Press Releases
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Two 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 Benjamin J. Cheeks, nominated to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California; and Serena Raquel Murillo, nominated to be a U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. Durbin began the hearing by briefly introducing the judges before U.S. Senator Laphonza … Continue Reading
November 20, 2024
Chair Durbin Leads Senate Judiciary Democrats In Letter Asking FBI For Complete Evidentiary File In The Investigation of Matt Gaetz
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led Senate Judiciary Democrats in a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray requesting that the FBI provide to the Senate Judiciary Committee the complete evidentiary file, including documents memorializing interviews, in the closed investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged sex trafficking of minors. The letter follows President-elect Donald … Continue Reading
November 20, 2024
Durbin, Wicker, Senators Meet With Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to discuss continued Congressional support for Ukraine and the need to strengthen the NATO alliance. In addition to Durbin and Wicker, U.S. Senators James Risch (R-ID), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) also attended. “More than two and a half years after Putin began his brutal, … Continue Reading
November 19, 2024
Durbin Discusses Funding For National Health Service Corps With HRSA Administrator
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with Carole Johnson, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), about reauthorizing funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which is set to expire at the end of December. During their call, Durbin and Administrator Johnson spoke about Durbin’s bipartisanRestoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act, which includes a three-year reauthorization that would … Continue Reading
November 19, 2024
Durbin Meets With MidAmerica Airport Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with MidAmerica St. Louis Airport Director Darren James to discuss federal funding for the airport as Congress considers appropriations funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). During their meeting, Durbin and Director James spoke about the airport’s current projects, including a terminal apron expansion. “MidAmerica Airport keeps Metro East residents connected to travel destinations around the country. In speaking with … Continue Reading
November 19, 2024
Durbin Questions Visa Witness During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Enhancing Competition In The Credit Card Market, Lowering Fee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Mr. Bill Sheedy, Senior Advisor to the CEO of Visa, Inc., during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Breaking the Visa-Mastercard Duopoly: Bringing Competition and Lower Fees to the Credit Card System.” The hearing examined the lack of competition in the credit card market and its impact on interchange fees, as well as legislative solutions like Chair Durbin’s Credit … Continue Reading
November 19, 2024
Durbin, Daines Laud Passage Of Their Bipartisan Quantum Computing Legislation In Energy & Natural Resources Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today applauded the passage of their bipartisan legislation, the Department of Energy (DOE) Quantum Leadership Act, out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by a voice vote. The legislation aims to reinvigorate research and development (R&D) projects at DOE by authorizing $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years - well above the $625 million for DOE-related programs … Continue Reading
November 19, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Enhancing Competition In The Credit Card Market, Lowering Fees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Breaking the Visa-Mastercard Duopoly: Bringing Competition and Lower Fees to the Credit Card System.” The hearing will examine the lack of competition in the credit card market and its impact on interchange fees, as well as legislative solutions like Chair Durbin’s Credit Card Competition Act to help protect … Continue Reading
November 18, 2024
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Judge Embry Kidd To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Eleventh Circuit
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Embry Kidd to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Kidd’s confirmation: “Judge Kidd’s experience in private practice and public service, in addition to his experience as a magistrate judge, has prepared him to serve with distinction on the federal bench. I congratulate Judge Kidd on becoming … Continue Reading
November 18, 2024
Durbin Joins Stabenow On The Senate Floor To Push For Passage Of Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today took to the Senate floor to highlight the efforts of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to complete the Farm Bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. In his remarks, Durbin asked Stabenow, who was also on the Senate floor, about several aspects of the Farm Bill, which must be passed or extended by the end of December to prevent … Continue Reading
November 18, 2024
Durbin Joins Stabenow On The Senate Floor To Push For Passage Of Farm Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today took to the Senate floor to highlight the efforts of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to complete the Farm Bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. In his remarks, Durbin asked Stabenow, who was also on the Senate floor, about several aspects of the Farm Bill, which must be passed or extended by the end of December to prevent … Continue Reading
November 18, 2024
Durbin: I'll Do Everything In My Power To Ensure That Donald Trump Cannot Turn DOJ Into His Personal Law Firm
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a stark warning to his colleagues about President-elect Donald Trump’s vision for the Department of Justice (DOJ) during his Administration. “Last week, Mark Paoletta, who is overseeing the Trump transition team for the Department of Justice, warned that ‘career DOJ lawyers must be fully committed to implementing President Trump’s policies or they … Continue Reading
November 15, 2024
Durbin Calls For GAO Investigation Into ICE Detention Facilities, Medical Care, Dangerous Conditions
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to expand its pending investigation of mental health care to include medical care and mismanagement of federal contracts in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. He also called on ICE to halt intake of individuals at Baker County Detention Center during the investigation. The call for an investigation follows a … Continue Reading
November 15, 2024
Durbin Statement On President-Elect Trump's Department Of Health And Human Services Nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): “Mr. Kennedy is entirely unqualified to lead our federal health programs. While masquerading as a crusader against corporate influence or for the concerns of children and parents, Mr. Kennedy pushes quack science that will cause … Continue Reading
November 15, 2024
Durbin Statement On President-Elect Trump's Justice Department Nominations
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General and John Sauer as Solicitor General: “Coupled with the announcement that he intends to nominate former Congressman Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General, these selections show Donald Trump intends to weaponize the Justice Department to seek vengeance. Donald Trump … Continue Reading
November 14, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly, Underwood Announce $82 Million In Federal Funding For Illinois Port Upgrades
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today announced $82,091,644 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) administered by the Maritime Administration. PIDP grants support efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve port and related freight infrastructure to meet the nation’s … Continue Reading
November 14, 2024
Durbin Duckworth Announce $31.9 Million In Federal Funding For Low Carbon Construction Materials
WASHINGTON ? U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $31,933,577 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Fiscal Year 2022 Low Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program. Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Illinois Department of Transportation will receive this federal funding to implement and use low carbon materials on Federal-aid construction projects … Continue Reading
November 14, 2024
Chair Durbin Leads Senate Judiciary Democrats In Letter Asking House Ethics Committee To Release Ethics Report On Matt Gaetz
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in a letter to the House Ethics Committee urging the House Ethics Committee to preserve and transmit to the Senate Judiciary Committee all relevant documentation on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, including the report that the House Ethics Committee was reportedly prepared to vote to release tomorrow. The letter follows Mr. Gaetz’s resignation from … Continue Reading
November 14, 2024
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Two Judicial Nominations, One Marshall Nomination, Patent Bill To Full Senate
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced two judicial nominations and one U.S. Marshal nomination to the full Senate, continuing the Committee’s work to bring balance to the federal judiciary and keep our communities safe. Additionally, the Committee advanced a bill to improve the collection of information on barriers inventors face in accessing the patent system. At the top of the hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary … Continue Reading
November 14, 2024
Durbin Statement On House Ethics Committee Report On Matt Gaetz
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the preservation and sharing of the House Ethics Committee report with the Senate Judiciary Committee about allegations against former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress yesterday after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Mr. Gaetz to serve as Attorney General: “In light of Donald Trump’s selection of … Continue Reading