PREVIEW: Senate Judiciary Committee to Press Big Tech CEOs on Failures to Protect Kids Online During Landmark Hearing Today

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, the Senate Judiciary Committee will press the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter) on their failures to protect kids from sexual exploitation online. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previewed the hearing in a speech on the Senate floor. The landmark, bipartisan hearing marks the first time a group of Big Tech CEOs will testify on online child sexual exploitation before Co… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Senate Confirmation of Joshua Kolar to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Joshua Kolar to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Kolar’s confirmation: “Judge Kolar is a dedicated public servant and an accomplished litigator who will be an asset to the Seventh Circuit. Among other things, his resume and service as a U.S. Magistrate Judge earned him bipartisan support, including… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Floor Speech on Big Tech's Failures to Protect Kids from Sexual Exploitation Online Ahead of Tomorrow's Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON – Ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the failures of Big Tech to protect kids from sexual exploitation online, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor outlining what he hopes to hear from the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  Durbin also called on his colleagues to support his Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with DOJ Inspector General Ahead of Release of Report on Deaths in BOP Custody

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz to discuss his office’s investigation into the non-medical deaths of those in Bureau of Prison (BOP) care.  At the request of Durbin, IG Horowitz previously agreed to review the reports of abuse and the death of seven incarcerated men at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Thomson in 2022 as part of a larger repo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Graham, Klobuchar, Hawley Introduce DEFIANCE Act to Hold Accountable Those Responsible for the Proliferation of Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit "Deepfake" Images and Videos

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) today introduced the bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation that would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images an… Continue Reading

Following New Vaping Restrictions in the U.K., Australia, Durbin Calls on FDA to Act to Protect Children in the United States

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the United Kingdom (U.K.), Australia, France, and other countries have advanced plans to ban kid-friendly e-cigarettes, including flavored and disposable vapes; and called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately act to protect public health in the United States: “Faced with an alarming rise in youth vaping, leaders in the UK, France, and Australia are finally acting to protect child… Continue Reading

Durbin Visits Local Springfield Business to Discuss Credit Card Competition Act

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today convened the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and local small business owners to discuss his Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation that would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market, which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. This legislation has received the endorsements of a wide range of small business, consumer, and university groups, as well as key unions, including Internationa… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Colleagues in Introducing Resolution to Designate January as Muslim-American Heritage Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative André Carson (D-IN-07) in introducing a resolution recognizing January as Muslim-American Heritage Month and celebrating the achievements of Muslims living in the United States.  The resolution highlights the incredible contributions Muslim Americans have made across multiple sectors of society—from medical professionals to entrepreneurs, faith leaders, athletes, and pub… Continue Reading

Durbin Participates in Official Launch of Northwestern Settlement's New Community Mental Health Center

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in the launch event for Northwestern Settlement’s new Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), which will expand access to mental health assistance by building out a new, bilingual community hub for clinical services at a moment when the need for them is at an all-time high. “In an era where the demand for mental health services is at an all-time high, Northwestern Settlement’s dedication to fostering a resilient and inclusive community… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with NCAA President to Discuss Name, Image, Likeness Policy in Collegiate Sports

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with NCAA President Charlie Baker to discuss proposals to modernize Division I (D-I) athletics in the age of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes.  These proposals, including provisions to allow schools to enter into NIL contracts directly with college athletes and the ability to offer direct financial compensation, would require additional accountability as any sc… Continue Reading

Durbin Congratulates Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos on Confirmation to Amtrak Board of Directors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor congratulating Mayor Chris Koos of Normal, Illinois, forhis confirmation to the Amtrak Board of Directors.  Mayor Koos, whose nomination was recommended by Durbin, was confirmed in the Senate on Tuesday with bipartisan support.  Durbin also spoke to former Macomb, Illinois, Mayor Tom Carper’s tenure on the Amtrak Board. “On Tuesday, the Senate voted to confirm Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koo… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with CDC Director Cohen

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Dr. Mandy Cohen, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to discuss several issues important to the public health and safety of children.  During the meeting, Durbin discussed the need to curb gun violence and the trauma that children face as a result, and the scarcity of access to pediatric dentistry services.  They also discussed issues important to Illinois such as the ongoing flooding in Ca… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing on Six Judicial Nominations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Susan M. Bazis, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska; Ernest Gonzalez, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas; Ann Marie McIff Allen, to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah; Kelly Harrison Rankin, to be United States Dist… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Over $1.2 Million for Illinois Central College to Develop High School Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,288,596 for Illinois Central College through the U.S. Department of Education’s Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) Grant Program to develop new high-quality work-based learning programs for high school students to gain experience in health care, construction, manufacturing, and information technology professions. “The CCHS Program aims… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Child Care Advocacy Groups

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with child care advocacy groups to discuss a path forward for legislation supporting children, working families, and child care providers.  During their meeting, Durbin spoke about his support for child care tax incentives to improve child care accessibility and support working families in covering the costs, as well as his support to provide increased wages for child care workers. Durbin has repeatedly pushed for increased fun… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Latest Nominees in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, nominated to be United States District Judge for the District of Utah, and Ernest Gonzalez, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, about their legal experience and how, if confirmed, they would be impartial judges. “You spent a significant amount of time … Continue Reading

Durbin Talks Union Priorities with UAW Leaders

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Region 4 leaders of United Auto Workers (UAW) to discuss the union’s priorities, including protecting workers and ensuring that union members are supported as automakers transition to electric vehicle production.  Durbin spoke about the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, that was secured in the historic labor contract signed by the UAW and the Big Three automakers—Ford, Stellantis, and General… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $25 Million Rail Safety Grant for Kane County

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $25,000,000 for Kane County through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, otherwise known as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, to construct a grade separation of Randall Road over the Canadian National Railroad and reconstruct an existing intersection at Hopps Road adjacent to t… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Confirmation of Normal Mayor Chris Koos to Amtrak Board of Directors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: “Mayor Koos has a long history as a powerful, positive voice in Illinois’ transportation sector.  He understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois, the Midwest, and nationwide.  His nomination, which we strongly recommended to Pres… Continue Reading

Durbin: We Must Restore Order at Our Southern Border and Enforce Our Immigration Laws in a Fair and Humane Way

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on his colleagues to reach a deal on immigration reform to restore order at the southern border while also enforcing these laws in a humane and fair way.  During his remarks, Durbin slammed Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) for his continued inhumane practice when migrants reach the Texas border. Durbin said, “We must restore order at our southern border an… Continue Reading