Press Releases
Durbin: COP26 Is An Opportunity For The U.S. To Take Bold Steps Addressing Climate Crisis
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor about the global significance of the United States' participation in the U.N.'s 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) climate summit in Glasgow. In his remarks, Durbin praised President Biden for reaffirming the U.S.' position as a global leader in the fight against climate change. "This gathering is an opportunity for the United States and our allies to come together - for the first time in years- around … Continue Reading
November 04, 2021
Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration Of Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment Act of 2021
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed out of committee the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The bill ensures that survivors of sexual assault and harassment can choose to bring a case in court instead of being forced into secret arbitration proceedings where the deck is stacked against them. The bill will give these survivors the chance to make their case in public, and will ensure that abusers and those who enabled … Continue Reading
November 04, 2021
Durbin Statement On 50th Anniversary Of Local Amtrak Service In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of the daily Illinois Zephyr, the longest operating state-sponsored Amtrak train in the Illinois network. The train connects Quincy, Macomb, Galesburg, Kewanee, Princeton, and Mendota with Chicago and its suburbs: "The Illinois Zephyr means a lot to the communities it serves, especially for college students, tourism, and economic development. For 50 years, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Ahead Of Discharge Vote, Durbin Urges Colleagues To Support Nomination Of Jennifer Sung To The Ninth Circuit
WASHINGTON - Ahead of her discharge vote 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 nomination of Jennifer Sung to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin highlighted Ms. Sung's extensive experience. Ms. Sung received a 10-10 vote to advance out of Committee. Under the provisions of S. Res. 27, Leader Schumer had to file a discharge motion on Ms. Sung's … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Durbin Statement On Republican Filibuster Of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans filibustered a procedural vote to move to consideration of the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: "Four times this year, Republican Senators have used the filibuster to prevent this Senate from even debating voting rights. What has become of the Party of Lincoln? The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Designate New Philadelphia, Illinois A National Historical Park
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week introduced legislation that would designate the original town of New Philadelphia, Illinois, as a National Historical Park. New Philadelphia, now incorporated into Barry, Illinois, in Pike County, was the first town platted and legally registered by an African American, Frank McWorter. Founded in 1836, New Philadelphia's population peaked in 1865 as home to 29 households and 160 people. By … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Ahead Of Motion To Proceed On John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Durbin Urges Senate To Preserve Right To Vote
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, took to the Senate floor today, on the one-year anniversary of the 2020 election, to urge his Senate colleagues to support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect every American's right to vote and allow the Senate to debate this critical legislation. During his speech, Durbin called out states' rampant attempts to suppress the vote while peddling former President Trump's "Big … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Durbin Questions Judge Sanchez, Nominated To Ninth 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 Judge Gabriel Sanchez, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, to describe his approach to judicial decision-making and how he will continue to be impartial and rule evenhandedly in all cases that come before him. "When cases come before you… what standard will you use?" Durbin asked. … Continue Reading
November 03, 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 Gabriel P. Sanchez, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Samantha D. Elliott, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Hampshire; Linda Lopez, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Katherine Marie Menendez, to be United … Continue Reading
November 03, 2021
Durbin Calls For HHS OIG Investigation & ORR Action On Recent Report Concerning Afghan Refugee Children Being Cared For At Shelter In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent letters to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and HHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) calling on these offices to immediately address allegations included in a disturbing ProPublica report concerning Afghan refugee children being cared for at a Heartland Alliance shelter in Bronzeville, Illinois. The report details allegations … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Ahead of Veterans Day, Durbin Highlights How Immigration System Remains Broken Even For Those Who Want To Serve Our Nation
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, today discussed the impact and sacrifice immigrant veterans have made to our country-yet how our immigration system remains broken even for those who would put their life on the line to defend our freedoms. Durbin also discussed Senate Democrats' continued efforts to include immigration provisions in the … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Durbin Meets Virtually With Presidents Of Public Universities In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the presidents of Illinois public universities to discuss higher education, research, immigration, and other priorities in the Build Back Better (BBB) reconciliation package. During their meeting, Durbin spoke in support of increasing the maximum Pell Grant and limiting the increase to students at public and non-profit universities-excluding for-profit colleges. Durbin also noted the need to maintain BBB's … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Durbin, Murray, Brown, Senators Urge Department Of Ed To Simplify And Expand Student Loan Discharge Options
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues this week urged Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to consider additional measures to simplify and expand student loan discharge options and repayment plans as the Department continues to the negotiated rulemaking process regarding student debt relief. "We write regarding the U.S. Department of Education's … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Ahead of Veterans Day, Durbin Highlights How Immigration System Remains Broken Even For Those Who Want to Serve our Nation
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, today discussed the impact and sacrifice immigrant veterans have made to our country-yet how our immigration system remains broken even for those who would put their life on the line to defend our freedoms. Durbin also discussed Senate Democrats' continued efforts to include immigration provisions in the … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Durbin, Leahy, Murkowski, Manchin Announce Bipartisan Compromise On John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released a bipartisan compromise on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This proposal - which builds on the version introduced earlier in October - reflects months of bipartisan negotiations and seeks to garner broader support in the Senate. Durbin, Leahy, Murkowski, and Manchin are … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces: Protecting Against Stolen, Counterfeit, and Unsafe Goods." Durbin asked Aaron Muderick, Founder and President of Crazy Aaron's, whether he continues to deal with counterfeit and knock-off versions of his products on online marketplaces. "You said one of your employees was spending 15 … Continue Reading
November 02, 2021
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces
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, "Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces: Protecting Against Stolen, Counterfeit, and Unsafe Goods." Durbin spoke about the massive amounts of illicit and dangerous consumer products sold by third party sellers that operate with inadequate transparency and oversight on online marketplaces like Amazon. Durbin … Continue Reading
November 01, 2021
Senate Confirms Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit & Toby Heytens To The Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Beth Robinson to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit and Toby Heytens to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Justice Robinson was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 51-45 and Mr. Heytens was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 53-43. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Justice Robinson's and Mr. Heytens's confirmation: … Continue Reading
November 01, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Appointment Of Erika Rae Allen To Serve On Farm Service Agency State Committee In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would appoint Erika Rae Allen, of Chicago, Illinois, to serve on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee in Illinois. The FSA state committee is comprised of up to five individuals with backgrounds in agriculture and … Continue Reading
November 01, 2021
Durbin: Build Back Better Will Save Middle-Class Families Money, Address Climate Change
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda. During his speech, Durbin highlighted key components of the framework that can help middle-class families save money and build a bright future for their children. "To our Republican friends, if you're really concerned about the economic strain on middle-class and working families, you've got an opportunity to prove it this week. … Continue Reading