Nate|last2=Schweber|date=November 16, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 6, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606213420/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/nyregion/senator-robert-menendez-corruption.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-11/menendez-prosecutors-finish-case-as-senator-opens-defense|title=Menendez Judge Suggests He May Dismiss Senator's Bribe Counts|first1=David|last1=Voreacos|first2=Neil|last2=Weinberg|date=October 11, 2017|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=June 6, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527095008/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-11/menendez-prosecutors-finish-case-as-senator-opens-defense|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Winston |first=Hannah |title=Trump commutes sentence of Dr. Salomon Melgen, eye doctor found guilty of Medicare fraud |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/20/trump-commutes-sentence-dr-salomon-melgen-after-medicare-fraud-conviction/4221638001/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=The Palm Beach Post |language=en-US}}

In April 2018, the United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics "severely admonished" Menendez in a letter,{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Herb |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Ethics committee admonishes Sen. Bob Menendez over taking gifts and advocating for donor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/26/ethics-committee-admonishes-sen-bob-menendez-over-taking-gifts-and-advocating-donor/555559002/ |work=USA Today |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427005244/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/26/ethics-committee-admonishes-sen-bob-menendez-over-taking-gifts-and-advocating-donor/555559002/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |date=April 27, 2018 |title=The Senate just smacked down one of its own |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/27/politics/menendez-melgen-severely-admonished/index.html |work=CNN |access-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-date=April 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427214805/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/27/politics/menendez-melgen-severely-admonished/index.html |url-status=live }} writing:

{{blockquote|The Committee has found that over a six-year period you knowingly and repeatedly accepted gifts of significant value from Dr. Melgen without obtaining required Committee approval, and that you failed to publicly disclose certain gifts as required by Senate Rule and federal law. Additionally, while accepting these gifts, you used your position as a Member of the Senate to advance Dr. Melgen's personal and business interests. The Committee has determined that this conduct violated Senate Rules, federal law, and applicable standards of conduct. Accordingly, the Committee issues you this Public Letter of Admonition and also directs you to repay the fair market value of all impermissible gifts not already repaid.{{cite web|url=https://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=49C12C75-7A26-4FE6-B070-19FCEF4D7532|title=Senate Ethics Committee Admonition Letter|last=Isakson|first=Johnny|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=July 1, 2019|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705045257/https://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=49C12C75-7A26-4FE6-B070-19FCEF4D7532|url-status=live}}}}

File:Robert Menendez at Morton's The Steakhouse in Washington DC, May 2019.png |date=June 4, 2024}}]]

