Press Releases

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September 28, 2018

Durbin: I Believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Will Oppose Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's Nominee To The Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee markup, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that he will oppose Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. "Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was credible, cooperative, and resolute. When I asked her directly, under oath, the degree of certainty that she had that she was assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh, she responded, '100 percent.' "This woman, … Continue Reading


September 27, 2018

Durbin Presses Judge Kavanaugh To Call For FBI Investigation Into Allegations Of Sexual Assault; Judge Kavanaugh Refuses

WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) pressed Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, to call for an independent FBI investigation into the serious and credible allegations of sexual assault against him. "You have clearly and unequivocally denied that you assaulted Dr. Ford. With that statement, you must believe that there is no credible evidence or any credible witness that could … Continue Reading


September 27, 2018

Durbin To Dr. Blasey Ford: For Every Scurrilous Charge & Pathetic Tweet, There Are Thousands Of Americans Who Believe You, Support You, And Thank You For Your Courage

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today shared his support for and admiration of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee about her allegation of sexual assault by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court. In the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Dr. Blasey Ford told Durbin, with 100% certainty, that it was Brett Kavanaugh who sexually … Continue Reading


September 26, 2018

Durbin Statement On Latest Sexual Assault Allegations Against Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump's Supreme Court Nominee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on the latest sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee: The White House and Senate Republicans must choose: either immediately call for the FBI to conduct an investigation into the multiple allegations of sexual assault by Judge Kavanaugh or withdraw his nomination. These women had every … Continue Reading


September 26, 2018

Durbin, Duckworth Accept Letter Signed By More Than 1,400 Women & Men Who Attended D.C.-Area Schools In Support Of Dr. Blasey Ford

WASHINGTON - One day before Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accepted a letter signed by over 1,400 women and men who attended school in the greater Northwest D.C. / Maryland area - including Dr. Blasey Ford's and Judge Kavanaugh's alma maters - to show support for and solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. "Dr. Blasey Ford had … Continue Reading


September 25, 2018

Durbin: No One Is Entitled To A Seat On The Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on Senate Republicans to support a nonpartisan, independent FBI investigation into the serious and credible sexual assault allegations against President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin pushed back on claims made by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that the sexual assault allegations against Judge … Continue Reading


September 18, 2018

Durbin: FBI Must Complete An Investigation Into Serious & Credible Sexual Assault Allegation Against Judge Kavanaugh Before Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on the Trump White House to request that the FBI's career professionals conduct an independent investigation into the serious and credible sexual assault allegation against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's Supreme Court nominee. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that the FBI needs to interview witnesses, review all of the evidence, and report their … Continue Reading


September 16, 2018

Durbin Statement On Sexual Assault Allegation Against Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump's Supreme Court Nominee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the allegation of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee: We cannot meet our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent without a fair and careful review of the serious and credible allegations made by Dr. Ford. The Thursday Judiciary Committee vote must be postponed and the … Continue Reading


September 11, 2018

Document Shows Judge Kavanaugh Misled Durbin Under Oath About His Work On Controversial Judicial Nomination

In sworn testimony in 2006, Judge Kavanaugh stated, "I've-I know Jim Haynes, but it was not one of the nominations that I handled;" so-called "Committee Confidential" document shows otherwise CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released a document that shows Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, gave misleading testimony in 2006 about his work on the judicial nomination of William (Jim) … Continue Reading


September 10, 2018

Durbin, Bustos, Kinzinger, and Mayor McNamra Announce $450,000 In Federal Funding To Help Victims Of Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault In Rockford

ROCKFORD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) today joined Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara to announce that the City of Rockford has received $449,870 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. The funding will allow Rockford to establish a Family Justice Center, which will provide comprehensive services to aid victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human … Continue Reading


September 06, 2018

Durbin Presses Supreme Court Nominee Kavanaugh On His Views Of President Trump's Power

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today pressed President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to clarify his views on executive power given that, if confirmed, he will likely rule on President Trump's sweeping assertions of authority. "You have been nominated to be a Justice on the United States Supreme Court by President Donald Trump. We have to take your nomination in the context of this … Continue Reading


September 05, 2018

Durbin Grills Supreme Court Nominee Kavanaugh On Secret Documents & Misleading Prior Testimony

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today pressed President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to show the American people that he has nothing to hide by asking for his hearing to be suspended until his full White House record from 2001 to 2006 is made public, following the traditional, non-partisan National Archives process. "Judge Kavanaugh, this is your field - judicial nominations - this … Continue Reading


September 04, 2018

Durbin To Judge Kavanaugh: Trust The American People & They Will Trust You; Show Us That Your Record Matches Your Word

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today raised concerns about the rushed confirmation process for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court, including the 35-month black hole of missing documents from Kavanaugh's time as White House Staff Secretary during the first day of his confirmation hearings. In his remarks to the Committee, Durbin urged Judge Kavanaugh to call for the suspension of … Continue Reading


August 23, 2018

Durbin Statement On Meeting With Judge Kavanaugh, President Trump's Supreme Court Nominee

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh: The Administration and Senate Republicans have refused to disclose any documents from the 35 months that Judge Kavanaugh spent as Staff Secretary in the White House, a time when many controversial issues of constitutional importance were debated and decided. … Continue Reading


August 21, 2018

Durbin: Judge Kavanaugh Should Be Held To The Same Standard Of Transparency As Prior Supreme Court Nominees

WASHINGTON- In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and how Republicans have embarked on an unprecedented effort to hide critical documents from Kavanaugh's tenure as a top White House aide to President George W. Bush. As of right now, just two percent of Kavanaugh's records from his time in the Bush White House have been made public, including none from … Continue Reading


August 10, 2018

Durbin Statement On Announcement of Kavanaugh Hearings

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee announced dates for the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh: "This is unprecedented and unfair to the American people. Senate Republicans want to wrap up Judge Kavanaugh's hearing before the National Archives releases documents--which Republicans themselves requested--about the work Kavanaugh did in the White House. These documents … Continue Reading


August 07, 2018

Durbin, Duckworth Join Senate Democrats To Condemn Trump Administration For Rescinding Civil Rights Guidance Promoting Diversity In Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and 17 other Senate Democrats in a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos condemning their decision to rescind civil rights guidance promoting diversity in education. Last month, Attorney General Sessions and Secretary DeVos rescinded guidance that clarifies to schools how to promote diversity and open doors of … Continue Reading


July 27, 2018

Durbin Statement On Republican Refusal To Request Critical Kavanaugh Documents

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, dismissed the need for the Committee to review records from Judge Brett Kavanaugh's three-year tenure as White House Staff Secretary. Judge Kavanaugh served as Staff Secretary to President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2006. The American people expect the Senate Judiciary … Continue Reading


July 27, 2018

Durbin Joins Colleagues In Calling On State Department To Reconsider Dangerous 3D Gun Settlement

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined his colleagues in calling on the State Department to prevent the publication of online blueprints for untraceable, three-dimensional (3D) printable firearms. In a stunning reversal of course last month, the State Department and the Justice Department agreed to a settlement with Defense Distributed that would allow anyone, including criminals and even terrorists, to download blueprints for the 3D printing of firearms like … Continue Reading


July 11, 2018

Durbin Statement On Senate Confirmation Of Brian Benczkowski

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve the controversial nomination of Brian Benczkowski to lead the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Criminal Division: I cannot believe the Republican Party just rubber-stamped a nominee to head the Justice Department's Criminal Division who has no prosecutorial experience, who chose to represent a Russian bank with deep ties to Vladimir Putin, and who would not commit … Continue Reading

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