I joined @duckworth.senate.gov & the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in calling on the Trump Administration to remove their Medicaid red tape requirements, which will lead to Americans losing access to health care they need.

Sen. DURBIN: This isn’t Democrats vs. Republicans. This is rule of law vs. lawlessness. The Attorney General is the people’s lawyer. Todd Blanche continues to act as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, treating the Justice Department like a law firm serving one client—the President.

Todd Blanche told me privately that he “made a mistake” creating the MAGA slush fund. I asked him about it under oath. And he lied to Congress. His willingness to casually lie under oath shows how far he will go to avoid offending his only boss: Donald Trump.

I joined @repbillfoster.bsky.social today for an oversight visit to a shelter housing unaccompanied children. Many of these children have already endured horrors that no child should face and they ought to be treated with dignity and have their case heard before an unbiased court system.

This is abhorrent. Senate Republicans need to hold a hearing on family detention ASAP.

Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸@judiciarydems.senate.gov · 5d ago

Dilley ICE detention facility is infamous for its abhorrent treatment of families. Medical neglect. Solitary confinement. Undrinkable water. Abject cruelty. Guards are even taunting hungry kids by eating candy and pizza in front of them. And they’re hiding it from Congress.

There’s no better way to close out the summer session of the Senate than hosting a constituent coffee with @duckworth.senate.gov to hear directly from Illinoisans about the issues that matter most. Thank you to everyone who came to speak with us today!

Congratulations to the 2026 graduates of Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Discovering Healthcare Careers program. Fifty students—future doctors, nurses, lab techs, and other professionals—gained a deeper understanding of the incredible job our health workforce does every day.

.@duckworth.senate.gov & I sent a letter to FAA expressing our concern with their decision to extend the flight cap at O’Hare into 2027, even though runway construction will be done by the fall. O’Hare is the world’s busiest airport & I hope FAA will continue to work with us to ensure its success.

Article I Section 8 of the Constitution makes clear that Congress, and ONLY Congress, has the power to declare war. Trump decided to go to war with Iran exclusively on his own, and we are all paying the price.

ICE is wasting its resources. Not another dollar.

What better way to celebrate National Cheesecake Day than with a slice of Eli’s? @duckworth.senate.gov & I were happy to share some of Chicago’s most famous dessert with my colleagues, & we certainly didn’t mind having a few slices ourselves!

Today, I introduced the bipartisan Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act to create a pilot program for the judiciary to manage our courthouses and improve security and safety in 10 judicial districts.

Todd Blanche’s embattled nomination is a crisis of his own doing.

61 years ago, Medicaid and Medicare were created. Now, these programs help 130 million Americans receive the lifesaving health care they need. Senate Democrats are committed to reversing Republicans’ $1 trillion health care cuts to ensure every American has access to affordable health care.

We are in the fifth month of the first year of Trump’s endless war with Iran. Now, he is asking for billions of taxpayer dollars to keep fighting, even as this war makes your groceries, gas, and power more expensive.

Todd Blanche told me privately that the MAGA slush fund he created was a “mistake.” A direct quote. Now he’s lying about it. Todd Blanche either has a short memory… or is lying for Donald Trump.

Last night, I joined my colleagues to meet with President Zelenskyy at the U.S. Capitol. The tide of war is finally turning in Ukraine’s favor, and Congress must provide them with our support to finally achieve a lasting peace. There is no more time for delay.

Dr. Fauci is a deeply caring physician, a brilliant scientist, an extraordinary public servant, a humanitarian, and a patriot—whose work has helped save tens of millions of lives. It is a shame to watch him be dragged in front of Congress in the name of bogus conspiracy theories.

In the aftermath of Watergate, Richard Nixon announced, "I am not a crook." Donald Trump is not wasting his time or breath to even make that assertion thanks to his crypto-enabled corruption.

The Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation is building one of the most powerful telescopes in history—one that will help reveal the secrets of the cosmos. I was honored to be recognized for my support of this project today, which has brought millions of dollars and dozens of jobs to Illinois.

Good. Someone who calls law enforcement “dumb as dirt” has no business dealing day-to-day with police departments. It’s clear Kosta Ligris was nominated to a Justice Department position because he was loyal to Trump—not to the rule of law. Put forward a serious candidate.

Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸@judiciarydems.senate.gov · last wk.

Kosta Ligris, a Trump Justice Department nominee, officially failed to win enough support for confirmation. He joins Matt Gaetz and Ed Martin as FAILED Trump Justice Department nominees.

Today is Emmett Till Day in Illinois, a day when we remember his horrific murder & the bravery of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, in her decision to open his casket, lighting the flame of the civil rights movement.   In honoring their legacy, we must continue the fight for true equality in America.

Finally the Trump Admin admits what we have long known, that their grant cancellations were not based on “waste” or sound policy but vindictiveness. Americans should never be punished for voting, & it's despicable that the Admin is taking away funding from states that did not vote for Trump.

Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him

Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.

nytimes.com

Todd Blanche is wholly unfit to be Attorney General. You deserve better. The latest.

Sen. DURBIN: I remember Republicans claiming a chance meeting on the tarmac between Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch was ‘collusion.’ But they express no concern JD Vance is leading sessions with Todd Blanche and Kash Patel to protect Donald Trump from the Epstein scandal.

Today, I met with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives to discuss the farm bill, the importance of the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, and the critical role provided by immigrant farmworkers in keeping our farms strong.

Today, I met with Pastor Jin Mingri, who was imprisoned for 266 days in China for his tireless advocacy for freedom of religion and democracy. It is also long overdue that the remaining eight jailed members of his church as well as Gulshan Abbas, Jimmy Lai, Gao Quanfu, & Pang Yu also be released.

For 150 years, the Chicago Cubs have been the heart of our city, bringing millions of fans together while delivering three World Series and countless wins. I’m honored to join @duckworth.senate.gov to introduce a resolution commending our beloved Cubbies as they celebrate this historic milestone.

We are in the fifth month of Trump’s war of choice with Iran, yet Senate Republicans are continuing to give him a blank check to put American service members’ lives at risk. Their refusal to exercise their constitutional duty only emboldens the President’s worst impulses.

Republicans fall in line with Trump on Iran war despite rising costs and US death toll

Sen. Bill Cassidy proved the decisive vote again as Senate Republicans blocked Democrats' war powers resolution to restrict Trump's Iran strikes.

foxnews.com

From Ebola and hantavirus to measles & cyclospora, Trump & DOGE’s destruction of USAID has deeply undermined our ability to respond to disease outbreaks. Their short-sighted cuts are putting lives at risk, & Congress must fight back against the Trump Administration’s assault on our public health.

CDC cuts leave US less prepared for disease outbreaks, former officials warn

As measles, hantavirus and cyclospora spread, experts say lost staff and expertise are slowing the response

theguardian.com