Press Releases
Durbin, Murphy, Coons, Welch, & Schigg Introduce Resolution Recognizing Tunisia's Leadership In The Arab Spring & Calling Out Troubling Democratic Backsliding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) today introduced a resolution recognizing Tunisia’s leadership in the Arab Spring and expressing support for upholding its democratic principles and norms. Under the country’s current President Kais Saied, Tunisia has seen a recent backslide of the democratic gains made in the years following the Arab Spring. This includes a … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin Speaks Against Emil Bove's Nomination During Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke against Emil Bove’s nomination to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit at today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting. During Mr. Bove’s nomination hearing yesterday, Durbin outlined how Mr. Bove, a former personal defense attorney of President Trump, is unfit to serve as a federal judge with a lifetime appointment. Durbin’s opening statement … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Citing Republicans' Own Words, Durbin Emphasizes The Harms To Hospitals & Patients In Republicans' 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor underscoring the dangers of Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will slash Medicaid,Affordable Care Act, and Medicare coverage for working Americans in order to provide massive tax breaks for billionaires. In his remarks, Durbin quoted his Republican colleagues, who have publicly expressed concerns about their own budget reconciliation bill, acknowledging that their constituents would … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
As Trump Administration Decimates Research Funding At Universities, Durbins Meets With Southern Illinois University Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Dan Mahoney, President of Southern Illinois University (SIU), and Austin Lane, Chancellor of SIU Carbondale (SIUC), to discuss maintaining research funding as the Trump Administration halts federal grants to universities exploring scientific advances and medical breakthroughs. In the meeting, Durbin also expressed his opposition to Republicans' efforts to pass tax cuts for billionaires by slashing $800 billion in … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Durbin Questions District Court Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Edward L. Artau, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; Kyle Christopher Dudek, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida; and Jordan Emery Pratt, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Durbin, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Make The VA Smoke-Free
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit smoking at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The legislation would repeal an antiquated 1992 law that requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to furnish and maintain designated indoor or outdoor smoking areas. The bill would bring VA in line with smoke-free policies across the federal government and in the … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Durbin Questions Emil Bove In Senate Judiciary Committee Judicial Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Emil Bove, nominated to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, during today's Senate Judiciary Committee judicial nominations hearing. In his opening statement, Durbin outlined how Mr. Bove, a former personal defense attorney of President Trump, is unfit to serve as a federal judge with a lifetime appointment. Durbin began by asking Mr. Bove about his deep … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nomimations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the judicial nominations of Emil J. Bove III, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit; Edward L. Artau, to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida; Kyle Christopher Dudek, to be a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; Jordan Emery … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
In Spotlight Forum, Durbin Slams GOP's Budget Reconciliation Bill That Will Siphon Resources From Public Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a spotlight forum entitled “Scamming Our Schools: Robbing Our Students’ Futures to Line Their Pockets.” During the forum, which was hosted by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Durbin focused on how the Republican budget reconciliation bill would create a national school voucher program that would further drain resources and funding from public schools. Durbin began by reflecting on the school voucher program … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Urges Navy Leadership To Improve Quality Of Life, Housing For Military Families
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Navy. During the hearing, Durbin asked Navy leaders about the politicization of the military and urged them to prioritize improvements to military housing and education for service members and their families. “All of our branches of service have been … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Questions Government Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Protecting Americans From Cartels
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.” Durbin first questioned the witnesses on whether or not they agree that firearms flowing to the Mexican cartels from the United States is a problem. “I would like to read something and see if any of you disagree with this: Cartels have flooded the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $1M In Federal Funding For Quincy Regional Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,187,500 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for Quincy Regional Airport to be used for equipment upgrades. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said Durbin. “This federal funding for Quincy Regional Airport-Baldwin Field Airport will upgrade the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Statement On The Third Anniversary Of The Dobbs Ruling
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court: “Today marks a sad anniversary. Three years ago, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority abandoned the long-standing constitutional protections recognized in Roe v. Wade—rejecting nearly 50 years of progress and dragging gender … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3M In Federal Funding For MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $3,648,323 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The federal funding will be used to construct a new 6,000 square foot terminal to accommodate the movement of passengers and baggage. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $141K In Federal Funding For Decatur Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $141,874 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for Decatur Airport. The federal funding will be used to reconstruct 21,817 square yards of the existing south T-Hangar Apron pavement. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability while creating jobs,” said … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Protecting Americans From Cartels
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearingentitled “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.” During his opening remarks, Durbin highlighted the direct link between cartel reliance on U.S.-sourced firearms to perpetuate fear, violence, and illegal activities, including human trafficking and smuggling drugs into the United States. Durbin … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Statement On Whistleblower Disclosures By Erez Reuveni On Emil Bove's Nomination To Be A Circuit Court Judge
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the whistleblower disclosures of Mr. Erez Reuveni, formerly the Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, on Emil Bove’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit: “As a senior Justice Department official, Mr. Bove has abused his position in numerous ways, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Questions State Attorneys General At Bicameral Spotlight Forum On Democrats' Legal Fight Against Trump's Lawlessness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned state Attorneys General at a bicameral spotlight forum entitled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional Allies Fight Back Against Trump's Constitutional Abuses,” with a panel of Democratic state Attorneys General who are combatting the Trump Administration’s egregious and unlawful actions through litigation. House Judiciary Committee Ranking … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Bicameral Spotlight Forum With State AGs On Democrats' Legal Fight Against Trump's Lawlessness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a bicameral spotlight forum entitled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional Allies Fight Back Against Trump's Constitutional Abuses,” with a panel of Democratic state Attorneys General who are combatting the Trump Administration’s egregious and unlawful actions through litigation. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Statement On Successfully Removing Harmful Judiciary Provisions From Republicans' Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats successfully removed harmful Judiciary provisions from Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including a provision that would have gutted judicial independence, as well as a provision limiting Department of Justice grant funding to Chicago and other cities that don’t agree to engage in federal … Continue Reading