Press Releases

January 30, 2025

Radical Extremist Kash Patel Would Weaponize The FBI To Target Enemies Of Trump, Not Enemies Of America

Radical extremist Kash Patel is a staunch MAGA loyalist who has repeatedly peddled false conspiracy theories and threatened to go after President Trump’s political enemies. With Kash Patel, President Trump found someone who will use the FBI to target his enemies—and not the enemies of our nation. Kash Patel has published an enemies list of 60 people he calls “members of the deep state,” all of whom are public servants—both Democrats and Republicans. He has even said he plans to “shut down … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin: Many Insurrectionists Pardoned By President Trump Pose a Clear Threat To Public Safety

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, rebuked President Trump for his pardon of approximately 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists, several of whom have already been rearrested or are wanted for vile crimes committed prior to January 6, 2021, including soliciting a sexual relationship with a minor.  Because of President Trump’s pardons, dangerous individuals, who have recently made … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin: President Trump's Proposed Freeze On NIH's Work Is Cruel And Will Have Life Or Death Consequences

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the serious consequences the Trump Administration’s plan to freeze federal assistance would have on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and medical research. NIH supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide—jobs focused on conducting vital medical research that leads to new cures and treatments that improve and save lives. Each year, NIH awards nearly $38 billion in research grants to all 50 … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin, Schiff, Judiciary Democrats Request Committee Access To Volume II Of Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report As It Pertains To Kash Patel's Nomination To Lead The FBI

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with every  Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to Acting Attorney General James McHenry requesting urgent access to materials that have not yet been shared with the Committee and bear directly on the suitability of Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Director of the Federal Bureau of … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin: If Your Goal Is To Make America Great Again, Why Would You Start By Cutting Basic Services For Families?

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor last night, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) denounced the Trump Administration’s decision to issue an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of trillions of dollars of Federal financial assistance,” which caused mass confusion about the funding and operations of hundreds of government-funded programs ranging from Medicaid, to Head Start, to Violence Against … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

In Bicameral Letter, Durbin, Raskin, Padilla, Jayapal Call On Secretary Rubio To Immediately Restore Refugee Resettlement Services

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; along with U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety; and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin, Schakowsky Introduce Mentoring To Succeed Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), today introduced the Mentoring to Succeed Act in recognition of January as National Mentoring Month.  U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), and Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) introduced companion legislation in the House earlier this week.  This legislation creates a strong, sustainable support system through mentorship to ensure … Continue Reading


January 29, 2025

Durbin Votes 'No' On Advancing President Trump's Pick To Be Attorney General, Pam Bondi

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against advancing President Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, in the Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting this morning. The Committee voted to advance her nomination on a party-line vote of 12-10. Key Quotes: “If you want to know the role of the Department of Justice under President Trump, just listen to his words. He … Continue Reading


January 28, 2025

Durbin Statement On Trump Administration Freeze Of Federal Aid

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to freeze federal aid: “Freezing federal funding that has already been allocated by Congress is unconstitutional. Above all else, it’s inhumane. Every American relies on federal funding—from public safety, disaster relief, medical research funding, and small business loans to Head Start and child care … Continue Reading


January 28, 2025

Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass Resolution Condemning President Trump's Pardons Of The January 6 Insurrectionists Who Assaulted Police Officers At The U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in favor of U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of the January 6 insurrectionists who assaulted the brave police officers defending the U.S. Capitol that day. The resolution was rejected by Senate Republicans. “For many of us, it’s personal. We were here on the Senate Floor on January 6, 2021. Vice … Continue Reading


January 28, 2025

Durbin, Grassley Seek Presidential Explanation For IG Dismissals

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested President Donald Trump provide the lawfully-required substantive rationale behind his recent decision to dismiss Inspectors General (IGs) from 18 offices. The Senators additionally asked President Trump to share the names of each official who will serve in an acting IG capacity and urged the … Continue Reading


January 28, 2025

Durbin: The Anti-Immigrant Executive Action Taken By President Trump Do Nothing To Make America Safer

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against executive actions taken by President Donald Trump during his first week in office, including cracking down on immigrant communities, that, among other things, suspend refugee resettlement and attempt to deprive U.S.-born children of citizenship. “We can all agree that the border of the United States should be secure. And, of course, … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin: RFK Jr. Is Dangerously Unqualified To Serve As HHS Secretary

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke out against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), citing the nominee’s false and irresponsible views on vaccines.  In his remarks, Durbin pointed to specific examples of Kennedy spreading lies about vaccines, fluoride, and other measures with proven scientific history of safety and improving health. “Every day HHS makes … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin Highlights Bill To Halt U.S. Investment In Venezuela's Energy Sector Until Legitimate 2024 Election Results Are Elected

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted a bill he introduced terminating all U.S. petroleum cooperation and petroleum-related trade with Venezuela until the legitimate results of the recent Venezuelan election are respected. On July 28, 2024, more than 10 million Venezuelans peacefully voted in the presidential election, with results meticulously compiled by credible election monitors showing an overwhelming victory for … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin Introduced Bill To Halt U.S. Investments In Venezuela's Energy Sector Until Legitimate 2024 Election Results Are Respected

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a bill terminating all U.S. petroleum cooperation and petroleum-related trade with Venezuela until the legitimate results of the recent Venezuelan election are respected. On July 28, 2024, more than 10 million Venezuelans peacefully voted in the presidential election, with results meticulously compiled by credible election monitors showing an overwhelming victory for opposition candidate, Edmundo González, over … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin, Duckworth Join Introduction Of Resolution Condemning Pardons Of Individuals Found Guilty Of Assaulting Capitol Police Officers On January 6

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Andy Kim (D-NJ), as well as 40 of their colleagues in the Senate, in introducing a new resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers.  The resolution follows the move by President Trump, on the first day of his second … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin Requests Materials Related To FBI Nominee Kash Patel's Involvement In Hostage Recovery Mission After Allegations Of Endangering American Citizens

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Defense (DOD), the State Department, and the Department of Treasury requesting they produce all relevant materials related to alleged misconduct by Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee to be Director of the FBI, related to the rescue of two Americans held captive by Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. … Continue Reading


January 27, 2025

Durbin Joins Colleagues To Introduce Resolution Warning Of Serious Public Health Threats From Trump Administration Freeze On Critical Health Alerts, Including Disease Outbreaks And Food Contamination

WASHINGTON - Following reports that the Trump Administration has paused critical communications from federal health agencies, including warnings on disease outbreaks and food contamination, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) to introduce a resolution calling for uninterrupted health warning services for the American people. “Doctors, researchers, and patients nationwide depend on federal health agencies to alert them to disease outbreaks or … Continue Reading


January 26, 2025

Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump's Mass Deportation Actions In Chicago

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) today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s administration started mass deportation actions in and around Chicago: “We can all agree that we must remove any dangerous individuals from our country who are here illegally. But the mass deportation actions being undertaken by President Trump’s administration go far beyond … Continue Reading


January 25, 2025

Durbin Votes Against Nomination Of Kristi Noem To Lead The Department Of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON - Ahead of the confirmation vote of Governor Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about his concerns regarding her nomination. Durbin voted “no” on Governor Noem’s nomination. “The Department of Homeland Security, which Governor Noem is seeking to lead, is now embarking on a new era, the new Trump 47 era, where ‘mass deportation’ is the catch … Continue Reading

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