Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Senate Confirms Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit & Toby Heytens To The Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Beth Robinson to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit and Toby Heytens to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. Justice Robinson was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 51-45 and Mr. Heytens was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 53-43. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Justice Robinson's and Mr. Heytens's confirmation: "… Continue Reading
10.27.21
Durbin Questions Attorney General Garland During Hearing On Oversight Of The Department Of Justice
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Oversight of the Department of Justice." Durbin asked Garland what the Department is doing to respond to gun violence and gun trafficking operations in Chicago. "Hardly a day goes by in the City of Chicago where somebody isn't killed by a firearm. The cases are heartbreaking…The gun u… Continue Reading
10.27.21
Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Six Judicial Nominees And Three U.S. Attorneys
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Lucy Haeran Koh, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Jane M. Beckering, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan; Shalina D. Kumar, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Armando O. Bonilla, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims; Carolyn N. Lerner, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims; and Jo… Continue Reading
10.20.21
Durbin Statement On Republican Filibuster Of The Freedom To Vote Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today after the Freedom to Vote Act, legislation that would protect the right to vote, reform our broken campaign finance system, and secure our democracy, failed to advance on the Senate floor due to a Republican filibuster: "The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy. By continuing to filibuster voting rights legislation, Senate Republicans are putting p… Continue Reading
10.20.21
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Latest Judicial 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 Holly A. Thomas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Mary Katherine Dimke, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington; Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; Charlotte N. Sweeney, to… Continue Reading
10.19.21
Durbin Honors Civil Rights Legend Timuel Black, Calls For Passage Of Freedom To Vote Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today paid tribute on the Senate floor to Chicago civil rights legend and historian Timuel Black, who passed away last week at the age of 102. In his remarks, Durbin highlighted how Black served his country in World War II, landing in Normandy on D-Day, then went on to join the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1966, with Dr. King in Chicago, Black pressed for an end to dis… Continue Reading
10.18.21
Durbin Urges Colleagues To Support Nomination Of Gustavo Gelpi To The First Circuit
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke in support of the nomination of Gustavo Gelpi to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin highlighted Judge Gelpi's extensive qualifications, as well as the judicial experience he would bring to the First Circuit. The Senate will proceed to a confirmation vote on Judge Gelpi's nomination tonight. "Having served as a federal ju… Continue Reading
10.08.21
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Screening Committee, Application Process For Federal District Court In Northern District Of Illinois
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 announced that they will begin accepting applications from those interested in serving as a Federal District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. The Senators will be assisted by a screening committee whose task is to review and vet District Court candidates and advise the Senators regarding the candidates' qualifications… Continue Reading
10.07.21
Durbin: America Was Half-Step Away From A Full Blown Constitutional Crisis
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about an eight-month investigation report the Senate Judiciary Committee released today titled, "Subverting Justice: How the Former President and his Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election." Durbin said America was only a half-step away from a full blown constitutional crisis as President Donald Trump and his loyalists threatened a wholesale takeo… Continue Reading
10.07.21
Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Rahul Gupta & Elizabeth Prelogar
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Rahul Gupta, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy, and Elizabeth Prelogar, to be Solicitor General of the United States. Durbin delivered opening remarks highlighting the nominees' qualifications and experience. Gupta received a voice vote and Prelogar received a bipartisan 13-9 vote to advance out of Committee. Key quotes: "Dr. Gupta would be the first medical doctor to serve in [this] position, and he is … Continue Reading
10.07.21
Following 8 Month Investigation, Senate Judiciary Committee Releases Report On Donald Trump's Scheme To Pressure DOJ & Overturn The 2020 Election
WASHINGTON - Following an eight-month investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee today released new testimony and a staff report, "Subverting Justice: How the Former President and his Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election." The report and testimony reveal that we were only a half-step away from a full blown constitutional crisis as President Donald Trump and his loyalists threatened a wholesale takeover of the Department of Justice (DOJ). They also reveal how former Acting Civil … Continue Reading
10.06.21
Durbin Questions Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke On Restoring The Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke during a hearing entitled "Protecting a Precious, Almost Sacred Right: The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act." The hearing addressed the urgent need to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act. "Texas is the latest legislature thi… Continue Reading
10.06.21
Durbin Delivers Opening Statements In Latest Judicial & Executive 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 Lucy Haeran Koh, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Jane M. Beckering, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan; Shalina D. Kumar, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Armando O. Bonilla, to be a Judge of the U… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Durbin Meets With Biden's Nominee To Lead The Justice Department's Antitrust Division
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Jonathan Kanter, who has been nominated to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). During their meeting, Durbin and Kanter discussed his extensive work advocating for strong and meaningful antitrust enforcement-particularly with respect to applying our antitrust laws to meet the challenges of the digital economy. "… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Durbin Questions Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco On Helping Young Victims Of Trauma & Violence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco during a hearing entitled "Renewing and Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act." Durbin asked Monaco about the impact of trauma on children and what resources the Department of Justice (DOJ) is using to assist victims of trauma or violence. "When you read the statistics of not only the number of spouses, but children of those spouses who… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Durbin Delivers Opening Remarks During Hearing On Renewing And Strengthening The Violence Against Women Act
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 "Renewing and Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act." The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which requires legislative renewal every five years, initially expired in late 2018 due to the government shutdown. After a brief reauthorization in the temporary spending bill, it expired again in February 2019. Though funding for c… Continue Reading
10.05.21
Breaking: Following Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing, Justice Department To Review Earlier Decision To Decline Prosecution Of FBI Agents Who Mishandled The Nassar Case
WASHINGTON - During her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in today's hearing "Renewing and Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told Chair Durbin that newly confirmed Assistant AG for the Criminal Division, Kenneth Polite, Jr, has opened a review of the Justice Department's earlier decision to decline prosecution of the agents who committed misconduct in the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. This announcement comes three weeks after Durb… Continue Reading
10.01.21
Durbin, Grassley, Booker, Lee Introduce Legislation To Clarify Retroactivity Of Crack Cocaine Sentencing Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee; introduced the bipartisan Terry Technical Correction Act, which clarifies that all offenders who were sentenced for a crack cocaine offense before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 can apply for its retroactive… Continue Reading
10.01.21
Durbin, Schneider Introduce Legislation To Reduce Gun Violence From Stolen Firearms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) introduced bicameral legislation aimed at reducing gun violence by preventing the theft of firearms from federally-licensed gun dealers (FFLs). The SECURE (Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective) Firearm Storage Act would address the problem of "smash and grab" gun store burglaries by requiring all firearms to be securel… Continue Reading
09.30.21
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate Of U.S. Attorney Nominations
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations: Jessica D. Aber, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Carla B. Freedman, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; William J. Ihlenfeld, II, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia; Christopher R. Kavanaugh, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia; Darcie N. McElwee, to be United States Attorney for… Continue Reading