Press Releases
Durbin Shares Story Of Illinois Researcher At USDA Fired During DOGE's Short-Sighted Purge Of Critical Government Employees
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today shared the story of an Illinoisan, Jeannie Klein-Gordon, who was fired from her position as a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of President Trump and Elon Musk’s mission to gut the federal workforce. In his speech, Durbin emphasized that laying off researchers and agricultural experts will have long-term consequences for Illinois’ economy and agricultural … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Durbin Discusses U.S.-Israel Relations, Antisemitism With JACPAC
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with members of the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC). JACPAC is a national organization dedicated to supporting issues reflective of Jewish values, including promoting strong U.S.-Israel relations, combating antisemitism, and supporting reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, and separation of religion and state. On the meeting, Durbin released … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Urge President Trump To Reverse Tariffs That Could Devastate Farmers And Raise Food Prices
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), today joined 12 other Senators in urging President Trump to reconsider recently imposed tariffs that threaten American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and consumers. The tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China will make it harder for farmers to sell their products, increase … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Senate Republicans Reject Durbin's Resolution To Condemn Russia's Abduction Of Ukrainian Children
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a simple resolution he introduced condemning Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children and called on Russia to work with the international community to return all abducted Ukrainian children to their families. Since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression started in 2022, the Russian government has abducted, forcibly … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Introduced Resolution Recognizing National Social And Emotional Learning Week
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a resolution designating the week of March 3, 2025, 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 have experienced trauma, by … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Hosts Call With Rural Illinois Hospitals On Harms From Republicans' Proposed Cuts To Medicaid
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today convened a call with the leadership of nine rural hospitals based in central and southern Illinois to discuss the impact of the potential $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid proposed by congressional Republicans in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires. During the call, the rural hospital leaders underscored that critical role that Medicaid plays in providing coverage for their patients and sustaining hospital budgets. Without … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Speaks Against Trump Administration Efforts To Intimidate Judges & Undermine The Rule Of Law
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke against efforts by the Trump Administration to intimidate judges and undermine the rule of law. Durbin then asked unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution that simply affirms that the Constitution vests the judicial power in the federal courts. It also affirms that both the Constitution and established precedent require the executive branch to … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Votes Against Todd Blanche To Be Deputy Attorney General
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Deputy Attorney General. In a speech on the Senate floor ahead of Mr. Blanche’s confirmation vote, Durbin spoke about the weaponization of the justice system since President Trump took office and argued that Mr. Blanche will not provide the necessary independence to rein in the President or the army of allies he has installed at … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Combating The Rise Of Antisemitism In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Never to be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America.” In 2023 alone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported nearly 2,000 hate crimes against the Jewish community. More than two-thirds of all reported religious-based hate crimes in 2023 were driven by anti-Jewish bias. There has … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Combating The Rise of Antisemitism In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Never to be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America.” In 2023 alone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported nearly 2,000 hate crimes against the Jewish community. More than two-thirds of all reported religious-based hate crimes in 2023 were driven by anti-Jewish bias. … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois State Association Of Counties
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with representatives from the Illinois State Association of Counties to discuss the impact of the Trump Administration’s funding freeze on Illinois. During this meeting, Durbin and Duckworth heard directly from county leaders about affected transportation and infrastructure projects. Last week, Durbin and Duckworth joined Illinois leaders to send a letter to the White House … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin Statement On President Trump's Joint Address To Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: “What we witnessed tonight was hubris in its highest form. President Trump has claimed that he alone can ‘make America great.’ Unfortunately, grandstanding does not lower the price of groceries or cut prescription drug costs. “While President Trump delivered empty platitudes about the success of his presidency, Elon Musk and his Administration have … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin Statement On President Trump's Joint Address To Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress: “What we witnessed tonight was hubris in its highest form. President Trump has claimed that he alone can ‘make America great.’ Unfortunately, grandstanding does not lower the price of groceries or cut prescription drug costs. “While President Trump delivered empty platitudes about the success of his presidency, Elon Musk and his Administration have … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin Meets With His Guest, Dr. Sokol, Ahead of President Trump's Address To Joint Session Of Congress
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with his guest for President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress, Dr. Elizabeth Sokol, a practicing oncologist and medical researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Sokol specializes in treating children with neuroblastoma, the leading cause of cancer death for children aged one to five. Dr. Sokol is in the midst of conducting federally-supported clinical trials that are now … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats File Misconduct Complaint Against Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove With New York State Bar
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in filing a professional misconduct complaint against Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove with the New York State Bar. In a letter to the Attorney Grievance Committee of the First Judicial Department in New York, which handles complaints against lawyers whose offices are in Manhattan or the Bronx, the Senators cite reported inappropriate … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin: January 6 Insurrectionists Should Have Never Been Pardoned By President Trump
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor, providing another update on the criminal misconduct of January 6th insurrectionists since President Trump’s reckless decision to pardon them for their crimes committed during the storming of the U.S. Capitol. The events of that day resulted in the death of five law enforcement officers and the injury of more than 140 others. Durbin began his remarks … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Curb Food Waste
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the bipartisan Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act, legislation that would prevent and reduce food waste across the country. Each year, the U.S. produces and imports 237 million tons of food annually, but 31 percent of this food is never sold or eaten, while millions of Americans experience food … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out Against Trump's Tariffs On Mexico & Canada
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke out against President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. As of today, President Trump has instituted a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10 percent on goods from China, bringing the total to 20 percent tariffs on China. In his remarks, Durbin underscored that the Trump tariffs would not lower prices, as he promised during his campaign, … Continue Reading
March 03, 2025
Durbin: We Need To Stand Behind NATO And Ukraine, Hitching Our Star To Vladimir Putin Is A Fool's Errand
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, slammed President Trump and Vice President Vance’s tense and embarrassing meeting in the Oval Office on Friday with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Durbin began his remarks by reflecting on Casimir Pulaski Day—a local holiday observed in Illinois on the first Monday of March in memory of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland. This … Continue Reading
March 03, 2025
Durbin Speaks Out Against Republicans' So-Called "Protection Of Women And Girls In Sports Act"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor against the so-called Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act—a Republican bill that would revoke federal funding from schools with athletic programs that allow trans girls to participate on sports teams for women or girls. The bill—which lacks a clear enforcement mechanism—could subject women and girls to physical inspection by an adult if someone … Continue Reading