Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Foreign Policy
Durbin Statement On Trump administration Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting for the joint resolutions of disapproval regarding arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The joint resolutions of disapproval passed the Senate and will now head to the House of Representatives for a vote. "The Saudi-led war in Yemen has been a humanitarian disaster - leading to an estimated 85,000 children having already died of malnutrition. And the Saudi government and royal family conti… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Durbin Receives Update From Venezuelan President Juan Guaido
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó about the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, 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 credib… Continue Reading
06.11.19
Durbin, Leahy, Cardin, Brown, Senators Introduce Resolution Expressing Support For Free, Fair, Transparent Elections In Guatemala
WASHINGTON - Ahead of Guatemala's elections on Sunday, June 16, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced a resolution expressing support for free, fair, and transparent elections in Guatemala. The resolution also expresses concern over efforts to undermine United Nations anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala and opposition to President Donald Trump cutting of… Continue Reading
05.23.19
As Tensions With Iran Escalate, Durbin Meets With Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today met with Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who President Donald Trump nominated to be Defense Secretary earlier this month. During the meeting, Durbin pressed Acting Secretary Shanahan on the Trump Administration's escalating tensions with Iran, continued military presence at the southwest border, and the reprogramming of $2.5 billion for President Trum… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Durbin: Trump Admin Should Think Twice About Starting Another Middle Eastern War
WASHINGTON - Following yesterday's briefing by Trump Administration officials about Iran, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called President Donald Trump's policy in Iran "provocative" and "incomprehensible," and warned against another reckless war in the Middle East. "President Trump's policy, at the direction of Mr. Bolton, seems to have only increased regional tensions, incentivized Iran to restart its nuclear program, and fomented a pretext for another Middle Eastern war… Continue Reading
05.21.19
Durbin Statement On Iran Briefing By Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after receiving a classified briefing on the latest regarding Iran: "The Trump Administration's confrontational policy with Iran runs the risk of escalation to deadly levels. Talking tough on a tweet is easy. Living with the grim reality of war is not."… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Durbin: President Trump's March To War With Iran Is Reckless And Unconstitutional
WASHINGTON - Following a report by the New York Times stating that the White House was briefed on a military plan that envisioned sending as many as 120,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East to counter Iran, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Trump Administration to avoid another reckless war in the Middle East and to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), better known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also stated… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Durbin, Young, Senators Introduce Resolution Condemning Brunei For Barbaric Laws
WASHINGTON - U.S. 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) today introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning 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 implementation. "These recentl… Continue Reading
04.30.19
Durbin Shares Support For Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó
WASHINGTON - Following the uprising in Venezuela today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) once again shared his support for Juan Guaidó, the constitutionally and internationally recognized interim leader of Venezuela. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called on Russia and Cuba to step back and let the Venezuelan people decide their own future. "I urge Maduro to do the right thing for Venezuela, to avoid bloodshed, to accept Guaidó's amnesty offer, and to … Continue Reading
04.10.19
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Push For Repeal Of Muslim Travel Ban, Prevent Future Discriminatory Bans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) today to introduce bicameral legislation to repeal President Donald Trump's existing executive order blocking travel from majority Muslim countries and prevent another baseless, discriminatory travel ban from happening again. The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act repeals the three versions of President Trump's Muslim t… Continue Reading
04.09.19
Durbin Presses Pompeo On Venezuela, Middle East Policies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today derided Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he stated that the Trump Administration had not decided whether or not they would offer Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to approximately 72,000 Venezuelan nationals currently present in the United States who face real danger and chaos if forced to return to Venezuela. Last month, Durbin led 24 Senators in a letter to President Trump requesting that his Administration promptly designate… Continue Reading
04.05.19
Durbin, Duckworth Warn President Trump Against Cutting Funding To Northern Triangle Countries
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tom Carper (D-DE), and a group of 34 Democratic senators in sending a letter to President Donald Trump opposing his plan to cut national security funding to Northern Triangle countries, which is specifically designed to promote American interests, enhance our collective security, and protect the safety of American citizens. In their letter, the Senators make clear the U.S. Congress alrea… Continue Reading
04.03.19
Durbin Statement On NATO Secretary General's Address To Joint Meeting Of Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after attending an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress by the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg: "Even before he took office, President Trump was never a supporter of NATO. Every NATO insult he tweets encourages nations, like Russia, that have long sought to destroy the alliance. "Today's Joint Meeting of Congress reaffirmed NATO's importance as the foundati… Continue Reading
04.03.19
Durbin, Menendez, Rubio Lead Bipartisan Group Introducing Comprehensive Bill To Help Restore Democracy In Venezuela
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced new comprehensive legislation to help restore democracy and address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The most comprehensive effort to date to confront the crisis in Venezuela, the Venezuela Emergency Relief, Democracy Assistance and Development (VERDAD) Act drastically increases humanitarian assistance, expands current tools to address kleptocracy, formally recognizes and supports th… Continue Reading
03.28.19
Durbin Meets With Venezuelan First Lady
WASHINGTON - In light of the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Fabiana Rosales, Venezuelan First Lady and wife to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó. She is in Washington, D.C. advocating for support for a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. "Ms. Rosales deeply understands how much the Venezuelan p… Continue Reading
03.22.19
Bipartisan Senate Leaders Condemn Arrest Of Interim Venezuelan President Guaido's Chief Of Staff
WASHINGTON - Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today called for the immediate and unconditional release of Roberto Marrero, Interim Venezuela President Juan Guaidó's chief of staff. Marrero was abducted by Venezuelan secret police early this morning in a desperate attempt by criminal elements of the outgoing regime to intimidate members of the internationally recognized government. The inflammatory move came as Venezuelans are endur… Continue Reading
03.15.19
Durbin Statement On New Zealand Mosque Massacre
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after at least 49 people were killed in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand: "The massacre at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, was spawned by white supremacy and hatred of Muslims and immigrants. My heart goes out to the victims of this devastating attack, their families, and the communities affected. We must all stand together in solidarity with the Muslim co… Continue Reading
03.14.19
Durbin Votes For Bipartisan Resolution To Halt Unauthorized U.S. Military Involvement In Yemen
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today voted for the bipartisan joint war powers resolution, of which he is a cosponsor, to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The resolution passed the Senate 54-46. It will go back to the House of Representatives for a vote before heading to the White House. The White House had issued a veto threat ahead of today's Senate vote. "Not only was this war never authorized by the elected representativ… Continue Reading
03.13.19
Durbin: Congress Must Halt Unauthorized U.S. Military Involvement In Yemen
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Senate to once again pass a bipartisan joint war powers resolution to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in Yemen. The Senate is expected to vote on the matter this afternoon. In February, the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed a joint war powers resolution to end U.S. involvement in Yemen by a vote of 248-177. The White House has issued a veto threat ahead of today's Senate vote. "Our Founding … Continue Reading
03.13.19
Durbin Meets With President Trump's Nominee To Be U.S. Ambassador To Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - As the Senate votes once again on the Yemen War Powers Resolution to end U.S.-support for the Saudi-led conflict, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with General John Abizaid, USA (Ret.), President Donald Trump's nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, one of many key Ambassador positions that have inexplicably been left vacant under the Trump Administration. In the meeting, Durbin pressed General Abizaid on the need for accountability following t… Continue Reading