Press Releases
Durbin Statement On California Jury Ruling Against Meta, YouTube In Landmark Trial
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a jury in Los Angeles, California found Meta and YouTube negligent in a benchmark social media addiction trial: “These back-to-back decisions in New Mexico and California show that Big Tech has become Big Tobacco. Now, it’s time for Congress to sunset Section 230 once and for all.” Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Presses MAGA Nominee To Lifetime Position On The Court Of International Trade About Inflammatory Social Media Posts Spreading Conspiracy Theories About January 6 Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kara Westercamp, nominated to a lifetime appointment on the Court of International Trade (CIT) at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin questioned Ms. Westercamp about her inflammatory social media posts where she repeatedly referred to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as “Cocaine Mitch.” She also retweeted a post which accused him of “embody[ing] … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
As Utility Costs Rise, Durbin Introduces New Legislation To Bring Transparency To Energy & Water Consumption By Data Centers
WASHINGTON - As utility costs spike for Americans, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act to require data centers to disclose their energy and water usage. These data centers consume significant amounts of water and electricity, and often, the costs of this increased demand are passed down to American consumers. As growth in artificial intelligence (AI) spurs accelerated data center development, many data center … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Applauds Historic Court Ruling Against Meta
WASHINGTON - In a statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this morning, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded a New Mexico jury finding that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and enabled the sexual exploitation of young users. Key quotes: “There isn’t a parent or grandparent alive who isn't fearful of what the hell these kids are looking at all day long and what is happening to them as a … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing, Durbin Denounces The MAGA Nominee Considered Today To A Lifetime Appointment On The Court Of International Trade
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing regarding the President’s reckless tariffs policy, disregard for the rule of law, and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against said tariffs. Durbin also spoke on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade (CIT). Ms. Westercamp’s nomination to the lifetime position … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Receives Champion Of Justice Award From Legal Services Corporation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today received the Champion of Justice Award from the national Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in recognition of his decades of work increasing access to justice for Americans. LSC is the largest funder of civil legal assistance in the country, supporting 130 local legal aid organizations that provide free assistance to low-income Americans. Nationally, LSC grantees served 1.8 … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election rather than fulfilling their obligation to conduct oversight over … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Statement On Colin McDonald Confirmation To Be Assistant Attorney General Targeting ‘Fraud’
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Colin McDonald to be Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division: “After gutting key divisions that actually investigate and prosecute fraud, the Trump Administration announced this newly-created vessel for targeting political enemies under the guise of ‘fraud enforcement.’ “I never … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin: Trump Wants To Pass The SAVE America Act Because He’s Worried About The Outcome Of The Midterm Elections
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined the specific provisions in Republicans’ SAVE America Act that would prevent Americans from exercising their right to vote, including rejecting common IDs to register to vote and penalizing married Americans who changed their last names. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Stymie Plastic Pollution In Waterways
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and marine life—and in turn, humans—and create additional damage to ecosystems. “Because only nine … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous other issues worth examining within the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2026
Durbin Statement On Markwayne Mullin Confirmation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after voting against U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) nomination to be Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary: “Kristi Noem presided over a DHS that steamrolled civil rights and violated court orders to carry out an anti-immigrant mass deportation campaign for Donald Trump. Failure is her legacy. “While the problems at DHS are larger … Continue Reading
March 23, 2026
Durbin, Hirono, Heinrich, Luján Introduce Resolution Recognizing National Assistant Principals Week
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) today introduced a resolution designating the week of April 6, 2026, as “National Assistant Principals Week.” Amid a national educator shortage, the resolution expresses support for assistant principals’ commitment to instructional leadership and the role they play in addressing student and staff needs while establishing positive school learning … Continue Reading
March 23, 2026
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech Outlining His Concerns Over Markwayne Mullin’s Nomination To Lead DHS Ahead Of Confirmation Vote
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the confirmation vote of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor outlining his concerns regarding his nomination. Durbin announced that he will vote against Mullin’s nomination. Durbin began his speech by reflecting on Secretary Kristi Noem’s failed job as DHS Secretary. Earlier this month, … Continue Reading
March 23, 2026
On 16th Anniversary Of The Affordable Care Act, Durbin Highlights Law’s Improvements To Insurance Quality & Coverage, Bashes Republican Attempts To Undermine Access To Health Care
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to mark the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being signed into law. Durbin, who attended the legislation’s signing at the White House in 2010, spoke about the landmark bill that changed the health care landscape in the U.S. by expanding health insurance coverage to 30 million Americans and ending the practice of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing … Continue Reading
March 23, 2026
Durbin Files Amendments To SAVE America Act, Calls For Voter Protections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that he filed 11 amendments to the Republicans’ SAVE America Act, a bill that would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by implementing extreme voter ID requirements that are designed to prevent Americans from exercising their fundamental right to vote. Durbin’s amendments range from protecting voters’ access to the ballot box and affirming the outcome of the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2026
Durbin Outlines Various Obstacles Americans Would Face When Attempting To Register To Vote Under The Republicans’ SAVE America Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined the various obstacles that Americans would face when attempting to register to vote under Republicans’ SAVE America Act, legislation that is designed to prevent Americans from exercising their fundamental right to vote. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and other … Continue Reading
March 20, 2026
Durbin Denounces Republicans’ Voter Suppression Legislation On The Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, denounced Republicans’ SAVE America Act, legislation that is designed to prevent Americans from exercising their fundamental right to vote. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and other government-issued IDs, including a REAL ID, alone would not be sufficient. According to a nonpartisan … Continue Reading
March 19, 2026
Durbin Denounces SAVE America Act & Republicans’ Efforts To Restrict Americans’ Fundamental Right To Vote
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor denouncing the Republicans’ SAVE America Act, which would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote. In his remarks, Durbin laid out the barriers to voting that the SAVE America Act would create by requiring all Americans who are registering to vote to show documentary proof of citizenship. “On August 6, 1965, President … Continue Reading
March 19, 2026
Durbin Meets With National Cancer Institute Director Amidst Widespread Concern About The Damage Being Done To Our Nation’s Medical Research Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate National Institutes of Health (NIH) Caucus, today met with National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Dr. Anthony Letai to discuss the future of cancer research as President Trump and Health and Human Services’ Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. push forward with efforts to slash funding, delay grant awards, and otherwise dismantle our nation’s critical medical … Continue Reading