Press Releases
After Bovino Appears In Court In Chicago, Durbin Again Denounces “Operation Midway Blitz” As Wreaking Havoc On Illinois Communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to again denounce the Trump Administration’s cruel so-called “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area, which has sown fear among communities in the city. In his remarks, Durbin made clear that the increased presence and enforcement actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Debunking Republicans’ Claims That Political Violence Only Comes From The Left
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that examined political violence—following the recent assassinations of Charlie Kirk, Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted assassination of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. During his opening, Durbin recognized the law enforcement officers who … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, Durbin Questions Fertilizer And Seed Companies About High Costs For Illinois Farmers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries.” Durbin pressed witnesses to acknowledge that farmers are harmed by the series of mergers and acquisitions that have led to high costs and hindered agricultural innovation. During his … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Agricultural Competition, Durbin Criticizes Trump Administration For Prioritizing South America Over American Farmers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries.” In his remarks, Durbin criticized the Trump Administration’s inconsistent trade policies which have created an uncertain market for Illinois’ farmers. Rather than providing … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth, Join Merkley In Calling For CBO Probe Into Cost Of Trump’s National Guard Deployment To American Cities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in leading several of their Senate colleagues in calling on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to probe the cost of the Trump Administration’s brazen decision to deploy National Guard personnel to U.S. cities. President Trump has ordered troops into major cities across the country, including Chicago, … Continue Reading
October 27, 2025
ICYMI: Durbin Receives Lifetime Trumpeter Achievement Award From The National Consumers League
WASHINGTON—Last week, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) received the Lifetime Trumpeter Achievement Award from the National Consumers League (NCL) for his work championing consumers’ and workers’ rights and advancing social justice. During his remarks, Durbin highlighted overcoming the Big Tobacco lobby and successfully banning smoking on commercial airline flights. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker presented Durbin with the award. “Receiving the Lifetime Trumpeter Achievement Award … Continue Reading
October 27, 2025
Durbin Praises Religious Leaders For Condemning ICE Actions In Chicago, Asks Americans To Join
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised religious leaders for condemning the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for unlawful raids, encouraging Americans to join in condemning the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Durbin began by praising and entering a homily by the Archbishop of Washington and a … Continue Reading
October 27, 2025
Durbin Urges Congress To Finally Pass A Sanctions Bill Against Russia
WASHINGTON - As Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his assaults against Ukraine, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging his Republican colleagues to pass the Sanctioning Russia Act in an effort to increase pressure on Putin. “Over the weekend we witnessed yet another brutal Russian onslaught against Ukraine, a scene brazenly repeated after overtures made to Russian President Putin to … Continue Reading
October 27, 2025
As Illinoisans Are Notified Of Their Rising Health Care Premiums, Durbin Slams Republicans For Failing To Address Expiring ACA Tax Credits
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor as Illinoisans with marketplace health plans begin to receive notifications that their health insurance premiums for 2026 will skyrocket an average of nearly 80 percent because congressional Republicans have refused to work with Democrats to save the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. If Republicans allow these tax credits to lapse, more than four million Americans … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Senate Judiciary Democrats Call Out Bondi’s Inappropriate Stonewalling At Hearing, Re-Upping Critical Oversight Requests
WASHINGTON - Responding to Attorney General Bondi’s inappropriate and unprecedented stonewalling at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s recent Justice Department oversight hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Committee, and all Committee Democrats requested bipartisan cooperation from Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in conducting rigorous oversight of the Justice Department. In a letter to Grassley, the Democratic Senators begin by admonishing Bondi for … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Senate Judiciary Democrats Call Out Bondi’s Inappropriate Stonewalling At Hearing, Re-Upping Critical Oversight Requests
WASHINGTON - Responding to Attorney General Bondi’s inappropriate and unprecedented stonewalling at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s recent Justice Department oversight hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Committee, and all Committee Democrats requested bipartisan cooperation from Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in conducting rigorous oversight of the Justice Department. In a letter to Grassley, the Democratic Senators begin by admonishing Bondi for … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Durbin Joins Booker, Klobuchar, Luján, 42 Colleagues To Urge Trump USDA To Immediately Release November Snap Benefits
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and 42 of their Senate Democratic colleagues on Wednesday to send a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins calling on the USDA to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November. The … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump Administration Denying Illinois Two Federal Disaster Declarations Following Severe Summer Weather
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Trump Administration denied Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s requests for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following two bouts of severe storms on July 25-28 and August 16-19: “Denying two disaster declarations for Illinois is yet another troubling example of the Trump Administration putting politics ahead of … Continue Reading
October 23, 2025
Durbin: When Will My Colleagues On The Other Side Of The Aisle Decide The Cruelty And Fear Tactics Of This Administration Must Stop?
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to condemn “Operation Midway Blitz” in Illinois. During his speech, Durbin reflected on the cruel tactics coming from this Administration—ripping families apart, with ICE and CBP showing up at schools, churches, health departments, and more. Last Friday, the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to greenlight the deployment of … Continue Reading
October 23, 2025
Durbin, Rick Scott, Shaheen, Cruz, Gallego, Bennet Introduce Resolution Honoring Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, María Corina Machado
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced a resolution honoring Nobel Peace Prize recipient, María Corina Machado. Durbin and Shaheen spoke to Machado last week. “Ms. Machado is a worthy recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her steadfast and courageous fight for … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Meets With American Business Immigration Coalition To Discuss Dreamers, DACA, And Essential Workers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with members of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) and impacted business leaders to discuss a variety of issues, including the Dream Act and the impact of the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda on essential workers and the future of the economy. “Immigrants helped build our nation, and they contribute to our society and economy. They’re business … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Higher Education Leaders To Discuss Impact Of “Operation Midway Blitz” And Meeting The Moment For Their Students
WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the University of Illinois (U of I) System President Tim Killeen and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda to discuss the impact of President Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” and militarized immigration enforcement efforts on student and school safety, as well as how UIC is continuing to step up for its students through the uncertainty and fear. The meeting follows reporting on a viral video … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Questions Andrew Duva To Be Assistant Attorney General For The Criminal Division, Two Judicial Nominees During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Andrew Tysen Duva, nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, about the Public Integrity Section (PIN) at the Department of Justice (DOJ). PIN staff has been reduced from approximately 30 prosecutors at the end of the Biden Administration to now only two attorneys. Earlier this week, Durbin met with Mr. Duva, who reassured the Senator that … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nomination Of Assistant Attorney General For The Criminal Division, Two Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Andrew Tysen Duva, nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division; William Jerrol Crain, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; and Alexander Coker Van Hook, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Implores Colleagues To Reform The Centuries-Old Insurrection Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, encouraged his colleagues to support commonsense reforms to the outdated Insurrection Act. Introduced by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform centuries-old legislation that gives the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops—either with or without the … Continue Reading