Press Releases
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $20 Million In Federal Funding For O’Hare Airport
CHICAGO — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $20 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for O’Hare International Airport. This grant will reimburse completed work to extend Runway 9R/27L to reduce delays, accommodate more passengers, and allow for more aircraft operations. “As the nation’s busiest airport, O’Hare keeps millions of Americans connected … Continue Reading
March 27, 2026
Durbin, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Address Health Care Provider Shortages In Rural Communities
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) this week reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act. The legislation will address growing health disparities by incentivizing more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities. The Rural America Health Corps Act creates a new program under the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to test whether an … Continue Reading
March 27, 2026
Durbin Statement On DHS Funding Deal That Includes TSA, FEMA, And The Coast Guard
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the exception of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): “As Democrats made clear since these negotiations began, TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard should not be punished because of the President’s mass … Continue Reading
March 26, 2026
Durbin Meets With PsiQuantum Leadership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Victor Peng, Interim CEO of PsiQuantum, an anchor tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago. During the meeting, Durbin and Mr. Peng discussed Illinois’ position as a leader in quantum computing, as well as PsiQuantum’s plans to develop a utility-scale quantum computer using silicon photonics technology. “Illinois is leading the charge when it comes to quantum computing, and it’s … Continue Reading
March 26, 2026
Durbin Honors The Late Robert Mueller During A Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting
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 honoring the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Robert Mueller. Durbin praised Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. During his opening, Durbin also … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin, Whitehouse, Hawley Call On Supreme Court To Reject Georgia-Pacific’s Attempt To Use A Bankruptcy Maneuver To Evade Accountability To Hundreds Of Thousands Of Asbestos Victims
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in Official Committee of Asbestos Claimants of Bestwall LLC v. Bestwall LLC, supporting the hundreds of thousands of victims of exposure to Georgia-Pacific’s asbestos-linked products. To avoid facing the legal claims of victims in court, Georgia-Pacific “moved” to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Questions Durham County Sheriff About The Impact Of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign On Local Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON - During today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, about the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign and its impact on local law enforcement. Durbin first asked Sheriff Birkhead about how immigration enforcement can erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “The Chiefs of … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Calls On Senate To Honor Sheridan Gorman’s Memory By Working To Fix Our Broken Immigration System
WASHINGTON - During his opening statement in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed his condolences for the loss of Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old student at Loyola University Chicago who was tragically murdered last week. Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national who arrived in the United States in 2023, has been charged with Sheridan’s murder. During his remarks, Durbin called on … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
On The Senate Floor, Durbin Urges The Release Of Political Prisoners In The UAE, Azerbaijan, China, Tunisia, & Equatorial Guinea
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted the plight of political prisoners in five nations and called for their immediate and unconditional release. These political prisoners have been outspoken in their support for democracy, freedom of the press, human rights, and basic political freedoms. Durbin began his speech by highlighting one of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) top human rights defenders, Ahmed Mansoor, who tragically … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Statement On California Jury Ruling Against Meta, YouTube In Landmark Trial
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a jury in Los Angeles, California found Meta and YouTube negligent in a benchmark social media addiction trial: “These back-to-back decisions in New Mexico and California show that Big Tech has become Big Tobacco. Now, it’s time for Congress to sunset Section 230 once and for all.” Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Presses MAGA Nominee To Lifetime Position On The Court Of International Trade About Inflammatory Social Media Posts Spreading Conspiracy Theories About January 6 Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kara Westercamp, nominated to a lifetime appointment on the Court of International Trade (CIT) at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin questioned Ms. Westercamp about her inflammatory social media posts where she repeatedly referred to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as “Cocaine Mitch.” She also retweeted a post which accused him of “embody[ing] … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
As Utility Costs Rise, Durbin Introduces New Legislation To Bring Transparency To Energy & Water Consumption By Data Centers
WASHINGTON - As utility costs spike for Americans, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act to require data centers to disclose their energy and water usage. These data centers consume significant amounts of water and electricity, and often, the costs of this increased demand are passed down to American consumers. As growth in artificial intelligence (AI) spurs accelerated data center development, many data center … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Applauds Historic Court Ruling Against Meta
WASHINGTON - In a statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this morning, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded a New Mexico jury finding that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and enabled the sexual exploitation of young users. Key quotes: “There isn’t a parent or grandparent alive who isn't fearful of what the hell these kids are looking at all day long and what is happening to them as a … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing, Durbin Denounces The MAGA Nominee Considered Today To A Lifetime Appointment On The Court Of International Trade
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 nominations hearing regarding the President’s reckless tariffs policy, disregard for the rule of law, and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against said tariffs. Durbin also spoke on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade (CIT). Ms. Westercamp’s nomination to the lifetime position … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Receives Champion Of Justice Award From Legal Services Corporation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today received the Champion of Justice Award from the national Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in recognition of his decades of work increasing access to justice for Americans. LSC is the largest funder of civil legal assistance in the country, supporting 130 local legal aid organizations that provide free assistance to low-income Americans. Nationally, LSC grantees served 1.8 … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election rather than fulfilling their obligation to conduct oversight over … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Statement On Colin McDonald Confirmation To Be Assistant Attorney General Targeting ‘Fraud’
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Colin McDonald to be Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division: “After gutting key divisions that actually investigate and prosecute fraud, the Trump Administration announced this newly-created vessel for targeting political enemies under the guise of ‘fraud enforcement.’ “I never … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin: Trump Wants To Pass The SAVE America Act Because He’s Worried About The Outcome Of The Midterm Elections
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined the specific provisions in Republicans’ SAVE America Act that would prevent Americans from exercising their right to vote, including rejecting common IDs to register to vote and penalizing married Americans who changed their last names. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Stymie Plastic Pollution In Waterways
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and marine life—and in turn, humans—and create additional damage to ecosystems. “Because only nine … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
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 Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous other issues worth examining within the … Continue Reading