Durbin Discusses Toll Of Gun Violence On Children With Chicago-Area Youth & Doctors

CHICAGO - Following the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Chicago-area youth and doctors from Ann & Robert H. Lurie's Children Hospital to discuss the need to act to protect our children from gun violence and the growing toll of trauma that gun violence is having on a generation of students and young adults. Durbi… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.7 Million Grant To Rebuild Rail Bridges In Quincy

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,769,767 in funding through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. This funding will be used to replace two bridge spans on the Burlington Junction Railroad in Quincy, Illinois. Both the Curtis Creek and Ghost Hollow Creek bridges are now more than 100 years old and pose a safety concern that would h… Continue Reading

Durbin, Romney, Casten, Calvert Call For Robust Research Funding in Final Competition Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-6) and Ken Calvert (R-CA-42) sent a bipartisan letter to Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and House-passed America COMPETES Act conferees urging the lawmakers to oppose provisions in USICA that would allocate a high, fixed percentage of future research funding at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE) b… Continue Reading

Senate Passes Durbin, Grassley Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating 100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between U.S. And Baltic States

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed 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 Europe. "By passing our biparti… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On DOJ Decision To Again Decline Charges Against Former FBI Agents Who Mishandled Larry Nassar Abuse Case

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to again decline to bring charges against two former FBI agents accused of mishandling the sex abuse inquiry of former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. In September, after a DOJ Inspector General report documented the FBI's failure to investigate reports that Larry Nassar was assaulting young athletes, wh… Continue Reading

Durbin, Cassidy Meet With Major Retail CEOs To Discuss INFORM Consumers Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) met with several retail CEOs to discuss their Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act, which passed the House as part of the America COMPETES Act and is currently being conferenced with the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA). The bipartisan legislation will combat the online sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerou… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Press Surface Transportation Board On Rail Disruptions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in a bipartisan letter urging the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to ensure reliable, consistent rail service for American industries and shippers. "We are very concerned over the significant rail service disruptions occurring throughout the U.S. freight rail network. Reports from rail customers, including our manufacturers, farme… Continue Reading

Durbin, Rubio, Colleagues Applaud Senate Passage Of Resolution Condemning Arrest And Detention Of Russian Dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza

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) applauded the Senate's passage of their 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 its allies to secure his release and that of Alexei Nava… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Violence Prevention, Pandemic Preparedness With CDC Director

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky about the need to address gun violence following the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Dr. Walensky expressed support to Durbin for the Chicago Hospital Engagement, Action, and Leadership (HEAL) Initiative, which was launched in 2018 by Durbin and 10 of the largest hospitals serving Chicago. The HEAL Initiative… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Secretary Vilsack At Agriculture Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing titled: "Opportunities and Challenges Facing Farmers, Families, and Rural Communities." During the hearing, Durbin highlighted the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for feeding low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who are served by the Supporting Living Facility program in Illinois. This program has help… Continue Reading

Senate Republicans Filibuster Durbin's Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Republicans filibustered the House-passed Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA), a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) in the House. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act is designed to combat the growing threat of domestic violent extremist groups and individuals (DVEs), including racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists and… Continue Reading

Judiciary Committee Advances Five Judicial Nominees, Bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act

WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Julianna Michelle Childs, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Nancy G. Abudu, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; Ana Isabel de Alba, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California; Nusrat Jahan Choudhury, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; and Natasha C. Merle, to be United States District Judge… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Senate To Pass His Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor urging Senate Republicans to join Democrats and pass his Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA), legislation that aims to prevent and respond to domestic terrorism days after a gunman killed ten Black Americans at a Buffalo supermarket in a racist act of violence. Last year, the FBI reported that in 2020, our nation experienced the highest level of hate crimes in over a… Continue Reading

Durbin: Will Senators Set Politics Aside To Stop The Killing Of Innocent Children? Or Will They Protect The Gun Industry?

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Durbin also called on his Senate colleagues to support common sense gun safety legislation to prevent such appalling acts of mass murder in the future. "I cannot imagine what it was like… in Texas in the homes of the 19 … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's Executive Order On Effective, Accountable Policing

WASHINGTON - On the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on President Biden signing an Executive Order to advance effective, accountable policing and strengthen public safety: "Two years ago, George Floyd died on the streets of Minneapolis with the knee of a police officer on his neck-an image that haunts me to this day. The injustice of his killing is undeniable… Continue Reading

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

Durbin Questions President Biden's Nominee To Lead ATF During Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Steven M. Dettelbach, nominated to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) during a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin asked Mr. Dettelbach about the killing of Chicago Police Department Officer Ella French last year. The gun that killed Officer French was bought in a straw purchase by an Indiana man on behalf of another … Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Judiciary Committee Hearing On President Biden's Nominee To Lead Atf

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Steven M. Dettelbach to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Sarah A.L. Merriam to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Lara E. Montecalvo to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Tiffany M. Cartwright to be United States District Judg… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls For Further Senate Action To Address Infant Formula Shortages

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about the severity of the baby formula shortage and the impact the Abbott's Michigan factory's closure has had on Illinoisans. In February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that Abbott's Michigan factory, which produces Similac infant formula, may have been the source of a dangerous bacteria outbreak. As a result, the factory shut down, which combined with existing supply chain issu… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Shooting At Robb Elementary School In Uvalde, Texas

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding reports that 14 students and one teacher were killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas: "Today's news is heartbreaking and tragic. Fourteen young lives and a teacher gone far too soon. My heart is with the families and friends of these lives lost. "I implore - beg - my Republican colleagues to join Democrats in finall… Continue Reading