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.[https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-bob-menendez-new-jersey-set-legal-defense-fund-criminal-probe-rcna80133 Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey to set up legal defense fund amid criminal probe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512035019/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-bob-menendez-new-jersey-set-legal-defense-fund-criminal-probe-rcna80133 |date=May 12, 2023 }}, NBC News, Jonathan Dienst, Ken Dilanian and Zoë Richards, April 17, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023. Subpoenas unrelated to the latter firm were issued in May 2023 to Nicholas Sacco, the mayor of North Bergen, New Jersey, and others.[https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/criminal-probe-sen-bob-menendez-expands-new-subpoenas-rcna83646 Criminal investigation into Sen. Bob Menendez expands with new subpoenas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512031723/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/criminal-probe-sen-bob-menendez-expands-new-subpoenas-rcna83646 |date=May 12, 2023 }}, NBC News, Jonathan Dienst and Courtney Copenhagen, May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023. Investigators found $480,000 in cash and more than $100,000 worth of gold bars at Menendez's home.{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Gold bars, cash-stuffed envelopes: New indictment of Sen. Menendez alleges vast corruption |url=https://apnews.com/article/senator-menendez-indicted-729db45fcf21c42ba707c9d0139349e9 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922192843/https://apnews.com/article/senator-menendez-indicted-729db45fcf21c42ba707c9d0139349e9 |url-status=live }} 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".{{cite news |last1=Weiser |first1=Benjamin |last2=Tully |first2=Tracey |last3=Rashbaum |first3=William K. |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Senator Robert Menendez Is Indicted in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/nyregion/robert-menendez-indicted.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922133154/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/nyregion/robert-menendez-indicted.html/ |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Ted |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Sen. Robert Menendez indicted again on explosive federal corruption charges |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2023/09/sen-robert-menendez-indicted-again-on-federal-corruption-charges.html |access-date=September 22, 2023 |website=nj |language=en |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922165407/https://www.nj.com/politics/2023/09/sen-robert-menendez-indicted-again-on-federal-corruption-charges.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |last1=Ramey |first1=Corinne |last2=Fanelli |first2=James |title=Gold Bars and a Luxury Car: Sen. Bob Menendez Charged With Taking Bribes |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/sen-bob-menendez-indicted-on-federal-bribery-charges-e70623db |access-date=September 23, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230924034248/https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/sen-bob-menendez-indicted-on-federal-bribery-charges-e70623db |archive-date=September 24, 2023}} According to the Senate Historical Office, Menendez is the first sitting senator to be indicted on two unrelated criminal matters. After the indictment, he gave up his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.{{cite news |last1=Cabral |first1=Sam |title=Bob Menendez steps down as US Senate foreign relations chairman after indictment |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66897845 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |work=BBC News |date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925170215/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66897845 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news |last1=Wilkie |first1=Christina |last2=Picciotto |first2=Rebecca |title=Sen. John Fetterman is first Democratic senator to tell Sen. Bob Menendez to resign after bribery indictment |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/22/new-jersey-gov-phil-murphy-calls-on-sen-bob-menendez-to-resign-after-bribery-indictment.html |access-date=September 24, 2023 |work=CNBC |date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924020001/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/22/new-jersey-gov-phil-murphy-calls-on-sen-bob-menendez-to-resign-after-bribery-indictment.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=September 26, 2023|title=Sen. Cory Booker calls on Menendez to resign, joining growing list of Senate Democrats |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cory-booker-bob-menendez-resignation-senate-democrats/|access-date=September 26, 2023|website=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926220739/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cory-booker-bob-menendez-resignation-senate-democrats/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Vazquez|first=Maegan|date=September 26, 2023|title=Sen. Bob Menendez faces rapidly growing calls to resign from colleagues|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/26/menendez-senate-democrats-resign/|access-date=September 26, 2023|issn=0190-8286}} 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". 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.{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Philip |last2=Iyer |first2=Kaanita |title=Rep. Andy Kim announces he'll run against NJ Sen. Bob Menendez in wake of his indictment |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/23/politics/menendez-andy-kim-senate/index.html |access-date=September 25, 2023 |work=CNN |date=September 23, 2023 |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925010902/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/23/politics/menendez-andy-kim-senate/index.html |url-status=live }} On November{{nbsp}}15, 2023, Murphy's wife, Tammy Murphy, announced that she was running for Menendez's Senate seat. On March{{nbsp}}24, 2024, she suspended her campaign.{{Cite web |last=Krieg |first=Gregory |date=March 24, 2024 |title=New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy is suspending Senate campaign {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/24/politics/tammy-murphy-suspends-new-jersey-senate-bid/index.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}

On October{{nbsp}}13, 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.{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Sen. Bob Menendez faces new charges accusing him of working for foreign government |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-bob-menendez-faces-new-charges-accusing-working-foreign-government-rcna120136 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Senator John Fetterman called on the Senate to expel Menendez.{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Pa. Sen. John Fetterman called on the Senate to expel N.J. Sen. Bob Menendez - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/sen-john-fetterman-calls-on-u-s-to-expel-u-s-bob-menendez/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}

In a superseding indictment filed on January{{nbsp}}2, 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.{{cite news|last1=Tully|first1=Tracey|last2=Weiser|first2=Benjamin |last3=Fandos|first3=Nicholas |date=January 2, 2024|title=Menendez Faces a New Accusation: Aiding the Qatari Government|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/nyregion/robert-menendez-qatar-influence.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 2, 2024}} In exchange, Menendez allegedly received gifts including cash, gold, designer watches, and Formula One tickets.

On March{{nbsp}}5, 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.{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Luc |date=March 5, 2024 |title=US Senator Menendez charged with obstruction of justice in new indictment |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-menendez-charged-with-obstruction-justice-new-indictment-2024-03-05/ |access-date=March 5, 2024 |work=Reuters |location=New York}} Menendez claims the payments were loans he later repaid, but prosecutors claim they were bribes. The indictment came the week after one of the businessmen, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and bribery.

