Richard J. Durbin

Durbin, Duckworth Join Senate Democrats In Filing Amicus Brief To Protect Mifepristone Access, Women’s Health Care, And FDA Authority | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senators Durbin and Duckworth, joining Senate Democrats, filed an amicus brief opposing a Fifth Circuit decision that would restrict mifepristone access. They argue the medication has been repeatedly found safe and effective by the FDA, and that court restrictions undermine the FDA's evidence-based approval process and limit access to reproductive health care.

CHICAGO – This week, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined more than 250 House and all Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging them to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision that would upend the FDA approval process and restrict access to mifepristone. This brief follows emergency appeals from the manufacturers of mifepristone; the Supreme Court issuing a temporary stay of the decision Monday morning until next Monday, May 11; and the announcement that the Court has ordered briefing on the stay by this Thursday, May 7. The lawmakers argued that mifepristone already undergoes a rigorous FDA approval process, and the medication has repeatedly been found to be safe and effective. For a court to overturn this decision not only limits who is able to receive this vital and life-saving medication, putting lives at risk, but it also undermines the longstanding, congressionally mandated, and evidence-based decision-making process at the FDA. “For more than a quarter century, FDA has repeatedly and consistently affirmed that mifepristone is safe. Over seven million patients in the U.S. have safely used mifepristone. And as with other drugs, FDA continues to monitor the post-marketing safety data on mifepristone—data confirming that mifepristone is safe without regard to how it is dispensed,” the members wrote in their amicus brief. The lawmakers also argued that the Fifth Circuit ruling was clearly not based on the merits of the distribution method of mifepristone, or the scientific backing of the medication, but rather a desire to limit the ability of individuals to receive abortion medication. The emergency stay is necessary to ensure that Louisiana is not able to deny medically appropriate care to patients far beyond the state’s borders. “Decades after FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone and years after the in-person dispensing requirement was eliminated, the Fifth Circuit on an ‘emergency’ basis ordered FDA to re-impose this onerous nationwide restriction on all Americans. Allowing that decision to remain in place undermines the science-based statutory framework Congress commands and threatens patient access to reproductive health care,” the members continued. “As has been well publicized, many U.S. residents in states where abortion is legal live far from any reproductive health care provider. Reinstating an in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone exacerbates an already significant reproductive health crisis by limiting access to the most common method of early abortion.” The members argued that this is a clear case of judicial overreach by a lower district court. “Preserving evidence-based access to mifepristone, including when dispensed by mail or retail pharmacy, is necessary to mitigate the imminent harm facing members of the public. Women deserve access to mifepristone for reproductive health care, and all Americans deserve integrity in the congressionally mandated, evidence-based process for FDA’s drug regulatory decisions,” the members concluded. In the Senate, the amicus brief was signed by all 47 Democratic U.S. Senators. In the House, the brief was signed by 212 Democratic U.S. Representatives. The lawmakers’ amicus brief to the Supreme Court can be read in full HERE.

In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Rural Health Care, Durbin Presented With UI Health’s Rural Health Hero Award | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

ROCKFORD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Rural Health Hero Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s National Center for Rural Health Profession. Durbin accepted the award at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford campus. “I am honored to accept this Rural Health Hero award,” said Durbin. “As a downstater, I know that the difference between care being five miles and 50 miles from home is a matter of life and death. Throughout rural Illinois, we face a shortage of doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, and EMTs. I have started initiatives like the Rural Roadmap and SIREN grants to address this shortage, and I have continued to fight against cuts to Medicaid that jeopardize our rural health providers. Every American deserves quality, affordable health care no matter where they live. I am grateful for this award and the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s partnership in this fight.” In 2023, Durbin released his “Roadmap to Grow Illinois’ Rural Health Workforce.” This is a partnership with hospitals, medical and nursing schools, including UI Medicine-Rockford, community colleges, dentists, physicians, and nurses to improve access to health care in rural parts of the state. The roadmap focused on reaching into middle and high schools to attract young people into health careers, expanding the capacity of education programs, and creating incentives for rural recruitment. In 2018 as part of the Farm Bill, Durbin introduced the bipartisan Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act to support rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $11.5 million as of 2024, resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide to 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Carbondale, Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, Mt. Carmel, Paris, and Gibson City, Illinois. Durbin has secured more than $10 million in earmarks for nursing schools, dental schools, and rural health clinics working to expand the rural health workforce. Photos of the award ceremony can be found here.

