Press Releases
Durbin, Duckworth Call For Greater FAA Investment & Efficiency At Chicago O’Hare Airport
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford about the urgent need for greater FAA investment and efficiency at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Specifically, the Senators’ letter urged the FAA to prioritize ORD for Air Traffic Control (ATC) staffing and technology, to allow full use of ORD’s runway capabilities, and to give full and fair … Continue Reading
March 06, 2026
Durbin Files Housing, Crypto Amendments To Road To Housing Bill
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he filed five amendments to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing package that is being considered by the Senate next week. Durbin’s five amendments would ensure that families living in federally assisted housing are safe from lead poisoning; that housing is accessible and affordable for American families; that consumers are protected from fraudsters operating cryptocurrency ATM scams; that … Continue Reading
March 06, 2026
Durbin Meets With MxD Leadership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday met with Berardino Baratta, CEO of MxD, one of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) leading manufacturing institutes. During the meeting, Durbin received an update on MxD’s latest projects, including efforts to equip U.S. factories with the digital tools, enhance cybersecurity, and improve workforce expertise to strengthen domestic manufacturing. “MxD’s work has shown how critical it is to invest in the advancement of … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Durbin, Fischer Urge USDA To Swiftly Implement Their Bipartisan Protecting Children With Food Allergies Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins urging her to swiftly implement their recently passed Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act. The bill, which was passed as an amendment to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, was signed into law in January. “We write to urge your … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Durbin Statement On Trump Firing Kristi Noem
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and announced U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as his preferred replacement: “Kristi Noem was the face of an unpopular, illegal, and outright dangerous mass deportation campaign that claimed the lives of innocent Americans and terrorized many more. Our … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Following DHS Oversight Hearing With Secretary Noem, Durbin Calls Out Her Lying Under Oath
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting condemning the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for lying under oath during Tuesday’s oversight hearing. Secretary Noem lied about DHS following court orders, denied that DHS has detained U.S. citizens, and lied about Corey Lewandowski’s role at … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Bolster Public Health Efforts To Improve Dental Health
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Promoting Dental Health Act to reauthorize funding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Oral Health program for the next five years. The CDC’s Oral Health program receives $20.25 million in annual funding for a range of public health activities to promote oral health. This includes funding 15 states to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other painful and serious conditions through dental … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
As One Of 23 Senators Who Voted Against The Iraq War, Durbin Releases Statement Following Failed Iran War Powers Resolution Vote
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) war powers resolution that would have blocked President Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran unless authorized by Congress. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
Durbin Meets With Director Of The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director James Jennings to discuss water infrastructure in Metro East, the Calumet Confined Disposal Facility, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, and the Brandon Road Interbasin Project. In Congress, Durbin has secured federal funding to address the flooding issues in Metro East, the harms of PFAS, and has continuously worked with the Army Crops on … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Join Merkley To Demand Independent Probe Of Funds To Carry Our Trump’s Cruel Mass Deportation Scheme
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in calling on the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to probe the cost of President Trump’s violent escalation of federal immigration enforcement. The Senators are requesting a comprehensive assessment and accounting of the supplemental funds, including the roughly $75 billion for Immigration … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
Durbin Meets With Bloomington-Normal One Voice About Economic Development For Central Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of Bloomington-Normal One Voice to discuss economic development and infrastructure improvement projects in Central Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin and One Voice discussed local water infrastructure needs, including the Gridley Street Sewer Separation Project and the Waterlift Project to improve water access for parts of McLean County. The group also spoke about the need for a new passenger boarding bridge … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
Durbin Talks Illinois Water Infrastructure Projects With Chicago Army Corps District Commander
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Chicago District Commander Colonel Kenneth P. Rockwell to receive an update on several northern Illinois infrastructure projects. Durbin and Colonel Rockwell spoke about the operation and maintenance of the Chicago Harbor Lock, which is the second busiest Corps lock in the country with around-the-clock operations for commercial towboat and deep draft barges, government, passenger, … Continue Reading
March 04, 2026
Durbin Slams The Trump Administration For Its Unclear Strategy Regarding Iran, Urges Colleagues To Support Senator Kaine’s Iran War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today urging his colleagues to support Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) war powers resolution, which would block President Trump from ordering further strikes on Iran unless authorized by Congress. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War Powers Act … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses About Protecting Vulnerable Youth From Sex Trafficking, Exploitation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” During his questioning, Durbin focused on how the federal government can intervene before children are brought into dangerous situations, including trafficking and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Calls For Action To Protect Vulnerable Children From Exploitation, Trafficking In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” In his opening remarks, Durbin spoke about the horrific abuses that exploited children face, from human trafficking to online sextortion, and he called on his Senate … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Presses DHS Secretary Kristi Noem During Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Durbin first pressed Secretary Noem about her labeling Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Marimar Martinez as “domestic terrorists,” and refusing to apologize to their families. Both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti were shot and killed by federal immigration … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing With DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
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 oversight hearing with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. During his opening, Durbin blasted Secretary Noem for undermining the mission of DHS by directing federal agents to indiscriminately arrest U.S. citizens and immigrants—most of whom do not have a criminal record and do not pose a … Continue Reading
March 02, 2026
Durbin Calls Out DHS’ Cruel Immigration Enforcement Tactics Ahead Of Secretary Noem’s Testimony In The Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previewed tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), during which Secretary Kristi Noem will be questioned about the agency’s weaponization. As Durbin noted in his speech, Secretary Noem has undermined the mission of DHS by directing federal agents to indiscriminately arrest U.S. citizens … Continue Reading
March 02, 2026
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech On The U.S. Strikes On Iran This Weekend
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today following the U.S. strikes on Iran this weekend, which killed Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During his speech, Durbin announced support for Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) war powers resolution. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War Powers … Continue Reading
March 02, 2026
Durbin Introduces Resolution Designating National Social And Emotional Learning Week
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a resolution designating the week of March 2, 2026, as National Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Week. SEL is centered on developing the self-awareness, ability to manage emotions, and interpersonal skills necessary for school, the workplace, and life. Research shows that SEL promotes student academic outcomes, self-efficacy, and positive mental health, especially for students who have experienced trauma, by helping … Continue Reading