Durbin Statement on Passage of "Minibus" of Six Government Funding Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed six funding bills, known as a “minibus,” for Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Devel… Continue Reading

Durbin Defends Adeel Mangi Amid Baseless, Islamophobic Attacks by Senate Republicans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, took to the Senate floor to defend Adeel Mangi, nominee to be a U.S. Circuit Court Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, amid baseless, Islamophobic attacks by Senate Republicans throughout his nomination process. Durbin began by highlighting the unprecedented nature of the attacks on Mr. Mangi, which are inconsistent with his record and reality. “Mr. Mangi is a highly qualified nominee … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on President Biden's State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Biden’s State of the Union Address: “With President Biden at the helm, we have seen tremendous progress in our country.  The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is building new infrastructure and pushing our transportation industry forward.  Belvidere, Illinois, has its Stellantis operation up and running again and is awaiting a new battery plant because of the deal struck by UAW President… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with His State of the Union Guest, MedGlobal President and Illinoisan, Dr. Zaher Sahloul

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with his guest for President Biden’s State of the Union address, Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President of MedGlobal, a nonprofit that provides critical medical services in areas of crisis.  Through MedGlobal, Dr. Sahloul has been coordinating humanitarian and medical relief services for innocent people in Gaza caught in the crossfire spurred by the horrific October 7 Hamas attacks.  Gaza hospitals have been in desperate need of medical sup… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Google Endorsement of Stop CSAM Act, Package of Kids' Online Safety Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Google announced its endorsement of the STOP CSAM Act and other bills aimed to protect children online: “For too long, Big Tech used every trick in the book to halt legislation holding social media companies accountable, while still trying to win the PR game. I’m glad to see that some tech companies are beginning to make good on their word to work with Congr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Wyden, Sanders, Brown, Blumenthal Urge Convenience Stores, Wholesalers to Follow the Law and Remove Unauthorized E-Cigarettes from their Shelves

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee; Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to 22 major convenience stores… Continue Reading

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nine Nominations to the Full Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced nine nominations to the full Senate, continuing the Committee’s work to bring balance to the federal judiciary. The nominations advanced include five judicial nominees, two U.S. Attorney nominees, one U.S. Marshal nominee, and one nominee to the U.S. Parole Commission. “We continued our work to advance highly qualified, diverse nominees to help ensure a fair system of justice today. Notably, we advanced the nomination of Rebecca L… Continue Reading

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination of Judge Sunil Harjani to be Federal District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division

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 released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nomination of Judge Sunil Harjani to a Federal District Court Judge vacancy in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division: “We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of Judge Sunil Harjani to fill a judicial vacancy f… Continue Reading

Durbin Outlines Strong Momentum for His Stop CSAM Act, The Need for Action on Children's Online Safety on the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, took to the Senate floor to outline the strong momentum for his STOP CSAM Act and the need for action on children’s online safety. Durbin began by recapping the Senate Judiciary Committee’s historic hearing on January 31st on Big Tech’s failures to protect kids from sexual exploitation online, as well as the remarkable bipartisan note struck in the committee on this issue. “That hearing demonstr… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Chicago's Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President of MedGlobal, As State of the Union in Guest in Senate Floor Speech

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to announce his guest forthe State of the Union, Dr. Zaher Sahloul.  A resident of Chicago, Dr. Sahloul, who currently serves as a critical care specialist, an associate professor, and the president of MedGlobal, has an extensive resume and a long history offering humanitarian and medical aid to war-torn areas.  “I’m hosting an extraordinary resident of my state, Dr. Zaher Sahloul.  Dr. Sahlou… Continue Reading

Durbin, Collins Introduce Resolution Establishing National Social and Emotional Learning Week

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced a resolution designating the week of March 4, 2024, as National Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Week.  SEL is centered on developing the self-awareness, ability to manage emotions, and interpersonal skills necessary for school, the workplace, and life.  Research shows that SEL promotes student academic outcomes, self-efficacy, and positive mental health, especially for students who … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Meet with Quad Cities Chamber

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the Quad Cities Chamber (QCC) and local leaders from the Quad Cities region to discuss local priorities for economic development.  During their meeting, the Senators and QCC members spoke about the Chicago to Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project, for which Durbin has secured more than $177 million in federal funding.  The meeting also focused on how the federal government can support t… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Protecting Wilderness in Utah with Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, NRDC, Sierra Club

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Sierra Club to discuss protecting lands and wilderness areas across the country.  During their meeting, Durbin spoke about his legislation, the America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, which would protect more than eight million acres of land in Utah that is rich in archaeological resources and home to numerous rare plan… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Nominees at Latest Judiciary Committee Hearing on Judicial Nominations

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Judge Dena M. Coggins, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California, about her work regarding juvenile justice. “Can you make any general observations or help us understand the challenges these young people are facing and how we should respond?” Durbin asked. Judge Coggins responded that with juv… Continue Reading

On Super Tuesday & In Honor of the Late John Lewis, Durbin Calls on His Republican Colleagues to Join Senate Democrats and Protect the Right to Vote

WASHINGTON – On Super Tuesday, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to support critical voting rights legislation that was introduced in the Senate last week.  The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act.  Durbin began his floor speech by reflecting on Super Tuesday, when millions of Americans will vote in primaries in 16 s… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., Shigeo Yamada

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S., Shigeo Yamada, to discuss the continued strong relations between the United States and Japan.  They also discussed the numerous global security challenges, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.  “Japan is an important, long time U.S. ally and strategic partner in Asia, particularly in light of continued challenges with North Korea and China,” said Durbin.  “Following the first U.S… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau President

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the new President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan, who shared priorities of the Illinois’ agricultural sector for the upcoming year.  During their meeting, Mr. Duncan discussed the effects of California’s Proposition 12 on the economics of the hog industry and the important role of H-2A temporary workers for farm labor availability.   Mr. D… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Pediatric Dentists

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) to discuss addressing the shortage of pediatric dentists across the state, as well as efforts to expand access to dental care forchildren and vulnerable populations.  In Illinois, nearly 50 percent of children are covered by Medicaid, yet only 14 percent of dentists in Illinois treat more than 50 Medicaid patients a year (one per week), according to a… Continue Reading

Durbin, Welch, Senate Judiciary Democrats Urge Action by Federal Judiciary to Avoid Continued Funding Shortfall for Federal Public Defenders

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), and every Senate Judiciary Democrat sent a letter to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts urging the office to give appropriate consideration to the funding of the Federal Public Defender program in the Office’s upcoming budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The letter comes as Federal Defenders face a… Continue Reading

Durbin Holds Roundtable at Dominican University to Discuss $2.5 Million in Federal Funding Through Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

RIVER FOREST – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Dominican University to discuss $2.5 million in federal funding it received through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to close the digital divide by helping Minority-Serving Institutions expand their broadband capacity and hire additional information technology personnel. “Dominican University has long been a champion of diversity and incl… Continue Reading