Press Releases
Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill To Authorize Dozens of New District Court Judgeships
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act, which would authorize 63 new permanent district court judgeships and three new temporary district court judgeships. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. In June, the JUDGES Act advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 20-0 vote. “As dockets … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Durbin Statement On Senate Republicans Voting Against The Tax Relief For American Families And Workers Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The bill expands the Child Tax Credit (CTC), restores certain business tax breaks that help small businesses, and increases subsidies for affordable housing and disaster assistance. Earlier this year, this legislation passed the House of Representatives on a large bipartisan basis, 357-70. “As … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Durbin, Shaheen Statement In Response To Prisoner Swap And Safe Return Of Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, today issued the following joint statement in response to the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement that Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with others wrongfully … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Seven Judicial Nomination To The Full Senate
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced seven judicial nominations to the full Senate, continuing the Committee’s work to bring balance to the federal judiciary. The nominations advanced include two circuit court nominees and five district court nominees. “Since Democrats took back the White House and the Senate majority in January 2021, we have been committed to advancing highly qualified nominations to lifetime appointments across the federal judiciary who are … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Over $1.3 Million For Illinois Americorps Programs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,303,609 in federal funding going to three organizations in Illinois as a result of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) AmeriCorps State and National Public Health grant competition. Using funds provided by the American Rescue Plan and CARES Act, these programs will support Illinois’ public health workforce by addressing mental health, chronic disease prevention, and public health … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Durbin, Welch, Shaheen Meet With Members Of The Ukrainian Parliament
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted members of the Ukrainian Parliament to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine. The members visiting also serve on Ukraine’s parliamentary delegation in the Council of Europe. In addition to Durbin, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) also joined. “More than two years after Putin began his brutal, criminal invasion, Ukraine remains on the frontlines of … Continue Reading
August 01, 2024
Durbin, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Fund The Future Of Quantum Research At DOE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today introduced legislation to advance the United States’ capacity to invest in quantum information science and research and development (R&D) through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As R&D advances quantum science, engineering, and technology, the DOE Quantum Leadership Act of 2024 would reinvigorate R&D projects at DOE by authorizing $2.5 billion in funding over the next five … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing Examining Medical, Physical, And Emotional Abuse Of Pregnant & Postpartum Incarcerated Individuals
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law hearing entitled “Birth Behind Bars.” Today’s hearing examined the medical, physical, and emotional abuse experienced by pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals. Today’s hearing included two powerful witness testimonials. Ms. Jessica Umberger testified to her experience being pregnant while … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nominations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Ryan Young Park, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit; Byron B. Conway, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; Jonathan E. Hawley, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois; April M. … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Durbin, Cassidy Introduce Legislation To Lower Drug Prices By Promoting Generic Competition
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced a bipartisan bill to tackle certain efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to extend monopolies on lifesaving drugs. The Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act, would promote competition by removing barriers to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for lower-cost generic drugs. Many high-cost, brand-name drugs are shielded from … Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Ensure Stable, Robust Funding For Biomedical Research
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the American Cures Act, legislation that restores the United States’ commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. The American Cures Act would create mandatory funds to provide steady, predictable funding for breakthrough research at America’s top research agencies, allowing the U.S. to remain a leader in development and discovery for decades to come. The American Cures Act would overcome the … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin, Collins, Rep. Hank Johnson Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill To Improve Fairness In Criminal Justice System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), along with U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, today reintroduced the Criminal Judicial Administration Act (CJAA), a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would improve fairness in the criminal justice system by facilitating court attendance by … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $2.6 Million To Prevent Youth Substance Use In Illinois
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $2,624,906 in federal funding going to 21 Illinois coalitions through the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program. This funding will be used by communities to achieve and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use, tackling issues ranging from tobacco prevention to opioid misuse. “It is our duty to ensure that every Illinoisan … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin, Hirono, House Leaders Release GAO Report Constrained By AO Blocking Access To Federal Audit Of Sexual Harassment In the Judiciary System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, alongside U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), and Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report addressing the judiciary’s policies and practices to prevent and respond to workplace misconduct. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) failed to fully cooperate with the GAO audit, a … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin Questions FBI, Secret Service During The Senate Judiciary, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committees' Bipartisan Joint Oversight Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., Acting Director of the United States Secret Service (USSS), and Paul Abbate, Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a Senate Judiciary Committee, in partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, hearing entitled “Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Kids Online Safety And Privacy Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act: “Today’s overwhelming vote should send a message to Big Tech that its days of policing itself are over. “As the Senate Judiciary Committee has shown throughout this Congress, social media and other tech platforms pose serious dangers to the physical and mental health of our kids and grandkids. But … Continue Reading
July 30, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committees' Bipartisan Joint Oversight Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the Senate Judiciary Committee, in partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, hearing entitled “Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump.” The committees will hear testimony from U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) … Continue Reading
July 29, 2024
Durbin Highlights the Supreme Court's Ethical Crisis on the Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about the urgent need for Supreme Court ethics reform following President Biden’s newly-released proposal to reform the Supreme Court. “No other federal judge could get by with what Clarence Thomas did to receive millions of dollars’ worth of travel and gifts and not report them publicly. I don't accept that as routine. I think it is an aberration … Continue Reading
July 29, 2024
Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin, Duckworth
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced funding bills for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Durbin and Duckworth … Continue Reading
July 29, 2024
Durbin Previews Hearing Examining Security Failures that Led to Trump Assassination Attempt in Speech on the Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previewed tomorrow’s joint oversight hearing examining the security failures leading to the assassination attempt against former President Trump. In partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), the committees will hear testimony from U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials. Key … Continue Reading