Durbin Statement Following The Joint Session Of Congress With Israeli President Herzog

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after today's Joint Session of Congress with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. This year marks 75 years of Israeli independence. "Israeli President Herzog has been a voice of political moderation and democracy, messages he reaffirmed today to the Joint Session of Congress. He has patriotically urged his country's political leaders to step back from the brink of recklessly damaging key democratic institut… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges His Colleagues To Support Supreme Court Ethics Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the need for the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct. Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee will mark up and vote on Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's (D-RI)Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act. The bill would require Supreme Court Justices to adopt a code of conduct, create a mechanism to investigate alleged violations… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider, Carper Lead Letter To EPA In Support Of Proposed Rule To Reduce ETO Emissions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), founder of the Environmental Justice Caucus, along with U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a letter signed by 40 Members of Congress to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting its proposed ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilizers rule. The new proposed rule would reduce EtO emiss… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Rachel Bloomekatz To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Sixth Circuit

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Rachel Bloomekatz 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 Ms. Bloomekatz's confirmation: "Rachel Bloomekatz is an accomplished appellate litigator. She's proven herself to be a zealous and effective advocate for equal justice under the law, including by defending access to the ballot box, environmental protec… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass The Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged his colleagues to pass the Senate's bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). The Senate NDAA authorizes nearly $886 billion for the nation's defense and includes a five percent pay raise for our troops and the Pentagon's civilian workforce-the largest increase in decades. The bill also expands employment opportunities for military spouses, funding for … Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Prohibit Plastic Pollution In Waterways

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) today introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and marine life-and in turn, humans-and create… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Prohibit Plastic Pollution In Waterways

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) today introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. The pellets are being consumed by fish and marine life-and in turn, humans-and create… Continue Reading

Durbin, Menendez, Schumer, & Gillibrand Lead Colleagues In Letter To DHS, State Urging Redesignation Of Venezuela & Nicaragua For Temporary Protected Status

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today led 22 of their colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to redesignate Venezuela and Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS offers temporary relief from removal and access to work permits for eligible foreign nationals … Continue Reading

Durbin, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Prohibit Normalized Relations With Assad’s Syria

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced new legislation to prohibit any official action to recognize or normalize relations with any Government of Syria that is led by Bashar al-Assad due to the Assad regime's prior and ongoing crimes against the Syrian people. The bipartisan Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 would also make it U.S. policy to actively oppose recognition or normalization of relations by other govern… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.5 Million For Health Care Research In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,509,844 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) medical research grant funding for Illinois institutions. The funding will be put toward research programs across the state to support advancements in sectors ranging from cancer to immunology. "By funding the pursuit of knowledge, we empower our scientists and researchers to unlock the cures and innovations that will … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $35 Million For Variety Of Illinois Health Care Programs And Initiatives

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $35,193,206 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support a variety of health care programs, initiatives, and community projects across the state. "This federal support empowers our communities to thrive, ensuring access to quality health care and fostering initiatives that address the unique needs of Illinois' diverse population," said Durbin. "By bolster… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Afghan Allies in the U.S. to Apply for Lawful Permanent Residence

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to reintroduce the Afghan Adjustment Act, bipartisan legislation to allow Afghans who sought refuge in the United States to obtain lawful permanent residence after undergoing rigorous additional vetting. Currently, Afg… Continue Reading

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin, Duckworth

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced three Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills for Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; and Legislative Branch. Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in these appropriations bills, both through Congressio… Continue Reading

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Bipartisan Bill To Help Curb Illicit Drug Trafficking On Social Media Platforms, Four Nominations

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bipartisan Cooper Davis Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to the full Senate on a bipartisan vote of 16-5. The bill, as amended, would require social media companies to take on a more active role in working with federal agencies to combat the illegal sale and distribution of drugs on their platforms. "We've been on a mission in the Senate Judiciary Committee: to protect children'… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Ambassador Emanuel To Discuss U.S. – Japanese Relations

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, to discuss Japan's role supporting Ukraine and the greater U.S.-Japanese alliance. During the meeting, they also discussed China's actions in the region. "Japan is an important strategic partner in Asia, particularly in light of continued challenges with China and Russian aggression," said Durbin. "Today, I had a productive meeting with Ambassador Emanu… Continue Reading

Durbin, Pressley Reintroduce Bill To End Federal Death Penalty

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today reintroduce the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act of 2023, bicameral legislation to prohibit the use of the death penalty at the federal level and require re-sentencing of those currently on death row. "The death penalty is deeply flawed and disproportionately imposed on Black and Brown and low-income people in America," said Durbin. "… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau And Illinois Soybean Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Soybean Association members. During the meeting, Durbin and the farmers discussed priorities for Illinois' agricultural sector, including progress on the upcoming Farm Bill, the importance of the crop insurance safety net, agricultural research, boosting trade incentives, drought challenges, and updating the farm sa… Continue Reading

Durbin Reflects On Recent Nato Summit In Lithuania

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, reflected on his recent trip to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. In addition to Durbin, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) attended the summit, where they discussed congressional support for the transatlantic relationship, as well as con… Continue Reading

Durbin: Since The Court Has Not Acted On Ethics Reform, Congress Will

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the need for the Supreme Court to adopt an enforceable code of conduct. Durbin's remarks follow a series of articles published by the Associated Press yesterday detailing a range of ethical failures by Supreme Court Justices. The reports detailed Justices' involvement in fundraising at colleges and universities, the use of Supreme Court staff to push sales o… Continue Reading

Durbin, Whitehouse Press Supreme Court Historical Society For Information On Access Between Donors & Justices

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, sent a letter to the Supreme Court Historical Society requesting information regarding the ways in which the Society provides access between Supreme Court Justices and its donors. As part of and in addition to its educational mission, the Society… Continue Reading