Durbin Cosponsors Bill To Protect Consumers By Banning Forced Arbitration In Financial Products

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in introducing the Arbitration Fairness for Consumers Act, legislation to prohibit banks and other financial institutions from using forced arbitration clauses against consumers who want to seek restitution and justice. "For years, banks and financial institutions have manipulated consumers into surrendering their rights in exchange for banking services, but consumers should never have their ab… Continue Reading

Durbin To Join Manchin, Murkowski Bipartisan Bill To Ban Russian Energy Imports

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today announced that he will cosponsor the bipartisan Ban Russian Energy Imports Act, which was introduced earlier this week by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The legislation would prohibit the importation of Russian crude oil, petroleum, petro… Continue Reading

Durbin, Portman Pledge Support To Ukraine President Zelensky

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke today with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky about the need for Congress to approve billions of dollars in emergency military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, the need to support refugees, and possible war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, particularly as Western officials warn that Putin continues to target cities and civilian infra… Continue Reading

Senate Unanimously Passes Durbin, Blackburn Bill To Support Survivors Of Sex Abuse

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act by unanimous consent. This legislation-led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)-would ensure that survivors of child sex abuse are able to seek justice under the federal civil remedy statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2255, without being barred by statutes of limitations. In practice, it would enabl… Continue Reading

Durbin Visits Ukrainian National Museum, Discusses Humanitarian And Immigration Relief For Ukrainians

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined community leaders at the Ukrainian National Museum to discuss support for the Administration's decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the United States, the need for Congress to approve billions of dollars in emergency military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, and the need to support refugees following the Russian military… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Broadcasters Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with members of the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) to discuss the importance of preserving competition in local broadcasting. Additionally, Durbin spoke with IBA about diversifying newsrooms and strategies to hire and retain local journalists as regional outlets face narrow profit margins. "Local Illinois broadcasters are essential to keeping our citizens informed about important issues, and it's crucial for the… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Davis, Schneider Champion Bill To Help Illinois Recover From The Pandemic By Waiving Interest On Federal Unemployment Loans

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Representatives Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) to introduce the Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act. This legislation would extend the waiver of interest payments on federal unemployment loans during the pandemic to help Illinois and other states financially as they support their constituents and respond to the dual economic and h… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Designation Of Ukraine For Temporary Protected Status

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement on the announcement that President Biden and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status: "I applaud President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas for taking decisive action to help Ukrainians currently in America stay here safely. While the Ukrainian people put up a histor… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Push IDOT Secretary For Progress On Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today met virtually with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman to discuss the need for progress on the Quad Cities to Chicago Passenger Rail Project after years of delay. Durbin, Bustos, and Secretary Osman also spoke about how to best use the more than $17 billion in funding allocated to the state through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IJA). … Continue Reading

Durbin Calls For Emergency Military And Humanitarian Assistance For Ukraine

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, took to the Senate floor today to call on Congress to approve billions of dollars in emergency military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. "President Biden urged Congress to approve billions of dollars in emergency and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. Sign me up. I'll vote for that in a second and I hope it comes soon. We need to agree on an aid package without delay and get it to the … Continue Reading

Senate Republican Blocks Durbin Attempt To Confirm Critical Law Enforcement Positions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested unanimous consent to approve the nominations of six U.S. Attorney (USA) nominees and two U.S. Marshal (USM) nominees. USAs and USMs play a critical role in enforcing the law, promoting public safety, and protecting our communities. Despite their eminent qualifications and support from other local law enforcement, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) objected to the unanimous consent request.… Continue Reading

Durbin Talks Clean Energy With Illinois Municipal Electric And Utilities Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois members of the Illinois Municipal Electric/Utilities Association (IEMA/IMUA) to discuss clean energy tax incentives, climate change policy, and grid security. During their conversation, Durbin spoke about the importance of transitioning the power sector to carbon-free energy sources and the urgent need to secure the United States' electrical grid from cybersecurity threats. "Today, I had a great disc… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, Talks Infrastructure Priorities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council to discuss the region's infrastructure priorities. During their conversation, Durbin spoke about the increased federal funding coming to Illinois from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be put toward infrastructure projects in the area. He also discussed the federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to aid in economic recovery,… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Soybean Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, met virtually today with the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss agricultural priorities for Illinois' soybean growers. On the call, the group emphasized the importance of continued federal support for building new foreign markets for soybeans, the challenge of rising input costs, and how the Senate Agriculture Committee is preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill. T… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden's nominee to the Supreme Court: "This is a moment of great historical significance. In the Court's history, there have been 115 Justices and not one of them has been a Black woman. With this nomination, President Biden has taken a critical step towards making our highest court look more like A… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Latest Circuit & District Court Nominees Before Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON - During today's Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Arianna Freeman, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. Durbin asked Ms. Freeman about her background as a public defender and specifically her representation of Anthony Velazquez. As Ms. Freeman argued, Mr. Velazquez's trial counsel had provided ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to properly enter a plea of… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Hearing Dates For Judge Jackson's Nomination To The Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing dates for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court in a letter to his Committee colleagues. The hearings will begin on Monday, March 21, with statements from Committee members, the individuals who will introduce Judge Jackson, and Judge Jackson herself. Questioning of Judge Jackson will begin on Tuesday, March 22 a… Continue Reading

Durbin: Carjackings Are A Scourge On Society That We Have A Responsibility To Address

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during a hearing entitled "Federal Support for Preventing and Responding to Carjackings." In his opening statement, Durbin reiterated that while preventing and prosecuting violent crime is primarily a state and local responsibility, the federal government plays an important role in addressing the rise in carjackings nationwide. Key quotes: "Carjackings… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's State Of The Union Address

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Biden's first State of the Union Address: "The American people have endured incredible hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When President Biden took office, he pledged to get shots in arms, people back to work and school, and our economy back on track. Thanks to his leadership with both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, millions of people are vaccinated and … Continue Reading

Durbin: Judge Jackson Will Be A Supreme Court Justice In The Mold Of Justice Breyer

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. "Every Supreme Court nomination is critically important. This one has special historic significance. In the United States' history, our Supreme Court has had 115 Justices, 108 of those Justices have had one thing in common-they were all white men. Five of those who… Continue Reading