{{Infobox court case

|name = United States v. Menendez

|court = United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

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|imagesize = 150

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|full name = United States of America v. Robert Menendez

|date decided =

|citations = 1:23-cr-00490

|ECLI =

|transcripts =

|judges = Sidney H. Stein

|number of judges = 1

|decision by =

|concurring =

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Jury selection for Menendez's trial began on May{{nbsp}}13, 2024. On June{{nbsp}}4, 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.

On June{{nbsp}}6, 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.{{cite news |last1=Tully |first1=Tracey |last2=Weiser |first2=Benjamin |title=Ex-New Jersey Attorney General Describes Uneasy Meeting With Menendez |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/06/nyregion/gurbir-grewal-robert-menendez-bribery-trial.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Neumeister |first1=Larry |title=Ex-NJ attorney general testifies Sen. Bob Menendez confronted him twice over a pending criminal case |url=https://apnews.com/article/bob-menendez-bribery-trial-611a884b81d834aeeed377bb08fd3184 |work=Associated Press News |date=June 6, 2024}}

Closing arguments took place on July 9 and 10.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/sen-bob-menendez-federal-trial-closing-arguments-defense/story?id=111787596|title=Sen. Bob Menendez's attorney calls government's case 'cherry-picked nonsense' in closing argument|first=Aaron|last=Katersky|work=ABC News|date=July 9, 2024|access-date=July 9, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-menendez-trial-bribery-closing-arguments-continue/|title=Sen. Bob Menendez bribery case one step closer to jury deliberations as closing arguments wrap up|first=Caitlin|last=Yilek|work=CBS News|date=July 10, 2024|access-date=July 10, 2024}} Jury deliberations began on July 12.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/bob-menendez-bribery-trial-jury-deliberations-rcna159960|title=Jury in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial begins deliberations|first1=Zoë|last1=Richards|first2=Courtney|last2=Copenhagen|first3=Jonathan|last3=Dienst|first4=Dareh|last4=Gregorian|work=NBC News|date=July 12, 2024|access-date=July 12, 2024}} On July 16, the jury convicted Menendez of all charges, including bribery, extortion, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.{{Cite news |last1=Neumeister |first1=Larry |last2=Marcelo |first2=Philip |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Sen. Bob Menendez convicted in trial that featured tales of bribes paid in cash, gold and a car |url=https://apnews.com/article/menendez-bribery-trial-jury-deliberations-bab89b99a77fc6ce95531c88ab26cc4d |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe6m14drgjo|title=Senator Bob Menendez found guilty in bribery scheme|date=July 16, 2024 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=July 16, 2024}} Sentencing was originally scheduled for October 29, but was delayed to January 29, 2025.{{Cite web |title=US Attorney: Menendez bribery sentencing delayed to Jan. 29 |url=https://newjersey.news12.com/us-attorney-menendez-bribery-sentencing-delayed-to-jan-29 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=News 12 New Jerey}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Luc |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Former US Senator Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison in gold bar bribery case |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/bob-menendez-be-sentenced-gold-bar-bribery-case-that-ended-us-senate-career-2025-01-29/#:~:text=Menendez's%20wife%2C%20Nadine%20Menendez%2C%20was,she%20has%20pleaded%20not%20guilty. |website=Reuters}} 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."{{Cite web |last1=Scannell |first1=Kara |last2=del Valle |first2=Lauren |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years for corruption and bribery conviction |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/29/politics/bob-menendez-sentencing/index.html |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=CNN |language=}}

