Press Releases
Durbin Introduces Bill To Expand Concussion Safety In School Sports
WASHINGTON—In observation of National Concussion Awareness Day, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reintroduced the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act to strengthen elementary and secondary school procedures for preventing, identifying, and treating students who sustain concussions. U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) sponsors the bill in the House. While athletics are important to helping students learn team-building skills and connect with their peers, … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Durbin Statement On Voting Against Republicans’ CR Proposal That Fails To Address Rising Health Care Costs For Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ Continuing Resolution (CR) that fails to extend critical tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. Durbin voted in support of Democrats’ CR proposal that would reverse the damaging policies instituted by Republicans under the Trump Administration, including $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid; the freezing of … Continue Reading
September 19, 2025
Durbin, Cramer, Schneider, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill Addressing Shortage Of Doctors, Nurses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02), today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to quickly address our nation’s shortage of doctors and nurses. The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would recapture 25,000 unused immigrant visas for nurses and 15,000 unused immigrant visas for physicians that … Continue Reading
September 18, 2025
Durbin: RFK Jr. is a Danger to the Children of America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor slamming Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for unjustly firing Dr. Monarez from her position as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after she pushed back against Secretary Kennedy’s dangerous skepticism of vaccines and medical research. In his remarks, Durbin emphasized that Secretary Kennedy’s crusade to spread distrust in safe and effective vaccines and to … Continue Reading
September 18, 2025
Durbin Delivers Remarks At Anti-Trafficking In Persons Roundtable, Calls For Federal Action To Rein In Big Tech
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined members of the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking (ITHT) to deliver remarks at the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Global Policy Summit and roundtable, where he spoke of federal efforts to combat child exploitation and human trafficking. In his remarks, Durbin urged the passage of his STOP CSAM Act and DEFIANCE Act—two pieces of legislation that would … Continue Reading
September 18, 2025
Durbin Calls Out Trump Administration’s Misguided, Partisan Approach To Immigration
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called out the Trump Administration’s misguided, partisan approach to immigration. After an immigration subcommittee hearing led by Senate Judiciary Republicans yesterday, Durbin said: “This [hearing] begs the question—why, now that they are in control, are Senate Republicans continuing to focus on the Biden Administration instead of … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Questions Judicial Nominee, 'Drug Czar' Nominee In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
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 on the judicial nominations of Rebecca Taibleson, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; David Bragdon, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; Lindsey Freeman, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; Matthew … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Speaks With Corporation For Public Broadcasting Following Passage Of Trump's Rescissions Request
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) CEO Patricia Harrison to discuss the impact of President Donald Trump’sRescissions Act of 2025, which rescinded $1.1 billion in previously appropriated funding for the more than 1,500 locally owned media outlets that rely on CPB. Since the passage of the rescissions request in July, CPB announced it had begun taking steps toward a formal shutdown. “I sounded the alarm that … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Durbin Calls For Stronger Oversight On Private Providers Of Shelter And Care For Unaccompanied Migrant Children
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing on the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children who have sought refuge in the United States. In his opening remarks, Durbin focused on the need to conduct proper oversight over the facilities that are contracted to provide shelter and care for unaccompanied … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin, Tillis Lead Resolution Calling For The Release Of Azerbaijani Anti-Corruption Activist Dr. Gubad Ibadghlu
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced a bipartisan calling for the release of Azerbaijani economist and academic Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. The resolution urges the Department of State to prioritize Dr. Ibadoghlu’s well-being and release; denounces the suppression of academic freedom and peaceful expression in Azerbaijan; and supports efforts at a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It also notes that Azerbaijan’s … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Joins Gallego In Urging Trump Administration To Continue Baltic Security Initiative
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today joined U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to send a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticizing recent suggestions that the Trump Administration plans to terminate longstanding U.S. security assistance programs in Europe, including the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) and Section 333 funding. Concerns that such a decision … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech On Russia's Continued Incursions Into NATO Airspace, Condemns Trump For Russian Appeasement
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Caucus, delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning Russia for its continued drone incursions into NATO airspace and urging strong support for NATO allies in the face of increased Russian aggression. During his remarks, Durbin chastised President Donald Trump for his appeasement of Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged him to condemn such Russian provocations and reaffirm NATO’s … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Deliers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nominations, Nominee To Be The 'Drug Czar'
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 on the judicial nominations of Rebecca Taibleson, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; David Bragdon, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; Lindsey Freeman, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina; … Continue Reading
September 17, 2025
Durbin Slams Republican Party's Failure To Extend The Affordable Care Act's Enhanced Subsidies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor yesterday highlighting the dangers of the upcoming expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. First created in 2021 as part of theAmerican Rescue Plan, these credits have reduced the price of health insurance for millions of Americans, but they are now in jeopardy due to congressional Republicans’ callous inaction. Durbin began his speech by recounting his experience … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Durbin Exposes Harms Of Unregulated AI Chatbots During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Examining the Harm of AI Chatbots.” Durbin focused his questioning on the warning signs of children and adolescents being lured into unhealthy or harmful behavior, including self-harm or suicide, by AI chatbots. Durbin began by referring to a statistic in the opening … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Durbin Previews New Legislation That Would Hold AI Companies Accountable For Harms Caused By Their AI Products
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today previewed new legislation he plans to introduce to crack down on harm caused by AI companies during today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Examining the Harm of AI Chatbots.” The AI LEAD Act would establish a federal cause of action against AI companies for harms caused by their systems and would enable the Attorney General, state … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Democrats In Urging The Trump Administration To Grant Federal Disaster Declaration For Five Illinois Counties Following Severe Weather
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led all Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to President Trump urging the Administration to grant Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Boone, Cook (including the city of Chicago), Kane, McHenry, and Will Counties. The letter follows a period … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Durbin Questions FBI Director Patel At Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing On Patel's Partisan & Incompetent Management Of The Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel at today’s Senate Judiciary Oversight Committee hearing. Durbin requested Patel respond to a variety of questions on the unprecedented purge of FBI officials, whether Patel initiated loyalty tests, reports of failed polygraph tests by FBI political appointees, the Trump Administration’s handling of Epstein-related … Continue Reading
September 16, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing With FBI Director Patel
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 Oversight Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel. Durbin’s opening statement condemned Patel’s partisan and incompetent mismanagement of the FBI, highlighted the unprecedented purge of FBI officials, shared reports that Director Patel initiated loyalty tests, criticized his fumbling of … Continue Reading
September 15, 2025
Ahead of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing With FBI Director Patel, Durbin Highlights FBI Officials Forced Out Under Patel's Direction
WASHINGTON - Ahead of tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning Patel’s partisan and incompetent mismanagement of the FBI. During his speech, Durbin also highlighted senior FBI officials who have been forced out under the direction of Patel. Tomorrow’s hearing will be the first … Continue Reading