Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin, Blackburn To Burmese State Counsellor: We Urge You To Fully Cooperate With ICJ
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today led a bipartisan group of Senators to express their concerns that Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will publicly excuse the actions of the Burmese military, or Tatmadaw, at a meeting before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Netherlands. The military likely conducted "genocidal acts" against the Rohingya in 2017, according to Marzukri Darusman, the chairperson of the United Nations Human… Continue Reading
11.19.19
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Hong Kong Human Rights And Democracy Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, of which Durbin is a cosponsor. The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent. "With the situation deteriorating by the hour in Hong Kong, the passage of the legislation couldn't be more timely. I urge my colleagues in the House to take action quickly after we have acted," Durbin said. "This bill sends… Continue Reading
11.15.19
Durbin, Colleagues Continue To Press Pompeo On Determination To Exclude Saudi Arabia From Child Soldiers List
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and U.S. Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA-07), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), and Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) today lead several of their colleagues in a bicameral letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on his reported decision to exclude the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the State Department's list of countries known to recruit and use child soldiers in the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, despite State Department experts' findings that s… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Ahead Of President Trump's Meeting With Erdogan, Durbin & Senate Democrats Press President Trump For Comprehensive Plan That Addresses Unanswered Questions About Admin's Efforts To Counter ISIS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), today joined top Senate Democrats in a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that the President develop and submit a comprehensive strategy to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Senators' letter comes amid ongoing tensions in Northeast Syria, including the escape of at least one hundred ISIS detainees-a direct result of President Trump's decision to greenlight Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria-and ongoing threat… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Durbin Shares Support For Venezuelan President Juan Guiado, Receives Update On Current Situation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó about the ongoing violent repression and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the discredited regime of Nicolás Maduro. During today's call, Durbin reiterated his support for Guaidó and his constitutional role to help Venezuela return to the community of democracies, and to do so with a thoughtful and timely transition and credible election process in wh… Continue Reading
11.05.19
Durbin, Colleagues to DOD IG: Investigate Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Funding That Was Held By Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), today reiterated their call for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to review DoD's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding appropriated by Congress, which was halted for a signi… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Durbin Meets With Top Venezuelan Diplomat & Foreign Minister For Guiadó Government
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Carlos Vecchio, the top Venezuelan diplomat to the United States under interim President Juan Guaidó's government, and Julio Borges, President Guido's foreign minister. In today's meeting, Durbin offered his continued support for President Guaidó and discussed plans for a managed transition and a timely, open, and fair election. "In today's meeting, I reiterated to Minister Borges and Chargé d'Affa… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Durbin, Menendez, Leahy Respond To Trump Falsehood On Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) issued the following joint statement in response to President Donald Trump's reference to a letter they sent to the General Prosecutor of Ukraine in 2018 raising their concerns that the Trump Administration could unduly pressure Ukraine into obstructing the Mueller investigation by withholding funding: "President Trump is desperate to divert attention from his abuse of power. We wrote to the Ukrainian … Continue Reading
09.24.19
Durbin, Engel, Leahy, Malinowski Call For U.S. Ambassador To Hungary To Uphold American Democratic & Security Norms
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), along with U.S. Representatives Eliot L. Engel (D-NY-16) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ-07), today sent a letter to the United States Ambassador to Hungary, David Cornstein, calling on him to uphold American democratic values and security interests when dealing with the autocratic government of Victor Orban, whose embrace of Russia and antidemocratic actions are cause for considerable concern. Specifically, the members and Senator… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Durbin Warns Against Escalating Tensions With Iran
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today warned against President Donald Trump's dangerous escalation towards conflict with Iran, which could lead to yet another reckless, never-ending war in the Middle East. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that the U.S. Constitution is clear that the power to declare war is an explicit power of the Congress. "No war with Iran without the consent of Congress is authorized," Durbin said. "This Congress has rubberstamped… Continue Reading
09.10.19
Durbin Discusses The Importance Of Continued U.S. Global Engagement At Council On Foreign Relations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the United States' role in the world, countering historic and current strains of American isolationism, and the importance and benefit of continued global engagement in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Multicultural democracy isn't easy. And yet, we have done it better and on a larger scale than any nation in history. That's part of the American idea," Durbin said. "Siding with democracy over tyranny, … Continue Reading
09.06.19
Durbin, Colleagues Urge President Trump To Push For Action Against North Korea For Violation Of U.N. Security Resolutions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Mark Warner (D-VA) in a letter to President Donald Trump urging the President to intensify efforts to build a durable pathway towards diplomatic denuclearization of North Korea, and more specifically, to recognize that North Korea's series of ballistic missile tests clearly violate United Nations (U.N.) … Continue Reading
09.03.19
Durbin, Shaheen, Portman Lead Bipartisan Ukraine Caucus Leadership Letter Urging Trump Administration To Release Obligated Military Security Assistance For Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Ron Johnson (D-WI) in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney urging the Trump Administration to release obligated military security assistance for Ukraine. The Senators' letter comes in response to media reports that the Administration is holding up the funds, which were approve… Continue Reading
07.31.19
Durbin, Menendez Meet With Venezuela Special Envoy Elliot Abrams
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today met with Venezuela Special Envoy Elliot Abrams to discuss the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the discredited regime of Nicolás Maduro. They also discussed legislation to designate Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and protect approximately 200,000 Venezuelan nationals in the United States from deportation. "In today's meeting, I rei… Continue Reading
07.29.19
Durbin Statement on Trump Administration's Continued Effort To Sell Arms To Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting to override President Donald Trump's vetoes of the joint resolutions of disapproval regarding arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The original resolutions of disapproval passed the Senate with 51 and 53 votes, but today's veto override fell short of the two-thirds needed. "The Saudi government and royal family continue to deny any involvement in Mr. Khashoggi's brutal disappearance and murd… Continue Reading
07.25.19
Durbin Meets With Trump Nominee To Be U.S. Ambassador To UN, Kelly Craft
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Kelly Craft, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). In today's meeting, Durbin pressed Ambassador Craft on her plan to work with our allies to advance U.S. policies; how she plans to address crises around the world - including in Venezuela, Burma, and the Middle East; how she plans to address global threats and conflicts, as well as the ensuing challenge of protect… Continue Reading
07.17.19
Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Brunei For Barbaric Laws
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) that condemns the government of Brunei for recently imposing laws that include, among other troubling things, death by stoning for adultery and homosexual relations. Their resolution also calls for the repeal of these barbaric laws and visa bans for anyone involved in their implementa… Continue Reading
07.17.19
Durbin, Duckworth Praise Senate Passage Of Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating Fifth Anniversary Of Ukraine's Revolution Of Dignity
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, co-chair and co-founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today praised Senate passage of a bipartisan resolution commemorating the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity. The resolution recognizes the bravery of the people of Ukraine who participated in the Maidan protests and honors the memory of the more than 100 protestors who were killed. In addition, it encourages Ukraine to continue its progress over the… Continue Reading
07.02.19
Durbin, Senators Press Pompeo On Determination To Exclude Saudi Arabia From List Of Countries Known To Recruit & Use Child Soldiers
WASHINGTON-Following a Reuters report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo excluded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the State Department's list of countries known to recruit and use child soldiers in the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, despite State Department experts' findings that should have led to its inclusion on such list, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron W… Continue Reading
06.25.19
Durbin, Cardin, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce NDAA Amendment To Halt Security Assistance To Cameroon
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to halt all further U.S. security assistance to Cameroon, except for dealing with Boko Haram, until the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State certify military and security forces of Cameroon have demonstrated progress in abiding by international human rights standards, particularly in regards t… Continue Reading