DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS DELEGATION URGE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO PROVIDE ILLINOIS WITH THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO RECEIVE ASYLUM SEEKERS

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to provide Illinois and the City of Chicago with the necessary resources to receive asylum seekers in a safe and orderly fashion.  In the letter, the lawmakers call for government-wide provision of resources, streamlining work a… Continue Reading

ICYMI: ESPN: NCAA President, Big Ten Commissioner to Testify at Senate Judiciary Hearing on Name, Image, And Likeness Rights

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, ESPN highlighted yesterday’s announcement that the Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding a full committee hearing on name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights in college sports on Tuesday, October 17th at 10:00 AM ET. This hearing will examine different federal NIL legislative proposals, seek to establish what is truly in the best interests of students participating in college athletics, and feature testimony from NCAA President Charlie Baker and Big Ten Co… Continue Reading

ICYMI: DURBIN, WELCH, OSSOFF, BOOKER, AND HIRONO LEAD 18 OF THEIR COLLEAGUES IN LETTER TO SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE LEADERS URGING CORRECTIONS TO PROPOSED FEDERAL DEFENDERS’ FUNDING

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) on Friday in leading 18 of their Senate colleagues, including every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat, in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders emphasizing the importance of correcting a shortfall in the Fed… Continue Reading

Durbin Undergoes Knee Replacement Surgery At Rush Oak Brook

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today underwent a successful total knee replacement surgery for his left knee.  The procedure was performed this morning at RUSH in Oak Brook, Illinois.  Durbin will remain in Illinois until he is cleared for travel to Washington by his doctor. “As a result of my unremarkable high school football career, it was determined that I needed a full knee replacement for my left knee.  I’m grateful to the medical staff at RUSH for today’s successfu… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel:     “Over the last 48 hours, my staff and I have received regular, direct updates from the White House on the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.  We have also been in touch with constituents who have family in Israel, helping provide the latest information on how to connect with our embassy in Israel.  The scale and viciousness of the Hama… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Leaders from Chicago's Ukrainian-American Community

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with leaders from Chicago’s Ukrainian community to discuss the United States’ continued support for Ukraine, including the urgent need to pass additional funding to aid Ukraine after the 45-day bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government failed to do so, which he spoke about on the Senate floor earlier this week. “Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has inflicted immeasurable suffering on its… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins UAW Picket Line at Ford Assembly Plant in Chicago

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today showed his support for striking United Auto Workers (UAW) by joining them on the picket line at the FordAssembly Plant. This follows a visit Durbin made to the UAW picket line at General Motors in Bolingbrook, Illinois, last week. “For weeks, the men and women of UAW have stood shoulder to shoulder, united in their pursuit of fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security,” said Durbin. “They have endured long hours, harsh weather, and the … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Fareway Stores CEO to Discuss Swipe Fees

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, to discuss the impact of credit card swipe fees.  Earlier this year, Durbin and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) introduced their Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation that would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market, which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. The legislation is esti… Continue Reading

Durbin Presses Airlines on How they Plan to Address Flight Delays and Increased Fees that are Disrupting Consumers' Ability to Fly

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent letters to the leadership of United Airlines, American Airlines, and Airlines for America (A4A) to urge the companies to address customer frustration around flight delays and excessive fees for checked baggage, Wi-Fi service, seat assignments, and more.  Citing startling statistics around the skyrocketing number of travel disruptions and outrageous fees, Durbin pressed the companies for answers on how airlines, which are makin… Continue Reading

Senate Judiciary Democrats Reject Unfounded Refusals to Comply with Information Requests by Those Seeking to Influence Supreme Court Justices

WASHINGTON – Today, all U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats – led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee – rejected refusals by Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo, and Robin Arkley to comply with information requests from the Committee on involvement with Supreme Court Justices. In letters to all three, the Senators reject their separation of powers defense, citing existing law and the Supreme Court’s compliance with the laws. “Your position is at … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois Speaker of the House

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch to discuss Illinois’ humanitarian response to the arrival of more than 15,000 migrants.  During their meeting, Durbin, Duckworth, and Speaker Welch spoke about the need for the Biden Administration to offer critical support to Illinois as it responds to migrants arriving in the state.  Durbin and Duckworth reaffirmed their commitment… Continue Reading

For a Fourth Time, Junior Senator From Ohio Blocks Durbin's Attempt to Confirm U.S. Attorney Nominations on the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today on the Senate floor requested unanimous consent (UC) to schedule confirmation votes on two U.S. Attorney nominations being held by U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH)—Rebecca C. Lutzko, nominated to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; and April M. Perry, nominated to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  U.S. Attorneys are empowered to prosecut… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill to Increase Access to Broadband Service for Low-Income Americans

WASHINGTON – In conjunction with Digital Inclusion Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to broadband service for low-income urban and rural Americans.  ThePromoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provide a monthly subsi… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Lead Colleagues in Letter to President Biden on U.S. Role in Potential Normalization Agreement Between Saudi Arabia and Israel

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT) in leading 15 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden, expressing their support for the prospect of normalization and sharing their views on the parameters of the United States’ involvement in a potential normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.  The Senators raised conce… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions District Court Nominees at Latest Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Judge Mustafa Kasubhai, nominated to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon; Judge John Kazen, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas; and Judge Shanlyn Park, nominated to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. Durbin began by asking Judge Kaz… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With President Biden's Nominee to Be the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and the Senate Baltic Caucus, today met with Kara McDonald, nominee to be the United States’ Ambassador to Lithuania.  During the meeting, they discussed the continued congressional support for the Baltic States, as well as ongoing Russian aggression and interference in the region.  “Time and time again, Lithuania has proved itself to be a champion of freedom and democracy.  Today, in the face of Ru… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Brown, Senators Call for Immediate Legislative Action to Support Ukraine

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who is a member of the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), led five other Senators in a letter urging U.S. Senate and House leaders and the Chair and Ranking Members of the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees toimmediately advance legislation that will prov… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing on Five District Court 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 Mustafa Kasubhai, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon; Judge John Kazen, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas; Judge Shanlyn Park, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii; Jamel Semper, to be United States Distri… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls Out Senate Republicans' Hypocrisy on Crime

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, took to the Senate floor to accentuate the stark contrast between Republicans’ “tough on crime” rhetoric and their inaction on the issue, including repeated refusals to act on further gun safety reform or U.S. Attorney nominees. Durbin began by highlighting Republicans’ infatuation with citing crime statistics in Chicago with neither nuance nor proposed solutions. “Mr. President, it is my… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Health & Hospital Association

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sat down with AJ Wilhelmi, President of the Illinois Health & Hospital Association (IHA), and leaders of Illinois-based hospitals to discuss the health care workforce staffing crisis and its impact on hospitals’ ability to serve the needs of patients.  To help address the shortage, Durbin secured $1 billion in theAmerican Rescue Plan for scholarship and loan repayment awards through the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Co… Continue Reading