Press Releases
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
August 04, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses On Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.” Today’s hearing examined how companies can use consumers’ personal data to set a personalized price for individual customers by estimating how much or how little they are willing to pay for a … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin Advocates For Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.” During his opening remarks, Durbin raised concerns about the collecting, tracking, and selling of consumer data online. In advocating for consumers, Durbin also pushed for the passage of his … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding For 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) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to send a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Trump Administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin Joins Cassidy On The Senate Floor & Calls To Address Social Security Solvency Before The End Of The Year
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to raise alarms about the Social Security Trust Fund facing insolvency in 2032 unless Congress acts. Durbin and Cassidy have introduced the Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone (PROMISE) Act to initiate Congressional action on extending Social Security’s solvency. “What a treat it is to be on the floor of … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin, Senate Democrats Sound Alarm On Proposed ATF Rule On Transporting Firearms
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of Senate Democrats in sounding the alarm on a proposed federal gun regulation that would allow individuals to circumvent state laws regarding possession or carrying of firearms and ammunition. In a letter to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Robert Cekada, the Senators wrote: “As members of Congress, we are committed to protecting … Continue Reading
August 04, 2026
Durbin Slams DOJ “Deal” On “Anti-Weaponization” Slush Fund During Senate Judiciary Committee Markup On 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, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting where he spoke against the nomination of Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick to be U.S. Attorney General. Durbin slammed Blanche’s so-called “deal” to kill the “anti-weaponization” fund. During his opening, Durbin noted Mr. Blanche’s statements on the slush fund and the IRS immunity … Continue Reading
August 03, 2026
Durbin Praises Dr. Fauci On The Senate Floor For His Significant Contributions To public Health And Life-Saving Research
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised Dr. Anthony Fauci for his many contributions to public health—including leading us through the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV/AIDS research, and various public health crises over his decades of public service. Due to his incredible contributions and hard work spanning decades, Dr. Fauci has saved millions of lives. Durbin also condemned Senate Republicans’ sham hearing last week where they berated Dr. … Continue Reading
July 31, 2026
Durbin Reveals Devastating Insights Into Dilley Detention Facility, Calls On Judiciary Republicans To Hold Committee Oversight Hearing On The Treatment Of Children And Families In ICE Detention
NAPERVILLE - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released devastating insights into conditions at the South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The visits to Dilley provided new, incriminating insights into the cruelty of the illegal Trump mass deportation agenda, including inhumane conditions, deficient medical care, taunting children, inadequate education for … Continue Reading
July 31, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Challenge FAA’s Decision To Extend Chicago O’Hare’s Flight Cap For A Full Year
INGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford to express their concerns regarding the yearlong extension of the daily cap of 2,708 flights per day at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). In April, the FAA announced that the 2,708 daily flight cap would remain in effect from May to October 2026. However, … Continue Reading
July 30, 2026
Durbin, Cramer, Boozman Introduce New Legislation To Advance Judicial Independence And Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced new, bipartisan legislation to give the federal judiciary authority to manage courthouse facilities in 10 judicial districts across the country. The Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act (JSFMEA) would establish a pilot program allowing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) to assume control of courthouse facilities from … Continue Reading
July 29, 2026
“The Cruelty Is The Point,” Durbin Says In Opening Statement At His Spotlight Forum On Abusive Conditions In ICE Facilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today hosted a spotlight forum entitled “The Cruelty Is the Point: The Deadly Legacy of ICE Detention Under President Trump.” Today’s forum, which featured testimony from Ricardo Hernandez-Navarrete, the Chicago student who was detained for two months and experienced harsh conditions in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, examined how the Trump Administration’s cruel … Continue Reading
July 29, 2026
As Trump Admin Prepares To Deport Haitian TPS Holders, Durbin Calls For Passage Of The SECURE 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, called for passage of the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency(SECURE) Act—legislation that would allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. During his remarks, Durbin noted that the legislation is necessary and urgent given last … Continue Reading
July 29, 2026
Durbin Statement On Latest Developments In Todd Blanche’s Embattled Attorney General Nomination
WASHINGTON - In a statement to the Congressional record, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, provided his latest assessment of the state of Todd Blanche’s nomination to be Attorney General. “Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a key vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to be Attorney General… The position demands that the Attorney General be someone committed to the rule of law and the Constitution more than … Continue Reading
July 28, 2026
Durbin Sounds Alarm On President Trump’s Crypto Cash Grab
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses at Senator Richard Blumenthal’s (D-CT) and Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) spotlight forum that examined President Trump’s corruption within the crypto industry. The forum, which featured testimony from a victim of a crypto-scam, a former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official, and anticorruption advocates, examined how the Trump Administration has … Continue Reading
July 27, 2026
On The Senate Floor, Durbin Reflects On Meeting With Recently Freed Political Prisoner, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reflected on his meeting last week with recently freed political prisoner, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, and his daughter in his Washington, D.C office. Pastor Jin was jailed for 266 days in a Chinese prison for operating a church and at least eight of his congregants remain imprisoned. His daughter, Grace, fought tirelessly for his release. During Durbin’s speech, he called for the release of the remaining … Continue Reading
July 27, 2026
Durbin Slams Trump Administration’s $88 Billion Supplemental Request While The President, Secretary Hegseth Have No Strategy To End War With Iran
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today delivered a rebuke of the Trump Administration’s excessive supplemental funding request to bankroll the President’s war of choice in Iran. During his remarks, Durbin reiterated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump have failed to provide any concrete plan of action for ending the war in Iran, yet, with more than $75 billion in unspent money … Continue Reading