Dick Durbin

I thank my colleague, Senator Kirk, for signing a blue slip signaling his support for that nomination.

In that situation, we are trying to make sure that the mandatory minimum sentencing under the Federal law gives judges more discretion.

I chair the Senate judiciary subcommittee entitled the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Obviously, the most serious charge of the subcommittee is to consider proposals to amend the Constitution. S.J. Res…

I ask unanimous consent for 5 additional minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Humble is one of the first words that comes to mind when you say 'United States Senator.'

I went back to my State of Illinois, which is very diverse in terms of manufacturers and universities and inventors and so forth, and I was determined to make sure that whatever I did met with their approval because I think it is an…

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

As Congress considers potential changes to the patent system that threaten the constitutionally guaranteed property rights of innovators, it must assess the full affects of the AIA.

Mr. Pitman, would that include your first assistant?

What is your definition of patent troll and do you see this as a problem?

I do not think it is productive to define patent troll. I think people have different definitions.

I thank the Senator from Texas. It overturns Citizens United by authorizing Congress and State legislatures to prohibit corporations and unions from spending money from their treasuries to influence elections. Our amendment will ensure…

I announce that the Senator from the Senator from Iowa (Mr. Harkin), and the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) are necessarily absent.

I announce that the Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Hagan), the Senator from Iowa (Mr. Harkin), and the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) are necessarily absent.

this week, the Senate confirmed Bob McDonald as the new Secretary of the VA and today we passed a compromise veterans bill that will help repair the overwhelmed Veterans Health Administration. These are two steps in the right direction to…

today, I want to talk about the worst kept secret in the Senate. Nancy Olkewicz is really great at her job. I have depended on her many times as have many others in this Chamber. She has had many roles in the Senate, and she has been…

reserving the right to object, let me say at the outset that I have the highest respect for my colleague from Arizona. We are friends. We came to Congress at the same time, as has mentioned on the floor, and spent month after month…

this is what we are facing: The President has come to us facing a crisis at the border. He has asked us for the resources for the Border Patrol that has to process these children coming in and for Health and Human Services so that once…

the Senator from Alabama now joins the Senator from Texas, coming to the floor of the Senate complaining about the state of immigration laws in America. They have in common the fact that they both voted against comprehensive immigration…

today I am introducing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, USCIRF, Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2014. This legislation would reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, also known…

The conflict of interest inherent in these agreements is problematic for the student consumer.

I urge you to promote solutions from this chamber as well.

I believe the proposal put forth by Senator Durbin--along with Senators Harkin and Franken--for the Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act of 2013 is particularly important.

I urge you to consider legislation that bans revenue-sharing agreements between colleges and banks.

today I introduced the Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act, a bill that would make adjunct professors eligible to participate in the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Contingent faculty members are like full-time instructors…