Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Honors The Late Robert Mueller During A Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting honoring the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Robert Mueller. Durbin praised Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service. During his opening, Durbin also … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Questions Durham County Sheriff About The Impact Of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign On Local Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON - During today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, about the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign and its impact on local law enforcement. Durbin first asked Sheriff Birkhead about how immigration enforcement can erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “The Chiefs of … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Statement On California Jury Ruling Against Meta, YouTube In Landmark Trial
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a jury in Los Angeles, California found Meta and YouTube negligent in a benchmark social media addiction trial: “These back-to-back decisions in New Mexico and California show that Big Tech has become Big Tobacco. Now, it’s time for Congress to sunset Section 230 once and for all.” Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Presses MAGA Nominee To Lifetime Position On The Court Of International Trade About Inflammatory Social Media Posts Spreading Conspiracy Theories About January 6 Insurrection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kara Westercamp, nominated to a lifetime appointment on the Court of International Trade (CIT) at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin questioned Ms. Westercamp about her inflammatory social media posts where she repeatedly referred to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as “Cocaine Mitch.” She also retweeted a post which accused him of “embody[ing] … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
Durbin Applauds Historic Court Ruling Against Meta
WASHINGTON - In a statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this morning, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded a New Mexico jury finding that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and enabled the sexual exploitation of young users. Key quotes: “There isn’t a parent or grandparent alive who isn't fearful of what the hell these kids are looking at all day long and what is happening to them as a … Continue Reading
March 25, 2026
During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing, Durbin Denounces The MAGA Nominee Considered Today To A Lifetime Appointment On The Court Of International Trade
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing regarding the President’s reckless tariffs policy, disregard for the rule of law, and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against said tariffs. Durbin also spoke on the nomination of Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade (CIT). Ms. Westercamp’s nomination to the lifetime position … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Receives Champion Of Justice Award From Legal Services Corporation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today received the Champion of Justice Award from the national Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in recognition of his decades of work increasing access to justice for Americans. LSC is the largest funder of civil legal assistance in the country, supporting 130 local legal aid organizations that provide free assistance to low-income Americans. Nationally, LSC grantees served 1.8 … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election rather than fulfilling their obligation to conduct oversight over … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Statement On Colin McDonald Confirmation To Be Assistant Attorney General Targeting ‘Fraud’
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Colin McDonald to be Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division: “After gutting key divisions that actually investigate and prosecute fraud, the Trump Administration announced this newly-created vessel for targeting political enemies under the guise of ‘fraud enforcement.’ “I never … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin: Trump Wants To Pass The SAVE America Act Because He’s Worried About The Outcome Of The Midterm Elections
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined the specific provisions in Republicans’ SAVE America Act that would prevent Americans from exercising their right to vote, including rejecting common IDs to register to vote and penalizing married Americans who changed their last names. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2026
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Arctic Frost
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” Instead of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify, Senate Judiciary Republicans are proceeding with a wasteful series of eight subcommittee hearings to relitigate the 2020 presidential election, despite numerous other issues worth examining within the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2026
Durbin Slams The Trump Administration’s Extreme MAGA Nominees Who Will Help President Trump Further Weaponize The Justice System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting slamming the Trump Administration for nominating extreme and unqualified nominees. During his opening, Durbin also condemned the Trump Administration for nominating Colin McDonald to be an Assistant Attorney General for the newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division. Over the … Continue Reading
March 17, 2026
Senate Passes Durbin, Duckworth, Warnock, Booker, And Blunt Rochester’s Resolution Honoring The Late Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., that was led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). The resolution recognizes Rev. Jackson’s significant leadership during the Civil Rights … Continue Reading
March 16, 2026
Senate, House Judiciary Leaders Refer Kristi Noem To Justice Department For Perjury Investigation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, referred embattled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation into potential perjury charges and for knowingly making false statements under oath following her appearances before the Committees on March 3 and 4, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2026
Durbin Slams Trump Admin For Nominating January 6 Apologists To Judicial U.S. Attorney Positions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting slamming President Trump for pardoning violent January 6 rioters who have gone on to commit heinous crimes. Durbin also criticized President Trump for nominating extreme and unqualified U.S. attorney nominees who defended the January 6 rioters and embrace the Big Lie that the 2020 … Continue Reading
March 12, 2026
Durbin Calls For Reforms To FISA Section 702 Ahead Of Its Expiration Next Month
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for serious reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire next month. Section 702 grew out of a secret warrantless surveillance program conducted by the Bush Administration after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. When this illegal spying program was exposed, Congress enacted Section … Continue Reading
March 11, 2026
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Call For Independent Audit Of Epstein Files Redactions Protocol
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) called for an independent audit and report to Congress about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) practices in redacting information of the public release of the Epstein Files. Multiple reports have spotlighted DOJ’s failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act’s clear requirement … Continue Reading
March 10, 2026
Durbin Speaks Against Republicans’ So-Called SAVE America Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke against Republicans’ SAVE America Act, which would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote. On Sunday, President Trump said he would not sign any legislation until Congress passes this bill. “Amidst a war in the Middle East and DHS funding negotiations, the President of the United States now insists that the SAVE America Act … Continue Reading
March 09, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth, Warnock, Booker, And Blunt Rochester Introduce Resolution Honoring The Late reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. The resolution recognizes his significant leadership during the Civil Rights Movement and his decades of advocacy in pursuit of justice, equality, and human … Continue Reading
March 03, 2026
Durbin Questions Witnesses About Protecting Vulnerable Youth From Sex Trafficking, Exploitation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” During his questioning, Durbin focused on how the federal government can intervene before children are brought into dangerous situations, including trafficking and … Continue Reading