Press Releases
In Spotlight Forum, Durbin Slams GOP's Budget Reconciliation Bill That Will Siphon Resources From Public Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a spotlight forum entitled “Scamming Our Schools: Robbing Our Students’ Futures to Line Their Pockets.” During the forum, which was hosted by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Durbin focused on how the Republican budget reconciliation bill would create a national school voucher program that would further drain resources and funding from public schools. Durbin began by reflecting on the school voucher program … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Urges Navy Leadership To Improve Quality Of Life, Housing For Military Families
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 Navy. During the hearing, Durbin asked Navy leaders about the politicization of the military and urged them to prioritize improvements to military housing and education for service members and their families. “All of our branches of service have been … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Questions Government Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Protecting Americans From Cartels
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.” Durbin first questioned the witnesses on whether or not they agree that firearms flowing to the Mexican cartels from the United States is a problem. “I would like to read something and see if any of you disagree with this: Cartels have flooded the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $1M In Federal Funding For Quincy Regional Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,187,500 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for Quincy Regional Airport to be used for equipment upgrades. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said Durbin. “This federal funding for Quincy Regional Airport-Baldwin Field Airport will upgrade the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Statement On The Third Anniversary Of The Dobbs Ruling
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court: “Today marks a sad anniversary. Three years ago, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority abandoned the long-standing constitutional protections recognized in Roe v. Wade—rejecting nearly 50 years of progress and dragging gender … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3M In Federal Funding For MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $3,648,323 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The federal funding will be used to construct a new 6,000 square foot terminal to accommodate the movement of passengers and baggage. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $141K In Federal Funding For Decatur Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $141,874 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for Decatur Airport. The federal funding will be used to reconstruct 21,817 square yards of the existing south T-Hangar Apron pavement. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability while creating jobs,” said … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Protecting Americans From Cartels
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 hearingentitled “The Thin Blue Line Protecting America from the Cartels.” During his opening remarks, Durbin highlighted the direct link between cartel reliance on U.S.-sourced firearms to perpetuate fear, violence, and illegal activities, including human trafficking and smuggling drugs into the United States. Durbin … Continue Reading
June 24, 2025
Durbin Statement On Whistleblower Disclosures By Erez Reuveni On Emil Bove's Nomination To Be A Circuit Court Judge
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the whistleblower disclosures of Mr. Erez Reuveni, formerly the Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, on Emil Bove’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit: “As a senior Justice Department official, Mr. Bove has abused his position in numerous ways, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Questions State Attorneys General At Bicameral Spotlight Forum On Democrats' Legal Fight Against Trump's Lawlessness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned state Attorneys General at a bicameral spotlight forum entitled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional Allies Fight Back Against Trump's Constitutional Abuses,” with a panel of Democratic state Attorneys General who are combatting the Trump Administration’s egregious and unlawful actions through litigation. House Judiciary Committee Ranking … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Bicameral Spotlight Forum With State AGs On Democrats' Legal Fight Against Trump's Lawlessness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a bicameral spotlight forum entitled “Defending the Rights of the People: States and Congressional Allies Fight Back Against Trump's Constitutional Abuses,” with a panel of Democratic state Attorneys General who are combatting the Trump Administration’s egregious and unlawful actions through litigation. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member … Continue Reading
June 23, 2025
Durbin Statement On Successfully Removing Harmful Judiciary Provisions From Republicans' 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 harmful Judiciary provisions from Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including a provision that would have gutted judicial independence, as well as a provision limiting Department of Justice grant funding to Chicago and other cities that don’t agree to engage in federal … Continue Reading
June 22, 2025
Durbin Statement on President Trump's Strikes Against Three Iranian Nuclear Sites
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in Iran: “During his first term, President Trump killed the Iran nuclear deal, which required mandatory inspections, and invited this dangerous situation. Iran without inspectors appears to have been developing dangerous weapons grade materials. “And now, President Trump’s actions in bombing Iran puts … Continue Reading
June 20, 2025
Durbin Visits St. Sabina's Food Pantry To Discuss Congressional Republicans' Efforts To Cut SNAP Benefits
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined parish leaders at St. Sabina’s Social Services Center to highlight plans by Congressional Republicans to make the largest cut to food assistance and SNAP in American history with their so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In Illinois, two million individuals receive SNAP—with 60 percent having children in the household, and 33 percent having elderly or disabled individuals in the household. In total, up to 460,000 … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
In Spotlight Forum, Durbin Exposes Republicans' Plan To Slash Funding For Medicaid, SNAP Benefits To Pay For Tax Cuts For Billionaires
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a spotlight forum entitled “The Big Beautiful Betrayal—Working Folks Pay While the Mega Rich Profit.” The forum, which was hosted by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), focused on how the Republican tax bill funds massive tax breaks for the ultrawealthy by making the largest cuts in history to health care and food assistance programs that Americans rely on. During the hearing, Durbin … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
In Defense Appropriations Hearing, Durbin Questions Army Leaders About U.S. Involvement In Israel-Iran Conflict, Advocates For Rock Island Arsenal
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 U.S. Army. During the hearing, Durbin questioned U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George about the Trump Administration’s approach to the conflict between Israel and Iran before concluding his speaking … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
Durbin: Instead Of Conducting Critical Oversight, Judiciary Committee Republicans Are Holding Partisan Hearing Armchair Diagnosing Former President Biden
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, slammed Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans for holding a partisan hearing today where they plan to armchair diagnose former President Biden. In his opening remarks, Durbin called out the lack of oversight the Committee has conducted so far under the Trump Administration, despite the numerous, critical challenges facing the nation that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction. By … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
As Republicans Aim To Eliminate Regulations On Predatory For-Profit Schools, Durbin & Cohen Introduce Legislation To Crack Down On The Industry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today reintroduced bicameral legislation that would help deter the for-profit college industry from aggressively recruiting veterans, service members, and their families. The Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act would reinstate the 85/15 rule, which would prohibit for-profit colleges from receiving more than 85 percent of their revenue from the federal government, including … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision Upholding Tennessee Trans Health Care Ban
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 Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming health care in United States v. Skrmetti: “This ruling is nothing short of a full-fledged license for states to discriminate against vulnerable kids who are looking to live their lives authentically. Rather than using the full powers of the government to protect people, … Continue Reading
June 18, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $30 Million In Federal Funding For O'Hare Airport Runway Extensions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $30,000,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for O’Hare International Airport. The federal funding will be used to pave Runway 9R/27L an additional 3,290 feet in length to reduce delays, accommodate more passengers, and allow for increased aircraft operations. “O’Hare keeps millions of Americans connected with reliable … Continue Reading