Richard J. Durbin
Senator for Illinois · Democratic · United States
“(c) Duties of the Commission.--The Commission shall-- (1) conduct pursuant to subsection (a) a comprehensive study that examines and assesses the adequacy of laws addressing child marriage and the extent of child marriage across the country, including making specific findings relating to-- (A) barriers to and gaps in services for minors f…”
“(c) Duties of the Commission.--The Commission shall-- (1) conduct pursuant to subsection (a) a comprehensive study that examines and assesses the adequacy of laws addressing child marriage and the extent of child marriage across the country, including making specific findings relating to-- (A) barriers to and gaps in services for minors f…”
“(4) Qualifications.--Members appointed under paragraph (1) shall have demonstrated experience or expertise in-- (A) providing services to survivors of child marriage in the United States; (B) providing services to immigrant survivors of child marriage in the United States; (C) working with State governments to limit child marriage; (D) th…”
“(4) Qualifications.--Members appointed under paragraph (1) shall have demonstrated experience or expertise in-- (A) providing services to survivors of child marriage in the United States; (B) providing services to immigrant survivors of child marriage in the United States; (C) working with State governments to limit child marriage; (D) th…”
“(3) Rule of construction.--The amendments made by this subsection may not be construed to preclude, limit, or modify eligibility of any noncitizen spouse subjected to battery or extreme cruelty and otherwise eligible for relief as a VAWA self-petitioner (as defined in section 101(a)(51) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.”
“(3) Rule of construction.--The amendments made by this subsection may not be construed to preclude, limit, or modify eligibility of any noncitizen spouse subjected to battery or extreme cruelty and otherwise eligible for relief as a VAWA self-petitioner (as defined in section 101(a)(51) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,005 lines we hold for Richard J. Durbin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 21.
“Already, Putin is testing the alliance through sabotage, hybrid attacks, misinformation, and assassinations. And with the war turning against Russia, Putin may lash out further. This is not the time for President Trump to show Putin any weakness. So I was heartened by the incredible solidarity and resolve on full display at the NATO summit. Quite simply, NATO is alive and well, as is allied support for Ukraine. Congress continues to show strong bipartisan support for NATO, including through funding, troop level requirements, and the Baltic Security Initiative. But we can do more-- notably, by helping Ukraine with desperately needed air defense. We should also continue to keep U.S. troop deployments as part of NATO efforts in frontline NATO member states.”
“Most of the 32- member bloc--formed from the ashes of World War II--have notably increased their defense spending. They are contributing more funding, equipment, and personnel and are reminding one another of their commitments to and the importance of this historic alliance. I was glad that President Trump attended the summit. He and President Obama were right to push our allies to pay more of their fair share for the cost of NATO. But President Trump's constant rhetoric of belittling the alliance and his dreams of conquering Greenland and other follies have been ill-timed, boorish, and counterproductive. They send exactly the wrong message to President Putin about American resolve and commitment. They put countries such as the Baltic States and Poland at even greater risk of future Russian aggression.”
“With the war in Ukraine entering its fifth bloody year, the timing of this event was important, as tides begin to turn in Ukraine's favor. Not only did Ukraine repel the initial invasion by one of the world's largest armies, but it is increasingly showing progress in winning this conflict. Russia has been unable to seize additional land and is suffering staggering, staggering losses--losses that no political leader can sustain for a war of folly. Ukraine has also increasingly taken the conflict to Russia, weakening its energy and military infrastructure and turning Russian public opinion against the war in Ukraine. And unlike Russia, Ukraine is careful not to strike civilian targets. I am happy to report from the NATO summit that the alliance remains determined to see Ukraine defend itself from Russia.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3729] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] NATO Summit As I noted, Mr. President, our trip last week to Turkiye was an effort to discuss some of the war and peace issues of our time. Lindsey knew the stakes at play in Ukraine and the importance of standing up to Russian tyranny. This topic was top of mind for all of those who attended the NATO summit, which concluded in Turkiye last week. I attended the summit with a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Mike Rounds, Chris Coons, and Congressman Mike Turner. Senator Graham joined us as part of the visit as well.”
“I remember when John McCain and he led the Republican side of an immigration reform effort, and I was part of that on the Democratic side. After months--literally months--of negotiating, we brought a package to the floor, which passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote, showing that we could do things like that and that we should still be able to. For those things to occur, it is not just a matter of having a good idea; you need good people who are willing to be respectful of one another and to work hard to find common ground. Lindsey was one of those people.”
