Press Releases

July 29, 2024

Durbin: With All Evidence Pointing to a Decisive Gonzalez Victory, He Should Be Considered President-Elect

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech condemning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for falsely claiming that the nation’s election was called in his favor, despite refusing to release actual ballot data and independent exit polls demonstrating widespread support for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.  In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the dangers of Maduro at the helm, and he emphasized that Gonzalez should be … Continue Reading


July 29, 2024

Durbin Introduces Legislation to Improve Safety and Ensure Transparency of Dietary Supplements

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2024, legislation to require dietary supplement manufacturers to list their products with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which provided FDA with authorities to regulate dietary supplements.  However, DSHEA did not require dietary supplement companies to register their products with FDA, … Continue Reading


July 29, 2024

Durbin Statement on President Biden's Supreme Court Reform Proposal

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s newly-released proposal to reform the Supreme Court: “I thank President Biden for highlighting the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis. Through our ongoing investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee has verified and reported lavish trips by sitting justices that were paid for by wealthy benefactors, including some previously unknown to the … Continue Reading


July 27, 2024

Durbin, Duckworth Quigley Announce The CTA Red Line Extension Project Is Receiving $746 Million In Federal Funding In The First Year

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will now provide the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) Project with $746 million in the first year—an additional $396 million—as opposed to the $350 million originally planned.  These increased first-year funds will expedite the rate at which federal funding is disbursed to CTA over the … Continue Reading


July 26, 2024

Durbin Discusses Federally Funded Innovative Water Program At Argonne National Lab

CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Argonne National Laboratory to discuss the Great Lakes ReNEW initiative that will enable energy-efficient wastewater systems, reclaim critical minerals like cobalt and nickel, and remove harmful chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” from wastewater. This initiative was awarded $160 million in funding through the CHIPS & Science Act. Great Lakes ReNEW—which is backed by … Continue Reading


July 25, 2024

Durbin Statement On DOJ OIG Report That Found Former Attorney General Bill Barr Violated DOJ Policies When Releasing "Selective Details" In 2020 Pennsylvania Election Fraud Probe

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) report that former Attorney General Bill Barr authorized the release of “selective details” about the Luzerene County, Pennsylvania, case that supported former President Trump’s election fraud narratives despite DOJ having details that undermined this information: “The … Continue Reading


July 25, 2024

Durbin, Duckworth Statement After Briefings With Law Enforcement Officials Regarding Security At The Democratic National Convention In Chicago

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after receiving briefings this week from law enforcement officials that discussed security at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August: “As we approach next month’s Democratic National Convention in our great city, we will continue working with our local law enforcement partners to ensure proper coordination and … Continue Reading


July 25, 2024

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

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