Durbin, Murray, Brown, Senators Urge Department Of Ed To Simplify And Expand Student Loan Discharge Options

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues this week urged Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to consider additional measures to simplify and expand student loan discharge options and repayment plans as the Department continues to the negotiated rulemaking process regarding student debt relief. "We write regarding the U.S. Department of Education's ("Departme… Continue Reading

Ahead of Veterans Day, Durbin Highlights How Immigration System Remains Broken Even For Those Who Want to Serve our Nation

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, today discussed the impact and sacrifice immigrant veterans have made to our country-yet how our immigration system remains broken even for those who would put their life on the line to defend our freedoms. Durbin also discussed Senate Democrats' continued efforts to include immigration provisions in the Build… Continue Reading

Durbin, Leahy, Murkowski, Manchin Announce Bipartisan Compromise On John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released a bipartisan compromise on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This proposal - which builds on the version introduced earlier in October - reflects months of bipartisan negotiations and seeks to garner broader support in the Senate. Durbin, Leahy, Murkowski, and Manchin are committe… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Witnesses In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces: Protecting Against Stolen, Counterfeit, and Unsafe Goods." Durbin asked Aaron Muderick, Founder and President of Crazy Aaron's, whether he continues to deal with counterfeit and knock-off versions of his products on online marketplaces. "You said one of your employees was spending 15 t… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces

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 entitled, "Cleaning Up Online Marketplaces: Protecting Against Stolen, Counterfeit, and Unsafe Goods." Durbin spoke about the massive amounts of illicit and dangerous consumer products sold by third party sellers that operate with inadequate transparency and oversight on online marketplaces like Amazon. Durbin discussed… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit & Toby Heytens To The Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Beth Robinson to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit and Toby Heytens to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Justice Robinson was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 51-45 and Mr. Heytens was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 53-43. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Justice Robinson's and Mr. Heytens's confirmation: "… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Appointment Of Erika Rae Allen To Serve On Farm Service Agency State Committee In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would appoint Erika Rae Allen, of Chicago, Illinois, to serve on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee in Illinois. The FSA state committee is comprised of up to five individuals with backgrounds in agriculture and ensures… Continue Reading

Durbin: Build Back Better Will Save Middle-Class Families Money, Address Climate Change

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda. During his speech, Durbin highlighted key components of the framework that can help middle-class families save money and build a bright future for their children. "To our Republican friends, if you're really concerned about the economic strain on middle-class and working families, you've got an opportunity to prove it this week. Pr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Menendez, Kaine Meet with Venezuela Interim President Juan Guaidó

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere Chair Tim Kaine (D-VA) met virtually with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó to discuss the ongoing political stalemate in Venezuela and the humanitarian crisis that has forced more than five million refugees and migrants to flee their homes under discredited President Nicolás Maduro's regi… Continue Reading

Durbin Highlights New Federal Investments in Electric Vehicle Technology

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today virtually joined leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Argonne National Laboratory to discuss new federal investments in electric vehicle (EV) battery research that will improve the transition to cleaner, electric transportation and help Illinois remain a leader in EV innovation. This week, DOEannounced $209 million in funding for 26 new laboratory projects focusing on electric vehiclesand advanced battery technologies. Additionally,… Continue Reading

Durbin Files NDAA Amendments To Hold Egypt Accountable For Disappearances Of Family Members Of Illinois Resident

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) filed amendments to this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would hold Egypt accountable for the harassment and detention of Americans and their family members. Durbin has advocated for the release of three family members of Aly Hussin Mahdy, who is a lawful U.S. asylee and Illinois resident, who saw his father, uncle, and cousin jailed after he urged peaceful protests in front of Egyptian embassies. Durbin's amendments… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Delay Of Chicago-Rockford International Airport Road Construction

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Greater Rockford Airport Authority announced it would halt construction of a new access road, which is part of the Chicago-Rockford International Airport's expansion, until spring 2022: "I continue to encourage both sides to meet on a solution that is in the best interest of the environment, regional jobs, and economic development. Today's announcement is a good first step." -30-… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Immigration In Build Back Better Reconciliation Framework

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the inclusion of immigration in President Biden's Build Back Better reconciliation framework: "Millions of undocumented people live in this country and contribute to our economy. They deserve to live, work, and travel without fear of deportation. President Biden understands this. That's why he included immigration reform in his Build Back Better fr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced bipartisan legislation to 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 limitation. The Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2021 would enable survivors who were victims of over a dozen federal … Continue Reading

Durbin, Feinstein Call on USDA OIG to Audit Oversight of Dog Breeders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today led six Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct a more in-depth audit to properly examine the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) oversight of dog breeders regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The request comes after the USDA OIG noted in a recent report that the COVID-19 pandemic hindered efforts to c… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Attorney General Garland During Hearing On Oversight Of The Department Of Justice

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Oversight of the Department of Justice." Durbin asked Garland what the Department is doing to respond to gun violence and gun trafficking operations in Chicago. "Hardly a day goes by in the City of Chicago where somebody isn't killed by a firearm. The cases are heartbreaking…The gun u… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Attorney General Garland During Hearing On Oversight Of The Department Of Justice

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Oversight of the Department of Justice." Durbin asked Garland what the Department is doing to respond to gun violence and gun trafficking operations in Chicago. "Hardly a day goes by in the City of Chicago where somebody isn't killed by a firearm. The cases are heartbreaking…The gun u… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Nomination of Gregory Harris to be Central District of Illinois U.S. Attorney

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the White House's nomination of Gregory Harris to be U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois: "With more than 25 years of experience working in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District, Greg Harris will be ready to hit the ground running on day one. He is exceptionally well-qualified and… Continue Reading

Durbin: The Senate Must Follow the House's Lead & Eliminate the Federal Crack and Powder Cocaine Sentencing Disparity

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today urged his colleagues to support bipartisan legislation that will finally eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. The Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL) Act, introduced by Durbin and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), would eliminate the crack and powder cocaine sentencing d… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Federal Grants For Chicago And Quincy Police Departments To Support Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the cities of Chicago and Quincy were awarded $233,893 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) to support mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers. The funding is part of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program, which supports suicide prevention programs, training and technic… Continue Reading