Press Releases
Durbin Speaks In Support Of Bipartisan Legislation To Impose Hard-Hitting Sanctions On Russia If It Does Not Negotiate In Good Faith To End The War In Ukraine
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke in support of new, bipartisan legislation he introduced this week with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s ongoing illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. The bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by 50 U.S. Senators, evenly divided by … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025
Durbin, Foster Introduce American Innovation Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today reintroduced the bicameral American Innovation Act, which would provide annual budget increases at a rate of five percent, indexed to inflation, for cutting edge research at five federal agencies: the Department of Energy Office of Science; the National Science Foundation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research Services; the Department of … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025
Durbin Discusses Credit Card Competition Act With National Retail Federation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois members of the National Retail Federation (NRF) to discuss his bipartisan legislation, the Credit Card Competition Act. The legislation would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market that is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. Building off of debit card competition reforms enacted by Congress in 2010, the bill would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure the giant credit … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025
Durbin, Rep. Kelly Introduce Bicameral Legislation To Update Laws Governing Licensed Firearm Dealers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today introduced the Federal Firearm Licensee Act to update the laws governing licensed firearm dealers for the first time in over 30 years. Current laws are inadequate to meet the business, technological, and cultural realities of the 21st century, ultimately insulating rogue firearms dealers from law enforcement. “Our existing laws … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Six Bipartisan Bills To Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WASHINGTON - This morning, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced six bipartisan bills to help lower the price of prescription drugs. U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement: “Families are struggling to afford their medications. Congress must take an all-options approach to lowering prescription drug prices, and the bills we advanced today embody that spirit. The legislative package will improve … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin Delivers Remarks On His Credit Card Competition Act At National Restaurant Association Conference
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered remarks and participated in a fireside chat at the National Restaurant Association’s annual conference. In his remarks, Durbin spoke about his bipartisan legislation, the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market that is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. Building off of debit card competition reforms enacted by Congress in 2010, the … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin Slams President Trump's Newly Announced Tariffs That Will Raise Prices For Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump unveiled his latest round of tariffs, which will raise prices for Americans, unleash a global trade war, and harm our economy: “The President is risking a recession with this national sales tax he calls tariffs—while needlessly alienating our closest allies. When American families see what this does to the price of goods, such as cars, groceries, and gas, it is going to create a … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nationwide Injunctions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Rule by District Judges II: Exploring Legislative Solutions to the Bipartisan Problem of Universal Injunctions.” Durbin first questioned Samuel Bray, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, about birthright citizenship. President Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump's Anticipated Tariffs That Will Harm Americans
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke out against President Trump’s anticipated tariffs he is scheduled to unveil later today. In his remarks, Durbin underscored that the Trump tariffs would not lower prices, as he promised during his campaign, but instead spike prices for Americans. Durbin also announced he will be supporting Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) resolution to block the President’s abuse of emergency powers. “Since … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats Push For Hearing On Ed Martin's U.S. Attorney Nomination
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in a letter to Chairman Grassley pushing for a hearing on Ed Martin’s nomination to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. While the Committee doesn’t typically hold hearings for U.S. Attorney nominees, Mr. Martin’s record and deeply problematic conduct merit heightened scrutiny and more than justify the full committee … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Hearing On Nationwide Injunctions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Rule by District Judges II: Exploring Legislative Solutions to the Bipartisan Problem of Universal Injunctions.” During his opening remarks, Durbin highlighted the dangerous and irresponsible conduct of the President and his allies, which has resulted in a disturbing increase in threats against … Continue Reading
April 01, 2025
Durbin, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Retain International Graduates With Advanced STEM Degrees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would streamline the path for advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) international graduates who studied at our nation’s universities to remain in the United States. Last year, nearly half of U.S. graduate students in key fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and … Continue Reading
April 01, 2025
Durbin Meets With Argonne National Lab Director As Trump Administration Threatens Future Of Scientific Research
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Dr. Paul Kearns, Director of Argonne National Laboratory to discuss the future of scientific research as the Trump Administration takes aim at federal research institutions. During their meeting, Durbin and Dr. Kearns spoke about the disastrous impact of the Trump Administration’s funding cuts and freezes to scientific research. Durbin and Dr. Kearns also discussed Illinois’ position as a leader in quantum computing … Continue Reading
April 01, 2025
Durbin Speaks In Support Of Senate Booker Holding The Senate Floor & Calls Out The Trump Admin's Continued Efforts To Undermine The Rule Of Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) on the Senate floor to speak against efforts by the Trump Administration to undermine the rule of law. Booker has taken the Senate floor with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the Senate by speaking for as long as he is physically able. In his right as a Senator to speak without limitation, Booker is lifting up the voices of … Continue Reading
April 01, 2025
Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats Ask AG Bondi For Clarification On The Trump Admin's Extreme Partisan Approach To The Pardon Power
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in two letters to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi seeking clarification about the Trump Administration’s extreme and partisan approach to the pardon power. The first letter asks what role, if any, the Department of Justice (DOJ) played in the pardons and commutations issued by President Donald Trump to individuals … Continue Reading
March 31, 2025
Durbin, Schumer, Democratic Senators Urge AG Bondi To Appoint A Special Counsel To Investigate Trump Administration Signal Chat National Security Breach
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 29 Senate Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi urging her to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved in the Signal chat security breach violated federal criminal law. On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported … Continue Reading
March 31, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Introduce Legislation To Increase Employment Opportunities
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) reintroduced two bills to expand and increase access to employment opportunities for underserved youth. The Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity (HERO) for Youth Act and the Assisting in Developing (AID) Youth Employment Act will increase federal resources for communities seeking to create or grow employment programs and provide tax incentives … Continue Reading
March 31, 2025
Durbin Leads Letter To AG Bondi On Appointment Of Kash Patel As ATF Acting Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led 15 Senate Democrats in a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi inquiring into what policies and procedures she will commit to implementing in her capacity as AG to ensure that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will continue to meaningfully function in its intended capacity under Kash Patel’s stewardship. In February, President Trump … Continue Reading
March 31, 2025
Durbin Slams Republican Plans To Cut Medicaid In Order To Provide Tax Cuts To Billionaires
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) slammed Congressional Republicans for their plan to slash Medicaid funding to give tax breaks to billionaires through their budget resolution. House Republicans have proposed $880 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program in order to pay for President Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires, and Senate Republicans have similarly put this program in the crosshairs. “Why? Not because they want to lower health … Continue Reading
March 28, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Andrew Boutros Being Named Interim U.S. Attorney For The Northern District Of Illinois
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) today released the following statement on Andrew Boutros being named the Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois: “The White House has assured our offices that there will be no nomination for the permanent role of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois until the White House Counsel’s Office has consulted with … Continue Reading