Durbin, Grassley Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Security Cooperation With The Baltics As Putin Continues His Unprovoked War

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Co-Chairs of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, introduced the Baltic Security Initiative Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to effectively codify the Baltic Security Initiative, which will enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine and heightened tensions with China. U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Ruben Gallego (D-A… Continue Reading

Durbin: The Republican Speaker Is Manufacturing An Economic Crisis

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today slammed House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his threats to default on America's debt for the first time in history unless Democrats agree to slash funding for working families, veterans, law enforcement, and small businesses across the country. "Right now in the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker McCarthy is threatening our econo… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Lashonda Hunt To Serve As District Court Judge For The Northern District Of Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of LaShonda Hunt to serve as a District Court Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: "We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed Judge LaShonda Hunt to serve as a District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Hunt's l… Continue Reading

Durbin Visits Haymarket Center To Announce $775,000 For Addiction Treatment, Reducing Recidivism In Chicago

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today visited Haymarket Center to discuss the $775,000 in federal funding he secured through Congressionally-directed spending in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus appropriations bill. This new funding will be used to reduce recidivism among adults in Chicago who have completed inpatient treatment for substance use disorder and remain at high risk of re-engagement with the criminal justice system. "America is facing … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Propublica Report & Supreme Court Ethics Reform

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding a ProPublica reportthat alleges that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted and failed to disclose private school tuition payments for his grandnephew made by prominent Republican donor Harlan Crow: "Today's report continues a steady stream of revelations calling Justices' ethics standards and practices into question. I hope that the Chief Justice under… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $480,000 In Funding From National Scenic Byways Program For Illinois Department Of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $480,000 in grant funding awarded to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Gilbert Lake Division of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. National Scenic Byways or All-American Byways provide historic, recreational, cultural, archeological, and natural benefits t… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Governor Abbott’s Continued Political Stunts & Exploitation Of Migrant Families, Calls For More Funding For Chicago

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot stating that he will continue his inhumane practice of busing migrants from Texas to Chicago: "It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Texas Governor is again choosing to inflict further suffering upon immigrant families. He also continues to waste taxpayer dollars on… Continue Reading

Durbin Leads Colleagues In Penning Letter To Departments Of Education, Defense, And Veterans Affairs Warning Against Predatory For-Profit College University Of Phoenix

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), today sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough warning the agency leaders about the predatory for-profit college University of Phoenix's (Phoenix) latest tactics to recruit students using misleadi… Continue Reading

Durbin, Menendez, Kaine, Welch Meet With Opposition Leader & Former Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Peter Welch (D-VT), met with opposition leader and former interim President of Venezuela Juan Guaidó who recently fled Venezuela for his safety. Guaidó was elected by the Venezuelan National Assembly as interim leader after the 2018 sham election left the country without a legitimately elected pre… Continue Reading

Durbin, Capito, Duckworth, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Rise From Trauma Act To Address Childhood Trauma

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to increase support for children who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma, including witnessing community violence, parental addiction, or abuse. The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (RISE) from Trauma Act dramatically increases fundi… Continue Reading

Durbin: It’s Time To Establish Enforceable Rules Of The Road For All Justices

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor on the need for Supreme Court ethics reform, including a clear, enforceable code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, following yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the topic. "We have ethical standards all across the federal government that apply to the members of the Senate and the House, the Executive Branch, and to all of the Courts below the Su… Continue Reading

Durbin Reflects On Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On The Devastating Fallout Since The Supreme Court Overruled Roe V. Wade

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor on the state of reproductive rights in America and steps he's taking to shine a light on the serious threats to abortion rights nationwide, including holding last week's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the issue. The hearing, entitled "The Assault on Reproductive Rights in a Post-Dobbs America," examined the devastating fallout since the U.S. Supreme Court overrule… Continue Reading

Durbin Honors Illinois National Guard As It Marks 300th Anniversary

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor commemorating the Illinois National Guard's 300th anniversary. In his remarks, Durbin thanked the members of the Illinois National Guard. "'Always ready, always there.' That is the motto of the Illinois National Guard. And for three centuries, in times of war and peace, it has lived up to that promise," Durbin began. "As the Illinois National Guard celebrates its 300th anniversary, we than… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Illinois Agricultural Priorities With Xochitl Torres Small, Biden Nominee For USDA Deputy Secretary

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small, who has been nominated to serve as USDA Deputy Secretary. During their meeting, Durbin spoke with Torres Small about Illinois agricultural priorities and the upcoming Farm Bill. "I appreciate having the opportunity to discuss Illinois agriculture, con… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation Opening The Courthouse Doors To Consumers, Workers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of 34 Senators in introducing legislation to stop the use of unfair forced arbitration clauses, which are widely used to limit Americans' access to justice. The FAIR (Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal) Actwould eliminate forced arbitration clauses in consumer, antitrust, employment, and civil rights cases, and would allow consumers and workers t… Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Supreme Court Ethics Reform

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Supreme Court Ethics Reform." The hearing, as well as Durbin's questions, emphasized the clear need for reform and examined common sense proposals to hold Justices to - at minimum - the same ethical standards as every other court and agency in the federal government. Durbin began his questioning by reminding the C… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins In Introduction Of The Bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing the Kids Online Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to protect children online and hold Big Tech accountable. Durbin recently unveiled his new efforts to stop the exploitation of children online in a speech on the Senate floor. "There's a grave threat to America's future lurking online. Big Tech giants and… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Supreme Court Ethics Reform

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Supreme Court Ethics Reform." The hearing follows a steady stream of revelations calling Justices' ethics standards and practices into question. The hearing will emphasize the clear need for reform and examine common sense proposals to hold Justices to - at minimum - the same ethical standards as every ot… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois J Street Members

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois and national members of J Street to discuss the U.S.-Israeli relationship and challenges in the region. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of a two-state solution, further settlement expansion that undermines such a goal, and the continued threat posed by Iran. "J Street understands the importance of a two-state solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and I hope that political leaders on… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Anthony Johnstone To The Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Anthony Johnstone to the United States Circuit Court for the Ninth Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Mr. Johnstone's confirmation: "Anthony Johnstone is an accomplished appellate litigator and academic ready to serve the Ninth Circuit on day one. He began his legal career clerking for Judge Sidney Thomas, who Mr. Johnstone will now succeed on th… Continue Reading