On April 21, 2025, Menendez's wife Nadine was found guilty by a jury in her federal bribery trial.{{Cite web |last=Katersky |first=Aaron |last2=Deliso |first2=Meredith |date=22 April 2025 |title=Nadine Menendez, wife of former Sen. Bob Menendez, found guilty in federal bribery trial |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/bob-menendez-wife-nadine-menendez-verdict-bribery-trial/story?id=120923404 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=ABC News |language=en}} The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-21 |title=Wife of former US Sen. Bob Menendez convicted in bribery scheme |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/21/us/nadine-menendez-convicted-bribery/index.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=CNN |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |last=Tully |first=Tracey |date=2025-04-21 |title=Nadine Menendez Is Found Guilty of Taking Bribes and Obstructing Justice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/nyregion/nadine-bob-menendez-wife-guilty-bribery-trial.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=The New York Times}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-10 |title= Judge grants former Sen. Bob Menendez prison surrender delay to attend stepdaughter's wedding |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-jersey/bob-menendez-prison-sentence-june/6191291/|access-date=2025-05-29 |website=WNBC|language=en-US}} Menendez began serving his sentence on June 17, 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/17/bob-menendez-bribery-prison|title=Ex-senator Bob Menendez arrives at prison to begin serving 11-year sentence|first=Associated|last=Press|date=June 17, 2025|via=The Guardian}} He is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Pennsylvania.{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/nyregion/prison-robert-menendez.html|title = A Senator’s Fall From Grace Ends in a Grim Federal Lockup|last = Tully|first = Tracey|date = June 17, 2025|accessdate = June 17, 2025|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited}}

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.Lin, Jonathan (December 4, 2013). [https://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/12/school_3_in_west_new_york_renamed_after_menendez.html "School 3 in West New York renamed after Sen. Robert Menendez"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909112656/https://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/12/school_3_in_west_new_york_renamed_after_menendez.html |date=September 9, 2018 }}. NJ.com. Retrieved September 9, 2018. 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.{{cite news|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/robert-menendez-elementary-school-will-get-a-name-change-mayor-says/|title=Robert Menendez Elementary School will get a name change, mayor says|first=David|last=Wildstein|publisher=New Jersey Globe|date=July 25, 2024|access-date=July 30, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/28/nx-s1-5054345/new-jersey-robert-menendez-school-changes-name|title=Robert Menendez Elementary School will change its name after the senator's conviction|first=William|last=Marx|publisher=NPR|date=July 28, 2024|access-date=July 30, 2024}} 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".{{Cite web|agency=Athens News Agency|title=Greek President Decorated Menendez with the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour|url=https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_general_news_greece/arthro/greek_president_decorated_menendez_with_the_grand_cross_of_the_order_of_honour-3140086/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=The National Herald|language=en|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827175812/https://www.thenationalherald.com/archive_general_news_greece/arthro/greek_president_decorated_menendez_with_the_grand_cross_of_the_order_of_honour-3140086/}}{{Cite web|title=Greek honor for US Senator |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1166945/greek-honor-for-us-senator/|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=eKathimerini |language=English|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827175802/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1166945/greek-honor-for-us-senator/|url-status=live}} 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".{{Cite news |last=Hazou|first=Elias|title=US senator awarded Cyprus' highest order of merit |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/08/30/us-senator-awarded-cyprus-highest-order-of-merit/|access-date=August 30, 2021|newspaper=Cyprus Mail|date=August 30, 2021|language=en-GB|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830183910/https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/08/30/us-senator-awarded-cyprus-highest-order-of-merit/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Friend of Cyprus US senator Robert Menendez in Cyprus on Monday|url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/friend-of-cyprus-us-senator-robert-menendez-in-cyprus-on-monday/|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=in-cyprus.philenews.com|language=en-US|archive-date=May 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519052714/https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/friend-of-cyprus-us-senator-robert-menendez-in-cyprus-on-monday/}} 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".{{Cite web |title=Palabras del presidente del Gobierno en el acto de imposición de la Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica al senador de Estados Unidos Robert Menéndez |url=https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/presidente/intervenciones/paginas/2014/prot20140114.aspx |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=www.lamoncloa.gob.es |language=es}}{{Cite web |title=Dispocición 336 del BOE núm. 10 de 2014 |url=https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2014/01/11/pdfs/BOE-A-2014-336.pdf |access-date=October 9, 2023}}

• Greece:
• 45px Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
• Star for Merit and Honour (Ministry of National Defence commendation){{Cite web |script-title=el:Τιμητική διάκριση από το υπ. Αμυνας στον Αμερικανό γερουσιαστή Μενέντεζ |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/1084091/timitiki-diakrisi-apo-to-yp-amynas-ston-amerikano-geroysiasti-menentez/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=Kathimerini |date=June 23, 2020 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705190717/https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/1084091/timitiki-diakrisi-apo-to-yp-amynas-ston-amerikano-geroysiasti-menentez/ |url-status=live }}
• Cyprus:
• 45px Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
• Spain:
• 45px Grand Cross of The Order of Isabella the Catholic

