ICYMI: Support for Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Competition Act Continues To Grow Despite Coordinated Smear Campaign By Credit Card And Airline Companies, Wall Street Banks

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, support for the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) continues to grow, despite false claims spread by credit card and airline companies, Wall Street banks, and other special interests. A recent study found that CCCA would have a negligible impact—at most—on rewards if enacted and noted that banks’ swipe fee profits would provide a more than sufficient margin to maintain current levels. Despite that fact, Visa, Mastercard, and Wall Street banks have … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Senate Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement following the Senate passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which will reauthorize funding for FAA programs through Fiscal Year 2028: “As a frequent flyer who relies on our nation’s pilots and air traffic controllers to safely return home to Illinois each weekend, I know that maintaining flight service is critical.  Chockful of support for training and recruitm… Continue Reading

In a Speech on the Senate Floor, Durbin Calls Out Airlines for their Deceptive Tactics on Frequent Flyer Rewards Programs

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called out the airline industry for their unfair and deceptive practices in their frequent flyer and loyalty programs.  During his speech, Durbin also highlighted Wall Street banks’ and the airlines’ false claims about his Credit Card Competition Act, legislation that would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market, which is currently d… Continue Reading

Durbin, Rep. Jackson Call on Department of Education to Create Interagency Task Force on For-Profit Colleges

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson (D-NC-14) today sent a bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to create an interagency task force to coordinate action against and increase accountability of for-profit colleges.  “We write to urge the Department of Education (Department) to stand up an interagency task force on for-profit colleges, similar to the task force that would be created in our bill, the Pro… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Landmark Gun Safety Law Implementation, DOJ Firearms Rule with ATF Director Dettelbach

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Steve Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to discuss the implementation of the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) that was passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden, as well as the Biden Administration’s new “engaged in the business” rule, the newly-expanded Chicago Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CG… Continue Reading

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances the Protecting Older Americans Act, Four Judicial Nominations to the Full Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the Protecting Older Americans Act, which would invalidate forced arbitration clauses that prevent age discrimination victims from seeking justice and public accountability in court. An AARP survey found that 78% of older workers have either seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, and the Committee held a hearing on the effects of forced arbitration broadly last month. The bill builds off the lawmakers’ successful … Continue Reading

ICYMI: Support for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz's Nomination to Sixth Circuit Court Judgeship Grows Despite False Republican Smears

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, support for U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz’s nomination to be U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Circuit continues to grow, despite Senate Judiciary Republicans’ false claims about him. In stark contrast to their current attacks, Senate Republicans strongly supported Mr. Ritz’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Senators Blackburn and Hagerty backed him for that position, and he was confirmed by the Senate unanimously. As U.S. A… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Urgent Need To Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth.”  The hearing emphasized the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections for noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children.  These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's (MWRD) leadership to discuss the department’s ongoing projects and top priorities. In their meeting, Durbin received an update on the design and construction of Thornton Reservoir, which was built to reduce chronic flooding.  In Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), Durbin secured a $20 million for MWRD to address excessive flooding in historically underserved communities in the Chicagoland area… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Raven, Discusses Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with representatives of Raven, a 501(c)(4) organization representing the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, including its CEO John Pizzuro. The group discussed the ICAC Task Force Program, representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and developing effective responses to internet crimes against chil… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Urgent Need To Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Dream Deferred: The Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Youth.”  The hearing will emphasize the urgent need for Congress to pass legal protections for noncitizens who were brought to the United States as children. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built thei… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $150 Million To Improve Housing Across Local Communities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $150,346,316 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Capital Fund Program, which offers annual funding to public housing authorities to build, renovate, and modernize the public housing in their communities. “A thriving community begins with a safe and secure place to call home,” said Durbin. “Public housing authorities are the instruments of change that… Continue Reading

Durbin Files Amendment To FAA Reauthorization In Support Of Essential Air Service Program Communities In Illinois

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) filed an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will be considered by the Senate this week.  The proposed amendment would update a provision in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Essential Air Service Program (EAS), which was established to ensure that smaller communities were serviced by certified airlines, and to allow local airports to retain their right to two-pilot, two-engine serv… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With The Greater Springfield Chamber Of Commerce

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, which is comprised of members of local government, labor, education, health, and business sectors. During their meeting, Durbin and the Chamber spoke about several economic and transportation priorities, including the Springfield Rail Improvements Project and efforts to improve sewer infrastructure.  “Today, I sat down with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and its … Continue Reading

Durbin, Reed, Doggett Introduce Bill To Stop Tax-Dodging Corporate Inversion Schemes

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), along with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) today announced the introduction of a bill to stop business practices known as inversions—corporate deals that allow U.S. companies to shift their corporate citizenship from the United States to a low-tax foreign jurisdiction, while keeping their executives and headquarters in the United States.  This is accomplished by merging with a foreign company… Continue Reading

Durbin Reintroduces Joint Resolution to Enshrine the Right to Vote in the Constitution

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced a joint resolution that would finally enshrine an explicit, individual right to vote in the U.S. Constitution, and protect all Americans who seek to exercise this fundamental right. “In the words of the late John Lewis, the right to vote is ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument we have in a democratic society.’ When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, an … Continue Reading

Durbin Calls on FDA, DOJ Officials to Testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Following the Lack of Enforcement Against Unauthorized E-Cigarettes

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products Director, Dr. Brian King, and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Brian Boynton, to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes, which has resulted in millions of children using harmful and addictive tobacco products.   Durbin wrote, “I w… Continue Reading

Durbin Files Bipartisan Amendment to FAA Reauthorization in Support of Local Airports

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today filed a bipartisan amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that was released earlier this week.  The proposed amendment would support nonhub airports in smaller communities by requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FAA to conduct a study to review options to improve existing federal programs, in addition to considering new ones, to help local airports secure and maintain sufficient… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Hate Crimes

CHICAGO – In response to the ongoing and persistent rise in antisemitism and other forms of bigotry across the country, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a full committee hearing to examine threats facing marginalized communities and how the federal government can better protect the civil rights and safety of all Americans.  Under Durbin’s leadership as Chair, the Committee has work… Continue Reading

Durbin, Hospital Leaders Release Year 5 Report On Chicago Heal Initiative To Address Gun Violence

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined hospital leaders and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) to unveil the five-year report of the Chicago HEAL Initiative. Launched in 2018 by Senator Durbin and 10 of the largest hospitals serving Chicago, the HEAL Initiative is a collaboration to address the root causes of gun violence through economic, health, and community projects in 18 of Chicago’s neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and health dispar… Continue Reading