Bob Menendez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Menendez
Official portrait, 2022
United States Senator from New Jersey
In office January 17, 2006 – August 20, 2024
Preceded by	Jon Corzine
Succeeded by	George Helmy
Committee positions 2009–⁠2023 Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 3, 2021 – September 22, 2023 Preceded by Jim Risch Succeeded by Ben Cardin In office February 1, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by John Kerry Succeeded by Bob Corker Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Ben Cardin Succeeded by Jim Risch In office January 3, 2015 – April 2, 2015 Preceded by Bob Corker Succeeded by Ben Cardin Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 Leader Harry Reid Preceded by Chuck Schumer Succeeded by Patty Murray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 13th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 16, 2006
Preceded by	Frank Joseph Guarini
Succeeded by	Albio Sires
House positions 1999–⁠2006 Chair of the House Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 2003 – January 16, 2006 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Martin Frost Succeeded by Jim Clyburn Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Barbara B. Kennelly Succeeded by Jim Clyburn
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 33rd district
In office March 4, 1991 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Christopher Jackman
Succeeded by	Bernard Kenny
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 33rd district
In office January 12, 1988 – March 4, 1991
Preceded by	Jose Arango Ronald Dario
Succeeded by	Louis Romano
Mayor of Union City
In office May 20, 1986 – November 15, 1992
Preceded by	Arthur Wichert
Succeeded by	Bruce Walter
Personal details
Born	Robert Menendez (1954-01-01) January 1, 1954 (age 71) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Jane Jacobsen ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 2005)​ Nadine Arslanian ​ (m. 2020)​
Children	Alicia Rob
Education	Saint Peter's University (BA) Rutgers Law School (JD)
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Robert Menendez (born January 1, 1954) is an American lawyer and former politician. He served as a United States senator for New Jersey from 2006 until he resigned in 2024. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Menendez chaired the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations twice. This committee deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries.

Early Life and Education

Robert Menendez was born in New York City on January 1, 1954. His parents were immigrants from Cuba. His father was a carpenter, and his mother was a seamstress. The family later moved to Union City, New Jersey, where Robert grew up.

He attended Union Hill High School. There, his speech teacher helped him become a strong public speaker. He often said his mother and teacher taught him the importance of education. He was even student body president in high school.

Menendez was the first in his family to go to college. He studied at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Later, he got his law degree from Rutgers Law School in 1979. He became a lawyer in 1980.

Political Career

Representative Bob Menendez during the 109th Congress

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

Robert Menendez started his career helping the mayor of Union City. In 1974, he was elected to the Union City Board of Education. He was the youngest person ever to win a seat on the board.

He became the mayor of Union City in 1986 and served until 1992. During this time, he also served in the New Jersey General Assembly. Then, in 1991, he moved to the New Jersey Senate.

In 1992, Menendez won a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He represented New Jersey's 13th congressional district for six terms. This lasted from 1993 to 2006.

In 2006, he was appointed to the United States Senate by Governor Jon Corzine. He served as a U.S. Senator for New Jersey until 2024. During his time in the Senate, he led the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations twice. This committee plays a big role in how the U.S. deals with other countries.

In 2023, Menendez faced serious legal challenges. These challenges led him to step down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He later resigned from the Senate in July 2024.

Key Political Views

Robert Menendez has held strong views on many important issues. Here are some of them:

Immigration Reform

Menendez has been a strong supporter of changing immigration laws. He called immigration reform "the civil rights issue of our time." He has tried to pass laws to improve the immigration system.

• He supported the DREAM Act. This act would help young undocumented immigrants who grew up in the U.S. get a path to citizenship. He believed these young people should not be punished for their parents' actions.
• He voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This law helped build fences and increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
• He was part of a group of eight senators in 2013. They worked together to create ideas for a full immigration reform plan.

Environmental Protection

Menendez has also focused on protecting the environment.

• He supported laws that would encourage vehicles to use natural gas.
• He pushed for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set limits on certain harmful chemicals in drinking water.
• He supported the Paris Agreement on climate change. He worked to ensure the U.S. would stay committed to fighting climate change globally.

Education and Health Care

Menendez has worked on issues related to education and health care.

• He supported the Student Non-Discrimination Act. This bill aimed to protect LGBT students from discrimination in schools.
• He voted for the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This law made it a federal crime to commit hate crimes based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
• He signed letters asking government officials to protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions. He also worked to ensure the safety of food and medical products during government shutdowns.

Foreign Affairs

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

Menendez believes that America's success in the world depends on its own democracy. He thinks foreign policy should focus on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

• In 2006, he worked to make it illegal for foreign governments to buy U.S. port operations. He felt this was important for national security.
• He has been a strong voice against the Cuban government's policies.
• He supported a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia in 2010.
• He opposed the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. He believed it did not fully stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• He has spoken out against human rights issues in places like Myanmar.
• He opposed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan. He believed this could harm U.S. national security.
• He has worked to provide aid to countries in Central America. The goal is to improve conditions there and reduce the number of immigrants coming to the U.S.
• He supported giving aid to Ukraine to help with its defense needs.

Legislation He Supported

Menendez has sponsored several important laws:

• The Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013. This bill aimed to improve how the Organization of American States (OAS) works.
• The Support for United States-Republic of Korea Civil Nuclear Cooperation Act. This law allowed for continued cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy with South Korea.
• The Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014. This act helped address unrest in Ukraine and was signed into law.
• The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022. This law provided financial aid to Ukraine and put sanctions on Russia.

Awards and Honors

Robert Menendez has received several honors for his public service.

• A public school in West New York, New Jersey, was renamed the Robert Menendez Elementary School in his honor in 2013.
• In 2021, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour from the President of Greece. This was for his work in strengthening relations between Greece and the U.S.
• He also received the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III from the President of Cyprus. This award recognized his efforts to promote human rights and democracy.

•  Greece
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
  • Star for Merit and Honour (Ministry of National Defence commendation)
•  Cyprus
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III

Personal Life

In 1976, Robert Menendez married Jane Jacobsen. She was a teacher. They had two children together: Alicia Menendez and Rob Menendez. Alicia is a television host. Rob was elected to Congress in 2022. Robert and Jane divorced in 2005.

In 2019, Menendez got engaged to Nadine Arslanian, a businesswoman. They married in October 2020. He has lived in several towns in New Jersey, including Union City, Paramus, and Harrison.

Images for kids

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  Official portrait, 2013

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  Official portrait, 2015

See also

In Spanish: Robert Menendez para niños

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress