Durbin, Duckworth Join Booker to Introduce Resolution Calling for First United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce the United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation resolution, urging Congress to form the first commission acknowledging and examining the systemic racism that has disenfranchised Black Americans and other communities of color throughout U.S. history and the racial inequities that persist today. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the … Continue Reading

Durbin Speaks With American Business Immigration Coalition About Need For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today spoke at the American Business Immigration Coalition's Summit, entitled "Reigniting the Economic Engine: Immigration Solutions 2021," about the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform under a Democratic-controlled Senate. Durbin was a member of the "Gang of 8" - four Republicans and four Democrats - that authored comprehensive immigration legislation that p… Continue Reading

Durbin, Menendez Statement Ahead of Maduro Regime's Sham Elections in Venezuela

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today issued the following statement denouncing the Maduro regime's sham elections scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 6. "For nearly two years, world leaders have stood in solidarity with Interim President Juan Guaidó and Venezuela's last democratically-elected institution, the National Assembly, as they have faced severe political repression an… Continue Reading

Durbin Speaks With Biden Nominee For DHS Secretary, Ali Mayorkas

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today spoke with President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Alejandro "Ali" Mayorkas. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Mayorkas would be the first Hispanic and the first immigrant to lead DHS. "Mr. Mayorkas is an exceptionally qualified nominee to run the Department of Homeland Security. During our call today, we discussed… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Resolution in Support of Thailand's Pro-Democracy Movement

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and a group of six of their Senate colleagues today introduced a Senate Resolution to underscore the United States' commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Thailand. The Senators' resolution follows recent demonstrations by Thailand's pro-democracy movement, which have been met with violence and repression by the country's monarchy and government. Joining Durbin, Duckworth, and Mene… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $52 Million To Support Head Start And Early Head Start In Chicago

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $52.7 million in federal grant funding to the City of Chicago for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families, will support comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five. "Head Start and Early Head Start programs are crucial for school re… Continue Reading

Chicago Heights, Illinois, Law Student Interns In Durbin's Washington, DC Judiciary Committee Office

WASHINGTON - Chicago Heights, Illinois, native David Adeleye spent this fall interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working virtually to assist the Senator's Capitol Hill Judiciary Committee office as an intern. "I started my career on Capitol Hill as a college intern for Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois," Durbin said. "I will never forget that day in February of 1966 when he agreed to hire me as an intern to work in his office. As a student from East St. Louis, Illinois, going to work… Continue Reading

Durbin Highlights Bipartisan, Bicameral COVID-19 Emergency Relief Framework, Criticizes Inclusion of Corporate Liability Immunity

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted his colleagues' work in drafting a bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework, which totals $908 billion and includes funding for state and local governments, unemployment insurance, small businesses, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more. However, Durbin emphasized the need for additional funding in key areas and criticized the inclusion of a… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues in Requesting Expansion of Pandemic Unemployment Programs Set to Expire During Holiday Season

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and 28 of their colleagues in urging Senate leaders to include in the next COVID-19 relief package an extension of two critical financial lifelines for Americans affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program - which provides unemployment assistance to domestic workers, freelance workers, … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Biden Administration Hiring Reema Dodin, Durbin Floor Director, As Senate Liaison in Office of Legislative Affairs

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the incoming Biden Administration hire of Reema Dodin, Durbin's Floor Director, as Senate Liaison in the Office of Legislative Affairs: "Reema began as a law school intern in my office fourteen years ago and progressed to become one of the most respected staffers on the Hill. She is smart, trusted, and has the respect of members and staff on both sides of the aisle. In short, Reema is … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Discuss COVID-19 Outbreak at LaSalle State Veterans Home with IDVA Director, Call for Investigation

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), today discussed ongoing efforts to mitigate and prevent COVID-19 at State Veterans Homes in Illinois with Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director Linda Chapa LaVia, specifically the outbreak at the LaSalle State Veterans Home. This week, Durbin and Duckworth sent a letter to Director Chapa LaVia calling for an in… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Biden Administration Hiring Reema Dodin, Durbin Floor Director, As Senate Liaison In Office Of Legislative Affairs

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the incoming Biden Administration hire of Reema Dodin, Durbin's Floor Director, as Senate Liaison in the Office of Legislative Affairs: "Reema began as a law school intern in my office fourteen years ago and progressed to become one of the most respected staffers on the Hill. She is smart, trusted, and has the respect of members and staff on both sides of the aisle. In short, Reema is j… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Senator Feinstein not Seeking Top Spot on Judiciary Committee

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding Senator Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) announcement that she would not seek the top Democratic spot on the Senate Judiciary Committee next Congress: "I want to thank Senator Feinstein for her distinguished leadership on the Judiciary Committee during turbulent years. She has been a champion for common-sense gun safety, reproductive rights, and man… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Fall 2020 Recipients Of The Ed Greelegs Scholarship Program

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Naomi Bolden, a college senior; Yanina Villagomez, a recent college graduate; and Ahmon Williams, a college freshman; all from Chicago, Illinois, as the three recipients of the Fall 2020 Ed Greelegs Scholarship Program. This scholarship, open to students from Illinois or those studying in Illinois, is an opportunity for the students to receive financial assistance while obtaining a first-hand experience in Senator Durbin's Washington, … Continue Reading

Arlington Heights, Illinois, Student Interns In Durbin's Washington, DC Office

WASHINGTON - Arlington Heights, Illinois, native Rebecca Vibbert spent this fall interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working virtually to assist the Senator's Capitol Hill office as an intern. "I started my career on Capitol Hill as a college intern for Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois," Durbin said. "I will never forget that day in February of 1966 when he agreed to hire me as an intern to work in his office. As a student from East St. Louis, Illinois, going to work in the office … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief for Schools with National Education Association President

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Becky Pringle, the new president of the National Education Association (NEA), about the need for additional COVID-19 stimulus funds for education and child care. Durbin discussed his support of the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act, which would provide $430 billion to the education sector, including $50 billion in grants to child care providers. "As the nation continues to reel from this awful pandemic, our educators a… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos, Davis Lead Illinois Delegation in Opposing USDA Effort to End Food Stamp Program at Illinois Senior Living Facilities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), today led the bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation on a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue opposing the Department's administrative overreach and ongoing efforts to end Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for a group of supportive living facilities (SLFs) in Illinois that serv… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Indiana U.S. Attorney on Gun Trafficking During Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Thomas L. Kirsch II to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked Kirsch whether he has taken any steps during his tenure as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana to crack down on illicit gun trafficking arising from Indiana gun shows. Durbin highlighted how the gun show loophole in Indiana - which allows private sellers at gun shows to sell weapons withou… Continue Reading

Durbin: Instead of Negotiating Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Legislation, McConnell Focused on Confirming More Under-Qualified Judges

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke about the importance of helping unemployed and uninsured Americans, hospitals and health clinics, state and local governments, and small businesses as COVID-19 cases spike across Illinois and the country. Durbin also slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) boycott of negotiations and delay in passing meaningful, bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation. Instead of focusing on … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on President Trump's Decision to Draw Down Troop Levels in Afghanistan and Iraq

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration's decision to draw down troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 in each country, roughly half of the current levels of troops in each country: "When Congress voted on the authorization of the use of military force after 9/11, nobody could have predicted that it was the start of a nearly two … Continue Reading