Durbin Discusses Mobile Health Program In Rockford | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

ROCKFORD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Tom McNamara and Rockford Fire Department officials from the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program for a roundtable discussion about the critical assistance the program provides to community members. “Preventing health emergencies makes our communities safer and healthier,” said Durbin. “With implementing the Mobile Integrated Health Program, Rockford is driving the future of health care by avoiding costly hospitalizations and treating people at home with trusted partners in the community.” “It’s always an honor to have Senator Durbin in our community. Today, he met with leaders of our Mobile Integrated Health Program - a program I’m incredibly proud of. With four MIH managers working alongside UW Health clinical staff in a team-based model, the program is making a real difference in the field, providing thousands of community-based encounters each year and continuing to grow as more residents access care and support right where they are,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. The Mobile Integrated Health Program is operated by the Rockford Fire Department and provides mental health and chronic disease management services to prevent emergencies and reduce costs. Patients are referred by nearby hospitals, health clinics, food pantries, or 911 calls, with more than 3,500 annual patient encounters. From diabetes to overdose or suicide risk, the program relies upon the fire department’s access and community reputation to help prevent urgent health crises.

Durbin Calls Out Trump Administration’s Actions Against DACA | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senator Durbin opposes the Trump Administration's actions against the DACA program, including slow-walking renewals and the Board of Immigration Appeals decision removing deportation protections. He advocates for Congress to pass the Dream Act to provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients.

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) for a press conference to speak out against the ways in which the Trump Administration is attacking the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This follows the April 24th ruling by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) that DACA will no longer protect recipients from removal proceedings or deportation. “Thanks to DACA, over 800,000 Dreamers have been able to fulfill their potential in our country, becoming doctors, teachers, and small business owners,” said Durbin. “Despite Dreamers’ countless contributions to America, the Trump Administration is slow walking DACA renewals until an individual’s DACA expires, putting them at risk of deportation. It’s time for Congress to pass the Dream Act to give Dreamers a pathway to citizenship. "The Board of Immigration Appeals decision adds to a growing pattern by the Trump administration to erode the DACA program and destabilize entire communities. It also fits a larger pattern of attacks on due process, as the administration pressures immigration judges to issue rulings that align with unlawful mass deportation policies and, when those decisions are appealed, the Board of Immigration Appeals rules against immigrants in almost every case. For DACA recipients and families, there are no easy answers right now, but NIJC is steadfast in our commitment to defend DACA and all of our undocumented community members,” said Vanessa Esparaza-Lopez, Associate Director of Immigrant Legal Defense Project at the National Immigrant Justice Center. Durbin reintroduced the Dream Act with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in December. Beginning in 2001, Durbin introduced the Dream Act to give young immigrants the chance to earn U.S. citizenship. He has introduced the legislation every Congress since. Over the years, Durbin has told the stories of 150 Dreamers on the Senate floor. In 2012, Durbin worked with then-President Obama to establish the DACA program to allow these young people to gain temporary status. As of September 2024, roughly 530,000 people had active DACA status. By September 2025, that number had dropped by 32,000. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not published updated data on how many individuals have been arrested and deported after their DACA authorization expired.

Durbin Statement On Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans’ Reconciliation Text To Fund President Trump’s Ballroom, Mass Deportation Campaign | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senator Durbin opposes Republican reconciliation bill text that would fund ICE, CBP, and the President's ballroom project, characterizing the mass deportation campaign as cruel and the spending priorities as misguided and unpopular.

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans released reconciliation bill text that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the President’s ballroom: “While Americans are struggling to make ends meet as a result of President Trump’s failed policies, Republicans are focused on providing tens of billions of dollars for the President’s vanity ballroom project and cruel mass deportation campaign. Republicans are in danger of losing control of Congress in November, so they are going outside the usual bipartisan appropriations process to fund these unpopular policies through the end of the Trump Administration. “Judiciary Committee Democrats will fight this misguided partisan effort, which will do nothing to help Americans deal with rising prices for gas, food, housing, and health care.”

