Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Judiciary Committee Advances U.S. Attorneys, Bipartisan Mental Health Legislation
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Rachelle L. Crowe to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Jesse A. Laslovich to be United States Attorney for the District of Montana, and Alexander M.M. Uballez to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, by voice vote. The Committee also advanced S. 3846, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022, by voice vote. Ahead of votes, U.S. Senate M… Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Meets With ATF Director Nominee Steven Dettelbach
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Steve Dettelbach, nominated to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). During their meeting, Durbin asked Dettelbach about his plans for ATF to help reduce the unacceptably high levels of gun violence in cities like Chicago. Durbin and Dettelbach additionally discussed the importance of reducing illicit gun trafficking and straw purchases.… Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Nominees To The United States Sentencing Commission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on President Biden's announcement of seven nominees to the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission: "President Biden's bipartisan slate of nominees have the experience and expertise needed for the important work of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. I look forward to holding a confirmation hearing for these nominees in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the near f… Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Questions Illinois Judicial Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned John Z. Lee, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, and Salvador Mendoza Jr., nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. During the hearing, Durbin highlighted their extensive qualifications and asked them about their unique life experiences. Judge Lee came to this coun… Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Nominations Hearing Featuring Two Illinois Judicial 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 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 … Continue Reading
05.11.22
Durbin Discusses Support For Community Policing Funding, Law Enforcement Officer Mental Health Resources With President Of Major Cities Chiefs Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met virtually with Chief Jeri Williams, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA). During their meeting, Durbin and Williams discussed the challenges of officer recruitment and retention, particularly with regards to mental health assistance. Durbin and Williams also discussed the importance of confirming federal law enforcement positions to aid state and local officers. "The trau… Continue Reading
05.06.22
Durbin, Grassley, Cardin Press DOJ On Egregious Conditions At Prison Facility In Nation's Capitol
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) are pressing the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the egregiously bad conditions at the District of Columbia Central Detention Facility (CDF), which is operated by the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC). A surprise October 2021 inspection of CDF by the U.S. Marshals Service (USM… Continue Reading
05.06.22
Durbin, Schakowsky Call For Passage Of Bipartisan INFORM Consumers Act
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) today joined consumer protection advocates and local business leaders to call for the passage of their bipartisan Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers) Act. This legislation would combat the online sale of stolen, counterfeit, and dangerous consumer products by ensuring transparency and verification of high-volume third-party sellers in online r… Continue Reading
05.05.22
Durbin, Brown Introduce Legislation To Clarify Critical Tool For Holding Human Rights Violators Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today introduced the Alien Tort Statute Clarification Act, legislation which will expressly state that the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) applies extraterritorially. This clarification will ensure that foreign national victims can hold perpetrators within the jurisdiction of the United States accountable for human rights violations that occur abroad. "It is impe… Continue Reading
05.05.22
Judiciary Committee Advances U.S. Attorney, Bipartisan Competition Legislation
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nomination of S. Lane Tucker, to be United States Attorney for the District of Alaska, by voice vote. The Committee also advanced S. 977, No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2021, by a vote of 17-4. Ahead of votes, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke to the recently leaked draft opinion which, if adopted as is by the Supreme Court's conservative majority, would over… Continue Reading
05.03.22
Durbin: Will We Allow Our Children To Inherit A Nation That Is Less Free Than The One Their Parents Grew Up In?
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor on the future of Roe v. Wade following the leak of the Supreme Court's draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. "Americans across the country today woke up to a rare occurrence in the history of our American democracy. The highest court in our land is preparing to eliminate a federally protected constitutional right, a woman's right … Continue Reading
05.03.22
Durbin Statement On The Future Of Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke to the alleged leak of the majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights hearing entitled, "An Ethical Judiciary: Transparency and Accountability for 21st Century Courts." "I don't condone the leaking of internal Supreme Court documents… I don't know who lea… Continue Reading
05.02.22
Durbin: Congress Must Address Gun Violence In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor on the need to address gun violence in America through steps like cracking down on straw purchases of firearms and ensuring members of law enforcement have the right tools and resources to protect our communities. As part of that comprehensive approach, Durbin also highlighted his Chicago Hospital Engagement, Action, and Leadership (HEAL) Initiative, which was launched in… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin Questions Secretary Of State Antony Blinken On Situation In Ukraine At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the U.S. Department of State's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, began his questioning asking about Ukraine's needs following Putin's unjustified and unprovoked war. "Are we falling short for what they need [Ukraine]? Are we doing eno… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Confirmation Of Ladon Reynolds To Serve As U.S. Marshal 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 unanimously confirmed LaDon Reynolds to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois: "LaDon Reynolds is a seasoned law enforcement veteran who will serve with distinction in this important role. Starting in 1994, Chief Reynolds held several high-ranking positions for the Oak Par… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin Questions Latest Circuit & District Court Nominees Before Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON - During today's Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Nancy Abudu, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; and Judge J. Michelle Childs, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit. "You are going to hear questions posed to you today on whether or not you can be objective, dispassionate, throw away the role of advocate and be a judge in one o… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Nominations Hearing
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 Nancy Abudu, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; Judge J. Michelle Childs, to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit; Nusrat Choudhury, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Judge Ana de Alba, to be United States District Judge… Continue Reading
04.26.22
Durbin, Grassley Press DHS IG On Reported Attempts To Bury Allegations Of Widespread Sexual Harassment And Misconduct
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General to address reports that it has delayed and downplayed reports of sexual harassment and misconduct at DHS. In a letter to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, the Senators cite documents recently released by the Project on Gov… Continue Reading
04.26.22
Durbin Discusses Criminal Justice And Public Safety With Illinois Department Of Corrections Director Jeffreys
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead sponsor of the landmark First Step Act, today met virtually with Rob Jeffreys, Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). During their meeting, Durbin and Jeffreys discussed the Director's reform efforts within IDOC, including improvements to programming, reentry services, and incentive-based corrections. Durbin and Jeffreys also discussed ways in which the federal govern… Continue Reading
04.22.22
Durbin, Grassley Statement On First Step Act Annual Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the lead sponsors of the landmark First Step Act (FSA), released the following statement regarding the publication of the First Step Act Annual Report this week: "The Justice Department's recently released report shows significant progress towards the implementation of the First Step Act and the legislat… Continue Reading