Richard J. Durbin
Senator for Illinois · Democratic · United States
“But the fact of the matter is, there is scarcely a peep when Senator Curtis, a Republican Member of the Senate, made what is a perfectly reasonable suggestion--that Congress look into any possibility of corruption and self-dealing when a member of the President's family receives such a lavish gift from a Russian oligarch.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“He proceeded to also tell how he had turned down many opportunities for payment, salaries, fees, rewards that were available to former Presidents even in the early 1950s.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Democrats fought for pocket rescission protection in the continuing resolution we passed earlier this year to prevent the White House from doing exactly what they have done. Not surprisingly, Republicans in the Senate and the House refused to stand for the law for fear that they would anger their President.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Still, Republicans on the committee have made no effort to obtain a copy of volume 2 of Jack Smith's report, which details the findings from the criminal investigation into President Trump's alleged mishandling of classified materials. You remember the classified information that was found near the bathroom in Mar-a-Lago? I remember it.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Think about that for a second. Here are this President and his family, who are making billions of dollars--if you include the family-- from investments that directly relate to his office.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
“Madam President, before I start my remarks this afternoon, I would like to make note of two interesting events this weekend. I was asked to speak at a dinner in St. Louis right across the river from my hometown of East St. Louis, and it was known as a Harry Truman dinner.”
Senate28 September 2026Source ↗
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“Dhillon and her law firm have represented the President as an individual and his campaigns on numerous occasions, pocketing more than $8 million in legal fees. And Mr. Sauer recently filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the President, urging the Court to stay the effective date of the law that bans TikTok. During his hearing, Mr. Sauer repeatedly refused to commit to recusing himself from matters connected to his representation of President Trump, including a current case appealing the $364 million judgment entered against the President in New York. Instead, Mr. Sauer only offered to consult with ``the appropriate Department of Justice ethics officials.'' This gives me little reassurance since the administration recently forced out the Justice Department's senior apolitical career ethics officials. And Ms.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Sauer said, ``Generally, if there's a direct court order that binds a federal or state official, they should follow it.'' I was appalled that someone seeking to become the ``Tenth Justice,'' as the Solicitor General is commonly known, would take such a position. As my colleague Senator Kennedy warned Mr. Sauer and another Justice Department nominee who also refused to commit to following court orders ``Don't ever, ever, take the position that you're not going to follow the order of a federal court. Ever.'' But that is not my only concern with Mr. Sauer. Both he and Ms. Dhillon are part of the growing list of the President's personal lawyers who have been nominated for senior DOJ roles. Ms.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, the Senate will soon vote on the nominations of Dean John Sauer and Harmeet Dhillon, President Trump's nominees for Solicitor General and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. The Solicitor General represents the United States in the highest Court of the land, the Supreme Court. Mr. Sauer's failure to comply with court orders and his refusal to recuse himself from pending Trump matters render him unfit for this role.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks), the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), and the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) are necessarily absent.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“If this attack on medical research is allowed to continue, we will lose an entire generation of researchers, medical breakthroughs will be delayed, and the words ``you have cancer'' will be heard by far more people who will have far less hope in a treatment or cure. ____________________”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“The President cutting funding to help find cures for cancer. As if that weren't bad enough, Elon Musk and RFK, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, have taken their chainsaws to the medical research workforce, cutting more than 1,000 jobs from NIH and threatening thousands more. Just yesterday, NIH employees reported to work, not knowing if they still had jobs or not. How does dismantling our Nation's premier medical research agency make our Nation better? Or healthier? When you freeze NIH's work, limit its resources, fire its experts, or cut its budget, you are hamstringing the world's leading medical research agency from doing what it does best: saving lives. We are at a very dangerous precipice.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, on another matter, there are few more devastating words to hear than: ``You have cancer.'' The unfortunate truth is that millions around the world are faced with that reality every year. The statistics are devastating. Cancer kills 10 million people each year and is a leading cause of death globally. The good news? Medical research has led to breakthrough advancements that are helping in the fight against cancer, with new treatments and cures being developed each year.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) is necessarily absent.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) is necessarily absent.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“The fact is, his relationship with this man, presenting him an award at the President's personal club in New Jersey and that then his being praised on it afterward, is a clear indication to me that he should never be seriously considered for this job of U.S. Attorney. But let him come before us. Under oath, let him explain it. Let him try to tell us why this man is such an ``extraordinary leader, an extraordinary person,'' and why this brand of anti-Semitism that he peddles should be tolerated by anyone, let alone the President of the United States. I yield the floor.