Political Quotes

On the recordDecember 12, 2024
on January 20, 2021, little girls worldwide watched in awe as the daughter of a mother from India and a father from Jamaica placed her hand on the Bible of the late civil rights icon and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and took the oath to serve in one of the highest offices in the land. At that moment, history was made, and Kamala Harris became the first woman in American history to serve as Vice President of the United States. During a time when America faced a pandemic, there was hope, and many saw the promise of what could be in Vice President Harris. As I sat there as one of the lucky witnesses to see that historic moment on that cold winter's day, I couldn't help but smile and think of my former Senate colleague from California, who served with me on the Senate's Judiciary Committee. I served on that committee for more than two decades and had the honor to work with many brave colleagues on both sides of the table, but then-Senator Harris was exceptional, bringing a keen perspective and vast knowledge of issues. During hearings, I always counted on her for intelligent, discerning questions, honed over the years as a prosecutor, effectively reaching the heart of each matter at hand. I remember how people would stick around to hear her ask questions. Because of her seniority situation, she was one of the last to ever ask in the committee. I know there were many witnesses who would have preferred that she would have asked no questions.…
Said by
Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois

Share

More from Dick Durbin

Jul 22, 2026

Mr. Blanche’s behavior surrounding the Epstein investigation is just one of the many reasons he should not lead the Department of Justice. I urge my colleagues to oppose his nomination.

durbin.senate.gov
Jul 17, 2026

Mr. Blanche, these survivors deserve much better. I want to recognize many of the survivors who are in the audience today. I thank them for their courage in speaking out. Tomorrow, we will hear from one of them during the outside witness…

durbin.senate.gov
Jul 21, 2026

This bipartisan bill that Senator Graham worked so tirelessly to advance couldn’t be better timed.

ernst.senate.gov
Jul 18, 2026

But to shun you and to snub you at this point, there is something else going on here.

durbin.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation