Press Releases
Durbin, Leahy Seek Clarification Of Administration's Position On Use Of Torture-Derived Evidence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, are calling on the Biden Administration to uphold U.S. obligations under the Torture Convention by putting an end to the repeated efforts by Guantanamo military commission prosecutors to use evidence derived from torture. Guantanamo Bay military commission prosecutors again argued in court that evidence … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Durbin Joins Colleagues To Urge Department Of Homeland Security To Help State And Local Governments Improve Election Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) this week joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI) in leading 11 of their colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help states effectively use funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to improve election security. "We write to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take steps to ensure that state and local … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Durbin Calls On DOT To Prevent Cape Air From Terminating Passenger Flights To Quincy
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging him to ensure that Quincy Regional Airport maintains passenger air service through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Essential Air Service (EAS) program. The letter follows Cape Air's recent filing with DOT notifying that the airline plans to halt passenger flights to Quincy Regional Airport. In his letter, Durbin emphasizes the ripple effect the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Durbin Highlights Federal Efforts To Address Skyrocketing Cost Of Insulin For Patients
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined doctors and families impacted by diabetes to call for the passage of federal legislation to reduce the price of insulin for patients. Durbin is an original co-sponsor of the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap the monthly cost of insulin at $35 per month for patients. Approximately eight million Americans-a quarter-million in Illinois-rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. However, studies show that more than … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Boeing CEO To Maintain Strong Presence In Chicago
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun requesting a meeting following Boeing's announcement on May 5 that the company will relocate its global headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia. In the letter, the Senators emphasize the impact Boeing's relocation would have on Illinois' economy. Currently, Boeing's headquarters, which has been in Chicago since 2001, employs … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Durbin: We Are Sleepwalking Into The Next Potentially Deadly COVID Wave
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor on the need to quickly pass a bipartisan COVID-19 supplemental funding package, in order to ensure adequate supplies of tests, vaccines, and other medical supplies. Most urgently, it was reported last week that, without additional funding, COVID vaccines will soon be in shortage if the Food and Drug Administration authorizes second booster shots for all adults. This week, the U.S. officially hit one million … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Durbin: If Republicans Are Concerned About The Safety Of Public Officials, Where Is Their Outrage For The January 6 Insurrection?
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called out Republicans for their hypocrisy in condemning violence and threats of violence against judges while failing to hold the January 6 perpetrators accountable. Specifically, Durbin referenced the unwillingness Republicans have shown to investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, which threatened the lives of Members of Congress, law … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Durbin Talks Military Modernization With U.S. Air Force Secretary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III about the Air Force's priorities for Fiscal Year 2023 and military modernization efforts. On the call, Durbin received an update about recent upgrades to satellite communications equipment on C-40 planes based in Illinois. Durbin urged against efforts to divest from the 932nd Airlift Wing's C-40 plans at Scott … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination Of Rachelle Crowe To Serve As U.S. Attorney For The Southern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nomination of Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement on Ms. Crowe's nomination: "We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced Ms. Crowe's nomination. She has the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to serve with distinction as U.S. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Senate Passes Durbin, Risch Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Gambia For Democratic And Peaceful Elections
WASHINGTON - The U.S Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recognizing the free, fair, and peaceful December 4, 2021, presidential and April 9, 2022, legislative elections in The Gambia. The resolution also calls on the Gambian government to follow through on recent Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Judiciary Committee Advances U.S. Attorneys, Bipartisan Mental Health Legislation
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Rachelle L. Crowe to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Jesse A. Laslovich to be United States Attorney for the District of Montana, and Alexander M.M. Uballez to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, by voice vote. The Committee also advanced S. 3846, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022, by voice vote. Ahead of votes, U.S. Senate … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Meets With ATF Director Nominee Steven Dettelbach
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Steve Dettelbach, nominated to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). During their meeting, Durbin asked Dettelbach about his plans for ATF to help reduce the unacceptably high levels of gun violence in cities like Chicago. Durbin and Dettelbach additionally discussed the importance of reducing illicit gun trafficking and straw … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Nominees To The United States Sentencing Commission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on President Biden's announcement of seven nominees to the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission: "President Biden's bipartisan slate of nominees have the experience and expertise needed for the important work of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. I look forward to holding a confirmation hearing for these nominees in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the near … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing On Global Food Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program; Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, Chief Executive Officer at Mercy Corps; and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing on global food security and the COVID-19 response. Durbin began his questioning … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Statement On Failed Cloture Vote On The Women's Health Protection Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after voting to proceed to the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify the right to provide and obtain an abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions. The measure failed to garner the 60 votes needed to advance. "Today's results, while not surprising, are still deeply disappointing. In a matter of weeks, a half-century guarantee that … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Questions Illinois Judicial Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned John Z. Lee, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, and Salvador Mendoza Jr., nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. During the hearing, Durbin highlighted their extensive qualifications and asked them about their unique life experiences. Judge Lee came to this … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Nominations Hearing Featuring Two Illinois Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of John Z. Lee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, Salvador Mendoza Jr. to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa, Nancy L. Maldonado to be United States District Judge … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Durbin Discusses Support For Community Policing Funding, Law Enforcement Officer Mental Health Resources With President Of Major Cities Chiefs Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met virtually with Chief Jeri Williams, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA). During their meeting, Durbin and Williams discussed the challenges of officer recruitment and retention, particularly with regards to mental health assistance. Durbin and Williams also discussed the importance of confirming federal law enforcement positions to aid state and local officers. "The … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Durbin Meets With Fermilab Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Fermilab Director Lia Merminga to discuss basic science research and projects at Fermilab like the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE). Durbin secured $189 million for LBNF/DUNE in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) omnibus appropriations bill Congress passed in March. "National labs, like Illinois' own Fermilab, have pushed the boundaries of scientific discovery with unmatched … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With United Counties Council Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the United Counties Council of Illinois to discuss how the American Rescue Plan is impacting communities in Illinois. During their conversation, the Senators received an update on the $14 billion allocated to Illinois through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery (SLRF) Program to aid counties and municipalities in covering pandemic costs, replacing lost revenue, and … Continue Reading