Durbin Joins Bipartisan Letter To President Biden Urging Funding For PFAS Research And Remediation In FY2023 Budget Request

WASHINGTON -This week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to send a bipartisan letter urging President Biden to prioritize robust funding to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request to Congress. The letter asks for funding to support agencies and programs that will help close gaps in PFAS research, protect public health and the environment from PFAS contamination, an… Continue Reading

Durbin Slams Republican Obstruction Of Critical Law Enforcement Positions

WASHINGTON - In today's executive business meeting, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, attempted to advance the nominations of two U.S. Marshal (USM) and two U.S. Attorney (USA) nominees. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) blocked their advancement. In response, Durbin called out the dangerous obstruction of these and other chief law enforcement officers by the Republican Senator. "If anyone-Republican or Democrat-truly cares about preventing crime, … Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Meet With Lithuanian Delegation To Discuss Russian Aggression Toward Baltic States

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, yesterday met with members of the Lithuanian Parliament and Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Audra Plepyte to discuss President Biden's newly announced decision to move 3,000 troops to Germany, Poland, and Romania to deter Russian aggression aimed at Ukraine and the region. The Senators heard from the Lithuanian Parliament members about recent Russian … Continue Reading

Durbin: The U.S. Reaffirms Support For Ukraine's Freedom To Chart Its Own Future

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated that the United States stands with Ukraine and the surrounding countries against increasing Russian aggression. During his speech, Durbin reflected on the contributions of Ukrainian-Americans such as Sgt. Michael Strank, a Marine who fought in WWII and one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers. Durbin also condemned Russian leader Vladimir Putin's actions, including ongoing belligerence against NAT… Continue Reading

Durbin, Shaheen Lead Virtual Bipartisan Meeting With Ambassadors From Eastern European NATO Countries To Discuss Ukraine-Russia Crisis

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip and Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus Co-Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, hosted a virtual conversation on the current military threat posed by Russia in Eastern Europe with Ambassadors from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the Deputy Chief of Mission from Poland's embassy and bipartisan members … Continue Reading

Durbin: One Way To Help The NATO Alliance Is To Pass An Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Senate Republicans to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget to strengthen our alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As Russian aggression toward Ukraine and others in the region continues to escalate, Durbin reiterated that it is essential to support NATO and surrounding Baltic democracies. "There is one guiding principle tha… Continue Reading

Durbin: One Way To Help The NATO Alliance Is To Pass An Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Senate Republicans to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget to strengthen our alliance with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As Russian aggression toward Ukraine and others in the region continues to escalate, Durbin reiterated that it is essential to support NATO and surrounding Baltic democracies. "There is one guiding principle tha… Continue Reading

On Senate Floor, Durbin Announces Support For Biden FDA Commissioner Nominee, But Urges Immediate Action On Vaping Epidemic

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced his support for President Biden's pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Robert Califf. In offering his endorsement, Durbin emphasized that, if confirmed, Dr. Califf must rectify mistakes of past leaders and ensure that FDA takes immediate action to crack down on e-cigarette companies-and their Big Tobacco partners-in order to protect the public health, especially our nati… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $513 Million In American Rescue Plan Funds For Metra

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $513.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding awarded to Metra by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help the transit agency continue to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Public transit agencies were hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why we worked to include this funding in the American Rescue Plan last year," Durbin said. "This federal support will he… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $513 Million In American Rescue Plan Funds For Metra

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $513.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding awarded to Metra by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help the transit agency continue to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Public transit agencies were hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why we worked to include this funding in the American Rescue Plan last year," Durbin said. "This federal support will he… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Urge DOJ To Share Update On Civil Rights Investigation Into Murder Of Laquan McDonald

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide a status update on the federal investigation into the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by former police officer Jason Van Dyke. The joint federal and state investigation into the shooting was announced in April 2015, but DOJ has declined to pro… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Latest District Court Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on 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; and Sunshine Suzanne Sykes, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California. Durin… Continue Reading

King, Klobuchar, Durbin Share Discussion Draft To Modernize Electoral Count Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Senate Majority Whip and Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) released a discussion draft of their legislation, the Electoral Count Modernization Act, which would update the Electoral Count Act of 1887. In response to the threats to our democracy since the 2020 Presidential election, this legislation seeks to establish clear, consistent, and fair procedures for th… Continue Reading

King, Klobuchar, Durbin Share Discussion Draft To Modernize Electoral Count Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Senate Majority Whip and Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) released a discussion draft of their legislation, the Electoral Count Modernization Act, which would update the Electoral Count Act of 1887. In response to the threats to our democracy since the 2020 Presidential election, this legislation seeks to establish clear, consistent, and fair procedures for th… Continue Reading

Durbin To Biden Administration: Push Every Possible Lever To Secure The Safe And Urgent Release Of Mark Frerichs

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated that the United States must do whatever it can to bring home Mark Frerichs, originally from Illinois and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who was abducted in Afghanistan two years ago. At the time, Mr. Frerichs was working as a civil engineer and for a decade, he had been leading construction projects to benefit the Afghan people. "Two years ago Mark Frerichs, a veteran of the United States… Continue Reading

Durbin Honors Justice Stephen Breyer On The Senate Floor

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today honored Justice Stephen Breyer on the Senate floor following his announcement that he will retire at the end of this Supreme Court term. "In his nearly three decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen Breyer has… ensured the law is a force for good, a force for unity, and a force for freedom and equality," Durbin said. "Justice Breyer's record when it came to the Supreme Cour… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution To Celebrate 100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between United States And Baltic States

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, led 17 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid increasing Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. "This year… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos' Protecting Roadside First Responders Act Provisions Included In National Roadway Safety Strategy

WASHINGTON - This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the federal government's comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) - a roadmap for addressing the national crisis in roadway fatalities and serious injuries - will include key provisions from the Protecting Roadside First Responders Act. Authored by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), the Protecting Roadside First … Continue Reading

Durbin, Lightfoot, Members Of Delegation Highlight How Infrastructure Bill Will Benefit Chicago's Shoreline And Lake Michigan

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, along with U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), and Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today joined state, local, and environmental leaders at the Shedd Aquarium to discuss how new federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help protect Lake Michigan and Chicago's shoreline. The funding, allocated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAC… Continue Reading

Durbin Presses Department Of Transportation, Auto Industry To Take Coordinated Action To Address Carjackings

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is pressing the Biden Administration, vehicle manufacturers, and law enforcement groups to work together to prevent and respond to the recent surge in carjackings. In two letters sent to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Durbin urged the development of uniform standards for swift law enforcement access to vehicle location tracking data in carjacki… Continue Reading