Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Addresses The Supreme Court's Ethical Crisis In A Speech On The Senate Floor
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis and cautioned that we cannot afford further erosion of public confidence in our courts. Durbin’s speech follows Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s refusal to recuse himself from cases concerning the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. The justice’s refusal comes in response to a letter Durbin and U.S.… Continue Reading
06.03.24
Durbin, Duckworth, Rep. Kelly Introduce Bicameral Resolution In Observance Of National Gun Violence Awareness Month
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) in introducing a resolution to designate June 07, 2024, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2024 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.” Each year, more than 43,000 people in the United States are killed and 76,000 are injured by gun violence, depriving many of a promising future. Designating both a specific day and month to … Continue Reading
05.29.24
Durbin Responds To Justice Alito's Refusal To Recuse Himself In 2020 Election Cases
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse himself from cases concerning the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. The justice’s refusal comes in response to a letter Durbin and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, sent to Chief Justice John Roberts last week imploring the Ch… Continue Reading
05.24.24
Durbin, Whitehouse Request Meeting With Chief Justice Roberts, Urge Roberts To Ensure Justice Alito Recuses Himself In 2020 Election Cases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, today announced that they sent a letter to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts imploring the Chief Justice take appropriate steps to ensure Justice Samuel Alito recuses himself from cases concerning the 2020 election and the January 6th insurrection. The Senators’ letter comes on the heels of … Continue Reading
05.22.24
Durbin: Justice Alito Must Recuse Himself From Cases Related To The 2020 Election After 'Appeal To Heaven' Flag Was Flown At His Home
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a New York Times report that an “Appeal to Heaven” flag—a symbol carried on January 6—was flown at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s vacation home: “This incident is yet another example of apparent ethical misconduct by a sitting justice, and it adds to the Court’s ongoing ethical crisis. For the good of our country and the Court, Justice Alito must recu… Continue Reading
05.22.24
Durbin, Schumer, Civil Rights Leaders Celebrate Milestone Of 200th Judge Confirmed During Biden Administration
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and civil rights leaders today celebrated the milestone of 200 Article III judges confirmed during the Biden Administration. These 200 confirmations highlight the Judiciary Committee’s work filling judicial vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system. “Th… Continue Reading
05.22.24
In Speech on Senate Floor, Durbin Celebrates Milestone Of 200 Judges Confirmed During Biden Administration
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the confirmation of the 200th Article III judge confirmed during the Biden Administration. These 200 confirmations highlight the Judiciary Committee’s work filling judicial vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system. “Over the past three years something profound … Continue Reading
05.22.24
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nominations
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 Judge Michelle Court, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; Judge Anne Hwang, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; Judge Sarah Netburn, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; Stacey N… Continue Reading
05.21.24
Durbin Discusses Prison Reform Efforts During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Prison Labor In America
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed his efforts to date to reform the federal prison system, including conducting rigorous oversight and reducing the use of solitary confinement, at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “An Examination of Prison Labor in America.” “I’ve tried in my time on the Judiciary Committee, and in the few years that I have been Chair, to have a fo… Continue Reading
05.21.24
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Prescription Drug Prices, Competition, And Innovation
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 “Ensuring Affordable & Accessible Medications: Examining Competition in the Prescription Drug Market.” The hearing examined prescription drug prices, competition, and innovation, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for American families. Durbin first questioned Dr. Will Feldman, a Physicia… Continue Reading
05.21.24
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Prescription Drug Prices, Competition, And Innovation
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 a hearing entitled “Ensuring Affordable & Accessible Medications: Examining Competition in the Prescription Drug Market.” The hearing will examine prescription drug prices, competition, and innovation, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for American families. Durbin spoke on the Senate floor yest… Continue Reading
05.20.24
Durbin Statement On Senate Confirmation Of Seth Aframe To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The First Circuit
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mr. Seth Aframe to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Mr. Aframe’s confirmation: “Mr. Aframe is an experienced trial attorney and accomplished appellate practitioner who has over 20 years of legal experience. His significant litigation background and extensive experience in federal court ensure that he will … Continue Reading
05.20.24
Durbin Previews Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Prescription Drug Prices, Competition, And Innovation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor highlighting tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Ensuring Affordable & Accessible Medications: Examining Competition in the Prescription Drug Market.” The hearing will examine prescription drug prices, competition, and innovation, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for American families. Durbin began his remarks by r… Continue Reading
05.17.24
Durbin Calls on Justice Alito To Recuse Himself From Cases Related To The 2020 Election After A 'Stop The Steal' Symbol Was Displayed In His Yard
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a New York Times report that a “Stop the Steal” symbol—an upside-down American flag—was displayed in Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s yard: “Flying an upside-down American flag—a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement—clearly creates the appearance of bias. Justice Alito should recuse himself immediately from cases related to the 2020 election a… Continue Reading
05.15.24
Durbin Meets With Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
WASHINGTON – During National Police Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit professional association exclusively representing federal law enforcement officers with nearly 800 members in Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin and FLEOA leaders spoke about improving the recruitment and retention of federal law enforcement officers. Durbi… Continue Reading
05.10.23
Durbin, Graham, Grassley Meet With ICC Chief Prosecutor
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), met with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan to receive an update on its investigation into the atrocities being committed in Ukraine. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also joined the meeting. “The ICC has… Continue Reading
03.15.23
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Public Safety & Gun Safety Laws In a Post-Bruen America
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, "Protecting Public Safety After New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen." The hearing focuses on the radical new standard for the constitutionality of modern-day gun safety laws set by the Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen in 2022. With that dec… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Senate Confirms Sarah Merriam To Second Circuit
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sarah Merriam to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Merriam's confirmation: "Judge Sarah Merriam is a highly qualified and evenhanded jurist who has served as a federal judge for over seven years. Having previously worked as an Assistant Federal Defender, serving clients who could not otherwi… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Judiciary Committee Advances Two Circuit Court Nominees, Three District Court Nominees, One U.S. Attorney
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Dana M. Douglas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit; Bradley N. Garcia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Frances Kay Behm, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Jerry W. Blackwell, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota; and Anne M. Nardacci, to be United States District Judge for the Northern Distri… Continue Reading
09.14.22
Senate Confirms Lara Montecalvo To First Circuit
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lara Montecalvo to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Ms. Montecalvo's confirmation: "Lara Montecalvo is a seasoned litigator with a demonstrated commitment to equal justice. Her career representing indigent defendants ensures that she appreciates the real world impact of judicial decisionmaking and… Continue Reading