Press Releases
Durbin Speaks Out Against Unqualified Nominee For Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke out against Pete Hegseth’s nomination to serve as the Secretary of Defense. Durbin explained his objections to Hegseth’s nomination, including his inability to articulate a defense strategy in addressing threats to the U.S., his disparaging comments about women serving in the military, and troubling reports of financial mismanagement, alcohol abuse, and sexual misconduct. “Over the last … Continue Reading
January 23, 2025
Durbin Highlights Bill To Crack Down On Prescription Drug Advertisements, Boost Price Transparency On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor highlighting his Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bill he is introducing with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Ahead Of The Roe V. Wade Anniversary, Durbin Condemns Republicans' Sham "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act"
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against Republicans’ so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation that would threaten health care providers with jail time and make it harder for women to access comprehensive and compassionate health care. Durbin said, “As a result of Roe, America’s women took a giant step forward in gender equity—the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Durbin Meets With Secretary Of Agriculture Nominee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today met with Brooke Rollins, nominee to serve as the Secretary of Agriculture, in advance of her nomination hearing scheduled this week before the committee. During their meeting, Durbin shared the agriculture and nutrition priorities of Illinois, and Rollins spoke about her agriculture priorities if she were to be confirmed. Durbin raised the importance of preserving a strong … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Durbin Calls Out "Full, Complete, And Unconditional" Pardons Given by President Trump To January 6 Insurrectionists Who Violently Assaulted Police Officers
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, denounced President Trump’s decision to pardon January 6th insurrectionists, including those who violently assaulted law enforcement officers. In his remarks, Durbin read from an NPR article, describing in detail the crimes committed by the insurrectionists. “We should reflect on these pardons and the people who received them,” Durbin began. “‘[Here … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Durbin Statement On Voting Against Republicans' Failed "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after voting against cloture on the motion to proceed to Republicans’ so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation that would threaten health care providers with jail time and make it harder for women to access comprehensive and compassionate health care: “Instead of addressing the health care crisis that Dobbs has … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Durbin: Kash Patel Has Neither The Experience, Temperament, Nor Judgement To Lead The FBI
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today outlined how Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has neither the experience, the temperament, nor the judgment to lead the FBI. Durbin met with Mr. Patel in his Capitol office yesterday. “It [the FBI] plays a critical role in keeping Americans safe from terrorism, violent crime, and … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Stellantis Investment In U.S. Auto Plants, Including Belvidere
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement on Stellantis and United Auto Workers’ (UAW) announcement that Stellantis will invest in upgrading its U.S. auto plants across the country, including investing $1.2 billion in the Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois. As a result of the investment, approximately 1,500 jobs will come back to the Belvidere Assembly plant, which was also selected to build … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Durbin Statement On Meeting With President Trump's FBI Director Nominee, Kash Patel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): “Kash Patel has neither the experience, the temperament, nor the judgment to lead the FBI. “We were reminded on 9/11 that the FBI is the first agency we rely on to keep America safe. The 30,000 professionals at the FBI have the … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out Against President Trump's Executive Actions Taken On Day One
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against executive actions taken by President Donald Trump on day one of his second term, including cracking down on immigrant communities, that, among other things, attempt to deprive U.S.-born children of citizenship, suspend refugee resettlement, and require the military to divert resources to the southern border. Durbin also spoke out … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Durbin Statement On Trump's Pardons Of January 6th Insurrection—Including Those Who Violently Assaulted Law Enforcement Officers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after President Donald Trump granted pardons and commutations for those who participated in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, including those who violently assaulted law enforcement officers: “On January 6, 2021, a Constitutional proceeding was disrupted when a mob of Trump-inspired thugs attacked and trashed the U.S. Capitol in … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump's Day One Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump signed executive orders cracking down on immigrant communities, that, among other things, attempt to deprive U.S.-born children of citizenship, suspend refugee resettlement, and require the military to divert resources to the southern border: “We all agree that our border must be … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump's Day One Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump signed executive orders cracking down on immigrant communities, that, among other things, attempt to deprive U.S.-born children of citizenship, suspend refugee resettlement, and require the military to divert resources to the southern border: “We all agree that our border must be … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Durbin Statement On Senator Marco Rubio's Confirmation As Secretary Of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed the nomination of Senator Marco Rubio to be the next U.S. Secretary of State: “Senator Rubio and I share many similar views on foreign policy and as a result, have worked closely together in the Senate regarding human rights, the challenges regarding China, and the recent sham election in Venezuela. When I met with him earlier this month, I reiterated the need to … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of The Laken Riley Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after voting against the Laken Riley Act: “The loss of a child is something no parent should have to endure, and we should do everything possible to make sure what happened to Laken Riley never happens again. But as I have said numerous times, this bill will not accomplish its stated goal. I’m genuinely disappointed in the passage of this bill … Continue Reading
January 17, 2025
Durbin Statement On President Biden Recognizing Ratification Of The ERA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after President Biden announced his position on the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which enshrines gender equality into the Constitution: “The Equal Rights Amendment is literally a century in the making, and over the years, generations of Americans have done their part to move it forward. They’ve marched on Washington, they’ve met with … Continue Reading
January 17, 2025
Durbin Statement Of Biden-Harris Administration's Selection Of 15 Additional Prescription Drugs For Medicare Price Negotiations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s selection of 15 additional prescription drugs for Medicare price negotiation. In August, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that it had negotiated price reductions for 10 of the most expensive and frequently-dispensed drugs in the Medicare program. “Americans should not be priced out of accessing medications that they need to lead a healthy … Continue Reading
January 17, 2025
Durbin Statement On President Biden Commuting Sentences Of Nearly 2,500 Non-Violent Drug Offenders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced the commutation of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses: “I authored the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act because I believe in second chances. Far too many incarcerated people are serving excessively long sentences for non-violent drug convictions, despite demonstrating good behavior … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
Durbin Commemorates 10th Anniversary Of Water For The World Act With Speech On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor commemorating the ten-year anniversary of the passage of his Paul Simon Water for the World Act, which improved access to clean water and sanitation around the world. As a result of the legislation and its preceding legislation, the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005, American leadership has provided first-time, sustainable access to clean water to more than 76 million people and … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
Durbin Questions Outside Witnesses During Second Day Of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing For President-Elect Trump's Pick To Be Attorney General, Pam Bondi
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned outside witnesses during the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing for Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States. Durbin first questioned Mr. Emery Gainey, the former Sheriff of Alachua County and Ms. Bondi’s Chief of Staff when she served as Florida’s Attorney General, about whether she will support … Continue Reading