Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Questions Witnesses About Protecting Vulnerable Youth From Sex Trafficking, Exploitation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” During his questioning, Durbin focused on how the federal government can intervene before children are brought into dangerous situations, including trafficking and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Calls For Action To Protect Vulnerable Children From Exploitation, Trafficking In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” In his opening remarks, Durbin spoke about the horrific abuses that exploited children face, from human trafficking to online sextortion, and he called on his Senate … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
Durbin, Grassley Pass Bipartisan Online Child Safety Package Through Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON -Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bipartisan legislative package led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to address disturbing developments in online child exploitation. Passed by voice vote, the James T. Woods Act is a widely supported legislative package composed of three bills: the Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation (SAFE) Act, the Ending Coercion of … Continue Reading
February 25, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nominee To Be Assistant Attorney General For Newly Established National Fraud Enforcement Division At DOJ
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 hearing on the nomination of Colin McDonald to be the Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a newly established division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi about the proposed new Division. … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Honors Late Reverend Jesse Jackson With Speech On The Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor honoring the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed last week at the age of 84. In his remarks, Durbin praised Reverend Jackson’s lifelong commitment to advancing civil rights. “The year was 1969. I had just graduated from law school. I was working for the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, a man named Paul Simon. He sent me on a mission. He wanted me to go to my hometown of East St. Louis, … Continue Reading
February 24, 2026
Durbin Reveals New Whistleblower Information For Investigation Into Kash Patel Joyriding To The Olympics
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, provided new whistleblower disclosures to support the investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel’s excessive use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. These disclosures were provided after Patel was spotted celebrating with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team shortly after their win over Canada in the gold medal game. In a follow-up letter to the Government Accountability Office … Continue Reading
February 17, 2026
Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Rev. Jesse Jackson
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson: “Reverend Jesse Jackson committed his life to the fight for civil rights. I counted him as a friend and ally on many issues of social justice. “My deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and the many lives he … Continue Reading
February 10, 2026
Durbin Questions Telecommunication 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 Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost Accountability: Oversight of Telecommunications Carriers’ Responses to Jack Smith’s Witch Hunt.” Instead of allowing Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election and whitewash the … Continue Reading
February 10, 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 Accountability: Oversight of Telecommunications Carriers’ Responses to Jack Smith’s Witch Hunt.” This morning, Durbin led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in again calling for Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify publicly under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as he has … Continue Reading
February 10, 2026
Senate Judiciary Democrats Call For Jack Smith To Publicly Testify Under Oath
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in again calling for Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify publicly under oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as he has offered to do, as well as request an unredacted version of Smith’s reports and all underlying materials from the Justice Department. Senate Judiciary Republicans plan to proceed with a highly unusual series of eight … Continue Reading
February 05, 2026
Durbin Condemns The Trump Administration For Ignoring The Constitution, Overwhelming The Judicial System Amid DHS’s Lawless Immigration Operation
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 condemning the Trump Administration’s intimidation of federal judges amid the surge in immigration cases. His remarks come as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are carrying … Continue Reading
February 04, 2026
Durbin Presses For Trump Administration Witnesses To Testify Before Section 702 Sunset Deadline
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to hold a hearing with Trump Administration witnesses as Congress debates the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The request follows a recent Committee hearing on the topic—without any Trump Administration officials present. In a letter to … Continue Reading
February 02, 2026
Durbin Meets With ATF Director Nominee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a courtesy meeting with Robert Cekada, nominated to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): “Almost one year after Attorney General Bondi’s confirmation, the Justice Department has become a shell of its former self. It’s been weaponized to fulfill one President’s political goals. “ATF could play an … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During A Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Need To Reform The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Review and Reform: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Accountability.” In less than three months, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire. Durbin began his remarks by commenting on the lawlessness of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) cruel … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Need To Reform The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
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 hearing entitled “Review and Reform: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Accountability.” In less than three months, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire. The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over FISA, and during his opening, Durbin noted the … Continue Reading
January 20, 2026
Durbin Statement On The Weaponization Of The Justice Department Against Minnesota Politicians
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Justice Department reportedly opened investigations into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison over an alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents: “During his campaign and his presidency, President Trump promised ‘retribution’ against his enemies. He has made good on his … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Durbin, Britt Urge CDC To Study Rise Of Youth Sports Betting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to further study the alarming rise in sports gambling among America’s youth and the potential adverse effects on teens and young adults. “We write to urge the United States Centers for Disease Control … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Durbin Condemns Trump Admin’s Whitewashing Of January 6 In Senate Judiciary Committee Executive 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 condemning the Trump Administration’s whitewashing of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Durbin also again called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to testify in front of the Committee and urged Chairman Grassley to consider issuing a subpoena … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Joint Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Vetting Afghan Nationals
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Department of State, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Defense (DOD) officials during a Senate Judiciary Joint Subcommittee hearing entitled “Biden’s Afghan Parolee Program - A Trojan Horse with Flawed Vetting and Deadly Consequences.” The hearing was scheduled in the aftermath of a horrific tragedy on November 26, when a gunman killed two National … Continue Reading
January 13, 2026
Durbin Successfully Passes Bill To Combat Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit Deepfake Images
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today successfully passed his Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act (DEFIANCE Act) on the Senate floor via a live unanimous consent request. “I rise today to ask the Senate to pass the DEFIANCE Act—bipartisan legislation that gives victims of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit deepfakes the tools they need to fight back against those who exploit them,” Durbin … Continue Reading