Press Releases
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Matthew Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division; and Jill Sanborn, Executive Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Branch at today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "The Domestic Terrorism Threat One Year After January 6." Durbin discussed research by Robert Pape, a professor of … Continue Reading
January 11, 2022
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
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 entitled "The Domestic Terrorism Threat One Year After January 6." Today's hearing follows the Committee's domestic terrorism oversight hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray in March 2021, where Durbin emphasized his longstanding concern over the rise of violent white supremacists and other far-right extremists … Continue Reading
January 10, 2022
Durbin to McConnell: Stop Using The Filibuster To Obstruct Voting Rights
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called out Senate Republicans for their continued obstruction of voting rights legislation through the use of the filibuster. "The filibuster has been part of the profile of the Senate for a long, long time-for many decades. But what the Senate Republican Leader fails to note is that the use of the filibuster is out of control," Durbin said. "Nothing … Continue Reading
January 10, 2022
Durbin: Putin Must End Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor against Russia's ongoing aggression and massive military build-up on Ukraine's border. During his speech, Durbin noted President Biden's swift condemnation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's actions. Durbin also called on his colleagues to support legislation to be introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would impose crippling sanctions if … Continue Reading
January 07, 2022
Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues To Support Voting Rights Legislation
WASHINGTON - In the wake of the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his colleagues to support important voting rights legislation that will come before the Senate next week. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also discussed the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." "Congress and our nation marked the first anniversary … Continue Reading
January 07, 2022
Durbin, Markey, Bowman, Schakowsky Urge Biden Administration To Protect Consumers From Unfairly High Heating And Energy Prices This Winter
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16), and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) in a bicameral letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Richard Glick urging the agency to use its authority to protect consumers from unfairly high energy costs. "We write to express our concern in regard to the effect that anticipated increases in heating and energy costs will have on our … Continue Reading
January 06, 2022
Durbin Speaks On The Senate Floor One Year After January 6 Insurrection At The U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON - On the first anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor regarding the anniversary of the insurrection and the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." During his speech, Durbin paid his respects to the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on that day. "The videos don't lie. The facts are the … Continue Reading
January 05, 2022
Durbin Statement On Justice Department Commitment To Holding Accountable All Perpetrators Of The January 6 Attack At U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Attorney General Merrick Garland's confirmation that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold accountable all perpetrators, at any level, of the January 6, 2021 insurrection-whether they were present at the U.S. Capitol or not: "On January 6, 2021, a mob of politically-motivated violent extremists attacked and ransacked the U.S. Capitol in an … Continue Reading
January 05, 2022
Durbin: One Year After January 6 Insurrection, Trump's "Big Lie" Remains A Threat To The Nation
WASHINGTON - One day ahead of the first anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the anniversary of the insurrection and the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." "We came perilously close to losing our democracy… It survives today only because men and women of conscience, Democrats and Republicans, refused to cooperate with the former … Continue Reading
January 05, 2022
Durbin Statement On Resignation Of Director Carvajal From Federal Bureau Of Prisons
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in light of news that Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal will resign: "For years, the Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by corruption, chronic understaffing, and mismanagement. In the nearly two years since Director Carvajal was handpicked by then-Attorney General Bill Barr, he has failed to address the mounting crises in our … Continue Reading
January 04, 2022
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Honors The Late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) who passed away on December 28. During his speech, Durbin highlighted Senator Reid's leadership in passing the Affordable Care Act, as well as Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms, and his strong and unwavering support of Dreamers. "[Harry] was a man of extraordinary humility. He was the first to admit he wasn't much of an orator and he … Continue Reading
December 28, 2021
Durbin Statement On Passing Of Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the passing of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): "Harry was the best. A humble man who never forgot his Searchlight roots. A boxer who had a caring heart. A loyal friend who stood by you through thick and thin. A lucky man who found the love of his life in high school and lived his life with her. "He brought me into Senate leadership to be by his side nearly twenty … Continue Reading
December 23, 2021
Senate Judiciary Committee Announces First Year Accomplishments Under Chair Durbin
WASHINGTON - On February 2, 2021, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) took a new title: Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the following 11 months, the Committee has addressed key challenges confronting the country-including voting rights, gun violence prevention, immigration, and criminal justice reform-and confirmed highly qualified nominees who are bringing balance and impartiality back to our justice system. Key moments from the Senate Judiciary Committee's first … Continue Reading
December 22, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Members Of Delegation Call On Amazon To Review Safety Procedures Following Collapse Of Edwardsville Warehouse
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Marie Newman (D-IL-03), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today sent a letter to … Continue Reading
December 22, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.2 Million For Kane County Diversion Program
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1.2 million in federal funding to the Kane County Pre-Arrest Diversion Initiative. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, will support a new program designed to provide access to health care and other supportive services outside of the criminal legal system. "The opioid epidemic continues to be a major challenge for communities of every demographic," Durbin said. "Access to services … Continue Reading
December 22, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $4.3 Million For COVID-19 Telehealth Program
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $4.3 million in federal funding to several Illinois health care providers for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, building on an initiative established as part of the CARES Act. The funding, awarded by the Federal Communications Commission, supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Durbin, Booker Applaud Justice Department Decision To Reconsider Trump-Era Opinion And Allow Thousands Of Individuals To Remain On Home Confinement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, today released the following joint statement after Attorney General Garland announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reconsidered a Trump-era Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that would have required individuals on CARES Act home confinement to return to prison … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Durbin, Booker Applaud Justice Department Decision To Reconsider Trump-Era Opinion And Allow Thousands Of Individuals To Remain On Home Confinement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, today released the following joint statement after Attorney General Garland announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reconsidered a Trump-era Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that would have required individuals on CARES Act home confinement to return to prison … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $4 Million For America's Central Port In Granite City
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $4.1 million in federal funding to America's Central Port in Granite City, Illinois, one of the largest freight hubs in the Midwest. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, will support improvements to a berth and cargo transfer location at the port's Granite City Harbor facility. "America's Central Port is integral to the Metro East economy and our … Continue Reading
December 20, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.4 Million In DOJ Funding To Strengthen Reentry Strategies And Reduce Recidivism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $1,464,808 in Department of Justice (DOJ) awards for Illinois communities to help prevent recidivism, improve reentry strategies, and reduce crime. The funding, awarded by DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), will go to Heartland Alliance's READI Program in Chicago and Winnebago County's Resource Intervention Center in Rockford. "The funding … Continue Reading