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,{{cite news|author=Kelley, Maritza|url=http://latinomagazine.com/summer11/journal/changing.htm|title=Changing the Conversation|newspaper=Latino Magazine|access-date=September 23, 2012|archive-date=March 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307223320/http://www.latinomagazine.com/summer11/journal/changing.htm|url-status=live}}Menendez, Alicia (June 1, 2012). [http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/06/01/alicia-menendez-my-gringa-mother/ "A Conversation About Identity: IV. Alicia Menendez: My Gringa Mother"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917090337/http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/06/01/alicia-menendez-my-gringa-mother/ |date=September 17, 2012 }}. Pew Research Center. 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.{{cite web |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/sires-wont-seek-re-election-to-congress-u-s-senators-son-emerges-as-likely-successor/ |title=Sires won't seek re-election to Congress; U.S. Senator's son emerges as likely successor |work=New Jersey Globe |date=December 2021 |access-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222010534/https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/sires-wont-seek-re-election-to-congress-u-s-senators-son-emerges-as-likely-successor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/rob-menendez-enters-race-for-sires-house-seat/|title=Rob Menendez enters race for Sires House seat|last=Wildstein|first=David|date=January 6, 2022|access-date=January 6, 2022|work=New Jersey Globe|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106174609/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/rob-menendez-enters-race-for-sires-house-seat/|url-status=live}} Menendez and Jacobsen divorced in 2005.Gettleman, Jeffrey. [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/nyregion/10menendez.html "Robert Menendez, a Politician Even at 20"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714123211/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/nyregion/10menendez.html |date=July 14, 2013 }}. The New York Times. December 10, 2005 He has four grandchildren.

Later, Menendez dated Gwendolyn Beck, an author who later ran for Congress.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2017/09/evidence_photos_from_menendez_bribery_trial.html|title=Inside the 'luxury' villa at the heart of the Menendez bribery trial (PHOTOS)|author=Thomas Moriarty |work=NJ Advance Media |date=September 25, 2017 |access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092521/https://www.nj.com/politics/2017/09/evidence_photos_from_menendez_bribery_trial.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Gwendolyn_Beck|title=Gwendolyn Beck|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092520/https://ballotpedia.org/Gwendolyn_Beck|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Kurtz |first=Judy |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Menendez engaged |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/192596-menendez-engaged/ |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415011638/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/192596-menendez-engaged/ |url-status=live }} Some sources say they married that month, but many others indicate that they never married.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Menendez|title=Bob Menendez | Biography, Legal issues & Facts | Britannica|date=September 27, 2023|website=www.britannica.com|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220121257/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Menendez|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/robert-menendez-first-sitting-senator-36-years-face-corruption-trial-2586639|title=Sen. Robert Menendez Corruption Trial: Facts You Need To Know|date=September 6, 2017|website=International Business Times|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814140813/https://www.ibtimes.com/robert-menendez-first-sitting-senator-36-years-face-corruption-trial-2586639|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2015/03/06/things-sen-robert-menendez/24524109/|title=5 things about Sen. Robert Menendez|first=Bob|last=Jordan|website=Asbury Park Press|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005031546/https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2015/03/06/things-sen-robert-menendez/24524109/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|last2=Tully|first2=Tracey|last3=Ferré-Sadurní|first3=Luis|date=October 4, 2023|title=Inside the Menendez Indictment: A Mercedes and a Secretive Fatal Crash|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/nyregion/nadine-menendez-mercedes-death.html|url-status=live|work=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005010635/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/nyregion/nadine-menendez-mercedes-death.html|archive-date=October 5, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Matt |date=April 28, 2020 |title=It's not a date: Murphy gives broad reopening goals, but few specifics |url=https://politi.co/2KCXjCg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115031803/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-jersey-playbook/2020/04/28/its-not-a-date-murphy-gives-broad-reopening-goals-but-few-specifics-489047 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |website=Politico |language=en}} In October 2019 they traveled to India and he proposed to her at the Taj Mahal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/style/how-they-proposed.html|title=How They Proposed|first=Vincent M.|last=Mallozzi|work=The New York Times |date=January 21, 2021|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=September 23, 2023|archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092532/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/style/how-they-proposed.html|url-status=live}} They married in October 2020.{{Cite web|date=October 7, 2020|title=U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Nadine Arslanian married|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/u-s-senator-bob-menendez-nadine-arslanian-married/|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=New Jersey Globe|language=en-US|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007161739/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/u-s-senator-bob-menendez-nadine-arslanian-married/|url-status=live}} She has two children from a prior marriage, and was divorced in 2005.{{Cite news |last=Tully |first=Tracey |date=August 1, 2023 |title=A Senator's New Wife and Her Old Friends Draw Prosecutors' Attention |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/nyregion/nadine-menendez-federal-investigation.html |access-date=September 22, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921205523/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/nyregion/nadine-menendez-federal-investigation.html |url-status=live }} In September 2023, Arslanian was indicted on federal bribery charges alongside Menendez. It was subsequently reported that she had been involved in a December 2018 car accident that left a pedestrian dead. 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.

