Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin Announces Murkowski As New Cosponsor Of Bill To Grant Ukrainians Already In The U.S. Temporary Guest Status
WASHINGTON - Following the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, announced U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is a cosponsor of his Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
On Third Anniversary Of Russia's Full-Scale Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Reiterates Bipartisan Congressional Support For Ukraine
WASHINGTON - On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor in support of Ukraine. During his speech, Durbin condemned President Trump’s appeasement to Russian President Vladimir Putin—where Trump announced key concessions to Putin regarding Ukraine, while apparently ignoring Ukraine’s key demands. Durbin began his speech by reflecting on President Reagan’s … Continue Reading
February 24, 2025
On The Third Anniversary Of Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine, Durbin Introduces Bill To Grant Ukrainians Already In The U.S. Temporary Guest Status
WASHINGTON - On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today introduced the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Durbin Condemns President Trump's Comments About Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement after President Donald Trump publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the post, President Trump claimed the U.S. was “duped” into spending billions to help Ukraine defend itself following Russia’s 2022 full-scale military invasion and that President Zelenskyy is a “dictator without elections.” Further parroting a Kremlin propaganda point, … Continue Reading
January 14, 2025
Durbin, Grassley, Tillis Meet With NATO Ambassadors To Discuss Increased Russian Aggression
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) met with ambassadors to the U.S. from various NATO partner countries. During the meeting, they discussed the increase in Russian hybrid attacks in the Baltics and across Europe, and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance as … Continue Reading
December 18, 2024
Durbin Applauds Senate Passage Of His Bipartisan Legislation To Extend Authorization Of Global Basic Education Effort
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to reauthorize for another five years the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation continues a strategic approach for U.S. development assistance focused on basic education for vulnerable children around the globe. “Given … Continue Reading
November 21, 2024
Durbin Meets With U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine, Bridget Brink
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance ahead of the incoming Administration. Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-RI) also joined the meeting. “More than two and a half years after Putin began his brutal, criminal invasion, Ukraine remains on the frontlines of democracy,” said … Continue Reading
November 20, 2024
Durbin Statement On Vote To Suspend The Sale Of Some U.S-Made Weapons To Israel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) motions to discharge S.J.Res.111, S.J.Res.113, and S.J.Res.115, which would suspend the sale of $1 billion in certain U.S.-made weapons to Israel: “I believe passionately that Israel has not only the right to exist, but the right to defend itself in the dangerous neighborhood of the Middle East. The terrorist attack of October 7 was truly horrific and … Continue Reading
October 07, 2024
Durbin Statement Marking One Year Since The October 7 Hamas Terrorist Attack On Israel
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement marking one year since the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel: “On October 7, 2023, we witnessed a horrific terrorist attack on Israel when Hamas killed more than 1,000 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages, nearly 100 of whom are still being held in unimaginable conditions. One fact tells the grim story: more Jews died on October 7 than any time since the Holocaust in a premeditated … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Durbin Statement On Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's Meeting With United States Senators
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with United States Senators: “President Zelenskyy’s message remains clear: without continued U.S. support, Ukraine will lose the war. Allowing a Putin victory in Ukraine would surrender U.S. leadership around the world, undermine the hard-fought stability in Europe that emerged after two devasting world … Continue Reading
September 26, 2024
Durbin Meets With Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor & Interim Leader Of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus
NEW YORK - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was recently selected to lead the Bangladeshi caretaker government following the resignation of former authoritarian Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Durbin first met Dr. Yunus more than 20 years ago during a trip to Bangladesh. “Dr. Yunus’ ideas changed the world and helped earn him a Nobel Peace Prize. Tragically, his ideas also earned him the wrath of then-Bangladeshi … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Durbin Meets With Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty To Discuss Ongoing Conflict In Gaza
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and Iranian-sponsored instability. During the meeting, they also discussed a path for post-war Gaza. In addition to Durbin, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) also joined the meeting. “Egypt is an important voice in the Middle East and remains a critical voice in helping humanitarian aid enter Gaza and assisting negotiations toward a … Continue Reading
September 09, 2024
Durbin Introduces Bill To Halt U.S. Investment In Venezuela's Energy Sector Until Legitimate Election Results Are Respected
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a bill terminating all U.S. petroleum cooperation and petroleum-related trade with Venezuela until the legitimate results of the recent Venezuelan election are respected. On July 28, more than 10 million Venezuelans peacefully voted in the presidential election, with results meticulously compiled by credible election monitors showing an overwhelming victory for opposition candidate, Edmundo González, over President … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reflected on the tragic suffering of so many people stemming from the October 7th Hamas attack and ensuing war in Gaza. He urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to set aside his self-serving political interests ahead of his Joint Address to Congress. In a statement released yesterday, Durbin stated he will not be attending today’s address. “I believe this invitation to speak was ill-timed—and one which … Continue Reading
July 10, 2024
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Resolution Recognizing & Strengthening Diplomatic Relations, Security Cooperation Between U.S. & Baltic States
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the alliance between the United States and the Baltic States, including support for the Baltic Security Initiative, which enhances and strengthens U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics and NATO interoperability amid Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. The resolution is introduced while the … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Durbin Meets With Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Discusses U.S. Support For Baltic State And Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. During the meeting, they discussed continued U.S. support for the Baltics amid Russia’s aggression in the region and Putin’s efforts to undermine allied security and democracy. Durbin and Landsbergis also reaffirmed the transatlantic alliance amid the annual NATO Summit being hosted in Washington, D.C. this … Continue Reading
July 09, 2024
Durbin, Wicker, Senators Meet With Speaker Of the Parliament Of Ukraine During NATO Summit Week
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine. This week, the United States is hosting the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., where Heads of State and Government of NATO member countries will discuss important issues facing the Alliance and provide strategic direction for its … Continue Reading
July 08, 2024
Durbin Reflects On The 75th Anniversary Of NATO, Reiterates His Support For Ukraine
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, reflected on the 75thanniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which was established after World War II. This year, the United States is hosting the annual NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. There are currently 32 nations that have joined the NATO alliance—most recently Sweden and Finland. The U.S. Senate voted 95 to 1 to ratify their … Continue Reading
July 02, 2024
Durbin, Merkley, Kaine, Welch Again Call For The End Of The Bangladesh Government's Harassment Toward Nobel Peace Price Laureate Professor Yunus
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Peter Welch (D-VT) released the following statement on Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus’ upcoming court dates, where he could face up to six months in prison on dubious charges. For more than a decade, Professor Yunus has faced more than 100 unsubstantiated cases brought against him in Bangladesh. The harassment campaign against Professor Yunus has been … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Durbin Questions Secretary Of State On Crisis In Gaza
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, today participated in a Subcommittee hearing entitled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State.” During the hearing, Durbin questioned the witness, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, about President Biden’s decision to suspend specific offensive weapons to Israel that could be … Continue Reading