Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
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 Durb… Continue Reading
11.20.24
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 th… Continue Reading
10.07.24
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 sla… Continue Reading
09.26.24
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 wars, … Continue Reading
09.26.24
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 Prim… Continue Reading
09.19.24
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 ceas… Continue Reading
09.09.24
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 Nicol… Continue Reading
07.24.24
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 t… Continue Reading
07.10.24
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 Unit… Continue Reading
07.09.24
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 week. … Continue Reading
07.09.24
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 activities. … Continue Reading
07.08.24
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 entry.… Continue Reading
07.02.24
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 denounc… Continue Reading
05.21.24
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 u… Continue Reading
05.14.24
Durbin Applauds President Biden's Decision To Withhold Certain Military Assistance From Israel
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded President Biden’s decision to withhold military assistance from Israel that could be used for a full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah. Durbin said, “It is not, as some have characterized, a failure to support Israel in a dangerous region after a genuinely horrific Hamas attack. And October 7th was such an attack. It is, instead, a warning from one of the most pro-Israeli U.S. Presidents to … Continue Reading
05.14.24
Durbin Praises Russian Dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza for Winning Pulitzer Prize for Writings Criticizing Putin Regime
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech honoring Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition figure who has survived two poisoning attempts by the Kremlin, for earning a Pulitzer Prize for his writings aspiring for a democratic Russia and criticizing Vladimir Putin’s disastrous war in Ukraine. In his remarks, Durbin spoke with admiration about Kara-Murza’s advocacy for a more democratic fu… Continue Reading
04.15.24
Following Iran’s Attack On Israel, Durbin Urges House Republicans To Finally Pass The National Security Supplemental
WASHINGTON – Following Iran’s attack on Israel this weekend, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged House Republicans to finally pass the national security supplemental, which passed the Senate in February on a bipartisan basis and would provide aid for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Taiwan. During his speech, Durbin reflected on the ongoing threats that Iran posed prior to the attack on Israel. “I had the privilege of visiting our American service members stationed with the U.S.… Continue Reading
04.13.24
Durbin Statement on Iran's Attack on Israel
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding reports that Iran launched attacks on Israel: “Putin’s ally Iran has been a destabilizing regional spoiler, arming Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis foryears, using proxies to attack U.S. interests, and inching ever closer to a nuclear weapon—a situation made worse since Trump petulantly withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear agreement that had constrained that dangerous program. I hope wise… Continue Reading
04.09.24
Durbin Questions USAID Administrator Powers on Delivery of Humanitarian Aid to 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. Agency for International Development.” During the hearing, Durbin questioned the witness, U.S. Agency for International Aid (USAID) Administrator Samantha Powers, about U.S. efforts to bring aid to Gaza as inn… Continue Reading
04.08.24
Durbin Reiterates Ceasefire Call Following the Death of Seven Humanitarian Aid Workers in Gaza
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor in response to the death of seven aid workers in Gaza earlier this month. The aid workers, employees of World Central Kitchen, had been part of efforts to feed innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire of Israel’s military response following the horrendous Hamas attack on October 7. Since the October 7 attack on Israel, more than 33,000 people, mostly women and children, having been … Continue Reading