Press Releases
Durbin, Lee, Coons to Introduce Bipartisan Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Chris Coons (D-DE), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced they would introduce the bipartisan Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act of 2021, a targeted bill that would eliminate the blanket presumption of pretrial detention for most federal drug charges. Pretrial detention rates in the federal system are at record high … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief with Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with the Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities (FIICU) about the importance of providing additional COVID-19 relief that supports private, not-for-profit colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin supports additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), created by the CARES Act, which provided assistance to institutions and emergency financial aid for … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Durbin, Grassley Announce Nomination Hearing Date for Judge Merrick Garland, Biden Nominee for U.S. Attorney General
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that the Committee will hold a nomination hearing for Judge Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden's nominee to be U.S. Attorney General, on Monday, February 22 and Tuesday, February 23. The Committee will vote to advance Judge Garland's nomination on Monday, March 1 after all Committee members … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reform Elderly Home Detention and Compassionate Release Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Amid the COVID-19 public health pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, authors of the bipartisan First Step Act, landmark criminal justice reform legislation, introduced bipartisan legislation to reform the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program and compassionate release from federal prisons. Sadly, more than 200 federal prisoners … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Renew Request for U.S. Attorney John Lausch to Remain in His Position Until Confirmation of His Successor
WASHINGTON - Following an announcement by the Biden Justice Department that Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys appointed under the previous Administration were to submit their resignations by February 28, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) renewed their request that John Lausch, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, be permitted to remain in his position until the confirmation of his successor. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Durbin and Duckworth … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Durbin, Cassidy Introduce Bill to Address PPE Shortages, Boost Production in America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced new, bipartisan legislation to address shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing supplies. The Protecting Providers Everywhere (PPE) in America Actwould boost domestic PPE and testing supply production and promote a more sustainable supply chain by ensuring more predictable, dedicated funding from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to American manufacturers of applicable medical … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin: The Second Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump is Constitutional
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after voting to confirm that former President Donald John Trump is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of impeachment for acts committed while President of the United States, notwithstanding the expiration of his term. Six Senate Republicans voted with every Senate Democrat to confirm that Donald Trump is subject to a court of impeachment. "What we heard … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill to Implement and Expand Online SNAP Purchasing Nationwide
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with nine of their Senate colleagues, today introduced a bill to address hunger needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand online Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchasing choices. The Expanding SNAP Options Act would provide funding for the creation of a universal online and app-based portal to make access to nutritious foods … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin: We Must Put an End to Donald Trump's 'Big Lie' Once and for All
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the second impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the important responsibility the Senate has to move forward with this impeachment trial. In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that no one, not even the President of the United States, has a First Amendment right to say whatever he or she wants-an argument the former President's lawyers are … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Senate Democrats Introduce SECURE Act for TPS Recipients
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to introduce the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. "TPS recipients are vital contributors to our communities. More than 130,000 TPS … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin, Schneider Introduce Bill to Help State and Local Governments Provide Paid Leave to Employees During Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), along with U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced a key measure to help state and local governments provide paid leave to public employees who can't work due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted last year, provided tax credits to private-sector employers to cover the costs of paid leave during the pandemic. Congress also extended those tax … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Termination of U.S. Attorney John Lausch
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after it was reported that the Biden Administration will terminate John Lausch as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois: "While we agree with the Biden Administration's criminal justice agenda, we are disappointed with the decision to terminate U.S. Attorney Lausch without consulting us. In 2017, our non-partisan screening committee gave its support for Mr. … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Durbin Discusses Supporting Caregivers with NDWA and SEIU
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the status of a COVID-19 relief bill with Ai Jen Poo, Executive Director of National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas. During the call, Durbin discussed how Congress can better support caregivers and the essential work that these individuals provide. Nearly 90 percent of … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Durbin: We Must Provide Quick Relief for Unemployed Americans
SPRINGFIELD - As millions of Americans continue to struggle with unemployment as a result of the pandemic, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the critical need to provide additional assistance to unemployed workers before federal unemployment programs expire in March. Joined virtually by several Illinoisans relying on unemployment insurance, Durbin called on Congress to pass President Biden's American Rescue Plan COVID relief package, which would extend federal unemployment … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Durbin meets with Everytown for Gun Safety
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, virtually met with John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the United States. Durbin and Feinblatt discussed key priorities for gun violence prevention efforts in the Senate, including passing universal background check legislation. "America must address its epidemic of gun violence, and that starts by finally passing … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Durbin Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Resolution Paving Way for COVID-19 Relief
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate passed a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2021 that paves the way for Congress to begin crafting urgently needed COVID-19 relief legislation: "In the early hours of this morning, the Senate took a critical step towards providing our health care heroes, unemployed workers, small businesses, schools, state and local governments, and American families who are trying to make ends … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More than $22 Million to Support Vaccine Distribution in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $22.8 million in federal funding to support vaccine distribution in Illinois. The funding is being awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "This funding will provide critical support to our state's public health infrastructure as we undertake the monumental task of vaccinating our … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Durbin Statement on President Biden's Decision to Halt U.S. Military Involvement in Yemen
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden's decision to reverse the Trump Administration's support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen: "Not only was this war never authorized as required by the Constitution, it is a humanitarian disaster with tens of thousands of children having already died of malnutrition. Thankfully, U.S. taxpayer dollars will no longer support this Saudi-led disaster in Yemen. Thank you, … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Durbin & Graham Introduce the Dream Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), incoming Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today introduced the Dream Act of 2021, which would allow immigrant students without lawful status who were brought here as children and grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. Durbin and Graham introduced identical legislation in the last two sessions of Congress. These young people, known as Dreamers, … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues to Introduce Resolution Asking President Biden to Cancel up to $50,000 in Federal Student Loan Debt Immediately
WASHINGTON - United States Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today to reintroduce their bicameral resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis by using existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal … Continue Reading