Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin, Duckworth Join Heinrich, Kelly To Introduce Anti-Cash Grab Act To Repeal ‘Arctic Frost’ Provision
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in leading 24 Senate colleagues to introduce the Anti-Cash Grab Act, legislation that will repeal a provision — quietly added into the Senate government funding bill by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) at the last minute — that allows Senators to collect $500,000 for … Continue Reading
November 19, 2025
Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned three judicial nominees at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin first questioned Nicholas Jon Ganjei, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, about whether his statements condemning those who assault law enforcement apply to the January 6 offenders who attacked law enforcement during the January 6 insurrection. Mr. … Continue Reading
November 19, 2025
Durbin Calls Out Recent Uptick In Threats Against Federal Judges
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 hearing on the judicial nominations of David Clay Wilkerson Fowlkes, to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas; Nicholas Jon Ganjei, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; and Aaron Christian Peterson, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. During his … Continue Reading
November 19, 2025
Durbin Statement On Senate Passing Bill To Release The Epstein Files
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House of Representatives in a 427-1 vote and now heads to the President’s desk: “First and foremost, this vote is in tribute to and honor of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s horrific crimes—and any victim or survivor of sexual abuse. Never in … Continue Reading
November 18, 2025
Durbin Joins Senate Democrats In Calling For Senate Vote On Epstein Files Transparency Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in leading their Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on Leader John Thune (R-SD) to immediately bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate floor for a vote, without delay or unnecessary process distractions. The Senators’ call follows the U.S. House of Representatives’ overwhelming … Continue Reading
November 06, 2025
Following Yesterday’s Cruel DHS Operation At A Preschool In Illinois, Durbin Again Calls For Secretary Noem To Testify In Front Of The Senate Judiciary Committee
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, in which he condemned the Trump Administration’s so-called “Operation Midway Blitz” in Illinois. Just yesterday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents arrested a preschool teacher inside the school where she worked. Durbin has repeatedly called on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to … Continue Reading
November 05, 2025
Durbin Calls Out The Trump Administration For Their Efforts To Undermine Voting Rights Across The Country
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senate Democrats in speaking on the floor condemning the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the right to vote. The floor speech comes after a successful election night for Democrats—where the American people overwhelmingly rejected the Trump Administration’s disastrous policies. During his remarks, Durbin highlighted the numerous ways the Trump Administration is … Continue Reading
October 30, 2025
Durbin Leads Judiciary Democrats In Calling On Chairman Grassley To Allow Former Special Counsel Jack Smith To Testify Publicly Before Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in sending a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) calling on him to allow former Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify before the Committee. In their letter, the Senators also urged Chairman Grassley to request the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) release Volume II of the unredacted “Final Report of the Special … Continue Reading
October 29, 2025
Senate Judiciary Democrats Probe Trump $230 Million Settlement Claims Before Justice Department
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in probing President Trump’s claims pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking $230 million of taxpayer dollars in alleged damages. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Senators began by characterizing the claims as “yet another attempt by President Trump to weaponize his position of power for personal financial gain … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Durbin Questions Former Biden Administration DHS Witness Who Specialized In Reducing Violent Extremism During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Political Violence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses during today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that examined political violence. Durbin questioned Mr. William Braniff, who previously served as Director of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, or CP3, at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program was created under the Biden Administration to take a comprehensive approach to … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing, Debunking Republicans’ Claims That Political Violence Only Comes From The Left
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that examined political violence—following the recent assassinations of Charlie Kirk, Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted assassination of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. During his opening, Durbin recognized the law enforcement officers who … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Questions Andrew Duva To Be Assistant Attorney General For The Criminal Division, Two Judicial Nominees During A Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Andrew Tysen Duva, nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, about the Public Integrity Section (PIN) at the Department of Justice (DOJ). PIN staff has been reduced from approximately 30 prosecutors at the end of the Biden Administration to now only two attorneys. Earlier this week, Durbin met with Mr. Duva, who reassured the Senator that … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nomination Of Assistant Attorney General For The Criminal Division, Two Judicial Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Andrew Tysen Duva, nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division; William Jerrol Crain, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana; and Alexander Coker Van Hook, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of … Continue Reading
October 22, 2025
Durbin Implores Colleagues To Reform The Centuries-Old Insurrection 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, encouraged his colleagues to support commonsense reforms to the outdated Insurrection Act. Introduced by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform centuries-old legislation that gives the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops—either with or without the … Continue Reading
October 21, 2025
Durbin Statement On Forced Cutbacks For Federal Judiciary Due To Trump Shutdown
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement as today marks the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts’ reported trigger date forcing curtailed operations of the federal courts due to the Trump shutdown: “The impacts of the Trump government shutdown are now reaching our justice system. Because Republicans are choosing to put billionaire tax cuts ahead of affordable health care for all Americans, … Continue Reading
October 20, 2025
Durbin On “No Kings” Protest: Political Opposition & Peaceful Protests Are Not Rebellion, They Are The Bedrock Of Our Democracy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor recounting the events of Chicago’s “No Kings” protest over the weekend. In his remarks, Durbin further spoke about the Trump Administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn lower-court rulings that have temporarily paused the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. “On Saturday, an estimated seven million Americans across … Continue Reading
October 20, 2025
Durbin Meets With Nominee For Assistant Attorney General For The Criminal Division
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Andrew T. Duva, President Trump’s nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division: “This Administration shows no willingness to abide by the rule of law. As DOJ leadership exhibits no remorse for weaponizing our justice system, the American people are louder than ever in demanding a Justice Department that puts … Continue Reading
October 10, 2025
Durbin Statement On Judge Perry Granting Temporary Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Troops To Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge April Perry issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Trump’s national guard deployment in Illinois for two weeks: “I welcome this ruling against the President’s diabolical plan. President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Illinois, without the consent or request of Illinois’ elected leaders, is … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Durbin Statement On Indictment Of New York Attorney General Letitia James
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James in federal court: “President Trump has successfully turned the Department of Justice into a shield to protect himself and his MAGA allies and a sword to attack his opponents, enabled by an Attorney General who follows orders. “This Administration shows no allegiance to our country nor the … Continue Reading
October 09, 2025
Durbin Condemns Unprovoked Trump Administration Escalation In Chicago, Attorney General Bondi’s Conduct At Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, condemned the Trump Administration’s unprovoked and unlawful escalation of immigration enforcement in Chicago and the arrival of Texas National Guard troops. In an opening statement at a Committee executive business meeting, Durbin began by highlighting Republican hypocrisy, saying: “To my Republican colleagues, how would you react if a Democratic President deployed the National … Continue Reading