Press Releases

February 21, 2023

Durbin, Booker, Armstrong, Jeffries Announce Reintroduction Of Bipartisan Legislation To Eliminate Federal Crack And Powder Cocaine Sentencing Disparity

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, and U.S. Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the House Democratic Leader, in announcing the reintroduction of the bipartisan Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL) Act, legislation to eliminate the federal crack and … Continue Reading


February 21, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $18 Million From USDA Reconnect Program To Bring High-Speed Internet Access To Communities Across Rural Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $18,066,450 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ReConnect Grant program to bring high-speed internet access to residents living and working across Warren, Henderson, Hancock, and McDonough counties. "The pandemic exacerbated the digital divide in rural communities across Illinois and the entire nation," said Durbin. "Investing in high-speed … Continue Reading


February 19, 2023

Durbin, Shaheen Announce Congressional Delegation Visit To Georgia & Romania To Underscore Importance Of Black Sea Region

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statements announcing their travel to Georgia and Romania following their participation in the 2023 Munich Security Forum. During their visit, Durbin and Shaheen will meet with … Continue Reading


February 17, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth, Krishnamoorthi, Ramirez Urge Surface Transportation Board To Defer Decision On Canadian Pacific And Kansas City Southern Rail Merger Until Further Study Of Impacts On Chicago Region

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) today sent a letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman urging the STB to defer any decision on the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroads until the STB completes a more accurate assessment of the impacts of the merger on the Chicago region. … Continue Reading


February 17, 2023

Durbin Joins Congressional Delegation To Munich Security Conference

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, will join a number of his Senate colleagues in a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to this weekend's Munich Security Conference (MSC) amid continued Russian aggression following the illegal war in Ukraine and interference in western democracies. The MSC is widely considered the world's leading forum for international security policy. The conference is a "marketplace of ideas" where initiatives … Continue Reading


February 17, 2023

Durbin Reflects On Russia’s War On Ukraine Ahead Of The One-Year Anniversary

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Durbin began his speech by highlighting Chicago Chef Tony Priolo, who leapt into action to help the Ukrainian people, and who previously employed a young Ukrainian woman. Chef Priolo contacted the Illinois Restaurant Association and 30 chef friends, and less than three … Continue Reading


February 16, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $69 Million For Variety Of Illinois Health Care Programs And Initiatives

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced nearly $70 million in federal funding a variety of health care programs, initiatives, and community projects across the state. "State and local institutions count on federal investments like the ones announced today to ensure they can continue providing vital resources and services to their communities-from improving access to primary health care, to supporting pregnant women, to … Continue Reading


February 16, 2023

Durbin Discusses Opioid Quotas, Social Media Drug Distribution With DEA Administrator Milgram

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram. Durbin commended Administrator Milgram for continuing to rein in the pharmaceutical industry's demand for excessive and unjustified manufacturing quotas for opioid pills. Durbin, along with U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), was the lead author of the 2018 law that enhanced DEA's opioid quota-setting authority by … Continue Reading


February 16, 2023

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Four Nominees To Full Senate On Bipartisan Basis

WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced four nominations for consideration by the full Senate, including two U.S. Attorney nominees. "This week, we celebrated the confirmation of the 100th judge under the Biden Administration. It's a notable milestone - not just because of the pace that we are filling judicial vacancies, but also because of the outstanding credentials of the confirmed nominees. They are professionally diverse, highly qualified, and reflective of America - … Continue Reading


February 16, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.3 Million Grant For National Louis University To Strengthen Teacher Diversity Preparation Programs

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Education has awarded $1,341,279 in Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Programs grants to National Louis University (NLU) in Chicago. NLU is among the first universities and colleges to receive federal funds dedicated to the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Programs. The federal funding will be used to implement three multi-pathway residency … Continue Reading


February 16, 2023

Durbin, Graham Announce Subcommittees And Subcommittee Chairs & Ranking Members Of Senate Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced the establishment of the Subcommittees of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 118thCongress, and the assignment of Chairs, Ranking Members, and members to these Subcommittees. "During the 117th Congress, the Judiciary Committee held 41 subcommittee hearings on issues important to … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Meets With Special Olympics Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with athletes, students, teachers, staff, and the Board Chair from Special Olympics Illinois to discuss the nonprofit’s mission of championing the rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.  During the meeting, Durbin heard from athletes about how the program has impacted them and offered them leadership opportunities.  Durbin and the representatives from Special Olympics Illinois also … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Invites FDA Commissioner To Visit Vape Shop To See Firsthand The Abundance Of Kid-Friendly E-Cigarettes On The Market

WASHINGTON - On the one year anniversary of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf's Senate confirmation, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to FDA slamming the agency for its continued lack of urgency to address youth tobacco use. For years, FDA has failed to regulate e-cigarettes, refusing to enforce the law and take action against companies marketing illegal vaping products to children. Due to this inaction, Durbin invited Dr. … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Questions Circuit & District Court Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Jeffrey Cummings and LaShonda A. Hunt, both nominated to be United States District Judges for the Northern District of Illinois, at today's Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. "Judge Hibbler was one of my first recommendations to the federal bench. He was an extraordinary jurist and extraordinary person. And I would think it would be a great, positive experience to serve as … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Meets With National Association Of Letter Carriers As Postal Workers Face Uptick In Armed Robberies

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Brian Renfroe, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), to discuss the steep increase in armed robberies against postal workers. During their conversation, Durbin and Renfroe spoke about ways to improve safety protocols for letter carriers. "Letter carriers perform an essential service of our government, but delivering mail has become an increasingly dangerous job. It's shameful that Postmaster … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $9.5 Million in DOJ Grants from Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for Illinois State Crisis Intervention Program

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $9,527,496 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for the Illinois State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). The purpose of the SCIP will be to identify and implement programs that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. "Intervention programs are the gateway to breaking the cycle of violence in our communities," … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $9.5 Million In DOJ Grants From Bipartisan Safer Communities Act For Illinois State Crisis Intervention Program

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $9,527,496 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for the Illinois State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). The purpose of the SCIP will be to identify and implement programs that work to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. "Intervention programs are the gateway to breaking the cycle of violence in our communities," … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin, Blumenauer Introduce The Bicycles For Rural African Transport Act

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03) introduced the Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act, legislation that would establish within the Office of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) a rural mobility program, using affordable, sustainable bicycles to support access and key development objectives. "U.S. foreign assistance makes up less than one … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing On Circuit & District Court Nominations

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 Michael Delaney, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Jeffrey Cummings, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Marian F. Gaston, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Wesley L. Hsu, to be United States … Continue Reading


February 15, 2023

Durbin Highlights Johnson & Johnson’s Shameful ‘Texas Two-Step’ Maneuver On Senate Floor

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called out big corporations for their exploitation of bankruptcy to dodge accountability, and decried Johnson & Johnson's attempt to use a corporate bankruptcy maneuver known as the "Texas Two-Step" to avoid facing claims from cancer-stricken customers. Last month, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the bankruptcy filing by a shell company created … Continue Reading

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