Durbin Meets With President Biden's Nominee to Be the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and the Senate Baltic Caucus, today met with Kara McDonald, nominee to be the United States’ Ambassador to Lithuania. During the meeting, they discussed the continued congressional support for the Baltic States, as well as ongoing Russian aggression and interference in the region.
“Time and time again, Lithuania has proved itself to be a champion of freedom and democracy. Today, in the face of Russian aggression and Chinese economic intimidation, is no different. As Russian threats continue to loom large over Eastern Europe, the U.S. will continue to be a loyal ally to Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors as these nations uphold shared democratic values,” said Durbin. “If confirmed, I look forward to working with Ms. McDonald to further the important ties between the U.S. and Lithuania.”
A photo of the meeting is available here.
Earlier this year, Durbin and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act, bipartisan legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative, which will enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine.
In the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations bill, Durbin secured $225 million to fund the Baltic Security Initiative along with $153 million for security cooperation programs, with a particular focus on European allies in light of Russia’s aggression.
In 2022, Durbin traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, where he received the Aleksandras Stulginskis Star Award—only the second individual and first American to receive this award. It was granted to Durbin for his decades-long support of Lithuanian independence and democracy and his promotion of parliamentary values. Durbin’s mother was born in Lithuania and came to the United States with her mother and siblings in 1911.
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