Press Releases
Durbin Statement On Termination Of Cruel "Remain In Mexico" Policy
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas announced the termination of the former administration's Remain in Mexico policy. Under the Trump Administration, the policy-deceptively named Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)-blocked vulnerable asylum seekers from being in the U.S. while they awaited immigration court hearings, forcing them to wait in … Continue Reading
05.31.21
Durbin Releases Statement Observing Memorial Day, Thanks Servicemembers And Their Families
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released a video statement in observance of Memorial Day and the service of military members and their families, who have made immense sacrifices for their country. "While no words, symbols, or memorials can adequately express our nation's debt to all who have lost their lives to defend our liberties, we take this time to honor their service and sacrifice to our country," said Durbin. "This Memorial Day, when thousands of American… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Durbin Statement On President Biden's FY2022 Budget
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after President Joe Biden unveiled his Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget proposal: "If America wants to lead in the 21st century, we can't be afraid of investments in our people. With this budget, President Biden prepares workers for the jobs of the future, rebuilds our infrastructure, gives families and children a foundation for success, and protects our… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Durbin Statement On Republican Filibuster Of Bipartisan January 6 Commission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against the motion to proceed to the bill to create the bipartisan January 6 Commission: "An insurrection without consequences-without even a proper investigation-is a dress rehearsal for another insurrection. When the Capitol police-who protect us with their lives-ask for this commission, we are ingrates to refuse. "There sh… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider Introduce Bill To Update Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) introduced a bicameral bill that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards to reflect the stricter criteria outlined in a 2016 EPA study. Under the bill, any updates to the emissions standards would have to incorporate the maximum achievable control technology requirements to exhaust… Continue Reading
05.27.21
Durbin: An Insurrection Without Consequences Or Examination Is A Dress Rehearsal For The Next Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today slammed Senate Republicans' refusal to support the bipartisan January 6 Commission, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that the bipartisan Commission is necessary in order to prevent Trump loyalists from rewriting the reality of what happened on January 6, 2021, and to honor the brave law enforcement officers who defended … Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Safe Gun Storage Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to introduce legislation directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes. "Too many families and friends have mourned a loved one lost to gun violence. Congress must step up and finally address this issue for what it is - an epidemic," said Durbin. "With this l… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin Discusses Water And Mobility With USAID Administrator Power
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing about the success of the Paul Simon Water for the World Act. Durbin said that over the last 11 years, USAID helped provide approximately 57 million people with either improved or first time access to clean water and more than… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Introduce Resolution Establishing "National Gun Violence Awareness Day"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution in the Senate establishing June 4, 2021, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) has introduced a companion resolution in the House. Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for the United States, with an estimated 19,300 individuals killed in gun homi… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin Questions Nominees To Lead ATF And DEA In Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - During the Senate Judiciary Committee's sixth nominations hearing of the 117th Congress, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned David H. Chipman, nominee to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Anne Milgram, nominee to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Durbin noted that Mr. Chipman's nomination is already facing baseless attacks from the political fringe… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin Gives Opening Remarks In Judiciary Committee Hearing For Judicial & Executive Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during the nominations hearing for Tiffany P. Cunningham, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit; Margaret Irene Strickland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Mexico; David H. Chipman, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Ur Mendoza Jaddou, to be Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Serv… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Durbin, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Children From Lead Poisoning
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) today introduced the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2021, which would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to update its lead poisoning prevention measures to reflect modern science and ensure that families and children living in federally-assisted housing are protected from the devastating consequences of lead poisoning. "Children continue to be at risk from lead poisoni… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Receives Update On Cook County Drug Court And Veterans Treatment Court From Judges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Cook County Court Judge Neera Walsh, who presides over Cook County Access to Community Treatment (ACT) Drug Court; and Cook County Court Judge Michael Hood, who presides over the Cook County Veterans Treatment Court; to receive an update on the courts' programming and services to provide individualized, evidence-based treatment and recovery support to defendants. During th… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Meets With University Of Illinois Presidents Executive Leadership Program Participants
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with University of Illinois Presidents Executive Leadership Program (PELP) participants to discuss public policy at the forefront of higher education, including textbook affordability, student debt, and passing the Dream Act. During the meeting, Durbin also spoke about the need to transform the American economy to remain competitive in the 21st Century after the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the Senate is considering … Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Meets Virtually With Ukrainian Ambassador To United States
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Ukraine Caucus, met virtually today with the new Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova. During their meeting, Durbin discussed the latest on tensions with Russia and reiterated his support for Ukraine. Durbin has a strong record of support for Ukraine, including several visits to the country and supporting security and development assistance. Durbin and the Ambassador also discussed… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Completion Of Investigation At Illinois Army Reserve Unit
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the completion of the investigation into the mishandling of sexual assault allegations at the 416th Theater Engineering Command (TEC), an Army Reserve unit in Darien, Illinois: "Sexual misconduct and pervasive problems that led to the mishandling of cases at the 416th TEC in Darien ar… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Introduces New Bill To Expand Lincoln Home Historical Site
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, new legislation that would expand the boundary of the Lincoln Home National Historic site to include a replica 1844 Lincoln cottage and the Elijah Iles home. The bill would also require the National Park Service to increase the height of the road in front of the Lincoln home and at the intersection of 8th and Jackson to provide greater accessibility within… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Statement On One Year Anniversary Of Murder Of George Floyd
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd: "His name was George Floyd. He was a 46-year-old Black man. He was a father, a brother, a son, a friend. He died on the streets of Minneapolis with the knee of a police officer on his neck-an image that haunts me to this day. The injustice of his killing is undeniable. And so is the fact that syst… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Senate Confirms Kristen Clarke To Lead DOJ Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON - On the first anniversary of George Floyd's murder, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Kristen Clarke, President Joe Biden's nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, by a bipartisan vote of 51-48. Ms. Clarke will be the first Senate-confirmed woman and woman of color to lead the Civil Rights Division. Ahead of her confirmation vote, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, ar… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Urges Senate To Support Bipartisan U.S. Innovation And Competition Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today encouraged his Senate colleagues to support the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, the broader competitiveness package and substitute amendment to the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act. The legislation represents the largest investment in U.S. science and technology leadership since the Apollo era. It will authorize more than $100 billion over five years to support breakthrough s… Continue Reading