Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Denounces Trump Loyalist Nominated To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Eighth Circuit During Nominations Hearing
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 nominations of Justin Smith, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; Jeffrey Kuhlman, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas; Anthony Mattivi, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas; and Anthony Powell to the U.S. District Court for the District of … Continue Reading
April 14, 2026
Durbin, Hawley, New Mexico Attorney General Demand Action To Protect Children Online
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez stood alongside child safety advocates to demand that Congress take decisive action to protect America’s children online by passing critical bipartisan legislation, including U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) and Durbin’s Sunset Section 230 Act, Durbin’s and Hawley’s STOP CSAM Act, and the Kids … Continue Reading
April 14, 2026
Republicans Reject Durbin’s Unanimous Consent Request To Pass Resolution In Honor Of Robert Mueller
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced that honors the life of the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller. During his speech, Durbin praised Director Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War, where he earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, as well as his many years of public service in the Department … Continue Reading
April 13, 2026
Durbin Speaks On Future Of Justice Department Following Pam Bondi’s Firing
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the future of the Department of Justice (DOJ) after President Trump’s firing of Pam Bondi and the beginning of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s temporary tenure. Durbin began by addressing Bondi’s firing, saying: “She transformed the Department from the nation’s preeminent law enforcement agency into a political entity, and, … Continue Reading
April 10, 2026
Durbin Releases GAO Report Detailing FDA & DOJ’s Failure To Crack Down On The Thousands Of Kid-Friendly Flavored Vaping Products Illegally On The Market
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) newly-completed report examining the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) interagency enforcement activities related to the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes. In August 2024, Durbin requested the report from GAO as FDA neglected to complete its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product … Continue Reading
April 07, 2026
Durbin, Senate Democrats Slam Proposed DOJ Power Grab Targeting State Bar Associations’ Ethics Probes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of Senators—including all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats—in a written comment to the Department of Justice yesterday, denouncing a proposed rule overriding state bar authorities’ ethics probes. The proposed rule is in direct violation of the McDade Amendment, which was designed to confirm that the Attorney General did not have the authority to exempt Department … Continue Reading
March 26, 2026
Durbin Honors The Late Robert Mueller During A Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting honoring the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Robert Mueller. Durbin praised Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. During his opening, Durbin also … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Questions Durham County Sheriff About The Impact Of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign On Local Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON - During today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, about the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign and its impact on local law enforcement. Durbin first asked Sheriff Birkhead about how immigration enforcement can erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “The Chiefs of … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Statement On California Jury Ruling Against Meta, YouTube In Landmark Trial
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a jury in Los Angeles, California found Meta and YouTube negligent in a benchmark social media addiction trial: “These back-to-back decisions in New Mexico and California show that Big Tech has become Big Tobacco. Now, it’s time for Congress to sunset Section 230 once and for all.” Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Presses MAGA Nominee To Lifetime Position On The Court Of International Trade About Inflammatory Social Media Posts Spreading Conspiracy Theories About January 6 Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kara Westercamp, nominated to a lifetime appointment on the Court of International Trade (CIT) at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin questioned Ms. Westercamp about her inflammatory social media posts where she repeatedly referred to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as “Cocaine Mitch.” She also retweeted a post which accused him of “embody[ing] … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Applauds Historic Court Ruling Against Meta
WASHINGTON - In a statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this morning, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded a New Mexico jury finding that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and enabled the sexual exploitation of young users. Key quotes: “There isn’t a parent or grandparent alive who isn't fearful of what the hell these kids are looking at all day long and what is happening to them as a … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing, Durbin Denounces The MAGA Nominee Considered Today To A Lifetime Appointment On The Court Of International Trade
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 nominations hearing regarding the President’s reckless tariffs policy, disregard for the rule of law, and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against said tariffs. Durbin also spoke on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade (CIT). Ms. Westercamp’s nomination to the lifetime position … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Receives Champion Of Justice Award From Legal Services Corporation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today received the Champion of Justice Award from the national Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in recognition of his decades of work increasing access to justice for Americans. LSC is the largest funder of civil legal assistance in the country, supporting 130 local legal aid organizations that provide free assistance to low-income Americans. Nationally, LSC grantees served 1.8 … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election rather than fulfilling their obligation to conduct oversight over … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Statement On Colin McDonald Confirmation To Be Assistant Attorney General Targeting ‘Fraud’
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Colin McDonald to be Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division: “After gutting key divisions that actually investigate and prosecute fraud, the Trump Administration announced this newly-created vessel for targeting political enemies under the guise of ‘fraud enforcement.’ “I never … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin: Trump Wants To Pass The SAVE America Act Because He’s Worried About The Outcome Of The Midterm Elections
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined the specific provisions in Republicans’ SAVE America Act that would prevent Americans from exercising their right to vote, including rejecting common IDs to register to vote and penalizing married Americans who changed their last names. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
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 Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous other issues worth examining within the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2026
Durbin Slams The Trump Administration’s Extreme MAGA Nominees Who Will Help President Trump Further Weaponize The Justice System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting slamming the Trump Administration for nominating extreme and unqualified nominees. During his opening, Durbin also condemned the Trump Administration for nominating Colin McDonald to be an Assistant Attorney General for the newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division. Over the … Continue Reading
March 17, 2026
Senate Passes Durbin, Duckworth, Warnock, Booker, And Blunt Rochester’s Resolution Honoring The Late Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., that was led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). The resolution recognizes Rev. Jackson’s significant leadership during the Civil Rights … Continue Reading
March 16, 2026
Senate, House Judiciary Leaders Refer Kristi Noem To Justice Department For Perjury Investigation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, referred embattled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation into potential perjury charges and for knowingly making false statements under oath following her appearances before the Committees on March 3 and 4, … Continue Reading