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Martin has regularly threatened to prosecute various government employees, members of Congress, and press outlets in an apparent attempt to chill their lawful speech. On February 3, 2025, [Mr. Martin] informed Elon Musk that ``we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work.'' Four days later, he followed up with Mr. Musk and stated, ``if people are discovered to have broken the law or even acted unethically, we will investigate them and we will chase them to the end of the Earth to hold them accountable.'' On February 24, Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Martin, who then returned to the podium to say, ``It's one of the goals of many of us to make sure the world--especially America--hears more from Tim . . . because he's [so] extraordinary.'' This shocking conduct necessitates sworn testimony from Mr. Martin. He needs to be brought before the Senate Judiciary Committee and answer for his relationship with this individual. How could anyone be taken seriously as a U.S. attorney with this in his background? He deserves his day under oath to explain it. That is why Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked Senator Grassley to hold a special hearing for Mr. Martin to explain this and any other things he has done. The list is long. The list is also very troubling. Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Hale-Cusanelli himself recorded while storming the Capitol on January 6, he berated an officer guarding the West Front of the Capitol, stating, ``Fuck you! The revolution will be televised.'' Days after the riot, a confidential human source recorded Mr. Hale-Cusanelli saying he wished for there to be another civil war-- So he could also say-- he would give Jewish people ``24 hours to leave the country.'' Sickening. Outrageous, but stay tuned for what I am about to report. In September 2024, Mr. Martin-- The nominee for U.S. attorney-- presented Mr. Hale-Cusanelli with an award at the Trump Bedminster Club in New Jersey. Mr. Martin called Mr. Hale- Cusanelli ``an extraordinary man''-- An extraordinary man he is-- ``an extraordinary leader.'' After Mr. Hale-Cusanelli concluded his remarks, he hugged Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Hale-Cusanelli reportedly claimed that he ``would kill all Jews and eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and he wouldn't need to season them because the salt from their tears would make it flavorful enough.'' Can you imagine this statement being made by a man who is a close friend of the President's suggestion for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia? One co-worker recalled Mr. Hale-Cusanelli saying that ``babies born with . . . deformities or disabilities should be shot in the forehead.'' Another told authorities Mr. Hale- Cusanelli referred to Black people-- I can't use the words. I can't repeat them on the floor of the Senate, but they are terrible. According to videos Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Hale-Cusanelli before him, `Statements and actions like yours make [Jewish people] less safe and less confident they can participate as equal members of our society.' Beyond inaccurately portraying Mr. Hale-Cusanelli as a victim of an unjust conviction, Mr. Martin has inexplicably praised Mr. Hale- Cusanelli's character and intellect, despite Mr. Hale-Cusanelli's extensive well-known personal history of antisemitism, misogyny, and racism.'' According to one of his co-workers, Mr. Hale-Cusanelli once said, ``Hitler should have finished the job.'' Further, Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Edward Robert Martin, Jr., made stunning attacks on Federal prosecutors and associated himself with individuals who present a threat to our Nation. Mr. Martin was the leader of the so-called ``Stop the Steal'' movement, which, illegally and from a ridiculous point of view, pushed that the 2020 election was not determinative of who was elected President. Mr. Martin himself was on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and has repeatedly downplayed the violence perpetrated against law enforcement that day. That happens to be a crime scene which I am familiar with as a Member of the Senate because we were exposed to the crowd storming into the Capitol and storming onto the floor of the Senate Chamber. Mr. Martin posted the following on social media: Like Mardi Gras in DC today: love, faith and joy. Ignore #FakeNews. That is Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Nomination of Edward Martin Mr. President, one of the most important appointments of the President of the United States is a U.S. attorney. All across the United States, some 90 U.S. attorneys represent the Department of Justice. They do critical work, work that is essential for the safety and security of America. The announcement by this administration of Edward Robert Martin, Jr., to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia raises so many questions that I have come to the floor today. Prior to his appointment as an interim U.S. attorney, Mr.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“How does unnecessarily tanking our economy, alienating our allies, and taking money out of the wallets of Americans make us great again? Right now, we should be focused on commonsense ways to lower prices and fight inflation. We should be taking genuine steps to slow the flow of fentanyl across our borders, which Canada has made it clear they want to cooperate with us in achieving. We should be working with and not fighting against our closest allies like Canada. These tariffs do none of that. That is why I am supporting Senator Tim Kaine's resolution to block the President's abuse of emergency powers. I know Senate Democrats will stand up for American consumers. Can a few Republican colleagues join us or will they continue to let Donald Trump and Elon Musk enrich billionaires at the expense of hard-working American families?”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Illinois ranks fifth among 50 U.S. States in exports to Canada and first in imports. States across the Nation are going to feel a similar impact. So it is no surprise that the vast majority of Americans cannot understand what the President is trying to do when it comes to our relationship with a good friend, a trusted ally, and historic partner, Canada. President Trump recently said he ``couldn't care less'' if carmakers hike prices in response to tariffs--``couldn't care less.'' He is pushing forward with his plan that economists, experts, and even the White House itself admits is going to be painful for American families. The last election was all about the cost of living. This is going to raise the cost of living for families across the United States, this tariff war.