As of 2009, Menendez lived in Hoboken.{{Cite web |title=A day in the life of Menendez |website=U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey |url=https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/a-day-in-the-life-of-menendez |access-date=September 23, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092547/https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/a-day-in-the-life-of-menendez |url-status=live }} In 2011, he lived in North Bergen,{{Cite web |last=Moses |first=Claire |date=May 2, 2011 |title=Sen. Menendez Visits Hoboken |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/sen-menendez-visits-hoboken |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=Hoboken, NJ Patch |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926092525/https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/sen-menendez-visits-hoboken |url-status=live }} and in 2014 he moved to Paramus.{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://theridgewoodblog.net/there-goes-the-neighborhood-senator-menendez-moves-to-bergen-county/|access-date=May 3, 2021|website=theridgewoodblog.net|date=July 6, 2014|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503141602/https://theridgewoodblog.net/there-goes-the-neighborhood-senator-menendez-moves-to-bergen-county/|url-status=live}} In 2018, he moved to Harrison,{{Cite news |author=Terrence T. McDonald |work=The Jersey Journal |date=June 1, 2018|title=Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2018/06/home_sweet_home_bob_menendez_back_in_hudson_county.html|access-date=May 3, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=April 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406185016/https://www.nj.com/hudson/2018/06/home_sweet_home_bob_menendez_back_in_hudson_county.html|url-status=live}} and in 2020 he moved into his new wife's home, in Englewood Cliffs.

Since February 2025, Menendez's daughter Alicia has co-hosted MSNBC's 7pm ET weekday newscast.{{cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/msnbc-lineup-rachel-maddow-joy-reid-jen-psaki-symone-sanders-townsend-20250224.html|title=Big changes coming to MSNBC as new boss from Philly takes over|first=Rob|last=Tornoe|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=February 24, 2025|access-date=February 25, 2025}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 1992{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=August 8, 2007 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226190314/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 }}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 93,670

| percentage = 64%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Fred J. Theemling Jr.

| votes = 44,529

| percentage = 31%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Stop Tax Increases

| candidate = Joseph D. Bonacci

| votes = 2,363

| percentage = 2%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (US)

| candidate = Len Flynn

| votes = 1,539

| percentage = 1%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Communist

| candidate = John E. Rummel

| votes = 1,525

| percentage = 1%

| change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Socialist Workers Party (US)

| candidate = Jane Harris

| votes = 1,406

| percentage = 1%

| change =

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 49,141

| percentage = 33%

| change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 1994}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 67,688

| percentage = 71%

| change = +7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Fernando A. Alonso

| votes = 24,071

| percentage = 25%

| change = -6

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = We the People

| candidate = Frank J. Rubino Jr.

| votes = 1,494

| percentage = 2%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Politicians Are Crooks

| candidate = Herbert H. Shaw

| votes = 1,319

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Socialist Workers Party (US)

| candidate = Steven Marshall

| votes = 895

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 43,617

| percentage = 46%

| change = +13

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 1996}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 115,459

| percentage = 79%

| change = +8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Carlos E. Munoz

| votes = 24,427

| percentage = 17%

| change = -8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Herbert H. Shaw

| votes = 2,136

| percentage = 1%

| change = 0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Mike Buoncristiano

| votes = 2,094

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = William P. Estrada

| votes = 720

| percentage = <1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Rupert Ravens

| votes = 637

| percentage = <1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes= 91,032

| percentage = 62%

| change = +16

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 1998}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 70,308

| percentage = 80%

| change = +1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Theresa de Leon

| votes = 14,615

| percentage = 17%

| change = 0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Richard S. Hester, Sr.