In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Medical Research, Durbin Presented With Inaugural Canning Leadership Award | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Board. “I am honored to accept the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from Northwestern Memorial today. Throughout my time in the Senate, making sure families have affordable health insurance and high quality care has remained on my heart and mind, as has ensuring federal funding for the medical research that makes new cures and treatments possible,” said Durbin. John and Rita Canning are Chicago philanthropists who provide over 100 scholarships a year to students from low-income Chicago neighborhoods. The Cannings also are committed to WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) which provides over 40,000 nights of shelter and other comprehensive services to abused women and their children. At Northwestern, they funded the creation of the Canning Thoracic Institute (CTI), investing in the fields of thoracic surgery and respiratory medicine to meet the growing patient demand for lung care. This award recognizes their contributions to the city of Chicago, and Durbin is its first recipient. Durbin has continuously fought for affordable, quality health care and medical research. Some of his career achievements for health care include creating the Chicago HEAL Initiative, and continuously increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health. Over the past decade, Durbin has pushed for annual five percent funding increases for NIH. Since Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15), because of Durbin’s efforts, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent increase in annual funding, raising the appropriations level from $30 billion in FY15 to $48 billion today.

Durbin Statement On Sham DOJ Investigation Into Illinois School Districts | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senator Durbin opposes the Trump Administration's DOJ investigation into Illinois school districts, characterizing it as politically motivated. He advocates for maintaining the Department of Education, expanding Head Start funding, protecting Title I funding, and safeguarding LGBTQ+ student rights.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) sham investigation into 36 Illinois public school districts: “I can save DOJ some time. Their investigators will find 36 Illinois school districts dedicated to providing their students with a good, well-rounded education. “If the Trump Administration truly cared about supporting Illinois students and their education, it would reverse the decision to dismantle the Department of Education, finally support Head Start programs, and stop attacking Title I funding and the rights of LGBTQ+ students. “Instead, this President is once again weaponizing DOJ to carry out a sham investigation against a state that did not vote for him in the 2024 election.” According to DOJ, the following Illinois school districts will be investigated:

Senate Democrats Push Back On Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Vote-By-Mail | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senate Democrats oppose President Trump's executive order on vote-by-mail, arguing it is unconstitutional, exceeds executive authority over federal elections, and would disenfranchise eligible voters by restricting mail-in voting access.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 24 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s executive order attacking vote-by-mail. The March 31 Executive Order (EO) titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections” has been widely condemned as unconstitutional, and voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging it on April 2. If the President’s executive order is implemented in place of current federal law, it will prevent eligible voters from exercising their fundamental right to vote. In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators wrote: “[This EO] is another attempt by the President to exceed the constitutional authorities granted to the Executive Branch concerning federal elections. Given the clearly unconstitutional nature of this EO, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should take no steps pursuant to the EO that violate the law and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. We further request that DOJ provide us with all legal opinions drafted by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), and any other DOJ correspondence or documents concerning any claims regarding the legality of the EO, including any communications between senior DOJ officials and the Department of Commerce.” The Senators continued, citing Trump’s own use of vote-by-mail: “For over a decade, the President has sought to sow doubt in our electoral system, baselessly attempting to make the case that the only secure elections are those that he wins. This behavior is not only unbefitting of his office, but also hypocritical.” The Senators further wrote, citing the EO’s unconstitutionality and vulnerabilities: “Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution clearly indicates that states have the primary authority over election administration. Nonetheless, President Trump has repeatedly sought to restrict access to the ballot under the guise of election security… Taken together, the foreseeable result of these directives is that tens of thousands of eligible U.S. citizen voters will be disenfranchised.” The Senators highlighted the disruption this would cause not only to voters, but also the ongoing gutting of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division: “Besides the disruption it would cause for mail-in voters, the President’s order would also further corrupt the mission of the DOJ Civil Rights Division to protect civil rights and ensure that all eligible voters are able to exercise their right to vote. Since January 2025, DOJ has been gutted—morally and physically. Within one year, the Civil Rights Division lost 75 percent of its attorneys, and it has been reported that 55 major civil rights cases concerning racial gerrymandering and police misconduct were closed as the Division prioritized Second Amendment and anti-trans cases. More broadly, DOJ seems wholly disinterested in enforcing the law, dropping an estimated 23,000 criminal investigations in the first six months of President Trump’s second Administration to focus on immigration enforcement.” The Senators concluded with a condemnation of this effort before making a request for document production: “DOJ should reprioritize protecting the ability of all eligible voters to fairly and accessibly exercise their fundamental right to vote. Protecting civil rights was a foundational purpose for establishing DOJ, and ensuring legal access to voting remains a key responsibility of DOJ leadership. As such, we urge you to ensure that the Department does not implement this unlawful executive order.” In addition to Durbin, Padilla, Peters, and Schumer, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). This week, Senate Democrats launched an elections task force aimed at examining threats that Republicans and adversaries could launch against American democracy and mobilizing the Senate and other bodies to mitigate them. The task force also includes top election law officials, like former AG Eric Holder and Marc Elias of the Elias Law Group, and will meet over the coming months to ensure U.S. elections remain free and fair. Peters, Padilla, Durbin, and Schumer previously led their Democratic colleagues in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) follow existing federal law over the March 31 Executive Order signed by President Trump, which violates the Constitution and risks disenfranchising eligible voters. The executive order, which has been challenged in the courts, would require DHS to create eligible voter lists, which the federal government does not have the authority to do, and would turn the Postal Service into an election administrator and regulator, when it is supposed to be a nonpartisan agency whose only priority is to deliver the mail. For a PDF of the letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, click here.

