Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Abduction Of Nigerian School Girls
[WASHINGTON, DC] Today, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators hailed the Senate passage of a resolution condemning the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram on April 14. Most of the abducted girls - the majority of them between 16 and 18 years old - remain missing. The resolution calling for the safe, immediate return of the girls was introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Chris … Continue Reading
April 12, 2014
Durbin, McCain to NATO Secretary General: NATO Must Protect Legal International Borders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) sent a letter yesterday to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen regarding the continued Russian aggression toward Ukraine. "We write to express grave concern over Russian actions in and around Ukraine. Such aggressive military and intelligence operations aimed at destabilizing other sovereign nations threaten decades of European security and are an affront to the values of NATO, the United States, the … Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
Durbin Applauds Senate Passage of Ukraine Aid Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the Senate's 98 to 2 vote to approve a bill that would send aid to Ukraine and place more sanctions on Russia for its acts of aggression in Crimea. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar bill today and the legislation is expected to be sent to the President shortly for his signature. "The United States took a serious step forward today to show the people of Ukraine that we stand with them as they work toward a … Continue Reading
March 19, 2014
Bipartisan Group of Senators Call for International Monitors in Ukraine
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of Senators, led by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), today sent a letter to the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, urging the international body to immediately deploy civilian monitors to eastern and southern Ukraine as the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jeff Flake … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
Durbin Travels to Ukraine
[Washington, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) is on two-day trip to Ukraine where he will hold high-level meetings on regional political dynamics and security issues. The delegation, led by Senator Durbin and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), will also include Senators Murphy (D-CT), Flake (R-AZ), Whitehouse (D-RI), Barrasso (R-WY), Hoeven (R-ND) and Johnson (R-WI). Durbin will travel to Kiev, for meetings with the interim Ukrainian government, including Acting President … Continue Reading
March 12, 2014
Senate Confirms Chicagoan Bruce Heyman As New U.S. Ambassador to Canada
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statements today after the Senate confirmed Bruce Heyman of Chicago, Illinois to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Canada. The Senate unanimously approved his nomination. "I was proud to support Bruce Heyman's confirmation to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Canada, and I am pleased that my colleagues in the Senate unanimously agree." "Bruce's broad experience in international business and global affairs will prepare … Continue Reading
March 05, 2014
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution Condemning Russian Aggression in Ukraine
A bipartisan group of Senators, led by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), introduced a resolution today condemning the Russian military siege of Crimea, calling for a withdrawal of those troops, and a negotiated settlement to any concerns regarding the Crimea. It also urges the administration and European Union to use a range of economic and diplomatic leverage against Russia should it fail to abide by these basic economic norms. "Russia must … Continue Reading
March 04, 2014
Durbin, Kirk Sponsor Resolution for "Jan Karski Day"
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced a resolution that would designate April 24, 2014, as "Jan Karski Day" to honor the legacy of the member of the Polish underground resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II who was among the first to provide eyewitness accounts of the horrors of the Holocaust. "I was lucky enough to study under Professor Jan Karski as a student at the Georgetown University School of Foreign … Continue Reading
February 20, 2014
Durbin Statement on Crisis in Ukraine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today in light of the continuing violence in Ukraine: "Ukrainian government officials involved in violence-and the Russian oligarchs who are backing them-should face a freeze on their assets and a visa ban from the United States if they continue this bloodbath. The Ukrainian people deserve an accommodation that respects historical ties to Russia but also … Continue Reading
February 05, 2014
Durbin: New Exemptions Will Allow More Syrian Refugees to Enter U.S.
Washington, D.C. - Almost one month to the day after Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked the Obama administration to take steps to address the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, the Administration announced a series of exemptions to the overly-broad "material support" bar in U.S. immigration law. These exemptions will help ensure that innocent refugees will not be barred from the United States because they provided insignificant support to armed rebel groups. "These exemptions will help address … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure … Continue Reading
December 18, 2013
Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will hold a hearing on the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. The hearing will be held at 2:30pm in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The hearing will focus on the plight of Syrian refugees fleeing the violent civil war in their home country. … Continue Reading
December 12, 2013
Durbin Statement on Senate Resolution Encouraging Peaceful Resolution of Crisis in Ukraine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and others this week in introducing a Senate Resolution urging the government of Ukraine and members of the opposition to find a peaceful and democratic resolution to the country's current political crisis. "The mounting political impasse in Ukraine is deeply troubling," Durbin said. "Ukraine is an important friend and ally of the United States … Continue Reading
November 23, 2013
Durbin Hosts Briefing for Filipino Community in the Wake of Typhoon Haiyan
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing for members of Chicago's Filipino community on the U.S. relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Durbin was joined by Nancy Lindborg, USAID's Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance-who recently returned from the Philippines-and Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Consulate General of the Philippines. "The United States has played a key role in the relief efforts as the Philippines … Continue Reading
November 20, 2013
Durbin Calls for Temporary Protected Status for Filipino Nationals in the Wake of Typhoon Haiyan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to request Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Filipino nationals in the United States whose visas are set to expire. The U.S. has granted TPS for other nations following similar natural disasters. "Providing TPS is critical to humanitarian relief efforts as it both protects individuals who would be … Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Senate Passes Durbin Co-Sponsored Resolution in Support of Victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Senate passage of a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that expresses support for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the surrounding region. "The humanitarian crisis caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan has left hundreds of thousands of people in need of the basics that we often take for granted: food, water, shelter," Durbin said. "The U.S. will … Continue Reading
November 10, 2013
Durbin Statement on Super Typhoon Haiyan
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the situation in the Philippines in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan: "The images of the damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines are harrowing. The loss of life is devastating and the humanitarian crisis resulting from the storm will bring challenging days ahead. Secretary of State John Kerry has directed our embassies in the region to be in contact with the Philippine … Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
Durbin Introduces Kirk & Duckworth at Senate Committee Hearing on Disability Rights Treaty
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced two members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation - U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) - prior to their testimony before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Today, both Kirk - who suffered a life-threatening ischemic stroke last year - and Duckworth - who was injured while serving in the Illinois … Continue Reading
September 03, 2013
Durbin Discusses Potential Military Action in Syria at Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to debate the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Syria. During today's hearing, Durbin questioned Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey regarding Syria's capacity for chemical warfare, and the regional response to the ongoing conflict. This morning, Senator Durbin, the Assistant … Continue Reading
July 24, 2013
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Closing the Prison at Guantanamo Bay
[WASHINGTON, DC] Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing to examine the national security, fiscal and human rights implications of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The hearing was the first on this issue in the Senate since 2009 and comes two months after President Obama's May 23rd national security speech, in which he announced new steps towards the closure of Guantanamo. "The President's authority to close Guantanamo Bay has been limited by … Continue Reading