Press Releases
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Spotlight Forum On Protecting Dreamers, Trump Threats To DACA, Renewed Urgency To Pass The Dream Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, today delivered an opening statement at a spotlight forum he is hosting on the need to protect Dreamers, threats to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and the urgency to pass the bipartisan Dream Act. Beginning in 2001, Durbin introduced the Dream Act to give young immigrants the chance to earn U.S. citizenship. He has introduced … Continue Reading
May 12, 2026
Durbin Statement On The Resignation Of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the resignation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary: “I voted for Dr. Makary to head the FDA based upon his commitment to say ‘no’ if President Trump asked him to do something that would harm America. Dr. Makary kept his word. He resisted Trump’s plan to expose millions of children to the dangers of vaping. “I hope Dr. Makary will inspire others within the Trump … Continue Reading
May 12, 2026
As Gas Prices Rise, Durbin Presses Defense Secretary Hegseth, Chair Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff General Caine About The Rationale For The Iran War
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Defense (DoD) where he questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. Durbin first brought up international security cooperation. Durbin urged Secretary Hegseth and General Caine to obligate the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2026
Durbin Reintroduces Legislation To Ensure Stable, Robust Funding For Biomedical Research, Deliver Hope For Patients
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the American Cures Act, legislation that restores the United States’ commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. The American Cures Act would create mandatory funds to provide steady, predictable funding for breakthrough research at America’s top research agencies, allowing the U.S. to remain a leader in development and discovery for decades to come. The American Cures Act would overcome the … Continue Reading
May 11, 2026
Durbin Files Amicus Brief To The Sixth Circuit In Linney’s Pizza, Inc. V. Board Of Governors Of The Federal Reserve System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Durbin Amendment, filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Linney’s Pizza, LLC, v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System calling for the Court to reverse the District Court’s decision. In September 2025, the District Court ruled that the Federal Reserve’s Regulation II (Reg II) rule, which establishes whether a debit … Continue Reading
May 09, 2026
Durbin Delivers Commencement Address At Lake Forest College
LAKE FOREST - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered the commencement address to Lake Forest College’s Class of 2026 during a ceremony today at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois. After being presented with a Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree during the ceremony, Durbin congratulated this year’s graduates’ hard work and shared lessons he has learned over more than four decades in public life. “With family and friends, you are closing one door and opening … Continue Reading
May 08, 2026
Durbin Hosts Maternal Health Roundtable Ahead Of Mother’s Day Weekend
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a roundtable discussion ahead of Mother’s Day weekend with officials from Cook County Health (CCH) to discuss maternal health initiatives that provide critical assistance to new and expectant mothers. “We lose hundreds of women every year to preventable pregnancy-related conditions,” said Durbin. “Supporting and investing in high-quality, affordable maternal health care, like the services provided by Cook County Health, is … Continue Reading
May 08, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth, Whitehouse, Schneider Criticize Trump Administration For Proposed Weakening Of EtO Regulations
CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), both members of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus; U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works; and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Ethylene Oxide Task Force, sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to underscore their opposition … Continue Reading
May 07, 2026
Durbin Discusses Trump Administration’s Cuts To Snap, Impact On Chicago Families
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Common Pantry to hear about the impact of Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act on SNAP benefits received by Chicago families. Forty-two million Americans, including two million Illinoisans, receive SNAP benefits. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut SNAP by nearly $200 billion, the biggest cut in history. Starting this month, up to 150,000 Illinoisans could lose their benefits. “When prices at the grocery … Continue Reading
May 07, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Join Senate Democrats In Filing Amicus Brief To Protect Mifepristone Access, Women’s Health Care, And FDA Authority
CHICAGO - This week, 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 more than 250 House and all Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging them to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision that would upend the FDA approval process and restrict access to mifepristone. This brief follows emergency appeals from the manufacturers of mifepristone; the Supreme Court issuing a … Continue Reading
May 06, 2026
In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Rural Health Care, Durbin Presented With UI Health’s Rural Health Hero Award
ROCKFORD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Rural Health Hero Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s National Center for Rural Health Profession. Durbin accepted the award at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford campus. “I am honored to accept this Rural Health Hero award,” said Durbin. “As a downstater, I know that the difference between care being five miles and 50 miles from home is a matter of life and … Continue Reading
May 06, 2026
Durbin Discusses Mobile Health Program In Rockford
ROCKFORD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Tom McNamara and Rockford Fire Department officials from the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program for a roundtable discussion about the critical assistance the program provides to community members. “Preventing health emergencies makes our communities safer and healthier,” said Durbin. “With implementing the Mobile Integrated Health Program, Rockford is driving the future of health care by avoiding costly … Continue Reading
May 05, 2026
Durbin Calls Out Trump Administration’s Actions Against DACA
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) for a press conference to speak out against the ways in which the Trump Administration is attacking the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This follows the April 24th ruling by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) that DACA will no longer protect recipients from removal proceedings or … Continue Reading
May 05, 2026
Durbin Statement On Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans’ Reconciliation Text To Fund President Trump’s Ballroom, Mass Deportation Campaign
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans released reconciliation bill text that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the President’s ballroom: “While Americans are struggling to make ends meet as a result of President Trump’s failed policies, Republicans are focused on providing … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Medical Research, Durbin Presented With Inaugural Canning Leadership Award
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Board. “I am honored to accept the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from Northwestern Memorial today. Throughout my time in the Senate, making sure families have affordable health insurance and high quality care has remained on my heart and mind, as has ensuring federal funding for the medical research … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Durbin Celebrates Opening Of New Forrestal Elementary School At Naval Station Great Lakes
NORTH CHICAGO — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited North Chicago School District 187 to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the new Forrestal Elementary School. Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) helped secure a $57 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2024 for the new school. With this grant, Forrestal Elementary will be able to expand through fifth grade and serve 580 students, increasing the total population of military-connected … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Senate Democrats Push Back On Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Vote-By-Mail
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 24 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s executive order attacking vote-by-mail. The March 31 Executive Order (EO) … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Durbin Statement On Sham DOJ Investigation Into Illinois School Districts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) sham investigation into 36 Illinois public school districts: “I can save DOJ some time. Their investigators will find 36 Illinois school districts dedicated to providing their students with a good, well-rounded education. “If the Trump Administration truly cared about supporting Illinois … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Durbin, Sorensen Introduce Legislation To Streamline Collection Of Educator Workforce Data
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week next week, introduced bicameral legislation to improve the accuracy of educator workforce data. The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act would establish a permanent, national mechanism to collect teacher and principal data at the school district-level to assist in the recruitment and retention of educators. The legislation stems from … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Durbin, Warren, Merkley Send Letter To Federal Housing Finance Agency Criticizing Fannie Mae’s Decision To Accept Crypto-Backed Mortgages
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), sent a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William J. Pulte, urging the agency to provide an explanation for the Federal National Mortgage Association’s (Fannie Mae) decision to accept crypto-backed mortgages. Last month, mortgage provider Better Home & … Continue Reading