Durbin, Sorensen Introduce Legislation To Streamline Collection Of Educator Workforce Data | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: The release introduces legislation to establish a national mechanism for collecting educator workforce data at the school district level to improve recruitment and retention of teachers and principals, particularly to increase educator diversity.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week next week, introduced bicameral legislation to improve the accuracy of educator workforce data. The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act would establish a permanent, national mechanism to collect teacher and principal data at the school district-level to assist in the recruitment and retention of educators. The legislation stems from research showing that all students benefit from a high-quality, diverse educator workforce, and that students of color with at least one same-race teacher often have improved academic performance, attendance, graduation rates, and aspiration to attend college. Current solutions to address both educator workforce shortages and diversity gaps use incomplete data that is not easily accessible. Without a national dataset, legislators cannot identify which schools need the most help, nor can they evaluate the effectiveness of federal investments in recruitment and retention programs like the Teacher Quality Partnership and the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence. Access to educator workforce data is necessary to track the impact of federal dollars in schools, as well as boost efforts to increase educator diversity. “Our students, particularly students of color, perform better when taught and cared for by educators who reflect the communities they serve,” said Durbin. “As our country faces educator workforce shortages, it is essential that we recruit and retain educators who share the background of their students. With the Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act, we can take a step forward in this process by examining the demographics of our current workforce so we can invest in effective recruitment and retention programs.” “Great teachers change the trajectory of a child’s life, but we can’t fix what we can’t see,” said Sorensen. “This bill gives us the clear, reliable data that we need to recruit, support, and retain strong, diverse educators in every community. It’s a simple step that will help us deliver better outcomes for students across the country.” “Legislators across the country are racing to solve an educator workforce crisis that is as complex as it is urgent—but in order to solve it, we must be able to see the full and clear picture,” said Kira Orange Jones, CEO of Teach Plus. “The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act provides the catalyst we need for a proactive and systemic redesign of our schools. We applaud the efforts of Senator Durbin and Representative Sorensen in introducing a bill to build the national data system that equips lawmakers with the data needed to ensure that every child is led by a supported, expert teacher every single day.” Specifically, the Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act would direct the Department of Education (Department) to collect the following data from public schools, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and sex: This data would then be published through the Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection and made publicly available. The bill would ensure privacy is protected, and individually identifiable information about teachers and principals would remain confidential. With centralized data, policymakers and stakeholders will be able to better understand and evaluate teacher recruitment and retention efforts. Accurate and accessible data also will help produce data-informed policies to address nationwide teacher shortages, allowing us to better serve our nation’s students by strengthening and ensuring a more robust, representative educator workforce. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act has also earned support from Teach Plus, National Center for Learning Disabilities, UnidosUS, The Education Trust, Opportunity Culture @ Public Impact, EDGE Consulting Partners, Council of Administrators of Special Education, National Council on Teacher Quality, All4Ed, The Sikh Coalition, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Center for Black Educator Development, Latinos for Education, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, TNTP, and New Leaders.

