Durbin, Graham Statement on First-Of-Its-Kind War Crimes Charges by DOJ Related to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

WASHINGTON – Today, 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, released the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing first-of-its-kind war crimes charges against four Russian men in connection to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:  “Today’s announcement by the Justice Department is a welcome step. The four Russian military personnel charged allegedly interrogated, tortured, … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Failed Vote on the Emergency Supplemental to Provide Aid to Israel and Ukraine

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against President Biden’s national security supplemental funding request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises: “The scale and viciousness of the Hamas terrorist attack against the Israeli people are reprehensible, and today, along with my Democratic colleagues, I voted to … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Ambassador Zahran to Discuss Conflict in Gaza and Reopening of Its Hospitals

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Ambassador Motaz Zahran to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.  They also discussed ways to govern and rebuild Gaza.  Last week, Durbin spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss his proposal to reop… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Devastating Impacts of House Republicans' Proposed Cuts to ATF Funding with Director Dettelbach

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Steve Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to discuss Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations and their impact on ATF’s overall mission and priorities, including implementation of theBipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). “Director Dettelbach and the public servants at ATF are working … Continue Reading

Durbin, Tester, Bennet, Klobuchar Meet with Ukraine's Speaker of the Parliament

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) hosted Ruslan Stefanchuck, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, and Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, to discuss President Biden’s emergency supplemental request, which includes funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian needs.  The Senate is expected to … Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Schumer in Attempt to Pass the Assault Weapons Ban on the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on the Senate floor in an attempt to pass the Assault Weapons Ban by unanimous consent in an effort to combat mass shootings and gun deaths in America.  U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) objected to the unanimous consent request. “Since 2020, the United States has suffered from over 600 mass shootings every year, almost two a day.  I a… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Bill to Create Bond Program to Fund Climate Resiliency Projects

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the Climate Change Resiliency Fund forAmerica Act.  The bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Treasury to issue from $200 million up to $1 billion in state and local tax-exempt “climate bonds” annually for any American to purchase and contribute to climate resiliency efforts, with the option to increase bonds issuance to $1 billion should demand exceed $200 million.  The legislation would mirror the national war b… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Republicans to Pass the National Security Supplemental Funding Request to Aid Our Ukrainian Ally

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, took to the Senate floor to urge his Republican colleagues to pass President Biden’s national security supplemental funding request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises.  During his speech, Durbin implored Republicans to reflect on what the late President Ronald Reagan would think about their lack of willingness to help our Ukrainian friends … Continue Reading

Durbin Urges FDA, White House to Finally Implement Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on the Food and Drug Administration and Biden Administration to swiftly implement a proposed public health regulation to prohibit the production and sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.  Durbin spoke about his own family’s grief after losing his father to lung cancer, reiterating that a ban on menthol cigarettes could save hundreds of thousands of lives annually.  In his remarks, D… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Quigley Announce $93.6 Million to Modernize Chicago's Union Station

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today announced $93,600,000 for the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal-State Partnerships forIntercity Passenger Rail grant program, which received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. CHIP is Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station (CUS) and revol… Continue Reading

Durbin Marks Fifth Anniversary of First Step Act by Meeting with Formerly Incarcerated Members of FAMM

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, today met with members of FAMM, including more than 20 individuals impacted by the First Step Act ahead of the legislation’s fifth anniversary.  During the meeting, Durbin heard stories from formerly incarcerated individuals about how the First Step Act impacted their experience with the… Continue Reading

Durbin Reintroduces Bill to Create Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), today reintroduced legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.  The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act creates consistent servicing and disclosure standards across private and federal stud… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing with FBI Director Wray

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”  The hearing is the third oversight hearing of the FBI by the Senate Judiciary Committee since 2021, continuing Chair Durbin’s work to restore the tradition of regular agency oversight hearings. Key Quotes: “Today, we continue our work to restore the Com… Continue Reading

Durbin, Merkley Lead Bicameral Colleagues in Comment in Support of Biden Administration's Proposal to Codify Flores Settlement Agreement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led 14 colleagues in submitting a bicameral comment regarding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)’s proposed rule, “Unaccompanied Children Foundational Rule.”  In their comment, the lawmakers express their support for the Biden Administration’s proposal, which would codify provisions in the Flores Settlement… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Senate Confirmation of Irma Ramirez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Irma Ramirez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Judge Ramirez’s confirmation: “Judge Irma Ramirez is an accomplished litigator and jurist who has over 30 years of legal experience, including as a current magistrate judge for the Northern District of Texas. Her qualifications and dedication to equal justic… Continue Reading

Durbin to Republicans: Work With Democrats to Fix Our Broken Immigration System

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his Republican colleagues to work with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform that will help secure America’s border and address our nation’s shortage of workers.  During his speech, Durbin condemned Republicans’ attempt to attach punitive border policies to essential national security emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, an… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Applaud More Than $21.6 Million in Full-Service Community Schools Grants for Illinois Institutions

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today applauded the U.S. Department of Education for awarding $21,632,950 in Full-Service Community Schools grants to education institutions and community organizations in Illinois. Funding for full-service community schools has increased five-fold, from $25 million in 2020 to $150 million in 2023. The grant funding allows schools to partner with community organizations and institutions of higher educa… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kelly Lead Congressional Support for ATF Rule to Expand Background Checks

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) led letters signed by more than 160 Members of Congress in support of a proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) titled "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms."  This proposal utilizes provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), passed in 2022 and signed into law by P… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement on United, American Commitment to O'Hare Terminal Area Project

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation, today released the following statement regarding a recent report that United Airlines and American Airlines want to “slow down, dramatically scale back, or indefinitely ground” the Chicago O’Hare International Airport Terminal Area Project (TAP), on which they signed an agreement with the City of Chicago. “Un… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Reopening Gaza Hospitals with UN Secretary General

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss avenues to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.  “I had a productive conversation with Secretary General Guterres about efforts to alleviate suffering of innocents caught in the conflict in Gaza,” said Durbin.  “In particular, w… Continue Reading