“Even though they were nominated by a President from a different political party, he announced early on that, if I expect Democrats to vote for Republican nominees, I have to support Democratic nominees to show the same spirit of cooperation. And he did. He kept his word. That was who Lindsey was. He was proud to be a fierce Republican partisan, but he never lost sight of the need to work across the aisle to make a difference in the lives of Americans. Loretta and I send our condolences to Lindsey's family and his legion of friends in South Carolina and around the world. He was an extraordinary Member of the Senate. He helped to make it work. There was never any bipartisan meeting of a gang--or however you would characterize it--during which Lindsey wasn't within its ranks.”
“Lindsey spoke publicly about this interaction after it occurred, and despite the scorn that he earned from certain segments of the Republican base, he stuck to what he believed was right. When I happened to become the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 4 years, Lindsey Graham was my ranking Republican. He sat right next to me in every session of that committee. We had our share of disagreements over issues and nominees, but I knew that his word was always good. If he told me he was going to vote for something or some person, he did--he delivered--and we had a good working relationship between us--no cheap shots, no stabs in the back. He voted in favor of 75 percent of the judicial nominations that we considered while I was chair, and there were 235 lifetime appointments that came out of that committee.”
“I will also never forget a meeting that Lindsey and I had with President Trump in his first term in 2018. It was a meeting to discuss a possible comprehensive immigration reform package. It didn't go well at all. President Trump made what I considered to be profane comments about some immigrants, but I won't repeat them here. Lindsey, while sitting next to me in the Oval Office, passionately, vocally, and with real commitment disagreed with the President, arguing that America is not defined by race or color but by its ideals and of the many contributions that immigrants have made to our Nation. He said to the President, as I sat right next to him in the Oval Office, that he was just wrong; that these people who are immigrants make a difference in America. It was the story of our country, and Lindsey said it was the story of his family.”
“I will tell you that my friends and supporters back in Illinois many times would just shake their heads and say: Durbin, what are you doing with Lindsey? You shouldn't be working with him. [[Page S3729]] They didn't know how the Senate works, and they certainly didn't know him. Lindsey, for many years, was the only Republican who was willing to cosponsor the DREAM Act, a bill that I introduced over 20 years ago and had reintroduced in successive Congresses, which provided protection to undocumented immigrants who had been brought to this country as children. His support took guts. At a time when issues surrounding immigration were becoming politically toxic, Lindsey stuck his neck out for me and for these young people. I will never ever forget it.”
“He had been speaking to each and every person who was there--business leaders and political leaders from all parts of the world--about his concerns. Lindsey was walking them through, one at a time, his vision on how we could end the war in Ukraine and the legislation we needed to accomplish that, which was typical of Lindsey Graham. We all shared that concern, but he was buzzing around that crowd like an aspiring candidate, convincing everybody that there was a way to end this war the right way. Only a few days after that dinner, my friend Lindsey Graham passed away. It was a shock. I would like to take a moment to recognize his lifetime of public service both in the State of South Carolina and for our Nation. I served with Lindsey Graham in the Senate for more than two decades, and during that time, I counted him as a trusted friend.”
“Mr. President, last week, I joined several of my colleagues from the Senate and from the House at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye. It was a historic meeting in terms of the future of NATO and the future of Ukraine and so many other issues that relate to that critical and important alliance. Last Wednesday, we had a dinner that was hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack. There must have been 50 or 60 people there who all shared concerns of the summit conference. Among them were Members of Congress, Turkish leaders, and representatives of other countries around the world who had gone to that famous summit. At the heart of that dinner was my colleague and friend Senator Lindsey Graham. When I arrived that night, it was no surprise that he had been there before me and had been working the crowd.”
“40104(9)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i)-- (A) by inserting ``, contracts with,'' after ``is employed by''; (B) by inserting ``, contract with,'' after ``be employed by''; and (C) by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following: ``(ii) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under contract with a qualified entity;''; (4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by adding ``or'' at the end; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) is licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or certified, by a qualified entity;''. [[Page S2717]] ____________________”
“There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025'' or the ``CHILD Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DEFINING ``COVERED INDIVIDUAL'' FOR PURPOSES OF BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993. Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (34 U.S.C.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2716-S2717] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley): S. 1528. To amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.”
“40104(9)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i)-- (A) by inserting ``, contracts with,'' after ``is employed by''; (B) by inserting ``, contract with,'' after ``be employed by''; and (C) by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following: ``(ii) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under contract with a qualified entity;''; (4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by adding ``or'' at the end; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) is licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or certified, by a qualified entity;''. [[Page S2717]] ____________________”
“President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025'' or the ``CHILD Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DEFINING ``COVERED INDIVIDUAL'' FOR PURPOSES OF BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993. Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (34 U.S.C.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2716-S2717] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley): S. 1528. To amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DURBIN. Mr.”