As The Trump Administration Attacks DACA, Durbin Calls On Chairman Grassley To Schedule A Committee Vote On The Dream Act | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

Position: Senator Durbin opposes the Trump Administration's attacks on DACA and calls for a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and vote on the Dream Act, which would establish a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting denouncing the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—which protects Dreamers from deportation and gives them the chance to contribute more fully to the nation they love. During his opening, Durbin called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to hold a Committee hearing to examine the plight of Dreamers and to schedule a Committee vote on the Dream Act. Durbin’s Dream Act would establish a path to citizenship for thousands of Dreamers. Durbin began his opening by highlighting the Trump Administration’s weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under fired Attorney General Pam Bondi and now Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This is the Committee’s first business meeting since President Trump fired Attorney General Bondi. In short, she did more damage to the Justice Department’s reputation than any Attorney General in history. In just over a year, Bondi transformed the Department from the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency into a weaponized political battleground—providing a shield to protect the President and his cronies and a sword to attack his enemies.” “Earlier this month, the Justice Department moved to vacate the seditious conspiracy convictions of members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers for their key roles in leading the January 6th insurrection… To add insult to injury, last week the Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center. This civil rights organization has worked tirelessly to expose violent extremists like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the same people who [Acting AG] Todd Blanche wants to give a clean slate.” “Just yesterday, DOJ brought its second baseless indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. This prosecution was personally ordered up by the President, who despises Comey for overseeing the investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. I’m confident Todd Blanche’s vindictive efforts will fail again, just like Pam Bondi’s baseless prosecutions of the President’s enemies.” “The Acting Attorney General is also weaponizing the Justice Department against Dreamers and those protected by DACA. These are young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Dreamers have grown up here, pledging allegiance to the same flag as all other American children. They are American in every way, except for their immigration status. But last week, the Justice Department issued a shocking decision that puts Dreamers at risk of being swept up in President Trump’s cruel mass deportation campaign.” “[DACA] protects Dreamers from deportation and gives them the chance to contribute more fully to the nation they love. Hundreds of thousands have signed up for DACA. They go through a background check… and receive a work authorization. Many are working in our communities—they are teaching our children and grandchildren. They are doctors, nurses, and small business owners.” “Despite multiple court challenges, DACA is still in place, and the Trump Administration is under court order from the Fifth Circuit to process DACA renewal and work permit applications... Even the courts that have ruled against the program have recognized the disastrous impacts of its termination and the significant reliance interests of DACA recipients and their families.” “But last Friday, the Justice Department’s Board of Immigration Appeals issued a binding precedent decision that DACA will no longer protect Dreamers from being arrested and deported. This puts every Dreamer in America at risk.” “Mr. Chairman, this Committee has the authority, jurisdiction, and responsibility to do something. I ask you—when you consider the schedule of a hearing, we need to schedule [a hearing] soon on the status of DACA and Dreamers in America. I also ask you to schedule a markup vote of S.3348, the bipartisan Dream Act, that I have introduced. This legislation, which has been referred to our Committee, would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers.” Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here. Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here. Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations. Durbin then spoke against the nomination of Kathleen Lane, nominated to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Montana. “Ms. Lane is not remotely qualified to be a district judge. That is not my opinion—that is her official rating by the American Bar Association. Ms. Lane is the first judicial nominee to receive a ‘Not Qualified’ rating during President Trump’s second term. As the ABA explained, its rating is ‘based on issues with her experience, which is an important component of competence.’ The ABA found that Ms. Lane had failed to gain ‘substantial courtroom and trial experience in the less than nine years since she was admitted to the bar.’” “Not only has Ms. Lane’s legal career been short, it has also been extremely partisan. She currently works for the Republican National Committee. She has repeatedly chosen to litigate politically charged issues. The record shows that Ms. Lane is too ideological and [too] inexperienced.” Video of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here. Audio of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here. Footage of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Lane are available here for TV Stations. Durbin then spoke against the nomination of Kara Westercamp, nominated to be a judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade. “Kara Westercamp was selected for a singular purpose: her faithfulness to the White House, not the rule of law. Her offensive, inflammatory social media posts demonstrate that she lacks the temperament to sit on a bench.” “On her now-deactivated Twitter account, Ms. Westercamp spread conspiracy theories about the January 6 insurrection and attacked Republicans and Democrats alike for being insufficiently loyal to President Trump. She elevated claims that the January 6 attack was ‘orchestrated by members of the Senate, and members of the [Capitol] police,’ and dismissed the entire event with a post stating ‘we’re all supposed to be sending Thoughts & Prayers to traumatized Members of Congress whose workday was interrupted for a couple hours.’” “Notably, it appears some of her inflammatory, overtly political posts were made while Ms. Westercamp was on duty as an attorney at the Department of Justice, which would be a violation of federal law. Ms. Westercamp clearly lacks the temperament to serve on the bench as a judge.” Video of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here. Audio of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here. Footage of Durbin’s remarks about Ms. Westercamp are available here for TV Stations.