Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin: Biden Is Reasserting America's Role As A Champion Of Democracy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today spoke on the Senate floor about President Biden's first foreign trip where he met with G-7 and NATO countries, as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin today. Durbin said that America's leadership and its example are critical in leading shared efforts to halt the COVID pandemic, tackle climate change, push back on rogue nations, and maintain global norms of behavior. "Perhaps what was most important was that President … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Durbin Slams McConnell's Dismissal Of Congressional Investigation Into Trump's DOJ Alleged Abuse of Power
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor slamming U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) dismissal of calls to hold a congressional investigation of reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump Administration issued subpoenas involving members of Congress, their staff, and family members. In his remarks, Durbin called out McConnell's hypocrisy in minimizing … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Durbin Questions Witnesses At American Dream And Promise Act Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "H.R.6, American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Manuel Bernal Mejia, a DACA recipient, and Leon Rodriguez, former United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director under President Obama, about the importance of passing the American Dream and Promise Act. Durbin asked Dr. Bernal Mejia whether or not he's … Continue Reading
June 14, 2021
Durbin: Judge Jackson Represents The Best Of The Judiciary
WASHINGTON - Ahead of her confirmation today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor in support of Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, highlighting her impressive career-from her judicial clerkships to her work as a federal public defender to her tenure on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Durbin called on his Senate colleagues to vote in favor of her nomination, … Continue Reading
June 14, 2021
Durbin, Grassley Statement On Supreme Court First Step Act Ruling On Low-Level Drug Offenders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority 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, today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Tarahrick Terry v. United States, a case related to the interpretation of provisions of the First Step Act of 2018 (FSA) and the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010: "Obviously, we argued for a different result in this case. We had hoped … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Durbin, Schumer Statement On Revelations About Secret Subpoenas For Metadata Of House Intelligence Committee Democrats
WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement on revelations about secret subpoenas for metadata of House Intelligence Committee Democrats: "The revelation that the Trump Justice Department secretly subpoenaed metadata of House Intelligence Committee Members and staff and their families, including a minor, is shocking. This is a gross abuse of power and an assault on the separation of powers. … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Durbin Statement On Report Regarding Federal Prison Inmate Deposit Accounts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding a report that Federal prison inmates are keeping large sums of money in government-run deposit accounts run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Per reporting by The Washington Post, there are more than 20 inmate accounts holding more than $100,000 each for a total exceeding $3 million. In all, the combined value of such inmate accounts recently … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Senate Confirms Zahid Quraishi To Be District Judge For District Of New Jersey
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate confirmed Zahid Quraishi to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey by a bipartisan vote of 81-16. Ahead of the confirmation vote, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on his Senate colleagues to support Judge Quraishi's nomination. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin highlighted Judge Quraishi's distinguished career in public service and his service as a U.S. Magistrate Judge. … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Durbin Talks Music, Copyright Law With ASCAP, Illinois Songwriters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and several Illinois-based songwriters to discuss the state of the music industry, the implementation of the Music Modernization Act, and efforts to ensure that songwriters and musical artists receive fair compensation for their work. "It was a pleasure to meet today with songwriters and artists from Illinois-who shared their music with me-to … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Durbin Questions Latest Circuit & District Court Nominees To Come Before Committee
WASHINGTON - During today's Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Eunice C. Lee, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; and Veronica S. Rossman, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. Durbin highlighted their extensive and impressive professional backgrounds and asked them to reflect on the current state of justice in America today. Durbin also asked … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Durbin Gives Opening Remarks In Judiciary Committee Hearing For Circuit & District Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the nominations hearing for Eunice C. Lee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Veronica S. Rossman, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit; David G. Estudillo, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington; Lauren J. King, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Durbin Statement On Bipartisan Confirmation Of Biden's First Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed, on a bipartisan basis, the nominations of Julien Xavier Neals, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Regina M. Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado. These are the first judicial nominees confirmed by the Senate during the Biden Administration. Mr. Neals was … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Durbin Calls On Colleagues To Support President Biden's First Judicial Nominees On The Floor Today
WASHINGTON - Ahead of their confirmation votes on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged his Senate colleagues to support the nominations of Julien Xavier Neals, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Regina M. Rodriguez, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado. These will be the first judicial nominees confirmed by the Senate during the Biden … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Durbin Statement On Republican Filibuster Of Bipartisan January 6 Commission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against the motion to proceed to the bill to create the bipartisan January 6 Commission: "An insurrection without consequences-without even a proper investigation-is a dress rehearsal for another insurrection. When the Capitol police-who protect us with their lives-ask for this commission, we are ingrates to refuse. "There … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Durbin: An Insurrection Without Consequences Or Examination Is A Dress Rehearsal For The Next Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today slammed Senate Republicans' refusal to support the bipartisan January 6 Commission, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that the bipartisan Commission is necessary in order to prevent Trump loyalists from rewriting the reality of what happened on January 6, 2021, and to honor the brave law enforcement officers who … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Safe Gun Storage Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to introduce legislation directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes. "Too many families and friends have mourned a loved one lost to gun violence. Congress must step up and finally address this issue for what it is - an epidemic," said Durbin. "With this … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Introduce Resolution Establishing "National Gun Violence Awareness Day"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution in the Senate establishing June 4, 2021, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) has introduced a companion resolution in the House. Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for the United States, with an estimated 19,300 individuals killed in gun … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Durbin Questions Nominees To Lead ATF And DEA In Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - During the Senate Judiciary Committee's sixth nominations hearing of the 117th Congress, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned David H. Chipman, nominee to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Anne Milgram, nominee to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Durbin noted that Mr. Chipman's nomination is already facing baseless attacks from the political … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Durbin Gives Opening Remarks In Judiciary Committee Hearing For Judicial & Executive Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during the nominations hearing for Tiffany P. Cunningham, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit; Margaret Irene Strickland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Mexico; David H. Chipman, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Ur Mendoza Jaddou, to be Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Durbin Receives Update On Cook County Drug Court And Veterans Treatment Court From Judges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Cook County Court Judge Neera Walsh, who presides over Cook County Access to Community Treatment (ACT) Drug Court; and Cook County Court Judge Michael Hood, who presides over the Cook County Veterans Treatment Court; to receive an update on the courts' programming and services to provide individualized, evidence-based treatment and recovery support to defendants. During … Continue Reading