Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Questions Judge Jackson On The False, Debunked Claims Made By Senator Hawley
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing on her nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Durbin asked Judge Jackson about the false claims made by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), stating Judge Jackson "has a pattern of letting child pornography offenders off the hook for their appalling crimes." But in each case Hawl… Continue Reading
03.21.22
Durbin Delivers Opening Remarks At First Day Of Confirmation Hearings For Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening remarks at the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Key quotes: "In its more than 230 years, the Court has had 115 Justices. 108 have been white men. Just two Justices have been men of color. Only five women have served on the Court-and just one woman of color. Not a single Ju… Continue Reading
03.21.22
Durbin Hosts Special Illinois Guests At First Day Of Confirmation Hearings For Supreme Court Nominee Judge Jackson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will host Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton (D-IL), Illinois State Senator and Majority Caucus Chair Mattie Hunter (D-IL-3), and Illinois State Representative and Chair of the Illinois House Black Caucus Kam Buckner (D-IL-26) today at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. "Today is an historic moment as the Se… Continue Reading
03.18.22
American Bar Association Rates Judge Jackson Unanimously "Well Qualified" To Serve On The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - In a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the American Bar Association (ABA) rated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson unanimously "Well Qualified" to serve on the United States Supreme Court-ABA's highest possible rating. "As you know, the Standing Committee confines its evaluation to the qualities of integrity, professional competence, and judi… Continue Reading
03.17.22
Durbin: When Judge Jackson's Hearing Is Complete, America Will Understand What An Outstanding Justice She Will Be
WASHINGTON - Ahead of next week's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about Judge Jackson's breadth of experience, character and temperament, and evenhandedness and impartiality. "It's going to be an historic moment on Monday, as Judge Jackson appears before the Committee. Gaveling the hearing to order as Chair of the Committee w… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Durbin, Leahy, Padilla, Merkley, Colleagues Encourage Biden Administration's Efforts To Provide A Just Resolution For Families Separated Under The Former President's Cruel "Zero-Tolerance" Policy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration; and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today sent a letter to President Biden joined by 16 Senate colleagues voicing their support for his Administration's continued efforts to provide a just resolution for families who were separated under former Pr… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Durbin, Lead Senate Sponsors Celebrate The Reauthorization Of The Violence Against Women Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of the lead cosponsors of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act, joined fellow lead cosponsors, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), to celebrate President Biden signing VAWA's reauthorization into law. "This is a monumental achievement for the survivors of domestic [and] sexual violence and … Continue Reading
03.15.22
A Proven Consensus Builder, Ketanji Brown Jackson Receives Broad Support From Across The Political Spectrum
WASHINGTON - Since the day President Biden announced his intention to nominate Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court, support for her nomination has flooded in. The Senate Judiciary Committee has received-and continues to receive-glowing support letters for her, highlighting her fair and evenhanded approach; her track record of collegiality and consensus-building; and her qualifications and preparedness to serve on our nation's highest court. The examples outlined below are just some of the ma… Continue Reading
03.10.22
Judiciary Committee Advances Six District Court Judges, Two U.S. Attorneys
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Kenly Kiya Kato, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; Jennifer Louise Rochon, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Sunshine Suzanne Sykes, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; Sherilyn Peace Garnett, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; Nina Morrison, to be United States… Continue Reading
03.08.22
Durbin Questions Justice Department In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Rise Of Hate Crimes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division, at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Combating the Rise in Hate Crimes." This hearing includes the first DOJ testimony on hate crimes since the January 15 synagogue attack in Colleyville, Texas, and the recent wave of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges… Continue Reading
03.08.22
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of The Emmett Till Antilynching Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding Senate passage of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act: "Last night, the Senate unanimously passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which finally explicitly designates lynching as a hate crime in this country. There are direct links to this historic moment, the State of Illinois, and the City of Chicago. "Congressman Bobby Rush led the effort … Continue Reading
03.04.22
Senate Unanimously Passes Durbin, Blackburn Bill To Support Survivors Of Sex Abuse
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act by unanimous consent. This legislation-led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)-would ensure that survivors of child sex abuse are able to seek justice under the federal civil remedy statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2255, without being barred by statutes of limitations. In practice, it would enabl… Continue Reading
03.03.22
Senate Republican Blocks Durbin Attempt To Confirm Critical Law Enforcement Positions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested unanimous consent to approve the nominations of six U.S. Attorney (USA) nominees and two U.S. Marshal (USM) nominees. USAs and USMs play a critical role in enforcing the law, promoting public safety, and protecting our communities. Despite their eminent qualifications and support from other local law enforcement, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) objected to the unanimous consent request.… Continue Reading
03.02.22
Durbin Meets With Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden's nominee to the Supreme Court: "This is a moment of great historical significance. In the Court's history, there have been 115 Justices and not one of them has been a Black woman. With this nomination, President Biden has taken a critical step towards making our highest court look more like A… Continue Reading
03.02.22
Durbin Announces Hearing Dates For Judge Jackson's Nomination To The Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing dates for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court in a letter to his Committee colleagues. The hearings will begin on Monday, March 21, with statements from Committee members, the individuals who will introduce Judge Jackson, and Judge Jackson herself. Questioning of Judge Jackson will begin on Tuesday, March 22 a… Continue Reading
03.01.22
Durbin: Carjackings Are A Scourge On Society That We Have A Responsibility To Address
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during a hearing entitled "Federal Support for Preventing and Responding to Carjackings." In his opening statement, Durbin reiterated that while preventing and prosecuting violent crime is primarily a state and local responsibility, the federal government plays an important role in addressing the rise in carjackings nationwide. Key quotes: "Carjackings… Continue Reading
03.01.22
Durbin: Judge Jackson Will Be A Supreme Court Justice In The Mold Of Justice Breyer
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 historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. "Every Supreme Court nomination is critically important. This one has special historic significance. In the United States' history, our Supreme Court has had 115 Justices, 108 of those Justices have had one thing in common-they were all white men. Five of those who… Continue Reading
03.01.22
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Carjacking
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Cook County Sherriff Thomas Dart and President and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau David J. Glawe about striking the balance between consumer privacy and providing law enforcement with prompt location tracking information of carjacked vehicles at today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Federal Support for Preventing and Responding to Carjackings." Durbin asked wh… Continue Reading
02.25.22
Feinstein, Durbin, Grassley Call For Additional Information On FBI's Response To Nassar Case
Washington-Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and a bipartisan group of Senate Judiciary Committee members today called on FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide additional details about the FBI's approach to child sex abuse cases following its failures to properly investigate the Larry Nassar case. In November, the senators sent letters to the FBI and Office of the Inspector General following the OIG's investigation into the … Continue Reading
02.25.22
Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate D.C. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson-former clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer-to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court: "From a strong list of prospective candidates, President Biden has chosen an extraordinary nominee in D.C. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. To … Continue Reading