Press Releases
Durbin Delivers Opening Remarks During Hearing On U.S. Drone Strikes And Civilian Casualties
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 "'Targeted Killing' and the Rule of Law: The Legal and Human Costs of 20 Years of U.S. Drone Strikes." This is the first hearing since 2013-which Durbin also chaired-on the United States' use of drone strikes to lethally target suspected terrorists overseas. Key quotes: "In the nine years since that 2013 hearing, the … Continue Reading
February 09, 2022
Durbin: Johnson & Johnson Is Avoiding Accountability To Customers Who Got Cancer
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks at the Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights hearing on "Abusing Chapter 11: Corporate Efforts to Side-Step Accountability Through Bankruptcy." During his remarks, Durbin called out Johnson & Johnson for using a corporate bankruptcy shell game known as the "Texas Two-Step" to avoid facing claims from cancer-stricken customers. If … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois Community College Trustees Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with board members, presidents, staff, and students from the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) to discuss continued support for community colleges. The Senators expressed their support for increasing the Pell grant and assistance for students' basic needs. In addition, they discussed the nursing shortage and support for undocumented students. "Our … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Durbin: The Supreme Court Is Dismantling Voting Rights, Congress Must Swiftly Enact The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today condemned the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling yesterday which blocked a lower court ruling that required Alabama lawmakers to draw new congressional districts before the 2022 elections to protect the rights of Black voters, who are currently gerrymandered into a single district. Because of this ruling, Alabama's upcoming elections will be conducted under a map … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Durbin: Republican Party Leaders Are Normalizing The Use Of Violence To Achieve Political Goals
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called out the Republican Party for its blatant disregard of American democracy days after the Republican National Committee declared the deadly January 6th insurrection a form of "legitimate political discourse." In his speech, Durbin went on to describe how the Big Lie has inspired Donald Trump's supporters to commit violent acts - or make threats of violence against public officials. The Brennan … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $912 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding For CTA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $912.1 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding awarded to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help the agency continue to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Reliable and affordable public transportation is critically important for Chicago residents and essential for our region's economic recovery. This American Rescue Plan funding … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Durbin Urges Final Passage Of Bipartisan U.S. Innovation And Competition Act On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged his colleagues to negotiate the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA) and House-passed America COMPETES Act and bring the conferenced bill to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. The House bill passed on Friday. In June, Durbin voted to pass USICA, legislation that represents the largest investment in U.S. science and technology leadership since the Apollo … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Durbin: So Many COVID-19 Death Could Have Been Prevented
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to mark the staggering milestone of losing 900,000 Americans to COVID-19, including more than 31,000 Illinoisans. In his remarks, Durbin urged Americans to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and their community against the virus. "COVID-19 is now the third-leading cause of death in the United States, behind only heart disease and cancer. At the rate we are going, experts say it … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Rename Will County Post Office In Honor Of Larry Walsh, Sr.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office facility located at 303 E. Mississippi Ave. in Elwood, Illinois, after former Will County Executive Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh, Sr. U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives A longtime farmer, Walsh began his political career in 1970, at the age of 21, when he was elected to the … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Urge IDOT And IAIS To Finalize Agreement To Begin Construction On Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project
SPRINGFIELD - 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) today sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) urging them to finalize an agreement on the scope and costs of infrastructure upgrades needed so that construction can begin on the long awaited Quad Cities to Chicago passenger rail route. Without an agreement between IDOT and IAIS, … Continue Reading
February 03, 2022
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, … Continue Reading
February 03, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 03, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 01, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
February 01, 2022
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 … Continue Reading