“227 Leg.] YEAS--52 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--40 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murray Ossoff Padilla Reed Rosen Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warnock Warren Wyden NOT VOTING--8 Heinrich McConnell Murphy Peters Sanders Warner Welch Whitehouse The motion was agreed to.”
“I announce that the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy), the Senator from Michigan (Mr. Peters), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch), and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) are necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 40, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No.”
“HUSTED assumed the Chair.) The VICE PRESIDENT. On this vote, the yeas are 49, the nays are 49. The Senate being evenly divided, the Vice President votes in the affirmative. The motion to table is agreed to. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Husted). The majority leader. ____________________”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 49, nays 49, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 226 Leg.] YEAS--49 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--49 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden NOT VOTING--2 McConnell Whitehouse (Mr.”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 49, nays 49, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 225 Leg.] YEAS--49 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden NAYS--49 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NOT VOTING--2 McConnell Whitehouse The joint resolution (S.J.”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 46, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 224 Leg.] YEAS--52 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--46 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan [[Page S2683]] Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden NOT VOTING--2 McConnell Whitehouse The motion was agreed to.”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 46, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 223 Leg.] YEAS--52 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--46 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden NOT VOTING--2 McConnell Whitehouse The joint resolution (H.J.”
“40104(9)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i)-- (A) by inserting ``, contracts with,'' after ``is employed by''; (B) by inserting ``, contract with,'' after ``be employed by''; and (C) by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following: ``(ii) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under contract with a qualified entity;''; (4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by adding ``or'' at the end; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) is licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or certified, by a qualified entity;''. [[Page S2717]] ____________________”
“There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025'' or the ``CHILD Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DEFINING ``COVERED INDIVIDUAL'' FOR PURPOSES OF BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993. Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (34 U.S.C.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2716-S2717] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley): S. 1528. To amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.”
“40104(9)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i)-- (A) by inserting ``, contracts with,'' after ``is employed by''; (B) by inserting ``, contract with,'' after ``be employed by''; and (C) by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following: ``(ii) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, an entity that is under contract with a qualified entity;''; (4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by adding ``or'' at the end; and (5) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) is licensed or certified, or seeks to be licensed or certified, by a qualified entity;''. [[Page S2717]] ____________________”
“President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025'' or the ``CHILD Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DEFINING ``COVERED INDIVIDUAL'' FOR PURPOSES OF BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993. Section 5(9)(B) of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 (34 U.S.C.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2716-S2717] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley): S. 1528. To amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DURBIN. Mr.”
“(c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code. (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to conduct the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing-- (1) the results of the study; and (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary. ____________________”
“(a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Study Area. (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- (1) evaluate the national significance of the Study Area; (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Study Area as a unit of the National Park System; (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Study Area by-- (A) Federal, State, or local governmental entities; or (B) private and nonprofit organizations; (4) consult with-- (A) interested entities of the Federal Government or State or local governmental entities; (B) private and nonprofit organizations; or (C) any other interested individuals; and (5) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives considered under paragraph (3).”
“900 to 1400, still stand as earthen monuments and remnants of Mississippian culture, which is the greatest prehistoric ancient culture in North America, the people of which are ancestors to many of today's First People and Nations; and (7) the Cahokia Mounds are designated as-- (A) a National Historic Landmark; (B) an Illinois State Historic Site; and (C) a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means-- (A) the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site; (B) the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and (C) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. SEC. 4. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.”
“1050 to 1200-- (i) covered nearly 6 square miles; and (ii) was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people; (2) more than 120 mounds were built over time at the site of the city of Cahokia; (3) the site of the city of Cahokia is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois Confederation, who moved into the area in the 1600s; (4) the city of Cahokia was the central hub and largest city of the Mississippian culture that ruled and traded across half of North America, more than 1,250,000 square miles; (5) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was the first known organized urbanization and government north of Mexico; and (B) at its peak, was larger than most European cities, including London; (6) some of the Cahokia Mounds, which were built from A.D.”
“1516 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was inhabited from approximately A.D. 700 to 1400; and (B) at its peak from A.D.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2668] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Ms. Duckworth): S. 1516. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.”
“(c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code. (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to conduct the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing-- (1) the results of the study; and (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary. ____________________”
“(a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Study Area. (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- (1) evaluate the national significance of the Study Area; (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Study Area as a unit of the National Park System; (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Study Area by-- (A) Federal, State, or local governmental entities; or (B) private and nonprofit organizations; (4) consult with-- (A) interested entities of the Federal Government or State or local governmental entities; (B) private and nonprofit organizations; or (C) any other interested individuals; and (5) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives considered under paragraph (3).”
