Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin Calls Out House Republicans for Abandoning Aid to Ukraine Following Death of Alexei Navalny
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 emphasizing the necessity of delivering aid to Ukraine as it continues to fend off attacks from Vladimir Putin and following the tragic death of Russian opposition leader and anticorruption activist, Alexei Navalny. Durbin’s speech comes after the Senate passed the national security supplemental with strong bipartisan support, which provides aid for… Continue Reading
02.14.24
Durbin, Duckworth Join Booker, Colleagues in Calling for Swift Action to Aid American Citizens and Families Trapped in Gaza
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in leading 13 colleagues in calling on Secretary Antony Blinken and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to expand assistance for relatives of U.S. citizens stranded in Gaza. The Senators expressed concerns about the current limited eligibility criteria forState Department assistance, and advocated for the State Department to press all conflicting parties to include a… Continue Reading
02.09.24
Durbin Calls Out Senate Republicans for Abandoning Border Deal, Delaying Aid to Ukraine at Trump's Whim
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech emphasizing the necessity of delivering aid to Ukraine as it continues to fend off attacks from Vladimir Putin. Durbin’s speech comes after nearly 20 Republican Senators supported a procedural vote to consider a national security supplemental that provides urgently-needed security and humanitarian assista… Continue Reading
12.06.23
Durbin, Graham Statement on First-Of-Its-Kind War Crimes Charges by DOJ Related to Russian Invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing first-of-its-kind war crimes charges against four Russian men in connection to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “Today’s announcement by the Justice Department is a welcome step. The four Russian military personnel charged allegedly interrogated, tortured, … Continue Reading
12.06.23
Durbin Statement on Failed Vote on the Emergency Supplemental to Provide Aid to Israel and Ukraine
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against President Biden’s national security supplemental funding request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises: “The scale and viciousness of the Hamas terrorist attack against the Israeli people are reprehensible, and today, along with my Democratic colleagues, I voted to … Continue Reading
12.06.23
Durbin, Tester, Bennet, Klobuchar Meet with Ukraine's Speaker of the Parliament
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) hosted Ruslan Stefanchuck, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, and Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, to discuss President Biden’s emergency supplemental request, which includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian needs. The Senate is expected to … Continue Reading
11.30.23
Durbin Discusses Reopening Gaza Hospitals with UN Secretary General
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. “I had a productive conversation with Secretary General Guterres about efforts to alleviate suffering of innocents caught in the conflict in Gaza,” said Durbin. “In particular, w… Continue Reading
11.27.23
Durbin Calls to Reopen Gaza Hospitals Under Neutral Third Part As Israel-Hamas Reach a Temporary Ceasefire Deal and Hostage Release
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor on the need to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help the innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. During his speech, Durbin said he planned to speak with Secretary General António Guterres about implementing this proposal. He also called on Congress to pass President Biden’s emergency supplemental request, which includes emerge… Continue Reading
11.22.23
Durbin Statement on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal and Hostage Release
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas to release 50 hostages currently being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip over a four-day long ceasefire: “I am relieved and heartened that the deal to release 50 of the 240 hostages being held by Hamas over a four-day ceasefire has been reached, with the possibility to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every ten hostages released. … Continue Reading
11.20.23
Durbin, Duckworth Join Baldwin, Colleagues in Calling for Immediate Steps to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza and Protect Civilians
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led their colleagues in urging President Biden to work with Israel and international partners to implement a plan that will protect innocent civilian life in Gaza, deliver sustained humanitarian aid, and work toward the long term goals of ending Hamas’s threat, bringing hostages home, and achieving su… Continue Reading
11.14.23
Durbin Objects to Partisan Bill that Dangerously Omits Funding for Ukraine
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today on the Senate floor joined members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in opposing U.S. Senator Roger Marshall’s (R-KS) request for unanimous consent (UC) to pass House Republicans’ partisan aid package, which includes funding forIsrael but neglects to support Ukraine in its efforts to stave off Putin’s unrelenting attacks and conditions support for Israel by offsetting other federal funding. In his remarks, Durbin emphasized his suppo… Continue Reading
11.07.23
Durbin Reflects on Horrific Violence in the Middle East and Need for Long Term Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. During his speech, Durbin remembered the victims of the October 7th horrific Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and commended President Biden’s emergency supplemental request to provide security aid to Israel, as well as the recent provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians caught in the conflict. “The wanton slaughter of more than 1,000 Israelis and an estimate… Continue Reading
11.07.23
Durbin Applauds President Biden's Emergency Supplemental Request to Provide Security Aid to Israel and Ukraine
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement in support of President Biden’s emergency supplemental request to provide security aid to Israel and Ukraine: “The scale and viciousness of the Hamas terrorist attack against the Israeli people are reprehensible, and I support President Biden’s emergency aid request to help Israel defend itself and free any hostages. Violence against the innocent—both Israelis an… Continue Reading
11.07.23
Durbin, Duckworth, Murphy, Senators Call for Humanitarian Aid to Address Emergency Needs in Gaza
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), led 28 of their Senate colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to lead the international community in contributing to the United Nations’ emergency appeal of $294 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza. Today, President Biden announced significant humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in those areas. Durbin and Duckw… Continue Reading
10.09.23
Durbin Statement on Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel: “Over the last 48 hours, my staff and I have received regular, direct updates from the White House on the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. We have also been in touch with constituents who have family in Israel, helping provide the latest information on how to connect with our embassy in Israel. The scale and viciousness of the Hama… Continue Reading
05.10.23
Durbin, Graham, Grassley Meet With ICC Chief Prosecutor
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), met with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan to receive an update on its investigation into the atrocities being committed in Ukraine. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also joined the meeting. “The ICC has… Continue Reading
02.17.23
Durbin Reflects On Russia’s War On Ukraine Ahead Of The One-Year Anniversary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Durbin began his speech by highlighting Chicago Chef Tony Priolo, who leapt into action to help the Ukrainian people, and who previously employed a young Ukrainian woman. Chef Priolo contacted the Illinois Restaurant Association and 30 chef friends, and less than three we… Continue Reading
08.04.22
Durbin, Rubio, Tillis, Shaheen Call On Secretary Blinken To Impose Magnitsky Law Sanctions On Russian Officials Responsible For Poisoning And Jailing Of Opposition Leader Vladimir Kara-Murza
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to swiftly impose Magnitsky law related sanctions against Russian officials responsible for the arrest, jailing, and poisoning of Russian-opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza. The Senators' letter comes after the unanimous passage of their res… Continue Reading
08.03.22
Durbin Statement On Senate Approving Sweden And Finland's Membership In NATO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate ratified the accession protocols for Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): "With Russia's outrageous and barbaric actions in Ukraine and ongoing threats to others in Europe, the importance of NATO couldn't be more apparent. Today, the Senate overwhelmingly approved NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, adding two essential democratic partne… Continue Reading
08.03.22
Durbin Enthusiastically Supports Finland And Sweden Accession To NATO
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, applauded the Senate's upcoming vote to approve Sweden and Finland's membership to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During his speech, Durbin reflected on his recent trip to Lithuania and the NATO summit in Madrid. "I stand in solid support of the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO," said Durbin. "I visited Lithuania… I met wi… Continue Reading