Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Discusses Toll Of Gun Violence On Children With Chicago-Area Youth & Doctors
CHICAGO - Following the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with Chicago-area youth and doctors from Ann & Robert H. Lurie's Children Hospital to discuss the need to act to protect our children from gun violence and the growing toll of trauma that gun violence is having on a generation of students and young adults. … Continue Reading
May 26, 2022
Durbin Urges Senate To Pass His Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor urging Senate Republicans to join Democrats and pass his Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA), legislation that aims to prevent and respond to domestic terrorism days after a gunman killed ten Black Americans at a Buffalo supermarket in a racist act of violence. Last year, the FBI reported that in 2020, our nation experienced the highest level of hate crimes in over … Continue Reading
May 26, 2022
Durbin: Will Senators Set Politics Aside To Stop The Killing Of Innocent Children? Or Will They Protect The Gun Industry?
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Durbin also called on his Senate colleagues to support common sense gun safety legislation to prevent such appalling acts of mass murder in the future. "I cannot imagine what it was like… in Texas in the homes of the … Continue Reading
May 25, 2022
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Executive Order On Effective, Accountable Policing
WASHINGTON - On the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on President Biden signing an Executive Order to advance effective, accountable policing and strengthen public safety: "Two years ago, George Floyd died on the streets of Minneapolis with the knee of a police officer on his neck-an image that haunts me to this day. The injustice of his killing is … Continue Reading
May 25, 2022
Durbin Questions President Biden's Nominee To Lead ATF During Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Steven M. Dettelbach, nominated to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) during a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin asked Mr. Dettelbach about the killing of Chicago Police Department Officer Ella French last year. The gun that killed Officer French was bought in a straw purchase by an Indiana man on behalf of … Continue Reading
May 24, 2022
Durbin Statement On Shooting At Robb Elementary School In Uvalde, Texas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding reports that 14 students and one teacher were killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas: "Today's news is heartbreaking and tragic. Fourteen young lives and a teacher gone far too soon. My heart is with the families and friends of these lives lost. "I implore - beg - my Republican colleagues to join Democrats in … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Senate Commemorates National Police Week
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously adopted a resolution marking National Police Week and reiterating support for the men and women in law enforcement. The bipartisan resolution was led by 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. It was also cosponsored by 84 of their Senate colleagues. "I could not be more grateful for the bravery federal, … Continue Reading
May 18, 2022
Durbin, Grassley, Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill To Broaden War Crimes Jurisdiction
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act, legislation that updates the current war crimes statute to enable prosecution of war criminals in the United States regardless of … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
Senate Confirms Rachelle Crowe To Serve As U.S. Attorney For The Southern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - Tonight, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern 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) released the following statement on her confirmation: "We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed Rachelle Crowe to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Illinois. After seven years without a … Continue Reading
May 17, 2022
During National Police Week, Durbin Meets With Illinois Law Enforcement Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria, Swansea Police Chief Steven Johnson, incoming Champaign Police Chief Timothy Tyler, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, and Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno. During their meeting, Durbin thanked the law enforcement leaders for their service and discussed with them the need to provide funding … Continue Reading
May 16, 2022
Following Buffalo Shooting, Durbin Announces Upcoming Judiciary Committee Hearing On Domestic Terrorism
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor decrying another weekend of mass gun violence across the country, including a racially-motivated attack at a Buffalo, New York supermarket that killed ten, and shootings that claimed the lives of parishioners at a California church, shoppers at a Houston flea market, and five people in Chicago, including 16-year-old Seandell Holliday who was killed in … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Durbin, Leahy Seek Clarification Of Administration's Position On Use Of Torture-Derived Evidence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, are calling on the Biden Administration to uphold U.S. obligations under the Torture Convention by putting an end to the repeated efforts by Guantanamo military commission prosecutors to use evidence derived from torture. Guantanamo Bay military commission prosecutors again argued in court that evidence … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Durbin Joins Colleagues To Urge Department Of Homeland Security To Help State And Local Governments Improve Election Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) this week joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI) in leading 11 of their colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to help states effectively use funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to improve election security. "We write to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take steps to ensure that state and local … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination Of Rachelle Crowe To Serve As U.S. Attorney For The Southern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nomination of Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement on Ms. Crowe's nomination: "We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced Ms. Crowe's nomination. She has the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to serve with distinction as U.S. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
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 … Continue Reading