Durbin Questions Secretary Of State Antony Blinken On Situation In Ukraine At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the U.S. Department of State's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, began his questioning asking about Ukraine's needs following Putin's unjustified and unprovoked war. "Are we falling short for what they need [Ukraine]? Are we doing eno… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Critical Law Enforcement Positions Following Unanimous Consent Request

WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate confirmed the nominations of eight U.S. Attorneys (USAs) and two U.S. Marshals (USMs) following a unanimous consent (UC) request by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The nominees included Ryan K. Buchanan, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Jason M. Frierson, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nevada; Mark A. Totten, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan; Marisa T. Darden, to be United Stat… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Confirmation Of Ladon Reynolds To Serve As U.S. Marshal For The Northern District Of Illinois

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 after the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed LaDon Reynolds to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois: "LaDon Reynolds is a seasoned law enforcement veteran who will serve with distinction in this important role. Starting in 1994, Chief Reynolds held several high-ranking positions for the Oak Par… Continue Reading

Durbin, D. Davis, Underwood Mark Senate Passage Of Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration And Recovery Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today marked Senate passage of their legislation, the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration Act (S. 4089). The bill passed the Senate last night by voice vote. Once passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, the bill would give the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authority to restore benefits under the American Rescue Plan's Vet… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Restaurant Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association to discuss pressing issues facing the state's restaurant industry. During the meeting, Durbin also spoke about the need for Congress to pass immigration reform, as immigrants play a crucial role in keeping the hospitality industry running. Durbin went on to express his support for replenishing the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which g… 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 Nancy Abudu, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; and Judge J. Michelle Childs, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit. "You are going to hear questions posed to you today on whether or not you can be objective, dispassionate, throw away the role of advocate and be a judge in one o… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Nominations Hearing

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 Nancy Abudu, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; Judge J. Michelle Childs, to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit; Nusrat Choudhury, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Judge Ana de Alba, to be United States District Judge… Continue Reading

Durbin, Braun Introduce Legislation To Improve Safety And Ensure Transparency Of Dietary Supplement Industry

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation to require dietary supplement manufacturers to list their products with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which provided FDA with authorities to regulate dietary supplements. However, DSHEA did not require dietary supplement companies to r… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Press DHS IG On Reported Attempts To Bury Allegations Of Widespread Sexual Harassment And Misconduct

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General to address reports that it has delayed and downplayed reports of sexual harassment and misconduct at DHS. In a letter to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, the Senators cite documents recently released by the Project on Gov… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Criminal Justice And Public Safety With Illinois Department Of Corrections Director Jeffreys

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead sponsor of the landmark First Step Act, today met virtually with Rob Jeffreys, Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). During their meeting, Durbin and Jeffreys discussed the Director's reform efforts within IDOC, including improvements to programming, reentry services, and incentive-based corrections. Durbin and Jeffreys also discussed ways in which the federal govern… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's Clemency Grants, Plan To Increase Opportunity For Formerly Incarcerated Persons

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead sponsor of the landmark First Step Act, today released the following statement after President Biden announced a plan to expand opportunities for formerly incarcerated persons: "It is common sense that once incarcerated Americans complete their sentences and return to society, they should have a fair chance to fully participate in society. Policy actions like these are critical to mak… Continue Reading

Durbin: Americans Should Know What Is In Dietary Supplements

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation he will introduce this week with Senator Mike Braun (R-IN). The legislation will require dietary supplement manufacturers to list their products with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as provide basic, common-sense information about ingredients and labels. This information would then be made available to the public. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Health And Hospital Association To Discuss Workforce Shortages, COVID-19 Recovery

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) President AJ Wilhelmi and several Illinois hospital representatives to discuss workforce shortages and additional support for hospitals recovering from the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. During their conversation, Durbin received an update about how hospitals have coped with increased financial strains while maintaining quality care and access for patients. Congress has p… Continue Reading

In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Calls For Improved Safety Kits For Army Humvees

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about upgrading safety features of the Army's Humvees and improving training to address the troubling number of military tactical vehicle accidents. In his remarks, Durbin highlighted research into anti-lock brake and electronic stability safety kits, known as ABS/ESC, as well as other upgrades, to help prevent accidents. While u… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Jobs Program & Appropriation Funding With Secretary Of Labor Marty Walsh

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh. During their meeting, Durbin and Walsh discussed the DOL Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which totals $14.6 billion. The funds would go toward Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, Reentry Employment Opportunities, apprenticeship grants, Job Corps, YouthBuild, and more. Durbin and Walsh also discussed health care workforce shortages that have been ma… Continue Reading

Durbin: It Is Clear That Putin Has Disastrously Miscalculated

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor to reiterate the United States' support of the transatlantic alliance and Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his unjustified and unprovoked war. Durbin also highlighted the service of two Illinois veterans - Lorenzo Cervantes, who passed away last week, and Casimir "Casey" Celeske. Both Cervantes and Celekse fought in World War II with an elite combat unit known as the F… Continue Reading

Durbin Responds To Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans' Letter Calling For Hearing On Title 42

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today responded to a recent letter from Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans requesting a Committee hearing with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials regarding the Biden Administration's decision to rescind the Title 42 Public Health Order on May 23, 2022. In a letter to Committee Republicans, Durbin welcomed their renewed interest in Committee oversight of DHS and noted that it… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warren, Warnock, Colleagues Ask Department Of Education For Its Plan To Provide A "Fresh Start" To Student Loan Borrowers In Default

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, asking the Department of Education (ED) for details about its plan to give a "fresh start" to student loan borrowers currently in default before loan payments resume. Their letter follows ED… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Statement On First Step Act Annual Report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the lead sponsors of the landmark First Step Act (FSA), released the following statement regarding the publication of the First Step Act Annual Report this week: "The Justice Department's recently released report shows significant progress towards the implementation of the First Step Act and the legislat… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Nomination Of Rachelle Crowe To Serve As U.S. Attorney For The Southern District Of Illinois & David Davis To Serve As U.S. Marshal For The Southern District Of Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the White House announced the nominations of Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois and David C. Davis to serve as United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. Based on recommendations made by the screening committee the Senators established in the Southern District, Durbin and Duckworth… Continue Reading