Press Releases
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Senate Judiciary Committee On Ransomware Attacks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "America Under Cyber Siege: Preventing and Responding to Ransomware Attacks." The hearing will examine the growing wave of ransomware attacks affecting businesses, non-profits, and local governments across the nation. Key Quotes: "It is about more than money and inconvenience. The harm of ransomware can … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Durbin: Anti-Vax Rhetoric Is Risking The Lives Of Our Fellow Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on Americans to get vaccinated as the COVID-19 Delta variant continues to spread across the U.S., leading to increased cases and hospitalizations. In his remarks, Durbin highlighted the importance of confronting vaccine misinformation and the need for a bipartisan commitment to promoting public health. "The vaccines that we all have access to right now will stop the Delta variant in … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Durbin: Gun Trafficking Strike Force, Investments In Community Violence Prevention Programs, Needed In Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about his time with Attorney General Merrick Garland in Chicago last Thursday to discuss several initiatives to address gun violence, including the Department of Justice's (DOJ) implementation of a firearms trafficking strike force in the city. Durbin and Garland visited the Chicago Police Department (CPD) 11th District Office for a briefing about law enforcement … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Durbin: Ransomware Is A Growing Threat To Our Economic And National Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the threat that ransomware attacks pose to our economic and national security. Tomorrow, July 27 at 10:00 AM ET, the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing entitled "America Under Cyber Siege: Preventing and Responding to Ransomware Attacks," during which experts from the Department of Justice, the FBI, CISA, and the Secret Service will discuss efforts to … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Durbin: Public Lands And Natural Resources Are In Good Hands With Todd Kim
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of a vote for Todd Kim to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). During his speech, Durbin said that Kim is an experienced leader who has received praise from both sides of the aisle, can restore integrity and independence to the Department of Justice, and can be trusted to protect public lands and … Continue Reading
July 26, 2021
Durbin Statement on First Slate Of Biden Administration U.S. Attorney Nominations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the first slate of U.S. Attorney nominations from the Biden Administration: "I'm pleased that the Biden Administration has announced its first slate of U.S. Attorney nominees. I look forward to timely consideration of these nominations in Committee." Today's slate of U.S. Attorney nominees include: Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney nominee for … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Urge SBA To Support State's Request For McLean County Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a Disaster Declaration for McLean County in Illinois as a result of severe flooding that occurred last month. Severe storms caused up to 10 inches of flooding in McLean County. The damage assessment conducted this month by the SBA found that many … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Hold E-Cigarette Companies Accountable For The Youth Vaping Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect children from the dangers of e-cigarettes. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would require that e-cigarette manufacturers pay user fees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide the agency with additional resources to conduct … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Durbin, Senators Urge President Biden To Restore Bears Ears National Monument
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led his colleagues U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to restore the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments using his authority under the Antiquities Act. Under the previous … Continue Reading
July 23, 2021
Durbin Discusses DACA Program With DHS Secretary Mayorkas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met virtually yesterday afternoon with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the importance of fortifying DACA and passing the Dream Act following a Texas federal judge vacating the DACA program earlier this month. The judge's ruling prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from approving new DACA applications. "I'm relieved to work with an Administration … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin, Lightfoot, Attorney General Garland Discuss Gun Trafficking Strike Force, Investments In Community Violence Prevention Programs In Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today joined Attorney General Merrick Garland in Chicago to discuss several initiatives to address gun violence in the city, including the Department of Justice's (DOJ) implementation of a firearms trafficking strike force in the city. Durbin, Lightfoot, and Garland visited the Chicago Police Department (CPD) 11th District Office for a briefing about law … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin Calls For A Pathway To Citizenship And Secure, Compassionate Immigration System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling for a secure, compassionate immigration reform after 35 years of inaction by Congress on the issue. In his speech, Durbin spoke about the continued uncertainty that undocumented immigrants face, including the looming fear of deportation that prevents them from living a full life in the United States despite residing on American soil for years … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Hirono, Booker Introduce Bill To Expand Public Service Loan Forgiveness To Adjunct Professors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act to allow part-time faculty at colleges and universities - who are often paid low wages with few benefits - to be eligible to participate in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. PSLF is designed to encourage graduates to pursue a career in public service by offering loan … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin: We Owe It To The Capitol Police To Investigate January 6 Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today once again slammed Senate Republicans' refusal to support the bipartisan January 6 commission to investigate what took place at the U.S. Capitol Building. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that a full investigation is necessary in order to prevent another incident and to honor the brave law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on that day. "The men and women who … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin Meets With Baseball Safety Advocates & MLB Commissioner Manfred To Discuss Fan Safety
WASHINGTON-This week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with a group of baseball safety advocates and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to discuss fan safety at Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games. In separate meetings, Durbin discussed the implementation of extended protective netting at many ballparks around the country and applauded MLB for asking teams to extend netting after the 2019 season. "In 2019, it was clear something had to be done to … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate Of Judicial & Executive Nominations
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Gustavo A. Gelpi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Angel Kelley, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Christine P. O'Hearn, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Helaine Ann Greenfeld, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs; and Christopher H. Schroeder, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
Durbin to Join Attorney General Garland In Chicago Today To Announce Gun Violence Strike Force
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced he will be joining Attorney General Merrick Garland on his trip to Chicago today to discuss several initiatives to address gun violence in the city, including the Department of Justice's (DOJ) implementation of a firearms trafficking strike force: "When it comes to the gun violence epidemic, we have a choice: give up or stand up. Attorney General Garland and I are committed to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Farm Bureau President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert and members of the organization. On the call, Durbin discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of farmworker labor, ethanol production, international trade agreements, greater price transparency in the livestock markets, and the need for strong … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $121 Million In Federal Funding For Emergency Preparedness In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $121 million in federal funding to improve emergency preparedness across Illinois. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will go to state and local authorities, nonprofit and religious institutions, transportation agencies, and port facility operators in Illinois to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. "Illinois … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Hearing On Need For Path To Citizenship For Immigrant Farmworkers
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to reflect on the state of agriculture in Secretary Vilsack's home state of Iowa as it relates to the issue of immigrant farmworkers. "We have a witness in the next panel, Linnea Kooistra-thank you for being here-she's from a dairy … Continue Reading