Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin, Duckworth Praise Senate Passage Of Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating Fifth Anniversary Of Ukraine's Revolution Of Dignity
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, co-chair and co-founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today praised Senate passage of a bipartisan resolution commemorating the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity. The resolution recognizes the bravery of the people of Ukraine who participated in the Maidan protests and honors the memory of the more than 100 protestors who were killed. In addition, it encourages Ukraine to continue its progress over … Continue Reading
July 02, 2019
Durbin, Senators Press Pompeo On Determination To Exclude Saudi Arabia From List Of Countries Known To Recruit & Use Child Soldiers
WASHINGTON-Following a Reuters report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo excluded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the State Department's list of countries known to recruit and use child soldiers in the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, despite State Department experts' findings that should have led to its inclusion on such list, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Durbin, Cardin, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce NDAA Amendment To Halt Security Assistance To Cameroon
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to halt all further U.S. security assistance to Cameroon, except for dealing with Boko Haram, until the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State certify military and security forces of Cameroon have demonstrated progress in abiding by international human rights standards, particularly in regards … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Durbin Statement On Trump administration Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting for the joint resolutions of disapproval regarding arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The joint resolutions of disapproval passed the Senate and will now head to the House of Representatives for a vote. "The Saudi-led war in Yemen has been a humanitarian disaster - leading to an estimated 85,000 children having already died of malnutrition. And the Saudi government and royal family … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Durbin Receives Update From Venezuelan President Juan Guaido
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó about the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the discredited regime of Nicolás Maduro. During today's call, Durbin reiterated his support for Guaidó and his constitutional role to help Venezuela return to the community of democracies, and to do so with a thoughtful and timely transition and … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Durbin, Leahy, Cardin, Brown, Senators Introduce Resolution Expressing Support For Free, Fair, Transparent Elections In Guatemala
WASHINGTON - Ahead of Guatemala's elections on Sunday, June 16, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced a resolution expressing support for free, fair, and transparent elections in Guatemala. The resolution also expresses concern over efforts to undermine United Nations anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala and opposition to President Donald Trump cutting … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
As Tensions With Iran Escalate, Durbin Meets With Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today met with Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who President Donald Trump nominated to be Defense Secretary earlier this month. During the meeting, Durbin pressed Acting Secretary Shanahan on the Trump Administration's escalating tensions with Iran, continued military presence at the southwest border, and the reprogramming of $2.5 billion for President … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Durbin: Trump Admin Should Think Twice About Starting Another Middle Eastern War
WASHINGTON - Following yesterday's briefing by Trump Administration officials about Iran, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called President Donald Trump's policy in Iran "provocative" and "incomprehensible," and warned against another reckless war in the Middle East. "President Trump's policy, at the direction of Mr. Bolton, seems to have only increased regional tensions, incentivized Iran to restart its nuclear program, and fomented a pretext for another Middle Eastern … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Durbin Statement On Iran Briefing By Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after receiving a classified briefing on the latest regarding Iran: "The Trump Administration's confrontational policy with Iran runs the risk of escalation to deadly levels. Talking tough on a tweet is easy. Living with the grim reality of war is … Continue Reading
May 14, 2019
Durbin: President Trump's March To War With Iran Is Reckless And Unconstitutional
WASHINGTON - Following a report by the New York Times stating that the White House was briefed on a military plan that envisioned sending as many as 120,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East to counter Iran, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Trump Administration to avoid another reckless war in the Middle East and to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), better known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also … Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
Durbin, Young, Senators Introduce Resolution Condemning Brunei For Barbaric Laws
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) today introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning the government of Brunei for recently imposing laws that include, among other troubling things, death by stoning for adultery and homosexual relations. Their resolution also calls for the repeal of these barbaric laws and visa bans for anyone involved in their implementation. "These … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Durbin Shares Support For Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó
WASHINGTON - Following the uprising in Venezuela today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) once again shared his support for Juan Guaidó, the constitutionally and internationally recognized interim leader of Venezuela. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called on Russia and Cuba to step back and let the Venezuelan people decide their own future. "I urge Maduro to do the right thing for Venezuela, to avoid bloodshed, to accept Guaidó's amnesty offer, and … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Push For Repeal Of Muslim Travel Ban, Prevent Future Discriminatory Bans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) today to introduce bicameral legislation to repeal President Donald Trump's existing executive order blocking travel from majority Muslim countries and prevent another baseless, discriminatory travel ban from happening again. The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act repeals the three versions of President Trump's Muslim … Continue Reading
April 09, 2019
Durbin Presses Pompeo On Venezuela, Middle East Policies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today derided Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he stated that the Trump Administration had not decided whether or not they would offer Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to approximately 72,000 Venezuelan nationals currently present in the United States who face real danger and chaos if forced to return to Venezuela. Last month, Durbin led 24 Senators in a letter to President Trump requesting that his Administration promptly … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Warn President Trump Against Cutting Funding To Northern Triangle Countries
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tom Carper (D-DE), and a group of 34 Democratic senators in sending a letter to President Donald Trump opposing his plan to cut national security funding to Northern Triangle countries, which is specifically designed to promote American interests, enhance our collective security, and protect the safety of American citizens. In their letter, the Senators make clear the U.S. Congress … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Durbin Statement On NATO Secretary General's Address To Joint Meeting Of Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after attending an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress by the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg: "Even before he took office, President Trump was never a supporter of NATO. Every NATO insult he tweets encourages nations, like Russia, that have long sought to destroy the alliance. "Today's Joint Meeting of Congress reaffirmed NATO's importance as the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Durbin, Menendez, Rubio Lead Bipartisan Group Introducing Comprehensive Bill To Help Restore Democracy In Venezuela
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced new comprehensive legislation to help restore democracy and address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The most comprehensive effort to date to confront the crisis in Venezuela, the Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development (VERDAD) Act drastically increases humanitarian assistance, expands current tools to address kleptocracy, formally recognizes and supports … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Durbin Meets With Venezuelan First Lady
WASHINGTON - In light of the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Fabiana Rosales, Venezuelan First Lady and wife to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó. She is in Washington, D.C. advocating for support for a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. "Ms. Rosales deeply understands how much the Venezuelan … Continue Reading
March 22, 2019
Bipartisan Senate Leaders Condemn Arrest Of Interim Venezuelan President Guaido's Chief Of Staff
WASHINGTON - Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today called for the immediate and unconditional release of Roberto Marrero, Interim Venezuela President Juan Guaidó's chief of staff. Marrero was abducted by Venezuelan secret police early this morning in a desperate attempt by criminal elements of the outgoing regime to intimidate members of the internationally recognized government. The inflammatory move came as Venezuelans are … Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Durbin Statement On New Zealand Mosque Massacre
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after at least 49 people were killed in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand: "The massacre at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, was spawned by white supremacy and hatred of Muslims and immigrants. My heart goes out to the victims of this devastating attack, their families, and the communities affected. We must all stand together in solidarity with the Muslim … Continue Reading