Press Releases
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
May 10, 2022
Durbin Meets With 'I Am ALS' Founders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with 'I Am ALS' founders and Illinois constituents Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya to discuss increased federal funding for ALS research and the latest developments regarding the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) implementation of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS). ACT for ALS directs the NIH and FDA to make grants to clinical … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Durbin Urges Colleagues To Support The Women's Health Protection Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor on the future of Roe v. Wade following the leak of the Supreme Court's draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. "Last week, Americans woke up to the news that was perhaps not unexpected but still stunning. It appears that in a matter of weeks, we may soon live in a country where women have fewer constitutional rights than their … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Durbin Questions Secretary Of The Army And Chief Of Staff Of The Army At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing about the Army's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin began his questioning asking about the importance of keeping our military nonpartisan. "There's always been an effort to keep a bright line between our … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $4.8 Million For Runway Improvements At Quincy Regional Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $4.85 million in federal funding awarded to Quincy Regional Airport from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to support the airport's runway reconstruction project. "Today's funding will help improve service, safety, and efficiency at Quincy Regional Airport, which is a critical economic engine and transportation link for Western Illinois," Durbin said. "Senator … Continue Reading