Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
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
01.26.22
Durbin Statement On Retirement Of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after reports that Justice Stephen Breyer plans to announce his retirement from the Supreme Court: "I thank Justice Breyer for his decades serving the Court and the nation. He has been a trusted voice on the bench with a first-rate legal mind. "With this Supreme Court vacancy, President Biden has the opportunity to nominate someone who will bring diversit… Continue Reading
01.20.22
Senate Confirms Holly Thomas To Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Holly Thomas's nomination to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 48-40. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Thomas's confirmation: "Judge Holly Thomas is a highly qualified and evenhanded jurist with a distinguished record of public service. Her varied professional background, extensive appellate experience, and tenure as a judg… Continue Reading
01.20.22
Judiciary Committee Advances One Circuit Court Nominee, Eleven District Court Nominees
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Alison J. Nathan, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Victoria Marie Calvert, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia; John H. Chun, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington; Sarah Elisabeth Geraghty, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia; Dale E. Ho, to be United States District Judge for the Southe… Continue Reading
01.19.22
Durbin Votes For Rules Change Following Senate Republicans' Filibuster Of Historic Voting Rights Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted to support a change to Senate rules that would allow for a talking filibuster on the historic voting rights legislation-the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act-after Senate Republicans filibustered it earlier in the evening: "Unfortunately, a majority of Senators have pledged allegiance to the filibuster. But I believe there is something more critical than a Senate rule that has been … Continue Reading
01.19.22
Durbin: To Restore The Power Of The Voting Rights Act Is To Restore The Promise Of America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to support critical voting rights legislation that will come before the Senate tonight. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act combines the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also discussed the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." "App… Continue Reading
01.19.22
Following Hostage Situation At Texas Synagogue, Durbin Moves To Close Gun Loophole In Visa Waiver Program
WASHINGTON - Following the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced his intention to reintroduce legislation to close a loophole in federal law that permits foreign nationals who have entered the United States through the Visa Waiver Program to purchase firearms. Current law prohibits visa holders from other countries from purchasing guns, but excludes travelers fro… Continue Reading
01.18.22
Durbin To Senate Republicans: Join Us In Defending American Democracy
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his colleagues to support important voting rights legislation that will come before the Senate tomorrow. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act combines the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act with the Freedom to Vote Act. "Today, our democracy needs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 restored to its full power and potential. In the p… Continue Reading
01.13.22
Durbin, Grassley: New Justice Department Rule Will Implements First Step Act's Earned Time Credits Program And Incentive Rehabilitation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following joint statement in light of news that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a new earned time credit rule that will encourage the dispersal of credits earned by inmates to reduce risks of recidivism, which is a crucial component of the landmark First Step Act: "Establishi… Continue Reading
01.13.22
Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of One Circuit Court Judge, Four District Court Judges, And Four U.S. Attorneys
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Leonard Philip Stark, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit; Bridget Meehan Brennan, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio; Jacqueline Scott Corley, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Charles Esque Fleming, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio; and David Augustin Ruiz, to be United States District… Continue Reading
01.12.22
Senate Confirms Gabriel Sanchez To Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Gabriel Sanchez's nomination to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 52-47. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Sanchez's confirmation: "Judge Sanchez brings years of experience both as a civil litigator in private practice and as a policy expert working in state government to advance criminal justice reform. Since his appointmen… Continue Reading
01.12.22
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In First Nominations Hearing Of 2022
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 Andre B. Mathis, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Jessica G.L. Clarke, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Hector Gonzalez, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Fred W. Slaughter, to be United States D… Continue Reading
01.11.22
Durbin Continues Calling For Closure Of Guantanamo Bay On 20th Anniversary Of The Arrival Of The First Detainees
WASHINGTON - On the 20th anniversary of the first detainees arriving at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the importance of closing this detention facility. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called on the Biden Administration to do more to accelerate the closure of the facility once and for all. "For 20 years, Guantanamo Bay has defied our constitutional values and the rule of law. It… Continue Reading
01.11.22
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Matthew Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division; and Jill Sanborn, Executive Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Branch at today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "The Domestic Terrorism Threat One Year After January 6." Durbin discussed research by Robert Pape, a professor of politica… Continue Reading
01.11.22
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
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 entitled "The Domestic Terrorism Threat One Year After January 6." Today's hearing follows the Committee's domestic terrorism oversight hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray in March 2021, where Durbin emphasized his longstanding concern over the rise of violent white supremacists and other far-right extremists an… Continue Reading
01.10.22
Durbin to McConnell: Stop Using The Filibuster To Obstruct Voting Rights
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called out Senate Republicans for their continued obstruction of voting rights legislation through the use of the filibuster. "The filibuster has been part of the profile of the Senate for a long, long time-for many decades. But what the Senate Republican Leader fails to note is that the use of the filibuster is out of control," Durbin said. "Nothing is… Continue Reading
01.07.22
Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues To Support Voting Rights Legislation
WASHINGTON - In the wake of the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his colleagues to support important voting rights legislation that will come before the Senate next week. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also discussed the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." "Congress and our nation marked the first anniversary o… Continue Reading
01.06.22
Durbin Speaks On The Senate Floor One Year After January 6 Insurrection At The U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON - On the first anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor regarding the anniversary of the insurrection and the continued threat to our democracy posed by Donald Trump's "Big Lie." During his speech, Durbin paid his respects to the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on that day. "The videos don't lie. The facts are the fact… Continue Reading
01.05.22
Durbin Statement On Resignation Of Director Carvajal From Federal Bureau Of Prisons
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in light of news that Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal will resign: "For years, the Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by corruption, chronic understaffing, and mismanagement. In the nearly two years since Director Carvajal was handpicked by then-Attorney General Bill Barr, he has failed to address the mounting crises in our nation'… Continue Reading
12.23.21
Senate Judiciary Committee Announces First Year Accomplishments Under Chair Durbin
WASHINGTON - On February 2, 2021, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) took a new title: Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the following 11 months, the Committee has addressed key challenges confronting the country-including voting rights, gun violence prevention, immigration, and criminal justice reform-and confirmed highly qualified nominees who are bringing balance and impartiality back to our justice system. Key moments from the Senate Judiciary Committee's first sessi… Continue Reading