| votes = 1,276

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Richard G. Rivera

| votes = 872

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Susan Anmuth

| votes = 752

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 55,693

| percentage = 63%

| change = +1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 2000}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 117,856

| percentage = 79%

| change = -1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Theresa de Leon

| votes = 27,849

| percentage = 19%

| change = +2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Claudette C. Meliere

| votes = 2,741

| percentage = 2%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Dick Hester

| votes = 562

| percentage = <1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Herbert H. Shaw

| votes = 357

| percentage = <1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 90,007

| percentage = 60%

| change = -3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 2002}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 72,605

| percentage = 78%

| change = -1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = James Geron

| votes = 16,852

| percentage = 18%

| change = -1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Green Party of the United States

| candidate = Pat Henry Faulkner

| votes = 1,195

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Anti-Corruption Doctor

| candidate = Esmat Zaklama

| votes = 740

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Pro Life Conservative

| candidate = Dick Hester

| votes = 732

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Politicians are Crooks

| candidate = Herbert H. Shaw

| votes = 573

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 55,753

| percentage = 60%

| change = 0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title={{ushr|New Jersey|13|}}: 2004}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez

| votes = 121,018

| percentage = 76%

| change = -2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (US)

| candidate = Richard W. Piatkowski

| votes = 35,288

| percentage = 22%

| change = +4

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Pro Life Conservative

| candidate = Dick Hester

| votes = 1,282

| percentage = 1%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

| party = Politicos son Corruptos

| candidate = Herbert H. Shaw

| votes = 1,066

| percentage = 1%

| change = 0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Socialist Workers Party (US)

| candidate = Angela L. Lariscy

| votes = 887

| percentage = 1%

| change = 0

}}

{{Election box majority

| votes = 85,730

| percentage = 54%

| change = -6

}}

{{Election box end}}

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).

{{Election box begin |title=2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/2006results/06generalelection/2006_official-senate_tallies.pdf |title=Official List: Candidates for US Senate For November 2006 General Election | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126194306/http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/2006results/06generalelection/2006_official-senate_tallies.pdf |archive-date=November 26, 2007 | website=New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety| agency=Division of Elections | date=December 4, 2006 | access-date=September 26, 2007}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez (inc.)

|votes = 1,200,843

|percentage = 53.3

|change = +3.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Thomas Kean Jr.

|votes = 997,775

|percentage = 44.3

|change = -2.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Len Flynn

|votes = 14,637

|percentage = 0.7

|change = +0.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = US Marijuana Party

|candidate = Edward Forchion

|votes = 11,593

|percentage = 0.5

|change = n/a

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Independent (US)

|candidate = J.M. Carter

|votes = 7,918

|percentage = 0.4

|change = +0.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Independent (US)

|candidate = N. Leonard Smith

|votes = 6,243

|percentage = 0.3

|change = n/a

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Independent (US)

|candidate = Daryl Brooks

|votes = 5,138

|percentage = 0.2

|change = n/a

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Socialist Workers Party (US)

|candidate = Angela Lariscy

|votes = 3,433

|percentage = 0.2

|change = +0.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Socialist Party USA

|candidate = Gregory Pason

|votes = 2,490

|percentage = 0.1

|change = +0.0

}}

{{Election box majority

| |votes = 203,068

|percentage = 9.0

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

| |votes = 2,250,070

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

| |winner = Democratic Party (US)

|loser =

|swing = 3.26

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey{{cite web|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2012-results/2012-unofficial-general-results-us-senate.pdf|title=Unofficial List – Candidates for U.S. Senate – For General Election 11/06/2012 Election|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104220530/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2012-results/2012-unofficial-general-results-us-senate.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2013|publisher=NJ.gov}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert ("Bob") Menendez (incumbent)

|votes = 1,783,943

|percentage = 58.4%

|change = +5.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Joseph Kyrillos

|votes = 1,220,605

|percentage = 39.9%

|change = -4.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Kenneth R. Kaplan

|votes = 14,802

|percentage = 0.5%

|change = -0.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Ken Wolski

|votes = 13,874

|percentage = 0.5%

|change = +0.5%

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Others

|candidate =

|votes = 23,511

|percentage = 0.8%

|change = -1.0%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes =

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 3,056,735

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

[[File:New Jersey U.S. Senate Democratic primary, 2018.svg|thumb|upright|2018 Democratic primary results by county:

{{legend|#1666cb|Menendez: 70–80%}}

{{legend|#4389e3|Menendez: 60–70%}}

{{legend|#86b6f2|Menendez: 50–60%}}

{{legend|#73d873|McCormick: 50–60%}}

{{legend|#42ca42|McCormick: 60–70%}}

]]

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 Democratic primary results}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Bob Menendez (incumbent)|votes=262,477|percentage=62.3|party=Democratic Party (United States)}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Lisa McCormick|votes=158,998|percentage=37.7}}{{Election box total no change|percentage=100.0|votes=421,475}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2018 United States Senate election in New Jersey{{cite web |url=https://www.njelections.org/assets/pdf/election-results/2018/2018-official-general-election-results-us-senate.pdf |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/06/2018 |date=December 3, 2018 |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |access-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204102206/https://www.njelections.org/assets/pdf/election-results/2018/2018-official-general-election-results-us-senate.pdf |url-status=live }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bob Menendez (incumbent)

| votes = 1,711,654

| percentage = 54.01%

| change = -4.86%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bob Hugin

| votes = 1,357,355

| percentage = 42.83%

| change = +3.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Green Party of the United States

| candidate = Madelyn Hoffman

| votes = 25,150

| percentage = 0.79%

| change = +0.32%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Murray Sabrin

| votes = 21,212

| percentage = 0.67%

| change = +0.17%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (United States)

| candidate = Natalie Rivera

| votes = 19,897

| percentage = 0.63%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (United States)

| candidate = Tricia Flanagan

| votes = 16,101

| percentage = 0.51%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (United States)

| candidate = Kevin Kimple

| votes = 9,087

| percentage = 0.29%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent (United States)

| candidate = Hank Schroeder

| votes = 8,854

| percentage = 0.28%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 3,169,310

| percentage = 100.0%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Trump–Ukraine scandal

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Robert Menendez}}

{{wikisource|works=or}}

• [https://menendez.senate.gov/ Senator Robert Menendez] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127101815/https://www.menendez.senate.gov/ |date=January 27, 2024 }} official U.S. Senate website
• [http://menendezfornj.com/ Bob Menendez for Senate]
• {{C-SPAN|29608}}

{{CongLinks | congbio=m000639 | votesmart=26961 | fec=S6NJ00289 | congress=robert-menendez/791 }}

; Articles

• [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/opinion/09fri3.html "New Jersey's New Senator"], editorial, The New York Times, December 9, 2005
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070309110105/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15728199&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8 "Menendez on the Move"], Al Sullivan, Union City Reporter, December 11, 2005

; Notable congressional hearings

• [https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-011921 Senate Foreign Relations Committee—Antony Blinken confirmation hearing for US Secretary of State (1/19/2021)]

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{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Jim Saxton}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 13th congressional district|years=1993–2006}}

{{s-aft|after=Albio Sires}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Barbara Kennelly}}

{{s-ttl|title=Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus|years=1999–2003}}

{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Jim Clyburn}}

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{{s-bef|before=Martin Frost}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Democratic Caucus|years=2003–2006}}

|-

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{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from New Jersey
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{{s-aft|after=Andy Kim}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee|years=2009–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=Patty Murray}}

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{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Senator (Class 1) from New Jersey|years=2006–2024|alongside=Frank Lautenberg, Jeffrey Chiesa, Cory Booker}}

{{s-aft|after=George Helmy}}

|-

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2013–2015}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2015}}

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|-

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{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2018–2021}}

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|-

{{s-bef|before=Jim Risch}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2021–2023}}

{{s-aft|after=Ben Cardin}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Bill Bradley
{{small|as Former United States Senator}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as Former United States Senator}}}}

{{s-aft|after=Ben Cardin
{{small|as Former United States Senator}}}}

{{s-end}}

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{{United States senators from New Jersey}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=103rd–118th United States Congress |state=New Jersey}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Menendez, Bob}}

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