Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights in the 115th Congress
Durbin Praises Passage Of The First Step Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today thanked his colleagues for their support of the revised First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation which passed the Senate last night by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 87-12. Last month, Durbin, along with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey … Continue Reading
December 19, 2018
Senate Passes Landmark Criminal Justice Reform
WASHINGTON - The Senate tonight passed once-in-a-generation reforms to America's prison and sentencing system to reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and promote safe communities. The bipartisan First Step Act, introduced by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), uses evidence-based recidivism reduction programs to help … Continue Reading
December 17, 2018
Durbin, Grassley Statement On Senate's Consideration Of The First Step Act
WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made the following statement on the Senate's 82-12 vote tonight to hold debate and a final vote on the First Step Act this week: "I am glad that my colleagues have voted to advance this bipartisan legislation. It is the best chance in a generation to make meaningful changes in our federal drug sentencing laws. We cannot waste it," Durbin said. "I look forward to debating … Continue Reading
December 17, 2018
Durbin On First Step Act: Best Chance To Make Meaningful Changes In Our Federal Drug Sentencing Laws
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today encouraged his Senate colleagues to support the revised First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation. Durbin, along with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the First Step Act last month, which … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Durbin Statement On Passage Of Sexual Harassment Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Congress passed legislation to update and strengthen the procedures available to victims of harassment and discrimination and other violations of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The bill now heads to President Trump for his signature. The alternatives available to victims of harassment and discrimination in Congress were in obvious need of reform. Thanks to the efforts of my … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Durbin Pushes President Trump To Prioritize Addressing Chicago Gun Violence In Next Year's Budget
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to support strategies and programs that can help reduce gun violence in Chicago in his fiscal year 2020 budget request to Congress. Durbin pushed the President to prioritize federal resources across several grant programs, such as increased funding in housing and economic development, job training and youth programs, quality early childhood education, public health prevention and behavioral … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Senate & House Lawmakers Release Updated First Step Act
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers today released revised text of the First Step Act to continue building support for criminal justice reform. This update was brokered by the White House and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Paul Ryan have pledged to take up the revised package before the end of the year. Last month, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Committee … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Senate Passes Durbin, Duckworth Resolution Honoring Victims Of Shooting At Mercy Hospital
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that the Senate has unanimously passed a resolution honoring the memory of the victims of last month's shooting at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, in which a gunman killed Chicago Police Department Officer Samuel Jimenez, Dr. Tamara O'Neal, and Dayna Less. "Officer Jimenez, Dr. O'Neal, and Ms. Less were all doing work that mattered - and mattered greatly. All three were dedicated to helping others - Officer … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Durbin Honors Victims Of Shooting At Mercy Hospital
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today in a speech on the Senate floor honored the victims of last week's shooting at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, in which a gunman killed Chicago Police Department Officer Samuel Jimenez, Dr. Tamara O'Neal, and Dayna Less. "Officer Jimenez, Dr. O'Neal, and Ms. Less were all doing work that mattered - and mattered greatly. All three were dedicated to helping others - Officer Jimenez as a protector, and Dr. O'Neal and Ms. Less as healers. Their … Continue Reading
November 27, 2018
Durbin: Senate Republicans Should Oppose Nomination Of Thomas Farr
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today urged his Republican colleagues to vote against Thomas Farr's nomination to be a judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina given his decades-long history of supporting and defending efforts to restrict the right to vote. All 49 Senate Democrats have come out against Farr's nomination. "When we bring Thomas Farr for a vote this week in the … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Senators Unveil Revised Bipartisan Prison, Sentencing Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced revised legislation to reduce recidivism, promote public safety, and improve fairness in sentencing of federal crimes. The revised First Step Act, S.3649, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. "This compromise represents years of work by a bipartisan … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Durbin Urges Senate Colleagues To Support Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Legislation
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today encouraged his Senate colleagues to support the revised First Step Act, bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation. The legislation includes key sentencing reforms from the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act - a bill authored by Durbin and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in … Continue Reading
November 14, 2018
Durbin, Grassely Statement On President Trump's Endorsement Of Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the lead cosponsors of the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, today made the following statement regarding President Donald Trump's endorsement of a bipartisan proposal to lower crime rates, prepare inmates to successfully reenter society, promote community safety, and increase fairness in sentencing: President Trump's endorsement of the bipartisan criminal justice … Continue Reading
November 07, 2018
Durbin Statement On Attorney General Sessions Resignation
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced his resignation at President Donald Trump's request: Attorney General Sessions' forced resignation is a transparent effort to clear the way for President Trump to limit or stop the Mueller investigation. Acting Attorney General Whitaker has made his intentions clear to do the President's bidding and stop Mueller. This move could lead our nation … Continue Reading
November 02, 2018
Durbin Statement On One-Week Anniversary Of The Worst Ant-Semitic Attack In U.S. History
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement ahead of the one-week anniversary of the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue claimed 11 lives: "The tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh revealed in heartbreaking detail the hate and latent violence that lives in the hearts of too many in this land. As I reached out to many of my Jewish friends I learned the stunning personal impact of this tragedy. Many characterize it as the worst incident … Continue Reading
October 28, 2018
Durbin Statement On Shooting At Pittsburgh Synagogue
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: My heart breaks for Pittsburgh today and the Jewish community that worships at Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue. I'm praying for the families who have lost loved ones, and for those injured in this senseless tragedy including several police officers. We are grateful once again to law enforcement and … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Matha Pacold, Mary Rowland, & Steven Seeger To Serve As U.S. District Judges For Northern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nominations of Martha M. Pacold, Mary M. Rowland, and Steven C. Seeger to serve as District Judges on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago: "We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced these three Illinoisans. They have the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Durbin Votes Against Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump's Nominee To The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. In a speech on the Senate floor shortly before the confirmation vote, Durbin thanked Dr. Christine Blasey Ford for her bravery and shining example of civic duty. Durbin also urged those who have bravely shared their own stories of sexual violence and harassment to not be discouraged and to know that … Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
Durbin Votes Against Moving Forward With Judge Kavanaugh's Nomination To The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against moving forward with the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that if there are serious questions about a nominee's temperament, credibility, or judgment-as there clearly are for Judge Kavanaugh-then the Senate should give the benefit of the doubt to protecting the … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Durbin: Senate Republicans And White House Should Allow FBI To Follow The Facts In Investigating Sexual Assault Allegations Against Judge Kavanaugh
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on Senate Republicans and the White House to allow the FBI to follow the facts where they lead and hold off on scheduling a vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court until Congress and the American people learn what the FBI uncovers. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called out Republicans who have been calling Dr. Blasey Ford's allegations of … Continue Reading