Durbin, Grassley Introduce Resolution Designating 2024 As The Year Of Democracy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), former Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced a Senate resolution designating 2024 as the Year of Democracy.  The resolution asks Americans to reflect on the contributions of the system of government of the United States to a more free and stable world. “Our democracy is only as strong as our commitment to relentlessly pursue its… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds Department Of Education’s Move To Approve Borrower Defense Claims For Former Ashford University Students

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) took to the Senate floor to applaud the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) decision to approve more than 2,300 borrower defense claims filed by former Ashford University students, totaling $72 million in student debt relief.  Of the 2,300 claims discharged, 120 belonged to Illinois student borrowers, amounting to more than $3.6 million in relief. “This year, some students are breathing easier.  They were the victims of a for-pro… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Office Of National Drug Control Policy Director Gupta

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Dr. Rahul Gupta, M.D., Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the first medical doctor to lead this office. Among other topics, Durbin and Gupta discussed ONDCP reauthorization, child online safety legislation that the Judiciary Committee advanced this summer, reform of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and combating drug overdose death… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With FCC Commissioner Nominee Anna Gomez

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Anna Gomez, the Biden Administration’s nominee to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  During their meeting, Durbin and Gomez discussed the importance of helping all communities gain access to broadband services, which millions of Americans rely on to communicate with emergency responders, complete homework, and stay connected to loved ones.  Durbin also emphasized the importance of maint… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Latest Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Richard E. N. Federico, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, about his experience serving as a federal public defender, as well as a Navy JAG Corps prosecutor and defense lawyer. “You’ve served as both a prosecutor and as a defense counsel in your career… And in the Navy and Navy Reserve, I’m sure you’ve had opportunities to deal with both… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley, Duckworth, Sorensen Press BOP to Investigate Allegations of Abuse at USP Thomson

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters requesting information about serious allegations of abuse at United States Penitentiary (… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley, Duckworth, Sorensen Press BOP To Investigate Allegations Of Abuse At USP Thomson

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters requesting information about serious allegations of abuse at United States Penitentiary (… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3.9 Million To Improve Housing Across Local Communities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $3,900,000 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Housing Rehabilitation programs, which provide residents with safe and sanitary living conditions and help to stabilize neighborhoods and affordable housing in communities. “A thriving community begins with a safe and secure place to call home,” said Durbin. “… Continue Reading

ICYMI: Durbin, Senate Judiciary Committee Delivering On The Demands Of Youth Advocates At The Forefront Of Children’s Online Safety Debate

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, The Washington Post highlighted the involvement of youth advocates in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s work to protect children’s online safety. Earlier this summer, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with youth advocates from Design It For Us, a coalition of youth-led organizations that advocates for online protection for youth and young adults. Emma Lembke, a co-chair of the organization, testified bef… Continue Reading

Durbin Leads Colleagues In Introducing Bill To Protect Consumers From Predatory, High Cost Lending

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced legislation that would cap fees and interest on consumer loans at an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 36 percent—the same limit currently in place for loans marketed to military service members and their families.  Studies show that while lenders today offer easy credit, these transactions often come with high interest rates, st… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five 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 Richard E. N. Federico, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals; Judge Joshua P. Kolar, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals; Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota; Judge Eumi K… Continue Reading

Durbin Highlights Efforts To Address Rural Health Workforce Shortages On The Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted the dire need to address the rural health care provider shortage that is harming communities across Illinois and the country.  During the August work period, Durbin traveled across the state to meet with hospital leaders, public health officials, and other health care providers who all spoke about the challenges facing rural hospitals and clinics, and the impact on patients accessing care… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warnock, Schneider to Introduce Bill to Invest in American Workforce

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), along with U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today introduced bicameral legislation that increases federal investments in worker training and helps prepare workers for the jobs of the future.  The Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would ensure that American workers have the skills needed to successfully navigate the transition into higher-skilled positions and in-demand ind… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warnock Statement on Federal District Court Striking Down Alabama Republicans' Congressional Map Again

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after a three-judge federal district court panel struck down Alabama Republicans’ latest attempt at a redrawn congressional map for violating federal civil rights law and diluting the power of Black voters: “After the Supreme Court struck down their proposed Congressional map earlier this summer, Alabama Republicans… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $750,000 For Drug-Free Communities Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $750,000 in federal funding for Illinois communities through the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program. This funding will be used by communities to achieve and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use, tackling issues ranging from tobacco prevention to opioid misuse. “It is our duty to ensure that every American has the opportun… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Department of Education’s Move to Approve Borrower Defense Claims for Former Ashford University Students

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that the Department has approved more than 2,300 borrower defense claims filed by former Ashford University students, totaling $72 million in relief. Of the 2,300 claims discharged, 120 belonged to Illinois student borrowers, amounting to more than $3.6 million in relief. “After years of calling on the Department of Education to swiftly dischar… Continue Reading

ICYMI: “Credit Card Companies Urged by Senators to Cancel Plan to Raise Swipe Fees”

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Bloomberg highlighted calls from U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) for Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their reported plans to raise credit card fees. Durbin and Marshall are lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. Building… Continue Reading

Durbin, Cassidy, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Fair Democratic Primaries in Venezuela Ahead of 2024 Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concerns about ongoing efforts to undermine the pre-electoral and primary processes leading up to critical presidential elections scheduled in that country in 2024.  “The Venezuelan people cannot afford to see another fraudulent election, whic… Continue Reading

Durbin, Cassidy, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Fair Democratic Primaries in Venezuela Ahead of 2024 Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concerns about ongoing efforts to undermine the pre-electoral and primary processes leading up to critical presidential elections scheduled in that country in 2024.  “The Venezuelan people cannot afford to see another fraudulent election, whic… Continue Reading

Durbin, Marshall Statement on Reports VISA & Mastercard Plan to Increase Swipe Fees on American Families and Businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act, today released the following statement regardingreports that Visa and Mastercard plan to raise their interchange fee rates in October and April: “We strongly urge Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their plan to raise credit card fees on small business owners and hard-working American families. “Accordin… Continue Reading