Press Releases
Durbin Celebrates Passage Of His Bill To Tackle Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit Deepfakes 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, celebrated Senate passage of his bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation that will hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. Durbin began by showcasing how deepfakes are impacting women and girls everywhere, saying: … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Durbin Applauds Senate Passage Of His Bipartisan Bill To Tackle Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit Deepfakes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation that will hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. “Countless apps that can create deepfakes are often advertised as harmless entertainment. But when they’re used to create and … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Durbin Delivers Floor Speech Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reflected on the tragic suffering of so many people stemming from the October 7th Hamas attack and ensuing war in Gaza. He urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to set aside his self-serving political interests ahead of his Joint Address to Congress. In a statement released yesterday, Durbin stated he will not be attending today’s address. “I believe this invitation to speak was ill-timed—and one which … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Durbin Announces Joint Judiciary-HSGAC Committee Classified Briefing, Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that the Committee will receive a classified briefing with the Senate Homeland and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on the assassination attempt against former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Durbin also announced a joint Judiciary-HSGAC hearing for next Tuesday morning on the attempt, where the Committees will hear from the … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Durbin Announces Support For Initial Senate Kids' Online Safety Package, Urges Further Action
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced his support for the kids’ online safety package under consideration by the Senate this week. The package, announced by Leader Schumer, includes the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). Durbin began by outlining the leading role that the Judiciary Committee took this Congress pushing for … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Durbin: The Legacy President Biden Will Leave Behind Is Nothing Short Of Remarkable
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) thanked President Joe Biden for his service to our nation and touted the President’s many accomplishments during his Administration—calling him “one of the most successful modern presidents.” During his speech, Durbin commented on his influential career as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Vice President under President Obama for eight years, and as the … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Durbin Statement Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress: “I am committed to Israel and its right to defend its people. “The Hamas attack on October 7 was unprovoked and cowardly, and its continued holding of hostages unconscionable. However, Israel’s execution of its war in Gaza under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu with 39,000 Palestinians dead and 90,000 injured … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Durbin, DeLauro Introduce The Federal Food Administration Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) introduced the Federal Food Administration Act,legislation that would establish the Federal Food Administration, a single agency responsible for ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply and promoting good nutrition. This new agency would take over food responsibilities currently housed at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “In recent years, FDA has been … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Improve Accountability Of Foreign Medical Schools Receiving Federal Student Aid
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would protect students and taxpayers by closing a loophole that gives special treatment to a small number of overseas medical schools. The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada to meet the same minimum requirements to receive Title IV student aid dollars. Currently, some overseas medical schools, including those in the … Continue Reading
July 21, 2024
Durbin Statement On President Joe Biden
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement on President Joe Biden: “Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country. “Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America … Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth, Members Of The Illinois Congressional Delegation Urge Small Business Administration To Grant An Economic Injury Disaster Declaration For Jo Daviess County
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman urging her to grant Governor JB Pritzker’s request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for Jo Daviess County, Illinois. The letter comes after severe flooding in the area earlier this month. Led by Durbin and Duckworth, the letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives … Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Durbin Calls On Department Of Education To Support Students Left Out To Dry By For-Profit American Academy Of Arts And Northwestern College Closure
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to support students impacted by the unexpected closure of for-profit colleges American Academy of the Arts (Academy) in Chicago and Northwestern College (Northwestern) in Oak Lawn, Illinois, earlier this month. The schools’ closures have left nearly 600 students with significant debt and no diploma. In their letter, the Senators called on Secretary Cardona to reach … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
Durbin Celebrates Quantum Innovation In Illinois
CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated quantum technology innovation in Illinois with a visit to MxD to discuss integrating quantum technology into manufacturing processes. Earlier this week, Durbin joined Governor Pritzker, U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11), and other Illinois leaders to announce a new partnership between the federal government and Illinois—Quantum Proving Ground—to promote quantum computing research, … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
Durbin Statement On Sonya Massey
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in response to the announcement of charges in the death of Sonya Massey: “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Sonya Massey during this difficult time. Our law enforcement officers are called on to protect and serve their communities with honor and courage, but any who fail to follow the high standards they have sworn to uphold must be held … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Durbin, Underwood Discuss Maternal Health Care At UIC Maternal Health Research Center Of Excellence
CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) for a roundtable discussion with health care professionals about UIC’s selection by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence to develop innovative approaches to reduce pregnancy-related complications and deaths. “Every year in the U.S. we lose approximately one thousand pregnant or postpartum women. … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $2.27 Million In Medical Research Grants For Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $2,276,880 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to Illinois institutions. A large portion of the funding will be put towards research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, ranging from cancer research to research related to deafness. “Serious federal investment in medical research pushes our society forward, bringing us … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $7 Million In Federal Funding For Community-Based Residency Programs For Doctors In Underserved Areas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $7,040,000 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support new community-based medical residency programs for doctors in underserved areas in Illinois. Under the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education program, physicians train primarily in outpatient community sites, such as community health centers, to build the pipeline of primary care … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $16.8 Million In HHS Grants For Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $16,894,039 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to Illinois institutions. Of this funding, $16,759,039 will be awarded to the Illinois Department of Public Health for its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement and $135,000 will go to the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault to support the organization’s mission to provide sexual … Continue Reading
July 16, 2024
Durbin Calls On Senator Menendez To Resign After Guilty Conviction
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to resign after a jury of his peers found him guilty on all counts in a federal bribery case: “As Leader Schumer appropriately said, Senator Menendez should do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and … Continue Reading
July 16, 2024
Durbin Launches Inquiry Into Medical and Mental Health Care In ICE Detention Centers
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today launched an inquiry into medical and mental health care for people in custody in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities, requesting information from ICE as well as requesting an audit of ICE’s mental health care services by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The inquiry follows a June report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Physicians for … Continue Reading