Press Releases
Durbin Speaks In Support Of Haitian Immigrants Amid Ongoing Lies From Republican Presidential & Vice-Presidential Candidate
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today addressed the particularly vile lie being circulated by former President Trump, his Vice-Presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, and their supporters, and the real-life consequences of spreading this lie—that the Haitian immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio, are abducting, killing, and eating people’s pets. “This claim is not only outrageous, and patently … Continue Reading
September 18, 2024
Durbin, Collins Celebrate Their Bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act Heading To President's Desk
ASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), applauded passage of their bipartisan SIREN Reauthorization Act by the House of Representatives, sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk for signature. Once signed by President Biden, the legislation will extend funding for five additional years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin, Shaheen Meet With Vladimir Kara-Murza Following Recent Biden-Harris Administration Prisoner Swap With Russia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, met today with Vladimir Kara-Murza who was recently freed from imprisonment in Russia as part of the Biden-Harris Administration prisoner swap in early August. Kara-Murza is a Russian opposition figure who survived two … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin, Kaine, Cassidy Meet With Five Latin American Democracies' Ambassadors To Discuss The Current Electoral Crisis In Venezuela
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today met with Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S., Maria Luiza Ribiero Viotti; Chilean Ambassador to the U.S., Juan Gabriel Valdés; Colombian Ambassador to the U.S., Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo; Guatemalan Ambassador to the U.S., Hugo Beteta; and Panamanian Ambassador the U.S., José Miguel Alemán, to discuss the current electoral crisis in Venezuela. Following the … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin Statement On Senate Republicans Voting Against Nationwide IVF Protections For The Second Time
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against the Right to IVF Act for the second time this Congress. The legislation, which Durbin is a cosponsor of, establishes a clear and enforceable nationwide right to receive, provide, or cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) services and other assisted reproductive technologies. It also expands insurance coverage for such … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin Introduced Puppy Protection Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Puppy Protection Act, which would create stronger standards for veterinary care, housing, and breeding for dogs. The legislation would ensure that dogs within breeders’ care have suitable and safe enclosures, access to outdoor areas, and regularly interact with other dogs and humans. “As many Americans welcomed a dog into their family during the pandemic, we must ensure that the demand for pets is met with a … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Stemming The Rise Of Hate Crimes
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 “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America.” The hearing examined the threats facing marginalized communities and how the federal government can better protect the civil rights and safety of all Americans, including Jewish, Arab, and Muslim Americans. Building on the Committee’s … Continue Reading
September 17, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Committee On Rise Of Hate Crimes In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America.” The hearing will examine the threats facing marginalized communities and how the federal government can better protect the civil rights and safety of all Americans, including Jewish, Arab, and Muslim Americans. Building on the … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Kevin Ritz To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Sixth Circuit
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mr. Kevin Ritz to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Mr. Ritz’s confirmation: “Mr. Ritz is a seasoned trial attorney and an accomplished appellate practitioner with nearly 20 years of legal experience. His significant litigation background and extensive experience in federal court ensure that he will be a … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
Durbin: Republican Will Have Another Chance To Show The American People Where They Stand On IVF With Right to IVF Act Vote Tomorrow
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Senate Republicans to show the American people where they stand on in vitro fertilization (IVF) when the Senate votes on the Right to IVF Act tomorrow. The legislation, which Durbin is a cosponsor of, establishes a clear and enforceable nationwide right to receive, provide, or cover IVF services and other assisted reproductive technologies. It also … Continue Reading
September 16, 2024
Durbin Calls On House To Pass Siren Reauthorization Act To Support Rural EMS Agencies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on the House of Representatives to pass his bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the SIREN Reauthorization Act, which is scheduled for a vote this week, after having already passed the Senate last December. During his remarks, Durbin emphasized the importance of SIREN Act grants, explaining that these fire and EMS agencies are often the only nearby medical … Continue Reading
September 13, 2024
Durbin, Peters, Klobuchar, Murray, And Warner Call On Agencies To Prioritize Election Security In Advance Of The 2024 Presidential Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Rules Committee; Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Mark Warner (D-VA), Chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, in calling on the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of the Federal … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin Meets With Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson-Bush, Nominee To Chair Railroad Retirement Board
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson-Bush to discuss her nomination to serve as Chair of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). During their conversation, Durbin and Halvorson-Bush spoke about her extensive experience in government and her vision for the RRB. “I recommended former Illinois Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson-Bush to serve as Chair of the Railroad Retirement Board because she has a long, impressive record in … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin Meets With National Guard Bureau Chief Nominee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus to discuss his nomination to serve as the next National Guard Bureau Chief. During their conversation, Durbin urged Lt. Gen. Nordhaus to work alongside him, if confirmed, to secure a flying mission for Springfield’s 183rd Wing, as well as consider Scott Air Force Base’s 126th Air Refueling Wing for the latest tranche of KC-46s and the 38th Infantry Division for the Army Guard’s new MQ-1C Gray … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin, Braun Introduce Protecting Patients From Deceptive Drug Ads Online Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) today introduced the Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Online Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect public health and close regulatory loopholes by having the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) address false and misleading prescription drug promotions by social media influencers and telehealth companies. The prevalence of online promotions and direct-to-consumer advertisements for … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin Condemns Venezuelan President Maduro For Stealing Another Election From The Venezuelan People
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor condemning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for falsely claiming that the nation’s election was called in his favor, despite refusing to release actual ballot data and detailed election observer data that showed a clear and overwhelming victory for opposition candidate Edmundo González. In his remarks, Durbin also called on the region’s democracies to stand firm in not letting Maduro steal another … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin Celebrates Judges Confirmed To Dare During The Biden-Harris Administration
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, celebrated one of the most important accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration: the confirmation of highly-qualified, independent, and evenhanded judges to the federal bench. To date, the Senate has confirmed 208 judges to lifetime positions on the federal judiciary during Durbin’s time as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We have stayed on pace … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin Advocates For His Bipartisan Quantum Computing Legislation In Energy & Natural Resources Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing to advocate for his legislation, the Department of Energy (DOE) Quantum Leadership Act, which was discussed in the hearing. In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the benefits of his bipartisan bill, which would expand the United States’ capacity to invest in quantum information science and research and development (R&D) through DOE by authorizing $2.5 billion in … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Durbin, Senate Democrats Push Ten Largest Bitcoin ATM Operators To Curb Fraud Against Elderly Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of seven Senate Democrats in pressing the ten largest Bitcoin ATM (BTM) operators to curb fraud against elderly Americans. Reporting in the Illinois Times and New York Times outlines egregious examples of criminals contacting elderly Americans and using threats and other forms of intimidation to coerce them into depositing large sums of money in the criminals’ crypto wallets via … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024