Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Screening Committees, Application Process For U.S. Attorney And U.S. Marshal Positions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that they will begin accepting applications from those interested in serving in the following positions: U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois The Senators will be assisted by screeni… Continue Reading
04.19.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Renew Push To Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to reintroduce the Keep Americans Safe Act, renewing a concerted effort to ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer, or possession of gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. These high-capacity magazines are designed for shooting and killing en masse and have been the accessory of choice in some of t… Continue Reading
04.16.21
Durbin Joins Congressional Black Caucus Virtual Health Summit On Gun Violence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined a "Virtual Health Summit on Gun Violence" hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. The discussion focused on addressing gun violence in Chicago and nationwide, including how public health systems are conducting violence intervention initiatives to reduce violence. The event was also hosted by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Obama Administration Education Se… Continue Reading
04.15.21
Durbin Statement On Release Of Video Of Fatal Police Shooting Of Adam Toledo
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after footage was released showing the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago, Illinois, on March 29: "In the midst of the trial of Derek Chauvin and the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, Chicago has come to face the shocking fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo. He was a seventh grader at Gary Elementary School in Little Village with his whole life ahead of him… Continue Reading
04.15.21
Durbin Calls On Senate Republicans To Support Vanita Gupta's Nomination For Associate AG
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the vote to discharge from the Judiciary Committee the nomination of Vanita Gupta, President Joe Biden's nominee to be Associate Attorney General, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to support her nomination. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that Ms. Gupta is a dedicated, eminently qualified leader who can restore integrity and independence in the Justice Department.… Continue Reading
04.15.21
Durbin Questions BOP Director Carvajal On COVID-19 Prison Policies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today asked questions during the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversight hearing with BOP Director Michael Carvajal. Durbin asked Carvajal about why BOP has not issued more home confinement or compassionate release orders to reduce overcrowding in prisons and protect vulnerable staff and inmates from COVID-19. Durbin shared the recently published story of Jimmy Monk, a first-time offender convi… Continue Reading
04.15.21
Durbin Questions BOP Director Carvajal On Use Of Solitary Confirnement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today asked questions during the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversight hearing with BOP Director Michael Carvajal. Durbin asked Carvajal about BOP's use of solitary confinement and whether the Bureau is working to reduce its use. Solitary confinement - or restricted housing as defined by BOP - places an inmate in an isolated cell for approximately 22 hours per day with only an hour or two of t… Continue Reading
04.14.21
Durbin Questions Kristen Clarke On Police Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Kristen Clarke, President Biden's nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, during her nomination hearing. Durbin asked Clarke to discuss her views on police reform, racial justice in America, and how to improve law enforcement training and social services. "We do need more social workers. They are a necessary part of law enforcement as far as I'm c… Continue Reading
04.14.21
Durbin: Clarke And Kim Are The Leaders DOJ Needs For Critical Divisions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during the nominations hearing for Kristen Clarke to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and Todd Kim to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). In it, Durbin said that Clarke and Kim are experienced leaders who can restore integrity and independence to the Department of Justice, … Continue Reading
04.13.21
Senate Judiciary Committee Releases Todd Kim's Opening Remarks Ahead Of Hearing To Be Assistant Attorney General For The Environment And Natural Resources Division
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee released Todd Kim's opening statement ahead of his nomination hearing to be U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). His nomination hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 14 at 10:00 AM ET. Key quotes: "In my seven-and-a-half years [at ENRD], I also learned firsthand the skill, dedication, professionalism, and integrity of the career staff that work day in and day out enforcing environmental law… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Senate Judiciary Committee Releases Kristen Clarke's Opening Remarks Ahead Of Hearing To Be Assistant Attorney General For The Civil Rights Division
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee released Kristen Clarke's opening statement ahead of her nomination hearing to be U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. Her nomination hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 14 at 10:00 AM ET. Key quotes: "When I left DOJ, I carried the words of the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall as my guide: 'Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. M… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Durbin Slams Georgia Voting Restrictions As Deliberate Effort To Suppress Voters Of Color
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today slammed Georgia's new voting restrictions that will make it harder for Georgians of color to vote. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin criticized the provisions included in the new law that will reduce the number of drop boxes available to voters in the Atlanta area, restrict access to and implement strict voter ID requirements for absentee ballots, and make it a criminal offense to pro… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Durbin Meets With Todd Kim, Nominee To Be Assistant Attorney General For The Environment And Natural Resources Division
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Todd Kim, President Biden's nominee to be Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice. On the call, Durbin and Kim discussed their mutual commitment to environmental policy that both combats climate change and stimulates our economy. They additionally discussed Kim's pending role at the Department of Justice,… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Durbin On Gun Violence: Are We Going To Give Up, Or Stand Up?
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the public health crisis of gun violence in Illinois and across the nation. During his speech, Durbin called for the Senate to act on common sense, constitutional steps that can reduce gun violence in America, including passing legislation to close gaps in the firearm background check system. Durbin also shared the story of one-year old Kayden Swann, who is in… Continue Reading
04.12.21
Durbin To Senate Republicans: Don't Filibuster Solutions To Strengthen American Democracy & Our Economy
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on his Senate Republican colleagues to work with Democrats to pass critical legislation like the For The People Act-a democracy defense bill-and the American Jobs Plan-President Biden's bold plan to invest in American infrastructure and create good-paying jobs-as opposed to killing the legislation by using the filibuster. Durbin also called out dark-money special interests' influence in our g… Continue Reading
04.12.21
Durbin Statement On Key Department Of Homeland Security Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the White House announced its nominations for key leadership positions at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including: John Tien, nominee for DHS Deputy Secretary; and Ur Jaddou, nominee to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over USCIS nominees. "I am pleased that President … Continue Reading
04.09.21
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Creation Of The Presidential Commission On The Supreme Court
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Biden signed an executive order creating the "Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States." The Commission's report is required by the executive order to be issued within 180 days of the Commission's first meeting. "With today's executive order, the Biden Administration has pledged to study potential reforms to the Sup… Continue Reading
04.08.21
Durbin Statement On Biden Executive Action On Gun Violence
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Biden announced several executive actions to address gun violence: "When it comes to the sickening gun violence in our streets we have a choice: give up or stand up. President Biden is prepared to lead with common sense, constitutional steps to stop this uniquely American gun madness. It's time for Congress to stop making excuses and start m… Continue Reading
03.11.21
Durbin Slams Dark Money Influence in Federal Courts & Voting Rights
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during a Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights hearing titled, "What's Wrong with the Supreme Court: The Big-Money Assault on Our Judiciary." During his statement, Durbin expressed support for exposing and addressing the special-interest, dark money influence over the federal courts, elections, and voting rights. Durb… Continue Reading
03.09.21
Durbin Questions Lisa Monaco and Vanita Gupta on Domestic Terrorism and Supporting Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today chaired the nomination hearing for Lisa Monaco to be U.S. Deputy Attorney General and Vanita Gupta to be U.S. Associate Attorney General. Durbin asked Monaco to discuss the rising threat of white supremacy and domestic terrorism. "If you take a look at the course of American history, the Ku Klux Klan seems to appear and reappear about every 50 years. 1865, 1910 to 1915, then again in the '5… Continue Reading