Press Releases
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances the Protecting Older Americans Act, Four Judicial Nominations to the Full Senate
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Protecting Older Americans Act, which would invalidate forced arbitration clauses that prevent age discrimination victims from seeking justice and public accountability in court. An AARP survey found that 78% of older workers have either seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, and the Committee held a hearing on the effects of forced arbitration broadly last month. The bill builds off the lawmakers’ … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
ICYMI: Support for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz's Nomination to Sixth Circuit Court Judgeship Grows Despite False Republican Smears
WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, support for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz’s nomination to be U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Circuit continues to grow, despite Senate Judiciary Republicans’ false claims about him. In stark contrast to their current attacks, Senate Republicans strongly supported Mr. Ritz’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Senators Blackburn and Hagerty backed him for that position, and he was confirmed by the Senate unanimously. As U.S. … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Urgent Need To Protect Dreamers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth.” The hearing emphasized the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections for noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin Meets with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's (MWRD) leadership to discuss the department’s ongoing projects and top priorities. In their meeting, Durbin received an update on the design and construction of Thornton Reservoir, which was built to reduce chronic flooding. In Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), Durbin secured a $20 million for MWRD to address excessive flooding in historically underserved communities in the Chicagoland … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin Meets with Raven, Discusses Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with representatives of Raven, a 501(c)(4) organization representing the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, including its CEO John Pizzuro. The group discussed the ICAC Task Force Program, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and developing effective responses to internet crimes against … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Urgent Need To Protect Dreamers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth.” The hearing will emphasize the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections for noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $150 Million To Improve Housing Across Local Communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $150,346,316 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Capital Fund Program, which offers annual funding to public housing authorities to build, renovate, and modernize the public housing in their communities. “A thriving community begins with a safe and secure place to call home,” said Durbin. “Public housing authorities are the instruments of change … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Durbin Files Amendment To FAA Reauthorization In Support Of Essential Air Service Program Communities In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) filed an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will be considered by the Senate this week. The proposed amendment would update a provision in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Essential Air Service Program (EAS), which was established to ensure that smaller communities were serviced by certified airlines, and to allow local airports to retain their right to two-pilot, two-engine … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin Meets With The Greater Springfield Chamber Of Commerce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, which is comprised of members of local government, labor, education, health, and business sectors. During their meeting, Durbin and the Chamber spoke about several economic and transportation priorities, including the Springfield Rail Improvements Project and efforts to improve sewer infrastructure. “Today, I sat down with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin, Reed, Doggett Introduce Bill To Stop Tax-Dodging Corporate Inversion Schemes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), along with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) today announced the introduction of a bill to stop business practices known as inversions—corporate deals that allow U.S. companies to shift their corporate citizenship from the United States to a low-tax foreign jurisdiction, while keeping their executives and headquarters in the United States. This is accomplished by merging with a foreign … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin Reintroduces Joint Resolution to Enshrine the Right to Vote in the Constitution
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced a joint resolution that would finally enshrine an explicit, individual right to vote in the U.S. Constitution, and protect all Americans who seek to exercise this fundamental right. “In the words of the late John Lewis, the right to vote is ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument we have in a democratic society.’ When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin Calls on FDA, DOJ Officials to Testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Following the Lack of Enforcement Against Unauthorized E-Cigarettes
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products Director, Dr. Brian King, and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Brian Boynton, to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes, which has resulted in millions of children using harmful and addictive tobacco products. Durbin wrote, “I … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin Files Bipartisan Amendment to FAA Reauthorization in Support of Local Airports
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today filed a bipartisan amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that was released earlier this week. The proposed amendment would support nonhub airports in smaller communities by requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to conduct a study to review options to improve existing federal programs, in addition to considering new ones, to help local airports secure and maintain … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Durbin Announces Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Hate Crimes
CHICAGO - In response to the ongoing and persistent rise in antisemitism and other forms of bigotry across the country, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a full committee hearing to examine threats facing marginalized communities and how the federal government can better protect the civil rights and safety of all Americans. Under Durbin’s leadership as Chair, the Committee has … Continue Reading
May 06, 2024
Durbin, Hospital Leaders Release Year 5 Report On Chicago Heal Initiative To Address Gun Violence
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined hospital leaders and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) to unveil the five-year report of the Chicago HEAL Initiative. Launched in 2018 by Senator Durbin and 10 of the largest hospitals serving Chicago, the HEAL Initiative is a collaboration to address the root causes of gun violence through economic, health, and community projects in 18 of Chicago’s neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and health … Continue Reading
May 03, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Release Statement on Airlines' Approval of O'Hare Terminal Area Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—today released the following statement regarding United and American Airlines’ approval of the City of Chicago’s revised offer to complete the Chicago O’Hare International Airport Terminal Area Project (TAP): “After months of volleying … Continue Reading
May 03, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $8.3 Million to Support Youth Workforce Training in Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $8,300,870 for six Illinois organizations and institutions through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) YouthBuild Program to provide job training and educational services for youth ages 16-24 who left school without a secondary diploma. “These investments will help provide a lifeline to those who may have fallen through the cracks of our education system, offering them a pathway to … Continue Reading
May 03, 2024
Durbin Attends Special Olympics Chicago Opening Ceremony
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today attended the Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities Spring Games, where more than 2,000 athletes will compete. “From the fields and courts in Illinois to the international stage, the Special Olympics Games foster respect, inclusion, and acceptance for people across all abilities,” said Durbin. “I’m honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with these athletes, their families, and the entire Special … Continue Reading
May 03, 2024
Durbin Applauds Biden Administration Announcement to Expand Health Care Access for DACA Recipients
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today applauded the Biden Administration’s announcement of a final rule that will expand health care eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Under the final rule, approximately 100,000 DACA recipients will become eligible to enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance exchanges. “This rule is life-changing for thousands of DACA recipients who are American in … Continue Reading
May 02, 2024
Durbin Urges Secretary Buttigieg to Conduct Oversight Over Airline Rewards Programs in Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, today participated in a Subcommittee hearing entitled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Transportation.” During the hearing, Durbin questioned the witness, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, about how the federal government can conduct … Continue Reading