Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin Questions USAID Administrator At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing about USAID's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin began his questions by asking about Haiti, which continues to face security issues and struggles to recover from multiple natur… Continue Reading
05.24.22
Durbin, Duckworth Join Bipartisan Letter Requesting Biden Administration Swiftly Advance NATO Applications For Sweden And Finland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Baltic Freedom Caucus and the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in a bipartisan letter to President Biden urging him to expedite the Executive Branch's process to advance Sweden and Finland's applications for NATO membership and pledging to work with the Administration to ensure swift ratification of the Washington Treaty.… Continue Reading
05.19.22
Durbin: I Support The Succession Of Sweden And Finland To NATO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor in support of Sweden and Finland's intention to apply for rapid NATO membership. Yesterday, Durbin met with members of the Lithuanian Members of Parliament to discuss Russia's continued war in Ukraine, efforts to bolster security across Europe, and Sweden and Finland's interest in joining NATO. Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, praised the Baltics includ… Continue Reading
05.19.22
Durbin Statement On Senate-Passed Supplemental Aid For Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after the Senate passed an emergency funding package to assist Ukraine following Russia's unjustified and unprovoked war. The legislation provides funding for military and humanitarian aid, public health and medical support for Ukrainian refugees, and emergency food aid around the world. "The $40 billion in emergency aid will help Ukraine withstand the next br… Continue Reading
05.18.22
Foreign Relations Committee Advances Durbin, Grassley Bipartisan Resolution To Celebrate 100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between U.S. And Baltic States
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today advanced a bipartisan resolution introduced by 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, 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 Eur… Continue Reading
05.17.22
Durbin Meets With Loukas Kozonis, Guest To Greek Prime Minister's Joint Meeting Of Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Loukas Kozonis, his guest to today's Joint Meeting of Congress by His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic. Mr. Kozonis is a resident of Bannockburn, Illinois, founding member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), and Vice Chair of the Chicago-Athens Sister Cities Committee. Durbin was a member of the leadership escort committee for today's Joint Meeting. "It was a great h… Continue Reading
05.17.22
Durbin, Rubio, Members Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Detention Of Russian Dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, Call For His Release
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza and condemning his unjust detention. The bipartisan resolution pays tribute to Kara-Murza's advocacy for human rights in Russia and support for the anti-war movement. Additionally, it urges the U.S. and allied states to secure his immediate release, and calls for the U.S. government to… Continue Reading
05.12.22
Senate Passes Durbin, Risch Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Gambia For Democratic And Peaceful Elections
WASHINGTON - The U.S Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recognizing the free, fair, and peaceful December 4, 2021, presidential and April 9, 2022, legislative elections in The Gambia. The resolution also calls on the Gambian government to follow through on recent Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission recommendations. … Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing On Global Food Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program; Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, Chief Executive Officer at Mercy Corps; and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing on global food security and the COVID-19 response. Durbin began his questioning ask… Continue Reading
05.09.22
Durbin: There Will Be A Victory Day Parade In Ukraine To Honor The Valiant Ukrainians
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor to condemn Vladimir Putin's cynical Victory Day speech, in which Putin tried to justify the heinous war crimes he has committed against Ukraine. Durbin also praised First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's visit with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska in Ukraine on Mother's Day. The visit further strengthened relations between the U.S. and Ukraine. Durbin said, "Putin disgraced hims… Continue Reading
05.04.22
Durbin Meets With Chinese Ambassador To The U.S.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang to discuss Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine. Although China claims to oppose the war and support international law and territorial sovereignty, China has refused to condemn Russia's invasion. Durbin also reiterated his support for Lithuania as the nation faces economic pressure from the Chinese government for improving diplomatic ties… Continue Reading
05.04.22
Durbin: Congress Must Pass Supplemental Aid Package To Help Ukraine And Prevent Widening Of Putin's War
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass a supplemental aid package to help Ukraine and prevent Russia's war from spreading to neighboring nations. Durbin also highlighted legislation he plans to introduce - the War Crimes Accountability Act - to ensure the United States has the tools to hold accountable the perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities. Durbin, also Co-Chair of … Continue Reading
04.25.22
Durbin: It Is Clear That Putin Has Disastrously Miscalculated
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor to reiterate the United States' support of the transatlantic alliance and Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his unjustified and unprovoked war. Durbin also highlighted the service of two Illinois veterans - Lorenzo Cervantes, who passed away last week, and Casimir "Casey" Celeske. Both Cervantes and Celekse fought in World War II with an elite combat unit known as the F… Continue Reading
04.14.22
Durbin, Portman, Shaheen, Wicker Urge President Biden To Appoint A Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator
SPRINGFIELD - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), sent a letter to President Biden urging him to appoint a Ukraine Security Assistance Coordinator. In light of the continued fighting in Ukraine, as the United States continues to send a historic amount of aid to assist Ukraine in their defense, the senators believe a coordinator would… Continue Reading
03.31.22
Durbin Joins Murphy In Urging Biden Administration To Address Humanitarian Crisis In Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and 10 other Senators in sending a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power to press international donors at the United Nations pledging conference to fulfill the current $3.8 billion funding gap for humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and to ensure that aid can reach the Afghan people in need. "The huma… Continue Reading
03.30.22
Durbin, Portman, Ukraine Caucus Meet With Members Of The Ukrainian Parliament
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, hosted members of the Ukrainian Parliament to brief members of the Senate Ukraine Caucus on the latest regarding Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and how else the U.S. Senate can support their nation. Ukrainian Parliament members in attendance included Lesia Zaburanna, Yevheniya Kravchuk, Anastasia Radina, and Maria Ionova. Ukrainian Ambassad… Continue Reading
03.29.22
Durbin, Rubio, Bass, Smith Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Extend Authorization On Global Basic Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), along with Representatives Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, and Chris Smith, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa (R-NJ), introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to reauthorize the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act of 2017 for an additional five years to equitably expand access to basic education … Continue Reading
03.29.22
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Security And Economic Cooperation With The Baltics Amid Russian Aggression
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 the Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative effort and create a complementary initiative at the U.S. Department of State. Jointly, these two efforts will enhance and strengthen U.S. security and economic cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia's continued ag… Continue Reading
03.29.22
Durbin Honors Former Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor honoring the life and legacy of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve in the position. In his remarks, Durbin spoke about Albright's upbringing as a refugee from Czechoslovakia, and how this experience shaped her as a diplomat and tireless advocate for democracy. "Last week, America and the world lost another trailblazing woman and defender of justice and d… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Durbin: The NATO Alliance Is Stronger Than Ever Before
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to a Joint Session of Congress. Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution cosponsored by Durbin condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. "The second item I would like to mention refers to a moving historic presentation this morning by the President of Ukraine to a Joint Se… Continue Reading