Press Releases
Durbin Hears From CEO Of SSM Health Health About Impacts Of Medicaid Cuts In Republicans' Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with the CEO of SSM Health, Laura Kaiser, to discuss the impact that President Trump’s and congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on Medicaid, their hospitals, and the patients they serve. In short, the Republican bill will slash Medicaid coverage in order to pay for significant tax breaks for billionaires. In addition to serving the people of Illinois, SSM Health also has hospitals in Missouri, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth: Republicans' so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' Will Leave Illinoisans Hungry & Harm Local Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted what President Trump’s and Republicans’ reconciliation bill would mean for Illinois families based on new data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)—including taking food assistance away from Illinoisans to provide large tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals. Under the Republican plan, an estimated 472,000 Illinoisans would be at risk of losing some of … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Advances Durbin, Hawley Bill To Help Protect Kids Online
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) advanced their STOP CSAM Actunanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee today. “This is a momentous step toward finally holding Big Tech accountable for harm it has caused kids and families. Big Tech’s pockets run deep, and social media companies are lobbying against any bill that would bolster accountability. Their influence is weakening. … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Durbin: In The First Few Months Of This Administration, We Have Witnessed Unprecedented & Unacceptable Attacks On The Federal Judiciary By President Trump & His Allies
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke out against President Trump’s attacks on the federal judiciary in the first few months of the Trump Administration. During his speech, Durbin also condemned a provision in House Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill Act that would make it easier for President Trump to ignore the courts—including the Supreme Court—by gutting one of the … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump Nominees Claiming A Public Official May Defy A Court Order 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 out against Trump nominees continuing to claim there are instances when a public official may defy a court order during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting. Specifically, Durbin spoke about comments made by Stanley Woodward, Jr., nominated to be Associate Attorney General, during his nomination hearing. Key Quotes: “I think this is relatively new to … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting On Trump's Efforts To Whitewash January 6
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting on President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to whitewash what happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. In his remarks, Durbin laid out that while President Trump sends in the National Guard to Los Angeles without a request from the State’s governor for the first time since … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Members Of The Ukrainian Congress Committee Of America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with Illinois members of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) who are in Washington, D.C. for their “Ukraine Days” advocacy effort. During the meeting, they discussed Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked war in Ukraine, President Trump’s continued manipulation by Russian President Putin, and what Congress can do to help our Ukrainian allies. They also discussed Durbin’s … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Spotlight Forum On The Trump Administration's Abuse Of Immigrants To Attack Our Constitutional Order
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a spotlight forum entitled “Cruel and Unamerican: The Abuse of Immigrants to Attack our Constitutional Order.” Durbin first questioned Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a 19-year-old Dreamer, who was wrongfully arrested after being misidentified at a traffic stop, about her experience with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. “What a … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin In Defense Appropriation Hearing: Money Should Be Put Into Medical Research For Troops, Not Wasted On Pomp And Circumstance For The President
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 Department of Defense (DOD). During the hearing, Durbin reprimanded Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for drastically cutting funding fordefense medical research while claiming to support the service members who have experienced physical or mental … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Spotlight Forum On The Trump Administration's Abuse Of Immigrants To Attack Our Constitutional Order
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a spotlight forum entitled “Cruel and Unamerican: The Abuse of Immigrants to Attack our Constitutional Order.” This forum will examine the Trump Administration’s ongoing abuse of immigrants to attack the fundamental rights of all Americans. The United States Constitution lays out certain fundamental principles that define our country, including … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Discusses Rock Island Arsenal With Army Secretary And Chief Of Staff
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today met with U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George as the Senate Appropriations Committee reviews the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget request. During their meeting, Durbin reiterated the importance of supporting jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal and underscored that the Arsenal has been … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with Brian Duncan, President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, to discuss federal agriculture policy. Also joining the meeting was Board Member Mark Tuttle of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and Stephen Riskedal, Young Leaders State Committee Chair. During their meeting, the group discussed uncertainty in the farm economy and the importance of stability in … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Privacy & National Security Implications Of The 23andMe Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “23 and You: The Privacy and National Security Implications of the 23andMe Bankruptcy.” Today’s hearing examined the bankruptcy of 23andMe, Inc., and the potential sale of the company’s database of customers’ personal genetic information. The hearing also provided an opportunity to examine policy and … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Privacy & National Security Implications Of The 23andMe Bankruptcy
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 entitled “23 and You: The Privacy and National Security Implications of the 23andMe Bankruptcy.” Today’s hearing will examine the bankruptcy of 23andMe, Inc., and the potential sale of the company’s database of customers’ personal genetic information. The hearing also will provide an opportunity to examine … Continue Reading
June 11, 2025
Durbin, Waters Introduce CLASS Act To Give Students Cheated By For-Profit Colleges Their Day In Court
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) today reintroduced bicameral legislation designed to strengthen students’ ability to hold for-profit colleges accountable in court for their misconduct. The Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act would enhance accountability for for-profit colleges and safeguard taxpayer dollars by prohibiting an institution of higher education from receiving Title IV federal student aid if … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
In Senate Floor Speech, Durbin Denounces Political Violence, Criticizes Trump's Decision To Deploy National Guard Troops To California Without Consent Of California State Officials
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor in response to President Trump’s abuse of power in deploying National Guard troops to California without the request or consent of California state leaders. Durbin began by condemning political violence of all kinds while reiterating that Americans have a right to peacefully protest. “I condemn violence, vandalism, including violence against … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Durbin Celebrates Upcoming 13th Anniversary of DACA, Calls On Congress To Finally Provide A Pathway To Citizenship For Dreamers
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, celebrated the upcoming 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and called on Congress to finally provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. Twenty-four years ago, Durbin first introduced the Dream Act—bipartisan legislation that would give undocumented immigrants who grew up … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Durbin Meets With Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce in his Washington office to discuss economic development and infrastructure investment in Central Illinois. During the meeting, Durbin and the local leaders spoke about the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which Durbin has helped secure more than $247 million in federal funding to complete. Durbin also responded to the organization’s concerns that the Trump … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Durbin Hears From UnityPoint, BJC Hospital Systems About Impacts Of Medicaid Cuts In Republicans' Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with leadership of BJC Health System, which has hospitals in both Illinois and Missouri, as well as UnityPoint Health, which has hospitals in both Illinois and Iowa, to discuss the impact that President Trump’s and congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on Medicaid, their hospitals, and the patients they serve. In short, the Republican bill will slash Medicaid coverage in order to pay for … Continue Reading
June 10, 2025
Durbin Demands DOJ, FBI Investigation Into Spiking Threats Against Federal Judges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today again demanded that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate the ongoing and increasing threats against federal judges in a letter to Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel. Durbin began by admonishing Bondi and Patel for leaving his May 6 investigation request unanswered, writing: “Over a month has passed since my … Continue Reading