Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin, Portman, Urkaine Caucus Meet With Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, met with Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova. The Ambassador provided an update to the Senate Ukraine Caucus on the Russian military invasion into Ukraine. The bipartisan meeting was attended by 22 senators. "The Ukrainian people are fighting a valiant battle against all odds," said Durbin. "Today's meeting reaffirmed the United States' commitment to do … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Rebukes Russia's Attack On Ukraine, Speaks Out In Support Of Granting TPS For Ukrainians
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor expressing his full support to the Ukrainian people as they push back against Russian military forces brutally attacking cities across the country. In his remarks, Durbin recognized Poland for taking in Ukrainian refugees and called on the Biden Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians already in the United States. … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Durbin Statement On Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
CHICAGO-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine: "Let me be clear: Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine's sovereign land is a dire threat to the established international order and must be resolutely deterred. Ukraine and our NATO allies facing ongoing Russian belligerence have strong bipartisan, bicameral support in the U.S. Congress. As someone who has strong ties to the region, my prayers are … Continue Reading
February 18, 2022
Senate Passes Durbin Led, Duckworth Cosponsored Resolution Showing Bipartisan Support For Ukraine Against Russian Aggression
WASHINGTON - Yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously in support of a bipartisan resolution led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip and Senate Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and John Cornyn (R-TX). U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined as a cosponsor of the resolution in support of Ukraine in the face of increased Russian aggression. The resolution is a renewed bipartisan message from the U.S. Senate in fierce … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Durbin, Shaheen, Portman Reaffirm Bipartisan Support For Ukraine, Lead New Resolution In Support Of Democratic Partners
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, led a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Chairman and Ranking Member, Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID), and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), on a new, bipartisan resolution in support of Ukraine … Continue Reading
February 15, 2022
Durbin, Schumer, McConnell, Thune, Reed, Inhofe, Brown, Toomey, Menendez, Risch, Warner, Rubio Message Of Solidarity With The People Of Ukraine
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-SD), Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Senate Banking Committee Chairman and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman and Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID), … Continue Reading
February 03, 2022
Durbin, Grassley Meet With Lithuanian Delegation To Discuss Russian Aggression Toward 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, yesterday met with members of the Lithuanian Parliament and Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Audra Plepyte to discuss President Biden's newly announced decision to move 3,000 troops to Germany, Poland, and Romania to deter Russian aggression aimed at Ukraine and the region. The Senators heard from the Lithuanian Parliament members about recent … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
Durbin: The U.S. Reaffirms Support For Ukraine's Freedom To Chart Its Own Future
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated that the United States stands with Ukraine and the surrounding countries against increasing Russian aggression. During his speech, Durbin reflected on the contributions of Ukrainian-Americans such as Sgt. Michael Strank, a Marine who fought in WWII and one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers. Durbin also condemned Russian leader Vladimir Putin's actions, including ongoing belligerence against … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
Durbin: One Way To Help The NATO Alliance Is To Pass An Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Senate Republicans to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget to strengthen our alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As Russian aggression toward Ukraine and others in the region continues to escalate, Durbin reiterated that it is essential to support NATO and surrounding Baltic democracies. "There is one guiding principle … Continue Reading
January 31, 2022
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution To Celebrate 100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between United States And 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, led 17 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid increasing Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. "This … Continue Reading
January 10, 2022
Durbin: Putin Must End Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor against Russia's ongoing aggression and massive military build-up on Ukraine's border. During his speech, Durbin noted President Biden's swift condemnation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's actions. Durbin also called on his colleagues to support legislation to be introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would impose crippling sanctions if … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Speaks In Support Of Lithuania's Defense Of Democracy, Calls Out Lukashenko As "Europe's Last Dictator"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, took to the Senate floor today to express his support for Lithuania as the nation faces repeated threats of Russian aggression and Chinese economic intimidation. In his remarks, Durbin touched on Lithuania's history of resilience and strong voice for democracy and called for a continuation of the long-standing U.S.-Baltic friendship. "For half a century, millions lived under the … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
Durbin, Risch, Leahy, Members Introduce Bipartisan Resolution To Support Upcoming Presidential Election In The Gambia
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Ranking Member James Risch (R-ID), and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT), along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), SFRC Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member, and John Boozman (R-AR), today introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing support for a free, fair, and peaceful December 4, 2021, presidential election in The Gambia. The upcoming election will … Continue Reading
November 17, 2021
Durbin Meets With Mexican Senators To Discuss U.S.-Mexico Relationship
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with five Mexican Senators who represent the five largest parties in Mexico. During today's meeting, they discussed U.S.-Mexico relations, migration in the region, the need for immigration reform in the U.S., the flow of illegal weapons primarily from the United States to Mexico, and the Mexican Senate's interest in reactivating the U.S.-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Group between the … Continue Reading
October 29, 2021
Durbin, Menendez, Kaine Meet with Venezuela Interim President Juan Guaidó
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Chair Tim Kaine (D-VA) met virtually with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó to discuss the ongoing political stalemate in Venezuela and the humanitarian crisis that has forced more than five million refugees and migrants to flee their homes under discredited President Nicolás Maduro's … Continue Reading
October 29, 2021
Durbin Files NDAA Amendments To Hold Egypt Accountable For Disappearances Of Family Members Of Illinois Resident
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) filed amendments to this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would hold Egypt accountable for the harassment and detention of Americans and their family members. Durbin has advocated for the release of three family members of Aly Hussin Mahdy, who is a lawful U.S. asylee and Illinois resident, who saw his father, uncle, and cousin jailed after he urged peaceful protests in front of Egyptian embassies. Durbin's … Continue Reading
October 08, 2021
Durbin Meets With Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), met with Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López to discuss the ongoing political stalemate in Venezuela and the humanitarian crisis that has forced more than five million refugees and migrants to flee their homes under President Nicolás Maduro's regime. During their conversation, the Senators received an update … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Durbin Meets With Philippines Foreign Minister And Ambassador
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Philippines Foreign Minister Teodor Locsin and Philippines Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez to discuss U.S.-Philippines cooperation and the ongoing detention of Filipina Senator Leila de Lima. Durbin raised several human rights concerns under Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, including extrajudicial drug-related killings, harassment of journalists such as Maria Ressa, and jailing of opposing voices such as de … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Durbin Discusses Disappearances Of Family Members Of Illinois Resident With Egyptian Ambassador
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), today spoke by phone with Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Motaz Zahran about reports of harassment, forced disappearances, and human rights violations in Egypt. During their conversation, Durbin followed up on a letter he and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Booker sent earlier this year to Zahran, advocating for the release of three family members of Aly Hussin … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate Of Nominations & Legislation
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Toby J. Heytens, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit; Patricia Tolliver Giles, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael S. Nachmanoff, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sarala Vidya Nagala, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Omar Antonio Williams, to be United States District … Continue Reading