Press Releases
Durbin: Now Is The Time For Immigration Reform Through The Reconciliation Process
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, once again made the case for passing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants through the budget reconciliation process. During his speech, Durbin argued that due to Congressional Republicans' continued refusal to pass meaningful, bipartisan immigration legislation, the only viable option at this time for passing … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Durbin: President Biden's Build Back Better Plan Is A Generational Investment In Our Future
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed his support for President Biden's Build Back Better plan, which Senate Democrats are moving closer to consider under reconciliation on the Senate floor. Durbin called the reconciliation plan the most ambitious investment in our nation's future in a generation that will strengthen our economy-and ensure that working families receive a fair share of the wealth their work produces. Durbin … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Durbin, Leahy, Booker, Colleagues: It's Time To End The Federal Death Penalty
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led 14 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take further steps to end the federal death penalty once and for all. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Senators commend the recent decision to impose a moratorium on … Continue Reading
August 08, 2021
Senate Republicans Block Durbin's Attempt To Confirm Ronald Davis To Serve As Director Of U.S. Marshals Service
WASHINGTON - On the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today requested unanimous consent to approve the nomination of Ronald Davis to serve as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Unanimous consent has been used to confirm every Director of the Marshals Service for as long as the position has been subject to Senate confirmation. Despite Davis' experience and thorough qualifications, Republicans have objected to approving his … Continue Reading
August 08, 2021
Durbin: Chicago Mourns The Loss Of Our CPD Officer
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today honored the Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty, as well as the other officer currently hospitalized in critical condition. During his speech, Durbin noted that the slain officer was just 29 years old. She was assigned to the Community Safety Team, a special unit of officers from various districts who are … Continue Reading
August 07, 2021
Senate Confirms Eunice Lee To The Second Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Eunice Lee's nomination to serve on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Ms. Lee's confirmation: "With Eunice Lee's confirmation, the Senate continues to bring balance to our nation's courts and elevate a professional perspective severely underrepresented in our federal judiciary-that of public defenders. Today's … Continue Reading
August 07, 2021
Durbin Speaks On New, Bipartisan Bill To Allow Federal Student Loan Borrowers To Discharge Loans In Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the introduction of the FRESH START Through Bankruptcy Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill he introduced with U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) that would restore the ability for struggling borrowers to seek a bankruptcy discharge for federal student loans after a waiting period of ten years. Currently 45 million Americans hold more than $1.7 trillion in student … Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Launch Free Belarus Caucus
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today to announce the formation of the Free Belarus Caucus, which will advocate for democracy and free and fair elections in the former Soviet Republic that has been rocked by increasing political repression after decades of rule by current President Alexander Lukashenka. The caucus also includes U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), … Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Resolution Designating September As National Democracy Month
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 introduced a Senate resolution designating September 2021 as National Democracy Month. The resolution asks Americans to reflect on the contributions of the system of government of the United States to a more free and stable world. "In some of his final words to us, Congressman John Lewis said, … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Durbin Talks DACA With Google CEO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai about a range of policy issues including Dreamers employed by Google, the importance of immigration reform, tech industry matters, and efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "My conversation with Google CEO Sundar Pichai today was productive and offered a chance to exchange views about a range of issues important to the technology sector," said Durbin. "I also thanked … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Durbin Honors Life And Legacy Of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute on the Senate floor to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka who passed away at the age of 72. In his remarks, Durbin spoke from his own personal experience about the power of unions to support working families across America. Durbin went on to highlight Trumka's years of dedication to workers and the prominent legacy he leaves behind as a giant in the labor movement. "When I grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, I knew I … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Electric & Zero-Emission Vehicle Executive Order
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Biden signed an executive order setting a national goal for electric and other zero-emissions vehicles to make up half of new cars and trucks sold by 2030: "The electric vehicle revolution is here. President Biden's goal would drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions while spurring job creation and innovation across America. Our transition to zero-emission vehicles is a win for … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Durbin Calls On Colleagues To Support Nomination Of Eunice Lee To The Second Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Eunice Lee's nomination to serve on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. During his speech, Durbin called on his colleagues to support Ms. Lee's nomination in order to continue bringing balance to our nation's courts and elevating the professional perspective of public defenders that is underrepresented within our federal judiciary. The Senate is … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate Of Judicial & Executive Nominations
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Myrna Pérez, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Jia M. Cobb, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Sarah A.L. Merriam, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Florence Y. Pan, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Karen McGlashan Williams, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Durbin Discusses Electric Vehicle Infrastructure And Production With Rivian CEO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with Rivian CEO Robert "RJ" Scaringe to discuss federal priorities in electric vehicle (EV) production and infrastructure. Durbin spoke about his efforts to secure federal funding for EVs in the bipartisan infrastructure deal and budget reconciliation bill. They also discussed the importance of investing in battery research and manufacturing. In 2016, Rivian bought an old Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois. The plant has … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
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) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced three Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills for Energy and Water, Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Durbin: Our Immigration System Is Broken And The Time For Reform Is Now
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, today highlighted the critical role immigrants play in our nation-including as essential workers who have risked their health and lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin also called on Congress to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken system. Previously, Durbin has stated that he believes the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Durbin, Grassley Press BOP On Restitution For Victims Of Larry Nassar
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 sent a second letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal requesting answers to reports that BOP's inmate Trust Fund/Deposit Fund program operates with little oversight, enables federal inmates to avoid paying child support and other debts, and fails to scrutinize inmate … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Durbin Applauds CDC's New Eviction Moratorium
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) new 60-day eviction moratorium temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission of COVID-19. Durbin applauded the Biden Administration for their action and voiced his support for helping Americans who are still struggling as the Delta variant of the virus surges in communities across America. During his … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
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) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced three Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills for Energy and Water, Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in these appropriations … Continue Reading