Press Releases
Durbin, Coons, Schiff Introduce Resolution Recognizing Decaded-Long Human Rights Abuses In Eritrea
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) today introduced a resolution recognizing decades-long human rights abuses in Eritrea, including indefinite imprisonment, inhumane prison conditions, and expressing support for the rights and freedom of the Eritrean people. “The Eritrean people have endured widespread human rights abuses for decades, without freedom of the press, free speech, or functioning democratic … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Durbin Offers Amendment To Reinstate All NIH, Other Critical Grants That Have Been Unlawfully Terminated By The Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, submitted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education appropriations bill to reinstate NIH and other critical grants that were arbitrarily and unjustifiably terminated by the Trump Administration. Durbin spoke about his amendment during today’s Committee markup on the Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill. Durbin’s amendment was voted down … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Durbin Offers Amendment To Defense Appropriations Bill Prohibiting DOD Non-Reimbursable Support To DHS For Immigration Enforcement
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense appropriations bill to prohibit non-reimbursable Department of Defense (DOD) support to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the purpose of immigration enforcement. Durbin’s amendment received a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee markup today, but the measure was voted down with 14 votes in support and 15 … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Durbin, Cassidy REMEDY Act To Lower Prescription Costs By Promoting Generic Competition
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced a bipartisan bill to tackle certain efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to extend monopolies on lifesaving drugs. The Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act would promote competition by removing barriers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for lower-cost generic drugs. Many high-cost, brand-name drugs are shielded from … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Senate Judiciary Democrats Call For Investigation Into Hatch Act Violation By Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) demanded the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) investigate potential Hatch Act violations committed by senior Trump Administration political appointees at the White House and Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding their partisan redistricting efforts in Texas and other Republican states. The … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues In Demanding Public Release Of Epstein Files
WASHINGTON - 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 U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in their efforts to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to publicly release all files relating to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. The Senators introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act to provide full transparency for the American people, … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
Durbin Introduced Legislation To Protect More Than 13,000 Acres Of Shawnee National Forest
WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act, legislation that would create 12,700 additional acres of special management areas and 750 acres of wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest. Securing this designation for these acres would offer critical protections to the area. “The Shawnee National Forest welcomes thousands of visitors each year, who take advantage of the beautiful views and hiking trails. It’s … Continue Reading
July 31, 2025
On The Senate Floor, Durbin Urges The Release Of Political Prisoners In The UAE, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, & Guatemala
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted the plight of political prisoners in four 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 freedoms. During his remarks, Durbin reflected on past American voices in the fight for democracy, including President Reagan who told the Soviets at the … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
Durbin Votes To Block Arms Sales To Israel Amid Starvation In Gaza
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting to block arms sales to Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza: “The terrorist attack of October 7 was truly horrific and the Hamas terrorist group, which is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, should be eliminated. I have previously voted for military assistance to Israel throughout my congressional career to protect it from the threats which it faces daily. “But … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
In Spotlight Forum, Durbin Questions Witnesses About Preventing Partisan Gerrymandering
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during his and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) spotlight forum entitled “Protecting the Future of American Democracy: Fighting a Surge in Voter Suppression.” During the forum, Durbin focused on the tactics currently used by Republican campaigns and legislatures to restrict or dilute the power of Americans’ votes. Durbin began by reflecting on Justice … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees During Senate Judiciary Committee 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 Committee hearing on the nominations of Joshua Dale Dunlap, nominated to be a United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Eric Chunyee Tung, nominated to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; William Walter Mercer, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the District of Montana; and Stephen Chad … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Spotlight Forum Examining Trump Administration's Voter Suppression Efforts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at his and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) spotlight forum entitled “Protecting the Future of American Democracy: Fighting a Surge in Voter Suppression.” Today’s spotlight forum examined the recent surge in voter suppression by Republican state legislatures and the Trump Administration, ranging from attempts to purge voter rolls to the push to … Continue Reading
July 29, 2025
Durbin Statement On Senate Confirmation Of Emil Bove To Serve As A Lifetime Circuit Court Judge
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 voted to confirm Emil Bove’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit: “Mr. Bove’s primary qualification appears to be his blind loyalty to this President. As Acting Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Bove personally ordered the terminations of dozens of career federal prosecutors who worked to put violent … Continue Reading
July 29, 2025
Durbin, Warnock Reintroduce John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and all other Senate Democrats, today reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act. This legislation is especially relevant in … Continue Reading
July 29, 2025
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Makes His Case Against Nomination Of Emil Bove To Serve Lifetime Position On Federal Bench
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor denouncing the nomination of Emil Bove to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In his remarks, Durbin summarized Mr. Bove’s disqualifying record, from ordering the dismissal of career federal prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases to striking a corrupt deal with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to further … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out On Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza, Calls On Netanyahu To Allow Aid Into Gaza
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor recognizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as reports detail dire food shortages and increased violence at food distribution sites. Last week, more than 100 NGOs, including Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam, reiterated the severity of the crisis, warning that mass starvation is spreading across Gaza. “Quite simply, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Durbin, Senators Request Answers From FDA Regarding Dangerous Decision Allowing JUUL E-Cigarettes To Stay On The Market, Addict Children
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led a group of eight Senators in sending a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Makary sounding the alarm and demanding answers over FDA’s senseless decision to authorize JUUL’s e-cigarettes, including its menthol-flavored vaping pods. JUUL is the e-cigarette brand that ignited the youth vaping “epidemic”—as it was characterized by Dr. Scott Gottlieb, FDA’s Commissioner in the first Trump Administration—and … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Durbin, Hirono, Padilla, Wyden And Booker Introduce Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act To Expand Public Service Loan Forgiveness To Adjunct Professors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today reintroduced the Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025 to allow part-time faculty at colleges and universities - who are often have high student debt loads and are paid low wages with few benefits - to be eligible to participate in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The Adjunct Faculty Loan … Continue Reading
July 28, 2025
Durbin, Whitehouse Press For Public Commitments From Deputy Attorney General After Meeting With Ghislaine Maxwell
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) pressed for public commitments from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche after he met with Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator and fellow sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In a letter to Blanche, the Senators shared concerns about the purpose and intention behind the meeting, including the nature of the immunity offered to Ms. Maxwell, … Continue Reading
July 25, 2025
Durbin Calls Out Cuts To Medicaid, Student Loan Caps For Medical Students At SIU Medical School
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined educators and health care professionals at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to discuss the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medicaid and medical research, and the impact recent caps to student loans will have on medical students. “Earlier this month, President Trump and Republicans in Congress slashed health care to provide tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans in our nation,” said Durbin. “The … Continue Reading