Press Releases
Durbin, Schumer, Reed, Coons, Duckworth Lead Senators In Requesting DOD Inspector General Inquiry Into Domestic Deployment Of Military In American Cities
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; and combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led 22 Senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense Acting Inspector General … Continue Reading
October 17, 2025
As Trump Administration Pursues Deployment Of Military In American Cities, Durbin, Padilla, Schiff, Wyden, & Merkley Meet With NORTHCOM Leadership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), spoke with NORTHCOM leadership about the Trump Administration’s unlawful deployment of troops to American cities for immigration and law enforcement support. During the call, the Senators requested additional information about how these domestic deployments will impact military readiness and stressed that the nation’s military … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Durbin Debunks Republican Falsehoods On ICE In Chicago, Calls For Secretary Noem To Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON - At an executive business meeting this morning, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, debunked previously-peddled falsehoods by Senate Judiciary Republicans about President Trump’s unlawful attempt to deploy the National Guard to Illinois, as well as re-upping Democrats’ months-long call for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before the Committee. Durbin began by refuting U.S. Senator … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Durbin Praises Ceasefire Deal In Middle East, Calls On Congress To Pass Sanctions Bill Against Russia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor recognizing the ceasefire deal for the war in Gaza. In his remarks, Durbin acknowledged that the return of hostages and halt to the fighting are only the first steps in bringing long-term stability to the region, and he called upon President Trump and the United States’ regional allies to continue pushing for an end to the conflict. “Over the long weekend, the world saw what is hopefully … Continue Reading
October 16, 2025
Durbin Highlights Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, María Corina Machado
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor honoring Nobel Peace Prize recipient, María Corina Machado. Yesterday, Durbin along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met virtually with Ms. Machado. “Last week, we learned that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado had won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. She did so for her steadfast and courageous fight for democracy … Continue Reading
October 15, 2025
Durbin Slams Senate Republicans For Failing To Address Rising Health Care Costs For American Families
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing congressional Republicans for allowing the government shutdown to continue because their caucus refuses to negotiate with Senate Democrats to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. If these tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of the year, more than four million Americans could lose their health coverage, and more than 20 million Americans … Continue Reading
October 15, 2025
Durbin, Warnock Statement On Voting Rights Supreme Court Case
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) issued the following statement on today’s oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais: “All Americans should have a fair say in who represents them in Congress. Led by a President who tried stealing an election, Republicans have lost all respect for election integrity. We’re now witnessing a never-before-seen political pressure campaign to … Continue Reading
October 15, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Stellantis Investment In Belvidere Assembly Plant
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement on Stellantis’ $600 million investment into the Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois, which will allow the plant to fully reopen and support 3,300 jobs: “Stellantis’ $600 million investment in Belvidere Assembly plant is welcome news. With this sizeable investment, we expect thousands of workers to return to the assembly line. We are encouraged that … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth, Illinois Delegation Members Pen Letter To Health Insurance Companies, Seeking Answers About Cost of Republicans' Inaction On Extending ACA Tax Credits
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led all Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation in sending a letter to health insurance companies to request answers about how the potential expiration of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits would impact Illinoisans using the marketplace to purchase insurance. Today’s letter comes as the Republican-led government shutdown continues and Republican … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Durbin On ICE Enforcement In Illinois: It's Terrible, It's Indefensible, It's Embarrassing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor reflecting on his experience attempting to visit the Broadview ICE detention facility on Friday. Durbin, joined by Senator Duckworth (D-IL), were again denied entry into the facility. This follows multiple requests for oversight of the facility’s conditions and the brutal tactics used by federal agents against protestors, journalists, and elected … Continue Reading
October 14, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth, Quigley, Kelly, Davis Demand Answers About Frozen Federal Funding For Chicago’s Red Line Extension Project & Red And Purple Modernization Project
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Danny Davis (D-IL-07), sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to demand answers about the Trump Administration’s decision to “put on hold” $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago’s infrastructure projects, including the Chicago Transit … Continue Reading
October 13, 2025
Durbin Statement On The Return Of The Hostages Held By Hamas
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the release of the remaining 20 living hostages held by Hamas: “Congratulations to President Trump for the historic Gaza agreement. We know there are still critical elements to be negotiated and settled but the release of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian prisoners is a good faith start. “Now let’s negotiate a political ceasefire on Capitol … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Air Traffic Controllers As They Continue To Work Without Pay During Shutdown
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with Toby Hauck, the President of Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Illinois members from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) as they work to keep the aviation system travel is disrupted during the shutdown. During the shutdown, more than 10,000 air traffic controllers across the country are working without pay. The shutdown already has exacerbated dire air traffic controller … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Durbin Statement On Judge Perry Granting Temporary Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Troops To Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge April Perry issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s national guard deployment in Illinois for two weeks: “I welcome this ruling against the President’s diabolical plan. President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Illinois, without the consent or request of Illinois’ elected leaders, is … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Durbin Joins Senator Duckworth On The Floor To Denounce Deployment Of National Guard Troops To Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor along with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to denounce the Trump Administration’s deployment of Texas and Illinois National Guard troops to Illinois. In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the illegality of President Trump’s deployment of troops to American cities and underscored that these actions are motivated by the President’s desire to play a strongman … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Durbin Statement On Indictment Of New York Attorney General Letitia James
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James in federal court: “President Trump has successfully turned the Department of Justice into a shield to protect himself and his MAGA allies and a sword to attack his opponents, enabled by an Attorney General who follows orders. “This Administration shows no allegiance to our country nor the … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Durbin Condemns Unprovoked Trump Administration Escalation In Chicago, Attorney General Bondi’s Conduct At Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, condemned the Trump Administration’s unprovoked and unlawful escalation of immigration enforcement in Chicago and the arrival of Texas National Guard troops. In an opening statement at a Committee executive business meeting, Durbin began by highlighting Republican hypocrisy, saying: “To my Republican colleagues, how would you react if a Democratic President deployed the National … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
As Republican Shutdown Continues, Durbin Speaks With American Federation Of Government Employees President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley to discuss the government shutdown as President Trump threatens to withhold back pay for furloughed federal workers. During the phone call, Durbin and Mr. Kelley spoke about the Trump Administration’s gutting of federal agencies and the impacts of the Trump shutdown on federal employees, who are forced to work without … Continue Reading
October 08, 2025
Durbin Meets With New Ukrainian Ambassador, Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Russian Incursions Into NATO Territory And Reaffirming NATO Article 5 On Collective Defense
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, met with Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna, along with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss Russia’s ongoing war and how the United States and its allies can continue to help Ukraine defend itself and address Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. During the meeting, they also discussed Durbin’s bipartisan resolution condemning Russian incursions into NATO territory and … Continue Reading
October 08, 2025
Durbin On Deployment Of National Guard Troops To Chicago: The Trump Admin’s Unlawful Use Of The Military To Police American Cities Makes Our Country Less Safe
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the Trump Administration’s deployment of Texas and Illinois National Guard troops to Illinois. In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the illegality of President Trump’s deployment of troops to American cities and underscored that these actions are motivated by the President’s desire to play a strongman on television rather than to help … Continue Reading