Press Releases
Durbin: We Need To Modernize & Reauthorize The Violence Against Women Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke in support of the recently announced bipartisan framework to modernize and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The bipartisan framework was announced earlier today by Durbin and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). "This afternoon, Senators Ernst, Feinstein, Murkowski, and myself announced … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Speaks In Support Of Lithuania's Defense Of Democracy, Calls Out Lukashenko As "Europe's Last Dictator"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, took to the Senate floor today to express his support for Lithuania as the nation faces repeated threats of Russian aggression and Chinese economic intimidation. In his remarks, Durbin touched on Lithuania's history of resilience and strong voice for democracy and called for a continuation of the long-standing U.S.-Baltic friendship. "For half a century, millions lived under the … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
In Letter To President Biden, Durbin, Duckworth Announce Candidates For Federal District Court In The Northern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced seven candidates for President Biden's consideration for current and future vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Jeffrey Cummings, Jeremy Daniel, Nicholas Gowen, LaShonda A. Hunt, Lindsay Jenkins, Nancy Maldonado, and Karen Sheley. "We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance and input in … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Four District Court Judges
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Bridget Meehan Brennan, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio; John H. Chun, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington; Charles Esque Fleming, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio; and David Augustin Ruiz, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Brennan received a vote of 16-6; Chun received a … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
In Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Thanks Dr. Francis Collins For His Dedication As NIH Director
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) took to the Senate floor to honor Dr. Francis Collins as he prepares to step down from his position as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to return to his lab at NIH's Human Genome Research Institute. "He has led the NIH for 12 years, under three presidents - Democrat and Republican - making him the longest-tenured head of the agency since presidents began selecting NIH directors 50 years ago. What distinguishes … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Durbin Questions Judge Nathan, Nominated To Second Circuit, In 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, asked Alison J. Nathan, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, about her experience clerking for the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and what she learned from him. "You spoke at his memorial service and made a statement about what he meant to you and what he represented in terms of the image … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Senate Confirms Jennifer Sung To Ninth Circuit Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jennifer Sung's nomination to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Ms. Sung's confirmation: "Throughout her extraordinary tenure on the Oregon Employment Relations Board, Jennifer Sung has demonstrated a commitment to impartiality, a thoughtful approach to decision-making, and a keen ability to separate her … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of NDAA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after voting for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes an authorization for $768 billion for national defense programs and authorizations for military construction projects in Illinois totaling $25.2 million: "The Senate's passage of the NDAA emphasizes that our government is committed to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Latest Circuit & District Court Nominations Hearing
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 Alison J. Nathan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Georgette Castner, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Ruth Bermudez Montenegro, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Julie Rebecca Rubin, to be United … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois AFL-CIO Leaders On Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney in addition to members of the labor organization's Executive Board and Building Trades presidents from across the state. During their meeting, the Senators provided an update about funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the $17 billion in direct and guaranteed … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Durbin Statement On Vote To Raise The Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default on our nation's debt: "Today, Senate Democrats acted to prevent a catastrophic default on our nation's debt, preserving the full faith and credit of the United States. I am grateful to our Republican colleagues who voted last week to fast-track a solution, allowing today's vote to only require a simple majority-ending the … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
In Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Highlights Lower Prices For Insulin Through The Build Back Better Act
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech criticizing the pharmaceutical industry's price gouging for insulin, and highlighting how the Build Back Better Act would cap the cost to patients of insulin at $35 per month and dramatically lower the cost of other life-saving prescription drugs, despite opposition from Senate Republicans. Durbin referenced a USA Today article to describe how the price of insulin has increased to … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Durbin: Climate Action Cannot Wait
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of the climate change provisions in the House-passed Build Back Better Act, which would create economic prosperity and growth through innovations like electric vehicles and renewable energy. Durbin went on to call out his Republican colleagues for their lack of urgency-and frequent denial of science-in addressing climate change. "How many times in the past year have members of … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Durbin Recognizes Victims Of Devastating Tornadoes In Central Illinois, Metro-East, And Kentucky On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke about the chain of tornadoes and violent storms that ravaged Illinois and five other states Friday night, leading to the death of more than 90 people. In his remarks, Durbin recognized the devastation of the families who lost their loved ones as a tornado ripped through an Amazon distribution facility in Edwardsville, Illinois. "In Illinois, we have also suffered staggering losses. At least … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Durbin Questions Second Witness Panel At Senate Judiciary Committee Chicago Field Hearing On Reducing Gun Trafficking And Violence
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and Roseanna Ander, Founding Executive Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, during the second witness panel of the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing entitled "Combating Gun Trafficking and Reducing Violence in Chicago." Among his questions, Durbin asked Superintendent Brown about the stress and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Senate Confirms Lucy Koh To Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lucy Koh's nomination to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Ms. Koh's confirmation: "In her tenure on the Northern District of California, Judge Koh has done precisely what we expect of federal judges: applied the law in an evenhanded and impartial way. Her judicial skill, legal abilities, and record on … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Durbin Questions First Witness Panel At Senate Judiciary Committee Chicago Field Hearing On Reducing Gun Trafficking And Violence
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned John Lausch, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Dr. Debra Houry, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the first witness panel of the Senate Judiciary Committee … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Urge VA Medical Centers In Illinois To Adhere To COVID-19 Protocols Following Outbreak At Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), wrote to all Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) in Illinois to urge the facilities to continue to follow Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) COVID-19 guidance and protocol to ensure the health and safety of veterans and employees. The … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Davis, Bost Lead Illinois Delegation In Urging White House To Support Emergency Declaration For 28 Counties Following Severe Weather
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) and Mike Bost (R-IL-12) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to support Governor J.B. Pritzker's request for an Emergency Declaration for 28 counties. The letter follows severe weather and tornadoes this past weekend that led to six fatalities from the collapse of … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Chicago Field Hearing On Reducing Gun Trafficking And Violence
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 field hearing entitled "Combating Gun Trafficking and Reducing Violence in Chicago." In his opening statement, Durbin highlighted the efforts of key federal agencies to combat gun trafficking, pursue evidence-informed violence prevention strategies, and coordinate with other government and community stakeholders to make our … Continue Reading