Press Releases
Durbin Honors Fallen Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today entered a tribute to fallen Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera into the congressional record. Officer Rivera was killed in the line of duty on June 5, 2025. She served at the Chicago Police Department for four years, and she was a mother to a 10-year-old daughter, Bella. “We know that our men and women in uniform are vital public servants. They shoulder an immense responsibility when protecting and safeguarding … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Durbin Statement On Successfully Removing Some Harmful Immigration Provisions From Republincans' 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 several harmful Judiciary immigration provisions from Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including imposing a punitive fee on asylum seekers fleeing persecution, imposing a fee on litigants in immigration court simply for seeking a continuance, which would undermine access … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision Allowing For LGBTQ+ Discrimination In Public Schools
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against freedom of speech, public education, and LGBTQ+ rights in Mahmoud v. Taylor: “This is a loss for public education, freedom of speech, and LGBTQ+ rights. “LGBTQ+ stories matter. Kids deserve to see themselves in the books they read. Tragically, the same zealots who try to ban books from libraries are now trying … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Durbin, Murphy, Coons, Welch, & Schiff 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 27, 2025
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision To Limit Judges' Power To Issue A Nationwide Injunctions, Allowing The Trump Administration's Executive Order To End Birthright Citizenship To Move Forward
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled against district courts’ nationwide preliminary injunctions blocking the Trump Administration’s executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship in Trump v. CASA: “The Supreme Court just issued a devastating blow to the separation of powers that is enshrined in our Constitution. Federal judges in multiple states … Continue Reading
June 27, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth: Republicans' So-Called 'Big Beautiful Bill' Could Shutter 93 Nursing Homes in Illinois Alone
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted new findings that show President Trump’s and Republicans’ reconciliation bill puts 579 nursing homes across the country at risk of closure. Based on this data compiled by Brown University’s School of Public Health, and released by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision Allowing States To Cut Off Medicaid Funding From Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of South Carolina blocking funds from Planned Parenthood in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic: “This is yet another shameful ruling that inserts the government directly between a patient and their doctor—just like Dobbs three years ago and Skrmetti last week. Intimate, personal decisions about health … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin Meets With AARP Illinois As Congressional Republicans Threaten Cuts To Medicare, SNAP
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Alan Hollenbeck, State President of AARP Illinois, to discuss the impact of Republican's budget reconciliation bill which will slash Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP for millions of Americans. Republicans' so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will raise prices and slash Medicaid and Medicare coverage for working Americans in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech On President Trump's Decision To Bomb Iranian Nuclear Sites Without Congressional Authority
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor regarding President Trump's decision to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran without Congressional authority. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War Powers Act in 1973 over the veto of President Nixon. "We are here today to … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin, Senators Meet WIth Israeli Ambassador To The U.S.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Leiter, to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict, particularly following President Trump's decision to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran. They also discussed the need to release the remaining 50 Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas and the urgent need for a long-term humanitarian effort in Gaza. In addition to Durbin, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision To Maintain Strength Of Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court heeded his call and ruled 5-4 in favor of maintaining the strength of the bipartisan First Step Act in Hewitt v. United States: “This is a win for criminal justice reform at the Supreme Court. “Our historic criminal justice reform law is a beacon for successful, smart-on-crime policies and continues to withstand the test of … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
In Senate Appropriations Hearing, Durbin Urges Air Force Leadership To Consider Scott Air Force Base For New KC-46A Aircraft
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 Air Force. During the hearing, Durbin praised the service of military members at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, as well as urged Air Force leadership to strongly consider Scott Air Force Base as the new home for a fleet of KC-46A refueling … Continue Reading
June 26, 2025
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