Schatz Statement On Retirement Announcement, Extraordinary Career Of Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Democratic Whip, announced he would not seek re-election.

“For more than four decades, Senator Dick Durbin has been a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation. A titan of the Senate, he has helped improve the lives of Americans everywhere—expanding health research, protecting children from guns and tobacco, battling against predatory lending, building a fairer justice system, and fighting to protect DREAMERs. When you board a flight and can breathe clean, smoke-free air, you can thank Dick Durbin. When we see breakthroughs in medical research at NIH that are helping save lives, you can thank Dick Durbin. The list goes on.

“As Democratic Whip, he has played a key role in shaping some of the most significant legislation of our time and has been a fixture of the Senate floor, bringing his brilliant Lincoln-land trial attorney skills to Senate debate. Further, his leadership on the Judiciary Committee has been historic, with the confirmation of 235 judges during the Biden administration – the most diverse set of federal judges of any presidency ever.

“I’m lucky to call Senator Durbin a mentor and friend. I know he will be running through the tape, fighting for Illinois and our nation, as always. His work and legacy will continue to shape the U.S. Senate and our country for years to come. Today, I congratulate him, Loretta, his whole family, and his staff on decades of extraordinary service.”

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