Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights in the 115th Congress
Durbin, Senators Request Update On Drug Enforcement Law
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Ed Markey (D-MA) led a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requesting information on the impact of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016 highlighted in a recent report from The Washington Post and "60 Minutes." The letter also calls upon the agencies to submit a long-overdue report to Congress providing both an … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Durbin Introduces Bill To Curb Gun Violence From Stolen Firearms
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to reduce gun violence by cracking down on thefts from federally-licensed firearms dealers. A companion measure was introduced in the House by Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) in July. It is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). "The 96% of Americans who support … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Durbin Statement On Committee Approval Of John Lausch For U.S. Attorney For The Northern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after voting in support of the nomination of John R. Lausch to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois during today's Senate Judiciary Committee mark up. Mr. Lausch's nomination passed unanimously out of committee and will next be voted on by the full Senate. "From the outset, Senator Duckworth and I made clear to the White House that we expected Zach Fardon's successor to be … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Durbin Calls Out AG Sessions For Attempting To Eliminate Vital Federal Funds From Chicago's Gun Violence Prevention Efforts
WASHINGTON-During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) assailed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for threatening to cut off Chicago's access to federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) funding unless local police forces commit to assist the Department of Homeland Security in its enforcement of federal civil immigration laws. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice placed new and onerous conditions on local law … Continue Reading
October 06, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce "No Check, No Sale" Bill To Close Loophole Allowing Gun Sales Without A Completed Background Check
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and 18 additional Senate colleagues introduced legislation to close a current loophole that allows gun sales to proceed if a background check is not completed after 72 hours, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to purchase a gun. The gap in existing law has allowed thousands of gun sales to prohibited buyers, including the … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform Package
WASHINGTON-A bipartisan group of senators today reintroduced the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017 to recalibrate prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, target violent and career criminals and save taxpayer dollars. The legislation permits more judicial discretion at sentencing for offenders with minimal criminal histories and helps inmates successfully reenter society, while tightening penalties for violent criminals and preserving key prosecutorial tools for law … Continue Reading
October 03, 2017
Durbin: Congress Is Complicit In Gun Violence If We Continue This Course Of Inaction
WASHINGTON-Following the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, that killed at least 59 people and injured more than 500, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) challenged his Senate colleagues to not just be casual observers of gun violence, but to do their job and pass laws that make America safer. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called on Congress to pass a universal background checks bill and commonsense gun laws to help prevent the next mass shooting. "Gun violence … Continue Reading
August 22, 2017
Durbin, Bustos Tour Continued Activation Of Thomson Prison
THOMSON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today toured Thomson correctional facility and received an update on the continued activation of the facility by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). "Today, Congresswoman Bustos and I were assured that the activation of Thomson prison remains on schedule and that they are making good progress on critical infrastructure projects," Durbin said. "Congresswoman Bustos and I have been working to secure robust federal … Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Nomination Of John Lausch For U.S. Attorney For The Northern District Of Illinois
CHICAGO-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the White House announced the nomination of John R. Lausch to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois: "We are pleased that the President has nominated Mr. Lausch. The nonpartisan screening committee we established to evaluate potential candidates came to the same conclusion and recommended him as well. Mr. Lausch has served the people of the Northern … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of FBI Director Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to confirm Christopher Wray as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The next FBI Director will be under incredible scrutiny. America needs an FBI Director who will face that pressure with integrity, independence, and a firm commitment to the rule of law. He may also have to stand up to this President if the interests of justice demand it. I believe Mr. Wray can do that, … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos: Senate Appropriations Committee Bill Continues Funding For Thomson Prison Activation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan fiscal year 2018 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that includes $80 million for the continued activation of the Thomson correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. The legislation must now be passed by the full Senate and then … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Durbin Statement On DOJ Threat Top Chicago Violence Prevention Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, today issued the following statement after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will attempt to deny Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants ("Byrne-JAG") to communities that refuse to cooperate with the Trump Administration's deportation agenda: "Attorney General Sessions now threatens to stop the federal funds our police … Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Durbin Announces Support For FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON - In a statement in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed deep concern over the recent comments made by President Trump to the New York Times in regards to the Russia investigation. He also stressed that he is supporting Christopher Wray, the nominee to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), because of his qualifications and his commitment to serve as an … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Durbin Urges No Vote On John Bush Nomination To 6th Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged his colleagues to oppose the nomination of John Bush, who has been nominated to serve a lifetime appointment on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Bush has made dozens of provocative comments, which cast serious doubt upon his temperament, his judgment, and his ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge. These statements include comparing abortion to slavery, using … Continue Reading
July 12, 2017
Durbin Questions FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray At Judiciary Hearing
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Christopher Wray, who is nominated to serve as FBI Director, during his confirmation hearing. Durbin pressed Mr. Wray on whether or not he would meet one-on-one with the President in the Oval Office and whether he will create contemporaneous, written reports during his time as FBI Director, should he be confirmed. "We are in an unusual moment in American history where Mr. Comey was fired … Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Durbin Meets With FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Christopher Wray about his nomination to serve as Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director. Durbin discussed an array of key issues with Mr. Wray, including his thoughts on Russia's involvement in the 2016 U.S. election, Department of Justice (DOJ) funding for Chicago, criminal justice reform, Mr. Wray's role in the George W. Bush era "torture memos", and the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Durbin Statement On Seventh Circuit Judge Ann Claire Williams Assuming Senior Status
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement upon the announcement that Seventh Circuit Judge Ann Claire Williams, the first African-American judge to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, has assumed senior status. Senior status allows veteran federal judges to retire but continue working with a reduced caseload. "Judge Ann Claire Williams has been an inspirational leader on the bench. She has served the people of Illinois and the 7th Circuit … Continue Reading
July 06, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth, Senate Democrats Urge HUD Secretary Ben Carson To Restore Resources That Protect LGBTQ From Housing Discrimination
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and 26 of their colleagues in a letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, urging him to reinstate resources that protect LGBTQ people from housing discrimination. These resources, designed to help housing providers comply with HUD's nondiscrimination rules, were removed from HUD's website in recent months. "It is concerning that HUD apparently … Continue Reading
June 28, 2017
Durbin Joins Senate's First-Ever Resolution Recognizing June As Pride Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in introducing the first-ever Senate Resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution notes major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. Today, June 28, marks the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. "This month we celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ Americans and the strides made toward … Continue Reading
June 27, 2017
Durbin: FISA Reauthorization Raises Serious Privacy Concerns
WASHINGTON - During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) raised serious concerns with regard to the privacy of Americans whose communications are swept up in foreign intelligence collection. Durbin pressed Bradley Booker, Acting General Counsel of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to provide details on the intelligence community's efforts to protect Americans' private information. "We have … Continue Reading