Press Releases
Durbin Questions CDC Director On Community Violence Prevention, COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, today participated in a Subcommittee hearing on President Biden's Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Request for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the hearing, Durbin questioned the witnesses-Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, Dr. Anne … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin Joins Colleagues In Introducing Electrifying America's Future Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 14 Senate Democrats in introducing the Electrifying America's Future Resolution to advance the vision of widespread electrification across every sector of American life. "As we experience the disastrous effects of climate change, we know we must invest in cleaner forms of energy," said Durbin. "With the Electrifying America's Future Resolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to building more … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $12 Million For MidAmerica Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport has been awarded $12.6 million in federal grant funding to support the final phase of the airport's terminal expansion project. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and federal COVID-19 relief packages. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success, especially as communities … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Ahead Of Motion To Discharge, Durbin Calls On Senate Republicans To Support Kristen Clarke's Nomination To Lead DOJ Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the vote to discharge from the Judiciary Committee the nomination of Kristen Clarke, President Joe Biden's nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to support her nomination. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that Ms. Clarke is the ideal candidate to restore credibility at the … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Durbin: McConnell Would Rather Cut Taxes For The Ultra-Wealthy Than Repair America's Crumbling Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - One day after the deadline for filing personal income taxes in America, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) "red line" when it comes to funding President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which would make historic investments in transportation infrastructure, clean energy, and broadband. When Senator McConnell met with President Biden last week, he said that raising taxes on the largest corporations is a "red line" … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
During Visit To NIH, Durbin Meets With Dr. Collins & Dr. Fauci, Thanks Staff For Work Throughout COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of the Senate NIH Caucus, today visited the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland-the foremost biomedical research institute in the world-and met with Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NIH, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). During the visit, Durbin discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of scientific and biomedical research, and … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Durbin, Wyden, Krishnamoorthi, DeLauro Press Biden Administration To Support Tobacco Tax Equity Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today pressed the Biden Administration to support their proposal to close loopholes exploited by the tobacco industry, establish a new tax on e-cigarettes, and increase the tobacco tax rate within legislative negotiations surrounding the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. In a letter to Brian Deese, Director of … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Senate Judiciary Dems Press DOJ To Not Appeal Federal Court Decision Ordering Release Of Key Memo Related To Mueller Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights; today led Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland expressing serious concerns about the Trump-era Department of Justice's (DOJ) apparent misrepresentations to a federal court regarding an … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Durbin Discusses Federal Electric Vehicle Research And Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a virtual news conference to discuss electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure opportunities in Illinois. President Biden's American Jobs Plan (AJP) proposes a $180 billion investment in research and development and another $174 billion investment in electric vehicles and charging stations. With Rivian's EV manufacturing facility in Normal, cutting-edge battery research at Argonne National Laboratory, and a statewide push for … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Judiciary Committee Advance Three Bipartisan Law Enforcement Bills During Police Week
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that the Committee advanced three bills, on a unanimous and bipartisan basis, that will help support law enforcement officers by providing resources they need to do their jobs safely and build trust within the communities they serve. In 1962, President Kennedy signed a law authorizing the President to proclaim May 15 as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Judiciary Committee Advance Nominations Of Kristen Clarke & Todd Kim
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nomination of Todd Kim to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) by a vote of 15-7 and the nomination of Kristen Clarke to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division by a vote of 11-11. Under the provisions of S. Res. 27, Leader Schumer may now file a discharge motion on Ms. Clarke's nomination to place her on the executive calendar. Ahead of the votes, … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Postal Board Of Governors Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of U.S. Postal Board of Governors nominees Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds: "With Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's irresponsible leadership impacting vital postal service, it's more important than ever that the Postal Board of Governors serve as a check on DeJoy's actions. I'm confident in the abilities and qualifications of Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds to … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Durbin Meets With Advocates From The Alliance For Criminal Justice Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met virtually with advocates from the Alliance for Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR) to discuss police reform. In their meeting, the group talked about the need to meet the moment with real change to bring about justice and accountability that Americans across the nation are calling for. "In 2018, Congress came together on a bipartisan basis to tackle one of the toughest political issues of our … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Senate Passes Durbin, Collins Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing Important Work Of Doulas
WASHINGTON-Today, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) recognizing the work and contributions of doulas towards improving pregnancy, birth, and postpartum outcomes; lowering pregnancy and childbirth related costs; and reducing the impact of racial bias on pregnant and postpartum women of color. Further, the resolution designates the week of May 9th as National Doula Week, in honor of the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Immigration Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during "The Essential Role of Immigrant Workers in America" Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety hearing. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Subcommittee, made history as the first Latino Chair of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee. During his opening statement, Durbin highlighted the need for Congress to pass … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin, Quigley, Rubio, & Duckworth Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Map Urban Flooding & Help FEMA Better Assess Risks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021. The bill would enhance the mapping of urban flooding to prevent associated damage and help give cities and towns the tools they need to address flooding on the a local level. "Climate change … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin Questions AG Garland & DHS Secretary Mayorkas On Domestic Terrorism & Border Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today asked questions during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on domestic violent extremism with Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Durbin asked Attorney General Garland how the Department of Justice (DOJ) is addressing the possibility that members of law enforcement were involved in the January 6 … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin Meets With ATF Director Nominee David Chipman
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with David Chipman, nominee to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). During their meeting, Durbin and Chipman discussed efforts to address the gun violence epidemic and protect public safety, including the President's proposal to stop the proliferation of ghost guns, combatting illicit firearm trafficking, and tracing crime guns. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin Statement On Escalating Violence In Israel
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the escalating violence in Israel: "The heartbreaking violence between the Israeli and Palestinian people is the culmination of decades of neglect and lack of political will to find a lasting peace that provides an independent state for the Palestinians and lasting security for the Israelis. For too long, spoilers on both sides have sought short-term political gains at the expense of … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin: Donald Trump's 'Big Lie' Sowed Distrust In Our Election; We Must Pass The For The People Act To Defend Our Democratic Process
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of the For The People Act, a measure that will combat voter suppression and protect our democratic process. Durbin argued that Donald Trump's 'Big Lie' that the 2020 election was stolen from him presents an existential threat to our democracy, and that Congress needs to uphold its constitutional obligation to defend our democratic process by passing the For The People Act. Since … Continue Reading