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Trump's Executive order declared a so-called emergency at our Canadian border and tied it to Canada's failure to prevent illicit drugs from being trafficked across the border, but Canada is openly willing to address this shared challenge and has cooperated with the United States. Let me be clear. Preventing the trafficking of fentanyl is a bipartisan priority. The fact remains that less than 1 percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border comes from Canada--less than 1 percent--and Canada made it clear long ago they are willing to work with us to reduce that amount. The President's use of IEEPA to attempt to justify these tariffs is a shoddy excuse to ram through an unpopular agenda and bully yet another close ally of the United States.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Unsurprisingly, Canada answered and announced retaliatory tariffs. Just like that, a trade war with our second largest trading partner and closest ally is underway. So how did the President justify such an unprecedented, counterproductive, and harmful move? He cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to declare an emergency at our northern border, stating that fentanyl and undocumented migration constituted a national emergency in our relationship with Canada that justified the use of tariffs. The only problem: The justification just doesn't hold water. This International Emergency Economic Powers Act is intended for use in extraordinary cases related to foreign threats, such as placing sanctions on dictators.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, since taking office 72 days ago, the Trump administration has created chaos in our economy. The President, if you will remember, campaigned on lowering prices for American families. Unfortunately, his policies and actions have done the opposite. Many families are worse off today than when he was sworn in. In February, egg prices, which has become a political standard bearer, hit a new alltime high in the United States. Just last week, a typical U.S. homeowner's monthly mortgage payment also reached an alltime high. And now Donald Trump's ill-conceived, foolish trade war with one of our top allies is the latest example of this continued pain for Americans' wallets. On February 1, the President announced he was imposing a 10-percent tariff on energy imports from Canada as well as a 25-percent tariff on all other goods.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“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. 1233 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) is necessarily absent.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that DeNay Adams, Quentin Mansfield, Victoria Esparza, and Kelsey Handschuh be granted floor privileges until April 3, 2025.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“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 oin the Record, as follows: S.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“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. 1210 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Hickenlooper), the Senator from Michigan (Mr. Peters), and the Senator from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin) are necessarily absent.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Over 80 percent of the American people reject the idea that we should cut Medicaid--over 80 percent. That goes way beyond any single party. They understand that this gets down to the basics. How would you like to be sitting in that waiting room with no health insurance, at a hospital far from your home, hoping that your child is going to survive? Stick with the families of this country. The billionaires will take care of themselves. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“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.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“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.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, some people come to Congress to check a box, collect a credential, and then head to where the big bucks are: lobbying firms. For others, working as a Capitol Hill staffer is part of a lifetime of public service. Kevin Cronin was one of the latter types. He believed in public service, and I consider myself lucky that Kevin chose to work for me. It was during my years in the House of Representatives. Kevin was my lead staffer on the House Budget Committee. He was hard-working, clever, and smart as a whip.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) and the Senator from New York (Mr. Schumer) are necessarily absent.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“We do not need the recent college graduates in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to take Social Security for a joyride while their grandparents are in the back, holding on for dear life. We certainly don't need the sage advice of billionaires who cannot begin to understand what it means to live month to month while waiting for a Social Security check as so many Americans do. I yield the floor.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for 10 minutes and that Senator Merkley be permitted to speak for up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled vote.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“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. 1146 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) is necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) and the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) are necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) is necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner), and the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) are necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“If it is, they can charge the consumer. But to automatically penalize them in this way is fundamentally unfair for a lot of people who are struggling. You can talk a lot about the cost of a dozen eggs, but I will tell you what, even a dozen eggs doesn't cost a $35 fee that has been the usual charge in penalty for anyone who overdraws their account. So if you are on the side of the consumers and the families who are struggling with the cost of living, oppose this effort by Senator Scott of South Carolina. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) is necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) is necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.”
Senate24 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.”
Senate24 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman), the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray), the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) are necessarily absent.”
Senate24 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fetterman), the Senator from Washington (Mr. Murray), the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch), are necessarily absent.”
Senate24 March 2025Source ↗
“I ask for the yeas and nays.”
Senate24 March 2025Source ↗
“I announce that the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) is necessarily absent.”
Senate14 March 2025Source ↗