Press Releases
Durbin Joins Calls For Watchdog To Conduct Full Audit Of Trump’s Gilded Ballroom Boondoggle
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Jack Reed (R-RI), Ranking Member of … Continue Reading
August 12, 2026
Durbin Meets With Clients And Staff At Joliet Junior College’s Entrepreneur And Business Center
JOLIET—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the Entrepreneur and Business Center (EBC) at Joliet Junior College’s City Center Campus for an update on the college’s work to provide training and advising to entrepreneurs with a focus on women, minorities, and veteran-owned small businesses. Durbin secured $800,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending—also known as an earmark—in the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government funding bill to allow the EBC to … Continue Reading
August 12, 2026
Durbin, Booker Submit Amicus Brief To Supreme Court In Maxwell V. Dinis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) submitted an amicus brief in the Supreme Court’s forthcoming case, Maxwell v. Dinis, which will determine whether federal prisoners can use habeas corpus to enforce the earned time credit provisions established by the First Step Act. “In December 2018, a bipartisan majority of both chambers of Congress passed, and President Donald J. Trump signed … Continue Reading
August 11, 2026
Durbin Honored By Lake County Board Of Directors With Resolution Recognizing His Decades Of Service To Illinois
WAUKEGAN - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was honored by the Lake County Board of Directors during their monthly board meeting with a resolution recognizing his decades of service to Illinois. In addition to applauding his efforts to expand health care and advance medical and scientific research, the resolution highlighted Durbin’s championing of legislation and initiatives that supported Lake County. More than $1 billion in federal grants have been awarded within the … Continue Reading
August 08, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Applaud Senate Passage Of Resolution Celebrating 150 Years Of The Chicago Cubs Baseball Team
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today applauded Senate passage of their resolution commending the Chicago Cubs baseball team as it celebrates its 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026. The resolution notes that since 1876, more than 182,000,000 fans have attended games of the Chicago Cubs, and millions more have listened to games on the radio and watched games on television across the United States and the world. U.S. … Continue Reading
August 08, 2026
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Todd Blanche To Be Attorney General
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General: “It was a grave mistake for the Senate to approve Todd Blanche as the next Attorney General. If there is ever a moment in history when we need an Attorney General above reproach, who is dedicated to ending corruption, it is right now. “This nation deserves an Attorney General … Continue Reading
August 07, 2026
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Legislation To Further Sanction Russia And Hold Purchasers Of Its Oil Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement after the Senate passed legislation that will add sanctions on key Russian individuals and industries as well as hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Durbin was an original cosponsor of the legislation. “This bipartisan bill that Senator Lindsey Graham worked so tirelessly to advance couldn’t be better … Continue Reading
August 07, 2026
Durbin Statement On Unlawful Birthright Citizenship Executive Orders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s latest executive actions to try restricting birthright citizenship: “Birthright citizenship is the law of the land, which the Supreme Court just upheld in June. “But Donald Trump and Stephen Miller’s anti-immigrant agenda will never miss a chance to sow doubt and fear in immigrant communities. “The Trump Administration … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Members Of The Illinois Delegation To Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding For Illinois Energy Projects That Were Politically Targeted And Illegally Canceled
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led members of the Illinois Congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 33 energy grants totaling more than $580 million to the State of Illinois that were unlawfully terminated in October 2025. The Trump Administration … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Durbin Fights For SNAP Benefits In Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, made a closing statement during today’s Committee consideration of the Farm Bill where he argued in support of Democrats’ request for a two-year delay to Republicans’ requirement that forces states to provide a share of the cost of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The two-year delay is supported by a bipartisan coalition including the National Governors … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Senate Democrats Sound Alarm On Proposed ATF Rule Loosening Firearm Prohibitions For High-Risk Individuals
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) led a group of Senate Democrats in sounding the alarm on a proposed federal gun regulation that would revise the definitions of “adjudicated as a mental defective” and “committed to a mental institution,” effectively raising the legal threshold to prohibit high-risk individuals’ access to firearms. In a letter to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Durbin Applauds Court Ruling Approving $11 Billion In Borrower Defense Claims For Students Defrauded By For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit’s ruling that the U.S. Department of Education must approve $11 billion in borrower defense claims for more than 170,000 students who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges. Durbin has worked for years to hold these predatory schools and their executives accountable for exploiting students and fleecing taxpayers while fighting for … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski Discuss With General Boyd The National Guard’s Plan To Deactivate The Springfield 183rd Wing’s Centralized Repair Facility
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today spoke with Illinois Adjutant General Major General Rodney Boyd about the National Guard’s plan to deactivate the Springfield 183rd Wing’s Centralized Repair Facility (CRF) by March 31, 2027. “For over 16 years, the highly skilled airmen and women at the 183rd Wing have provided skilled jet engine maintenance for F-16s and other … Continue Reading
August 06, 2026
Durbin Amendment To Help Rural Hospitals At Greatest Risk Of Closure Defeated By Republicans In Ag Committee
WASHINGTON - During today’s consideration of the Farm Bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) offered an amendment that would provide federal grants to rural hospitals at risk of closure. Rural hospitals are facing severe financial strain due to major federal funding cuts by congressional Republicans. Durbin’s amendment would have provided $200 million a year for grants to rural hospitals at greatest risk of closure. Every Republican voted … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees During Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin first questioned Anna St. John, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, about her opposition to ending forced arbitration. In 2021, Judge St. John testified against the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act—which had strong bipartisan support … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Durbin To Republican Colleagues: Oppose Todd Blanche’s Nomination To Be Attorney General
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led his colleagues in speeches on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General. Durbin was joined by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). During his remarks, Durbin argued that Mr. Blanche’s involvement with the nearly $2 billion January 6 slush fund … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Durbin Condemns Blatant Trump Administration Corruption In Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing Opening Statement
WASHINGTON - During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement in which he slammed President Trump and the Trump Administration for the blatant corruption happening within the executive branch. President Trump has gone to unprecedented lengths to upend the rule of law and use the power of the federal government to shield himself and his allies and attack … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Durbin Statement On Appellate Court Ruling Approving $11 Billion In Borrower Defense Claims For Students Defrauded By For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that the U.S. Department of Education must approve $11 billion in borrower defense claims for more than 170,000 students who were defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges: “It’s no surprise that a President who peddled ‘Trump University’ as a prestigious institution would side with predatory for-profit colleges while defrauded students … Continue Reading
August 05, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Join Call To Stop Red Tape Requirements In Medicaid
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined all members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in calling on the Trump Administration to withdraw a rule to implement work reporting requirements for Medicaid that will take effect at the beginning of 2027. “We urge CMS to withdraw this rule to ensure that Medicaid can continue its mission of providing health coverage to low-income Americans. Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin Sounds Alarm On The Trump Administration Upending Head Start & Continuing Attacks On Special Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today questioned witnesses at Senator Mazie Hirono’s (D-HI) spotlight forum entitled “Breaking the Promise: How Relocating the IDEA Will Be Detrimental to Students and Families.” During the forum, Durbin sounded the alarm on the Trump Administration’s plans to shuffle the Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an agency that … Continue Reading