Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committees' Bipartisan Joint Oversight Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the Senate Judiciary Committee, in partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, hearing entitled “Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump.” The committees will hear testimony from U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials … Continue Reading

Durbin Highlights the Supreme Court's Ethical Crisis on the 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, today spoke about the urgent need for Supreme Court ethics reform following President Biden’s newly-released proposal to reform the Supreme Court.  “No other federal judge could get by with what Clarence Thomas did to receive millions of dollars’ worth of travel and gifts and not report them publicly.  I don't accept that as routine.  I think it is an aberration a… Continue Reading

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin, Duckworth

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced funding bills for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).  Durbin and Duckworth worked … Continue Reading

Durbin Previews Hearing Examining Security Failures that Led to Trump Assassination Attempt in Speech on the 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, previewed tomorrow’s joint oversight hearing examining the security failures leading to the assassination attempt against former President Trump. In partnership with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), the committees will hear testimony from U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials. Key Quo… Continue Reading

Durbin: With All Evidence Pointing to a Decisive Gonzalez Victory, He Should Be Considered President-Elect

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech condemning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for falsely claiming that the nation’s election was called in his favor, despite refusing to release actual ballot data and independent exit polls demonstrating widespread support for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.  In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the dangers of Maduro at the helm, and he emphasized that Gonzalez should be considere… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation to Improve Safety and Ensure Transparency of Dietary Supplements

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2024, legislation to require dietary supplement manufacturers to list their products with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  In 1994, Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which provided FDA with authorities to regulate dietary supplements.  However, DSHEA did not require dietary supplement companies to register their products with FDA, leaving… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on President Biden's Supreme Court Reform Proposal

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s newly-released proposal to reform the Supreme Court: “I thank President Biden for highlighting the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis. Through our ongoing investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee has verified and reported lavish trips by sitting justices that were paid for by wealthy benefactors, including some previously unknown to the publ… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Quigley Announce The CTA Red Line Extension Project Is Receiving $746 Million In Federal Funding In The First Year

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will now provide the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) Project with $746 million in the first year—an additional $396 million—as opposed to the $350 million originally planned.  These increased first-year funds will expedite the rate at which federal funding is disbursed to CTA over the cou… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Federally Funded Innovative Water Program At Argonne National Lab

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Argonne National Laboratory to discuss the Great Lakes ReNEW initiative that will enable energy-efficient wastewater systems, reclaim critical minerals like cobalt and nickel, and remove harmful chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” from wastewater. This initiative was awarded $160 million in funding through the CHIPS & Science Act. Great Lakes ReNEW—which is backed by Illinois, Indi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On DOJ OIG Report That Found Former Attorney General Bill Barr Violated DOJ Policies When Releasing "Selective Details" In 2020 Pennsylvania Election Fraud Probe

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) report that former Attorney General Bill Barr authorized the release of “selective details” about the Luzerene County, Pennsylvania, case that supported former President Trump’s election fraud narratives despite DOJ having details that undermined this information: “The Attorney… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement After Briefings With Law Enforcement Officials Regarding Security At The Democratic National Convention In Chicago

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after receiving briefings this week from law enforcement officials that discussed security at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August: “As we approach next month’s Democratic National Convention in our great city, we will continue working with our local law enforcement partners to ensure proper coordination and th… Continue Reading

Durbin Celebrates Passage Of His Bill To Tackle Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit Deepfakes In Speech On The 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, celebrated Senate passage of his bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation that will hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. Durbin began by showcasing how deepfakes are impacting women and girls everywhere, saying: “W… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds Senate Passage Of His Bipartisan Bill To Tackle Nonconsensual, Sexually-Explicit Deepfakes

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act), legislation that will hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. “Countless apps that can create deepfakes are often advertised as harmless entertainment. But when they’re used to create and s… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Floor Speech Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reflected on the tragic suffering of so many people stemming from the October 7th Hamas attack and ensuing war in Gaza.  He urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to set aside his self-serving political interests ahead of his Joint Address to Congress.  In a statement released yesterday, Durbin stated he will not be attending today’s address. “I believe this invitation to speak was ill-timed—and one which t… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Joint Judiciary-HSGAC Committee Classified Briefing, Hearing On Trump Assassination Attempt

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that the Committee will receive a classified briefing with the Senate Homeland and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on the assassination attempt against former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Durbin also announced a joint Judiciary-HSGAC hearing for next Tuesday morning on the attempt, where the Committees will hear from the Secret… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Support For Initial Senate Kids' Online Safety Package, Urges Further Action

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced his support for the kids’ online safety package under consideration by the Senate this week. The package, announced by Leader Schumer, includes the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). Durbin began by outlining the leading role that the Judiciary Committee took this Congress pushing for acti… Continue Reading

Durbin: The Legacy President Biden Will Leave Behind Is Nothing Short Of Remarkable

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) thanked President Joe Biden for his service to our nation and touted the President’s many accomplishments during his Administration—calling him “one of the most successful modern presidents.”  During his speech, Durbin commented on his influential career as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Vice President under President Obama for eight years, and as the Presi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Joint Address to Congress: “I am committed to Israel and its right to defend its people. “The Hamas attack on October 7 was unprovoked and cowardly, and its continued holding of hostages unconscionable. However, Israel’s execution of its war in Gaza under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu with 39,000 Palestinians dead and 90,000 injured is … Continue Reading

Durbin, DeLauro Introduce The Federal Food Administration Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) introduced the Federal Food Administration Act,legislation that would establish the Federal Food Administration, a single agency responsible for ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply and promoting good nutrition. This new agency would take over food responsibilities currently housed at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “In recent years, FDA has been pl… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Improve Accountability Of Foreign Medical Schools Receiving Federal Student Aid

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would protect students and taxpayers by closing a loophole that gives special treatment to a small number of overseas medical schools.  The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada to meet the same minimum requirements to receive Title IV student aid dollars. Currently, some overseas medical schools, including those in the Caribbe… Continue Reading