Press Releases
DURBIN, LEE INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced two pieces of bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation—the Smarter Sentencing Act, to modernize federal drug sentencing policies, and the Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act, to provide judges additional flexibility when determining if pretrial detention is appropriate for those accused of nonviolent drug offenses. … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO INCREASE DETENTION INFRASTRUCTURE, DURBIN DETAILS INHUMANE CONDITIONS, DEATHS AT ICE DETENTION FACILITIES
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 Trump Administration’s cruel mass deportation campaign and the inhumane conditions at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. Through Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ICE has dramatically expanded its detention capacity. The agency is … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
DURBIN MARKS 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF BANNING SMOKING ON AIRPLANES WITH SPEECH ON SENATE FLOOR
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday delivered a speech on the Senate floor to mark the 36th anniversary of landmark legislation to ban smoking on airplanes. In 1988, Durbin’s legislation became law, banning smoking on domestic flights that were two hours or less, which was then expanded to all domestic flights in 1990. Soon, this ban created a cultural change in American society, and smoking was prohibited in restaurants, hospitals, offices, and stores. … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
DURBIN, CRAPO CELEBRATE SENATE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE FEBRUARY AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, today celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate February 2026 as American Heart Month. The resolution reaffirms the government’s commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by supporting research; improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality; and recognizing and … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois State Association Of Counties
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois State Association of Counties to discuss the impact of the Trump Adminsitration’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which slashed $1 trillion from federal Medicaid funding and nearly $200 billion from SNAP, dramatically shifting cost burdens to local governments and cutting services for Illinoisans. During today’s meeting, the Senators and the … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
DURBIN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CREATE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARKS IN CHICAGO, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, & SOUTH CAROLINA TO HONOR LEGACY OF JULIUS ROSENWALD
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act, legislation to establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina in honor of Julius Rosenwald. The legislation would also require the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to provide information on the life and legacy of Rosenwald at his boyhood home in Springfield, … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
DURBIN TALKS CLEAN ENERGY WITH IMEA/IMUA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Municipal Electric/Utilities Association (IMEA/IMUA) to discuss Illinois’ electric systems as new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, place new strains on the sector. In today’s meeting, Durbin and IMEA/IMUA members talked about the need for data center operators to be transparent about the expected power and water usage associated with running these centers. Additionally, Durbin … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
DURBIN, PADILLA, KELLY BLAST DHS FOR WRONGFULLY TARGETING & REMOVING DACA RECIPIENTS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) today released the following statement after U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 261 Deferred Action for … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
DURBIN QUESTIONS NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NEWLY ESTABLISHED NATIONAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AT DOJ DURING SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING
WASHINGTON - During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Colin McDonald, the nominee to be the Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a newly established division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Durbin first asked Mr. McDonald about working with Ed Martin. After Mr. Martin’s failed nomination to be U.S. Attorney for D.C. was withdrawn, … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nominee To Be Assistant Attorney General For Newly Established National Fraud Enforcement Division At DOJ
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 hearing on the nomination of Colin McDonald to be the Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a newly established division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi about the proposed new Division. … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Statement On President Trump's State Of The Union Address
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address: “If grandstanding paid for groceries, the President would have ridden to the American peoples’ rescue tonight. But it doesn’t work that way. Instead, the President delivered empty platitudes about the success of his first year back in office. “In America’s 250th year, our democracy is facing a serious test under this President. But Democrats are … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Meets With His Guest To President Trump's State Of The Union Address, Tereza Lee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with his guest for President Trump’s State of the Union Address, Tereza Lee. Tereza was Durbin’s inspiration to introduce the Dream Act in 2001 when he learned of her story after outreach by Ann Monaco, Tereza’s teacher at the Merit School of Music in Chicago. Tereza was a musical prodigy who had played as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She had been accepted into several of the country’s most prestigious … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Condemns The Trump Administration’s Cruel Immigration Tactics, Reiterates Senate Democrats’ Demands As DHS Funding Negotiations Continue
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, condemned the Trump Administration for its reign of terror toward communities across the country amid the President’s cruel mass deportation effort. Durbin began his speech by recounting last week’s episode of John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” in which he laid into the Department of Homeland Security … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Honors Late Reverend Jesse Jackson With Speech On The Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor honoring the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed last week at the age of 84. In his remarks, Durbin praised Reverend Jackson’s lifelong commitment to advancing civil rights. “The year was 1969. I had just graduated from law school. I was working for the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, a man named Paul Simon. He sent me on a mission. He wanted me to go to my hometown of East St. Louis, … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Reacts To Supreme Court Striking Down Trump’s Tariff Tax
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reacted to last week’s Supreme Court ruling to strike down most—70 percent—of the tariffs enacted by President Trump. “Tariffs can be useful when used strategically, but President Trump exceeded these authorities, as clearly defined by Congress, and the Supreme Court, by a vote of 6-3, told him as much. He defied basic economic sense,” Durbin said. “Just ask any American business or consumer who … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin, Wicker, Whitehouse, Bipartisan Group Of Members’ Statement On The Fourth Anniversary Of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion Of Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), released the following statement on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine: “On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin believed that Russia would take … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Reveals New Whistleblower Information For Investigation Into Kash Patel Joyriding To The Olympics
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, provided new whistleblower disclosures to support the investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel’s excessive use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. These disclosures were provided after Patel was spotted celebrating with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team shortly after their win over Canada in the gold medal game. In a follow-up letter to the Government Accountability Office … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Meets With New Fermilab Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate National Labs Caucus, today met with Dr. Nobert Holtkamp, the newly appointed Director of Fermilab. During their meeting, Durbin reaffirmed his support for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 17 National Laboratories, including Illinois’ own Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory. Durbin and Dr. Holtkamp spoke about Fermilab’s flagship research project, the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Senate, House Democrats File Brief To Supreme Court Defending Birthright Citizenship Against Trump Attacks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led a group of 216 House and Senate Democrats in filing a bicameral amicus brief standing up for the essential constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara, currently before the Supreme Court with oral arguments scheduled for April 1, 2026. The Democratic lawmakers argue that President Donald Trump’s week-one executive … Continue Reading
February 23, 2026
Durbin, Lankford, Quigley, Edwards, Pappas Recognize 175th Anniversary Of The YMCA
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whgip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11), and Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) today announced that they will introduce a bipartisan resolution to honor the YMCA ahead of the organization’s 175th anniversary. Headquartered in Chicago, the YMCA has about 2,600 locations, serving more than 10,000 communities across the country. Since its founding in 1851, the YMCA has built its … Continue Reading