Press Releases
Durbin Statement On Failed Senate Vote On The Equal Rights Amendment
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against S.J.Res.4, a bipartisan, joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would enshrine gender equality into the Constitution: "Today, Senate Republicans failed to secure the rights of every American by voting against the Equal Rights Amendment. Right now, women … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Ask Chief Justice Roberts For Information Regarding Supreme Court Ethics Ahead Of Hearing On May 2
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts seeking additional information on the "Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices" the Chief Justice attached in a letter to Durbin declining his invitation to testify before the Committee on May 2 at a public hearing regarding Supreme Court ethics reform. "On April 25, you sent a letter to the … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Ahead Of Senate Vote, Durbin Calls On His Colleagues To Support The Equal Rights Amendment
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on his colleagues to support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would enshrine gender equality into the Constitution. The Senate is scheduled to vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to this resolution later today. In February, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the ERA, the first Senate hearing on the topic since 1984. "The … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Talks Water Infrastructure With Metropolitan Water Reclamation Department
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met Metropolitan Water Reclamation Department's (MWRD) leadership to discuss the organization's efforts to address excessive flooding in historically underserved communities in the Chicagoland area, including Harvey, South Holland, and Blue Island. Durbin and MWRD leadership also spoke about the dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Durbin emphasized the necessity of detecting PFAS contamination … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Meets With The Keep Kids Safe Coalition To Discuss Efforts To Protect Children From Exploitation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with the Keep Kids Safe Coalition to discuss efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. Durbin recently unveiled his new efforts to stop the exploitation of children online in a speech on the Senate floor. "Children are being bullied, harassed, and pressured into dangerous and even deadly behavior online. As lawmakers, it's our duty to impose stronger, … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Discusses Strengthening Unions With UAW President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain to talk through the upcoming contract negotiations between the union and automakers at the end of the year. In the meeting, Durbin reiterated his support for unions in addition to building up workforce development initiatives and apprenticeships to recruit and prepare young Americans to enter the auto industry. Fain and Durbin also emphasized the importance of investing in … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Meets With President Of International Association Of Fire Fighters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Ed Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), to discuss union priorities. During their meeting, Durbin and Kelly discussed the health risks posed by fire fighter turnout gear. Studies show that fire fighter gear contains unnecessary per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of fluorinated chemicals known as "forever chemicals" that have been linked to cancer and other … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Introduces America's Red Rock Wilderness Act To Protect Wilderness Lands In Utah
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act to protect more than eight million acres of land in Utah that is rich in archaeological resources and home to numerous rare plant and animal species. These landscapes are also the access point for many national parks and offer unparalleled research, educational, and recreational opportunities for scientists, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and American families. "The America's … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin, Ossoff, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Overhaul Federal Prison Oversight
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Mike Braun (R-IN) today to reintroduce bipartisan legislation, the Federal Prison Oversight Act, to overhaul federal prison oversight and strengthen security at federal prisons. The legislation would establish new, independent oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The bipartisan bill requires the Department of Justice's Inspector General … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
DURBIN QUESTIONS WITNESSES DURING SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE DEVASTATING FALLOUT SINCE THE SUPREME COURT OVERRULED ROE V. WADE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine the devastating fallout since the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in June 2022. "The Assault on Reproductive Rights in a Post-Dobbs America" is the first hearing focused on reproductive rights in the House or the Senate this Congress. Durbin began by sharing his sympathy for one of today's witnesses, … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Devastating Fallout Since The Supreme Court Overruled Roe V. Wade
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine the devastating fallout since the U.S. Supreme Court overruledRoe v. Wade in June 2022. "The Assault on Reproductive Rights in a Post-Dobbs America" is the first hearing focused on reproductive rights in the House or the Senate this Congress. Today's hearing follows the full committee hearing Durbin … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Meets With Marshal Of The Polish Senate, Tomasz Grodzki
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with Marshal of the Polish Senate, Tomasz Grodzki, to discuss continued support for Ukraine following Putin's unjustified war. They also discussed their continued support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the strong U.S.-Polish bilateral relationship. "Poland has proven to be a key leader in Eastern Europe and a critical ally to our friends in Ukraine as Vladimir … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Durbin Meets With Australian Ambassador To The U.S., Kevin Rudd
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bicameral Friends of Australia Caucus, met with Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, to discuss U.S.-Australian cooperation and ongoing partnerships. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT-02) also joined the meeting. "As the Friends of Australia Caucus Co-Chair, I was pleased to meet with new Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd," said Durbin. "He understand the … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Durbin Statement On Chief Justice Roberts Declining To Testify Before The Judiciary Committee Regarding Supreme Court Ethics
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Chief Justice John Roberts declined Durbin's invitation for the Chief Justice, or another Justice whom he designates, to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 2 to testify at a public hearing regarding Supreme Court ethics reform. The Chief Justice's response is available here. "The Senate Judiciary Committee will proceed with our May … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Durbin Speaks With U.S. Transportation Command, Discusses Military Readiness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today spoke by phone with the Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost. TRANSCOM, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, is tasked with delivering manpower, material, and humanitarian assistance around the world for the Department of Defense (DOD). During their call, Durbin and General Van Ovost discussed TRANSCOM's critical … Continue Reading
April 24, 2023
Durbin Urges DOJ, USPS To Work Together To Protect Letter Carriers And Better Investigate And Prosecute Armed Robberies
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today held a news conference with members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to call on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and United States Postal Service (USPS) to take necessary action to respond to the increase in armed robberies of letter carriers. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Durbin urged DOJ and USPS to work … Continue Reading
April 22, 2023
Durbin Receives Response To April 10th Letter To Chief Justice Roberts On Supreme Court Ethical Standards
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after receiving a response to an April 10th letter he and other Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic members sent to Chief Justice John Roberts urging the Chief Justice to investigate ProPublicareports that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted and failed to disclose 20 years' worth of lavish gifts and luxury travel from prominent Republican donor Harlan … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court’s Decision To Preserve Access To The Abortion Pill Mifepristone
SPRINGFIELD - Tonight, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision to preserve access to the abortion pill mifepristone: "Tonight's decision out of the Supreme Court is good news for millions of women nationwide who deserve the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions and will still have access to a drug that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled to be … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Durbin Joins Introduction Of Legislation To Avoid Catastrophic Debt Default
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) this week joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) to reintroduce legislation to avoid default by repealing the national debt ceiling, an arbitrary limit set by Congress on the amount of funding that the United States Treasury may borrow. In practice, the debt limit has no impact on government spending, which is authorized and approved through the federal budget and appropriations process. Instead, the ceiling restricts the U.S. … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Durbin Warns Illinois Education Professionals To Sound The Alarm On For-Profit Colleges
SPRINGFIELD - As high school seniors consider their plans for higher education this spring, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) is enlisting the help of Illinois high school principals, counselors, and teachers to warn college-bound students and their families about the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. is facing a concerning workforce shortage across several industries, including the health care and education fields, … Continue Reading