Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
President Of The American Academy Of Pediatrics Testifies On The Impact Of Gun Violence On Children
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee released Dr. Moira Szilagyi's prepared testimony during today's hearing entitled "Protecting America's Children From Gun Violence." Dr. Szilagyi, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), will additionally discuss how the AAP invited their member pediatricians to submit stories about gun violence and its impact on their patients. AAP has received hundreds of stories from pediatricians, which are available here. Key quotes as … Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
Judiciary Committee Releases Testimony Of Young Man From Chicago Who Grew Up In The Middle Of The Gun Violence Epidemic
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee released Ernest Willingham's prepared testimony during today's hearing entitled "Protecting America's Children From Gun Violence." Ernest Willingham is a 19-year-old college student at Northeastern University who grew up on the West Side of Chicago. The youngest of 11 children in his family and the first in his family to attend high school or college, Ernest has multiple family members who have been shot, and four years ago his best friend was … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Durbin: We Came Close To Losing Democracy In America On January 6
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about the revelations the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol has shared in its first two public hearings. "After 11 months and more than a thousand interviews, the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol is sharing its findings with America and the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2022
On Senate Floor, Durbin Praises New Bipartisan Gun Safety Framework
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today praised the bipartisan framework to help keep America's children and communities safe from our nation's epidemic of gun violence. The bipartisan proposal was crafted by a group of senators led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX), and comes after recent mass shootings including the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that … Continue Reading
June 13, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Colleagues In Calling On DOJ To Ensure Government Websites Comply With The ADA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a group of 10 Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide better guidance and regulations to help State and local governments better comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) accessibility requirements on their websites, mobile applications and other forms of technology. In a letter sent to Attorney General Merrick … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
ICYMI: Ahead Of House Hearing On January 6 Insurrection, Judiciary Committee Details Critical Findings From October 2021 Reporter Obtained Through Senate Investigation
WASHINGTON - In case you missed it: Following an eight-month investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee released testimony and a staff report in October 2021 entitled Subverting Justice: How the Former President and his Allies Pressured DOJ to Overturn the 2020 Election. The report and testimony reveal that we were only a half-step away from a full blown constitutional crisis as President Donald Trump and his loyalists threatened a wholesale takeover of the Department of Justice (DOJ). … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Durbin Slams BOP Mismanagement, Allegations Of Abuse At USP Thomson
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke about a disturbing new report published by NPR and the Marshall Project that details the deaths of seven incarcerated men and allegations of serious abuses by staff at the United States Penitentiary Thomson (USP Thomson). "It's no secret that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by misconduct. One investigation after another has revealed a … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce Inspector General Investigation Into Inmate Deaths, Allegations Of Abuses At USP Thomson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead cosponsor of the First Step Act; U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) is investigating allegations concerning a Bureau of Prison (BOP) facility in Thomson, Illinois. Today's announcement follows a letter the lawmakers sent to IG Michael Horowitz last week calling … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Durbin: Keeping Our Democracy Require Vigilance And Truth
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the first public hearing held by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. This evening, the Committee will begin to lay out publicly, for the first time, the coordinated plan to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election and prevent the peaceful transition of power to a new Administration. During Durbin's speech, he highlighted the need … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Two Circuit Court Judges, Three District Court Judges And Three U.S. Attorneys
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of John Z. Lee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit; Salvador Mendoza, Jr., to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Stephen Henley Locher, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa; Nancy L. Maldonado, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; and Gregory Brian Williams, to be United States District Judge for the District … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of John Lee To The Seventh Circuit And Nancy Maldonado To The Northern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations John Z. Lee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit and Nancy L. Maldonado to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. 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 on their nominations: "We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Durbin, Grassley, Whitehouse, Cornyn Bill To Help Small Businesses & Families In Bankruptcy Heads To President Biden's Desk
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and John Cornyn (R-TX), applauded passage of their bipartisan legislation to help small businesses and individuals stay afloat during bankruptcy in the House of Representatives last night. The bill, which cleared the House on a vote of 392-21, was already passed … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Durbin Meets With March For Our Lives To Discuss Common Sense Gun Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with representatives from March For Our Lives. During their meeting, Durbin discussed the ongoing negotiations in the Senate to address the scourge of gun violence that kills more than 100 Americans each day. Durbin expressed his own support for common sense gun violence prevention solutions like closing gaps in the gun background check system. "This week, we've heard the families of … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Durbin Questions U.S. Sentencing Commission Nominees At Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned nominees to the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission at the latest Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Congress created the bipartisan Sentencing Commission in 1984 and charged the Commission with the critical task of promoting transparency and consistency in federal criminal sentencing. "An amazing array of talent, strong resumes… thank you for being here … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Judiciary Committee Hearing On U.S. Sentencing Commission Nominees
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 Carlton W. Reeves to be a Member and Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission; Laura E. Mate, Claire McCusker Murray, and Luis Felipe Restrepo to be Members and Vice Chairs of the United States Sentencing Commission; and Claria Horn Boom, John Gleeson, and Candice C. Wong to be Members of … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Durbin Questions Witnesses In Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Professor Robert Pape, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats, at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on domestic terrorism following the mass shooting in Buffalo that killed ten Black Americans in a racist act of violence. Durbin asked Professor Pape about the threat of the "Great Replacement" … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism Following Buffalo Massacre
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 "Examining the 'Metastasizing' Domestic Terrorism Threat After the Buffalo Attack." This hearing-the Committee's third on domestic terrorism this Congress-will explore the continued threat posed by violent white supremacists and other extremists, including those who have embraced the so-called "Great … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Judiciary Committee Releases Garnell Whitefield, Jr.'s Testimony At Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee released Garnell Whitfield, Jr.'s prepared testimony at today's hearing entitled "Examining the 'Metastasizing' Domestic Terrorism Threat After the Buffalo Attack." Mr. Whitfield's mother, Ruth, was one of the ten victims of the May 14, 2022, massacre in Buffalo, New York. Key quotes as prepared: "Our lives are forever changed… forever damaged by an act of profound hate and evil. Nothing will ever take away the hurt, the pain or the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth, Rep. Kelly Introduce Wear Orange Resolution For Gun Violence Awareness
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-2) have introduced a Congressional resolution establishing June 3, 2022, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." Today, communities across the country will participate in a Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action. Every day, 321 people are shot in the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2022
Durbin Meets With Everytown, Discusses Common Sense Gun Legislation
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety, following this week's mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. During their meeting, Durbin and Feinblatt discussed legislative paths forward to curb gun violence, including bills focused on closing gaps in the gun background check system. "I cannot imagine the immense pain the families of those 19 children and two teachers who … Continue Reading