Press Releases
Senate and House Judiciary Democrats Outline Necessary Due Process Reforms for Noncitizens in Immigration Detention Center
WASHINGTON - Today, lead Senate and House Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining necessary reforms to current procedures fornoncitizens in immigration detention to improve access to due process. The letter is signed by the top Democrat on both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) - and top … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Durbin Calls Out House Republicans for Dangerous Effort to Block Reauthorization of AIDS Relief
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor emphasizing the positive impact of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved more than 25 million lives worldwide in conjunction with its companion effort, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. In his speech, Durbin criticized House Republicans for threatening to halt the reauthorization of PEPFAR despite the program’s effectiveness by … Continue Reading
October 30, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Require Insurers to Fully Cover Over-the-Counter Birth Control, With No Out-Pf-Pocket Costs or Prescription Barrier
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), along with 42 of their Senate colleagues, in sending a letter urging the Biden Administration to require federally and state-regulated health insurance plans to fully cover over-the-counter contraceptives, including Opill—the first-ever … Continue Reading
October 28, 2023
Durbin Statement on Tentative UAW-Stellantis Deal to Restart Belvidere Auto Plant with Addition of A Battery Facility
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement expressing his support for the tentative deal reached between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Stellantis, which includes restarting the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois, as well as adding a battery plant to the facility: “From my very first meeting, and every one since, the President of UAW, Shawn Fain, made it clear that the future of Belvidere was a critical bargaining issue. He … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Durbin Speaks At EVBox's Launch Event for New Direct Current Fast Charger Technology
LIBERTYVILLE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited EVBox’s manufacturing facility to deliver remarks at the launch of its new direct current (DC) fast charger technology, known as Troniq Modular. “Today, electric vehicles are more than a vision of the future; they are a tangible reality—affordable, accessible, and efficient,” said Durbin. “With innovators like EVBox reimagining the future of refueling with its new direct current fast charger technology, more Americans can make the … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Senate Judiciary Committee Formally Welcomes Senator Laphonza Butler, Advances Four Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee formally welcomed Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) to the Committee, after it was announced that she would fill the seat left vacant following the passing of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Approved at today’s business meeting, Senator Butler is now Chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and filled Senator Feinstein’s three other subcommittee assignments on the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism; the … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Durbin, Warren, Lawmakeers Call on Corizon Health, INC. to Answer for Use of 'Texas Two-Step,' Evasion of Liability By Abusing Bankruptcy System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), today sent a letter to Corizon Health, Inc.-affiliated companies Tehum Care Services, Inc. and YesCare Corporation (together, “Corizon”), condemning Corizon’s use of the Texas … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Durbin Hosts Senate, House Ukraine Caucus Chairs, Key Members to Discuss Support for Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Co-Chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, hosted Co-Chairs of the Senate and House Ukraine Caucus and additional key Members to discuss continued support for Ukraine, including President Biden’s emergency supplemental. In addition to Durbin and Wicker, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE), as well as U.S. … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Durbin, Waters Introduce CLASS Act to Give Student Defrauded by For-Profit Colleges Their Day in Court
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) today reintroduced bicameral legislation designed to strengthen students’ ability to hold for-profit colleges accountable in court for their misconduct. The Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act would enhance accountability for for-profit colleges and safeguard taxpayer dollars by prohibiting an institution of higher education from receiving Title IV federal student aid if … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Durbin Leads Colleagues in Letter to DOL Urging the Department to Hold Companies Accountable for Violating Child Labor Laws
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 11 Senate colleagues in a letter to Department of Labor (DOL) Acting Secretary Julie Su urging the Department to continue holding companies accountable for violations of child labor laws. The letter follows a New York Times Magazine article that raised serious concerns about the influx of unaccompanied noncitizen children that are working long hours in dangerous conditions. In the letter, … Continue Reading
October 23, 2023
Durbin Leads Colleagues in Letter to DOL Urging the Department to Hold Companies Accountable for Violating Child Labor Laws
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led 11 Senate colleagues in a letter to Department of Labor (DOL) Acting Secretary Julie Su urging the Department to continue holding companies accountable for violations of child labor laws. The letter follows a New York Times Magazine article that raised serious concerns about the influx of unaccompanied noncitizen children that are working long hours in dangerous conditions. In the letter, … Continue Reading
October 20, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth Join Baldwin, House Members to Introduce Legislation to Lower Cost of Community and Tech College
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced bicameral legislation with Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-03) to make two-year technical and community college accessible to more Americans by waiving tuition foreligible students. “Community colleges provide a springboard forstudents who wish to continue their education and a … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Durbin Statement on President Biden's Address to the Nation
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office on the United States’ response to the wars in Israel and Ukraine: “Thank you, Mr. President, for reminding America that we have a singular role in the world fighting against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like the infamous war criminal, Vladimir Putin. “We are fortunate to have a President who knows the lessons of history and is … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
Durbin Releases Statement for the Record for Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Hearing on Immigration Courts
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released a statement for the record for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety hearing entitled “Preserving Due Process and the Rule of Law: Examining the Status of Our Nation’s Immigration Courts.” Key Quotes: “Our immigration courts are essential to a functional and orderly immigration system, but they are in desperate need of reform and … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth, Ernst, Booker, Colleagues Urge President Biden To Do Everything in His Power to Rescue American Hostages
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), led 45 colleagues in urging President Biden to continue putting his full attention on the freeing of American hostages that were taken by Hamas during the terrorist organization’s October 7th attacks on Israel and supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We appreciate that you have sent the … Continue Reading
October 17, 2023
Durbin Welcomes Senator Butler to the Senate Judiciary Committee
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement welcoming U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) to the Senate Judiciary Committee after it was announced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that she will serve on the Committee for the remainder of the 118th Congress: “It is an honor to welcome Senator Butler to the Senate Judiciary Committee. She brings new ideas and a unique experience in public … Continue Reading
October 17, 2023
Durbin Statement on Settlement Agreement for Families Separated at the U.S.-Mexico Border by the Trump Administration
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the settlement agreement in the Ms. L vs. Immigration and Customs Enforcement class action lawsuit: “Today’s announcement is a win for the hundreds of families who endured severe trauma due to the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane family separation policy—a policy that went directly against the values of this nation. The prior … Continue Reading
October 17, 2023
Durbin Releases Statement for the Record for Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Name, Image, And Likeness, And the Future of College Sports
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released a statement for the record for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Name, Image, and Likeness, and the Future of College Sports.” Today’s hearing will examine different federal name, image, and likeness (NIL) legislative proposals and seek to establish what is truly in the best interests of college athletes. Key Quotes: “College sports is a big business that generates … Continue Reading
October 16, 2023
As Winter Approaches, Durbin, Duckworth Join Bipartisan Letter Urging Biden Administration To Help Reduce Energy Costs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined a group of 26 lawmakers, led by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), in sending a bipartisan letter calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take additional steps to reduce energy costs for Americans through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally … Continue Reading
October 13, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster Announce Up to $1 Billion for Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen's Production And Distribution Hub
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today announced up to $1 billion in federal funding for the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub (H2Hub) through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA). In May, Durbin and Foster led a … Continue Reading