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

Durbin, Duckworth Announce New Federal Funding To Expand Services At School-Based Health Centers In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that four Illinois community health centers have been awarded a total of $800,000 in federal funding to support school-based services in the Chicagoland area, Rockford, and in Southern Illinois. The funding, awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA), will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide students and families with comprehensive physical and m… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Chinese Ambassador To The U.S.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today met with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang to discuss Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine. Although China claims to oppose the war and support international law and territorial sovereignty, China has refused to condemn Russia's invasion. Durbin also reiterated his support for Lithuania as the nation faces economic pressure from the Chinese government for improving diplomatic ties… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Stabenow Secure Increase In Federal Cost Share For Brandon Road Project In The 2022 Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced that they secured another increase to the federal cost share for the Brandon Road Project in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that was passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works today. Under the provision, the federal government will fund 90 percent of the construction of the project designed to prevent As… Continue Reading

Durbin: Congress Must Pass Supplemental Aid Package To Help Ukraine And Prevent Widening Of Putin's War

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, spoke on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass a supplemental aid package to help Ukraine and prevent Russia's war from spreading to neighboring nations. Durbin also highlighted legislation he plans to introduce - the War Crimes Accountability Act - to ensure the United States has the tools to hold accountable the perpetrators of war crimes and other atrocities. Durbin, also Co-Chair of … Continue Reading

Durbin Questions Visa And Mastercard Witnesses At Hearing On Credit And Debit Card Swipe Fees

WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Excessive Swipe Fees and Barriers to Competition in the Credit and Debit Card Systems," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Bill Sheedy, Senior Advisor to the Chairman and CEO of Visa Inc., about a statement on a January earnings call by Visa Chief Financial Officer Visant Prabhu, that Visa benefitted from inflation. "On a January 27th earnings call, [Visa CFO Visan… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Credit And Debit Card Interchange Fees

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 "Excessive Swipe Fees and Barriers to Competition in the Credit and Debit Card Systems." This hearing will examine interchange fees and other anticompetitive practices in the credit and debit card industries, and how rising interchange fees lead to higher consumer prices for goods and services and add to in… Continue Reading

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

Durbin Questions Secretary Of Defense And Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Of Staff At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing about the Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, began his questioning asking about Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine. "I can recall the … Continue Reading

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

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

Durbin Statement On Nomination Of Normal Mayor Chris Koos To Amtrak Board Of Directors

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden nominated Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: "Mayor Koos has been a powerful voice in Illinois' transportation sector for years. He understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois, the Midwest, and across the country, which is why I recommended him for this position. I look forward to supporting his nominati… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $2.5 Million In Federal Funding For EV Infrastructure And Workforce Training

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2.5 million in new federal funding he secured to support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and workforce training that will lead to good paying jobs in the electrical industry. In the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus appropriations bill, Durbin secured $500,000 for IBEW to support its career training program at local high schools and $2 million for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to upgrade its 103rd Street bus garage to accommodate elect… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls On Illinois Education Professionals To Raise The Alarm On For-Profit Colleges

WASHINGTON - As the conclusion of the academic year approaches and high school seniors make their final decisions about higher education, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) is enlisting the help of Illinois high school principals, counselors, and teachers to warn college-bound students and their families about the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges. As the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to classrooms, a report from the National Student Clearing … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Proposed FDA Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes And Flavored Cigars

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced regulations banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars: "For years, Big Tobacco has added menthol flavor to mask the harshness of cigarettes, and targeted these addictive, deadly products particularly to Black smokers. Prohibiting menthol in cigarettes and banning flavored cigars will save lives, reduce disparities, and improve health. To… Continue Reading

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

Senate Confirms Critical Law Enforcement Positions Following Unanimous Consent Request

WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate confirmed the nominations of eight U.S. Attorneys (USAs) and two U.S. Marshals (USMs) following a unanimous consent (UC) request by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The nominees included Ryan K. Buchanan, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Jason M. Frierson, to be United States Attorney for the District of Nevada; Mark A. Totten, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan; Marisa T. Darden, to be United Stat… Continue Reading

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

Durbin, D. Davis, Underwood Mark Senate Passage Of Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration And Recovery Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today marked Senate passage of their legislation, the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration Act (S. 4089). The bill passed the Senate last night by voice vote. Once passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, the bill would give the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authority to restore benefits under the American Rescue Plan's Vet… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Restaurant Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association to discuss pressing issues facing the state's restaurant industry. During the meeting, Durbin also spoke about the need for Congress to pass immigration reform, as immigrants play a crucial role in keeping the hospitality industry running. Durbin went on to express his support for replenishing the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which g… Continue Reading