“900 to 1400, still stand as earthen monuments and remnants of Mississippian culture, which is the greatest prehistoric ancient culture in North America, the people of which are ancestors to many of today's First People and Nations; and (7) the Cahokia Mounds are designated as-- (A) a National Historic Landmark; (B) an Illinois State Historic Site; and (C) a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means-- (A) the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site; (B) the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and (C) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. SEC. 4. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.”
“1050 to 1200-- (i) covered nearly 6 square miles; and (ii) was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people; (2) more than 120 mounds were built over time at the site of the city of Cahokia; (3) the site of the city of Cahokia is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois Confederation, who moved into the area in the 1600s; (4) the city of Cahokia was the central hub and largest city of the Mississippian culture that ruled and traded across half of North America, more than 1,250,000 square miles; (5) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was the first known organized urbanization and government north of Mexico; and (B) at its peak, was larger than most European cities, including London; (6) some of the Cahokia Mounds, which were built from A.D.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 1516 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was inhabited from approximately A.D. 700 to 1400; and (B) at its peak from A.D.”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 46, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 222 Leg.] YEAS--52 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McConnell McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--46 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden NOT VOTING--2 Hawley Whitehouse The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.”
“The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's action. ____________________”
“I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 83, nays 14, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No. 221 Ex.] YEAS--83 Baldwin Banks Barrasso Bennet Blackburn Booker Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Cassidy Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Graham Grassley Hagerty Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kaine Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lankford Lee Lujan Lummis Marshall McConnell McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schiff Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Warner Warnock Welch Wicker Wyden Young NAYS--14 Alsobrooks Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Hirono Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Sanders Schatz Schumer Smith Van Hollen Warren NOT VOTING--3 Hawley Mullin Whitehouse The nomination was confirmed.”
“When we are elected Members of Congress, we swear an oath to the Constitution, not to any politician or any President. It is time both parties remembered that and lived accordingly. So I am coming to the floor regularly to highlight the President's latest outrage and the GOP's inevitable silence in the face of it. Until they start using the voices they were elected to raise, we are going to continue to have a pending constitutional crisis in this country. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.”
“What was the reaction of the Democratic Congress to the Democratic President, Franklin Roosevelt, who wanted to pack the Court? The reaction was fierce and it was bipartisan in opposition to FDR and he had to drop the plan. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress realized that if a President can control the composition of the Supreme Court and its rulings, that we have lost a valuable part of the protection of our Constitution. My congressional Republicans have the power to join us in a historic stand on so many areas that this President has violated. They have majorities in both Chambers of Congress, and in private moments many of them express outrage and horror at Trump's dangerous abandonment of law, norms, and the will of the American people. But as their constituents suffer, out of fear of retaliation, Republicans remain silent.”
“The President is testing--and violating--the bounds of our Constitution, amassing power for himself as the economy tanks, violating the rights of Americans, and destroying our image abroad. My congressional Republican colleagues have the power to join us in a bipartisan effort to stop it. Has it ever happened in history? It did, very graphically, in history. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was upset with the Supreme Court and its rulings on New Deal programs. He went through a reelection cycle and was reelected by a large margin. He then came here to Washington and said: My first order of business is to increase the number of men-- all men then--serving on the Supreme Court so that I can finally get the rulings that I am looking for on my key elements of the New Deal.”
“When our Nation's Founders began the lofty task of building our democracy, they created a system of checks and balances to ensure a stable government and prevent the abuse of power. In 1788, James Madison wrote in Federalist Paper 51: Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. But it seems the ambition of the Republican-controlled legislative branch is all but absent as Donald Trump's government goes out of control. Never in our Nation's history has a coequal branch of government so willfully rolled over and ceded their power. It is, in fact, the silence of the lambs.”
“The Secretary of Defense violates national security protocol and shares classified war plans in a Signal chat that mistakenly includes a journalist listening to the conversation. You would think that at least one hard-line Republican conservative, some hawk in their ranks, would stand up and say: That is wrong, regardless of who the President may be. But they didn't. The Republicans remain silent. Unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE brothers gut the Federal Government, leading to cuts to lifesaving medical research, Americans unable to get their Social Security benefits, and threats to Medicaid. What was the response from the Republican side to these outrageous developments under the Trump administration? Silence.”
“Donald Trump threatens to withhold Federal funds from higher education institutions to coerce them to give up their constitutional rights. It is hard to imagine--we are talking about modern America--that a President of the United States who is unhappy with what is being taught at a college or a university threatens to remove all of their Federal funding. For God's sake, this is a democracy. Freedom of speech is part of what we [[Page S2634]] admire in this country so much and what is part of our future and our past. Yet, when it comes to President Trump, he has decided that if they want to teach something that he doesn't care for, whatever it may be, they are going to lose Federal funding. That is being tested in court.”