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Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

United States · Official source

Records

11,330 records where Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Bill· SS. 1633 (119th)referred

TEST AI Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2025

Bill· SS. 1595 (119th)open

Improving Police CARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2025

Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies Act or the Improving Police CARE Act This bill requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Department of Justice to develop and publish performance standards for trauma kits that are eligible to be purchased using funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. Additionally, the BJA must develop and publish best practices for the use, deployment, and maintenance of trauma kits by law enforcement agencies.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 204 (119th)referred

A resolution recognizing escalating threats to freedom of the press and freedom of speech worldwide, including increasing harm to journalists reporting in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, reaffirming the vital role that a free and independent press plays in upholding democracy, fostering economic prosperity, and keeping the public informed, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States Government in supporting democracy, human rights, and good governance in commemoration of "World Press Freedom Day" on May 3, 2025.

United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2025

This resolution recognizes the centrality of a free press to free societies and democratic governance and expresses concerns about threats to the exercise of freedom of expression globally.

Bill· SS. 1553 (119th)referred

PREVAIL Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2025

Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act or the PREVAIL Act This bill addresses various issues relating to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including by imposing additional requirements on administrative patent validity challenges (proceedings to review and potentially cancel issued patents) at the USPTO. The bill modifies provisions relating to inter partes reviews (IPRs) and other administrative patent validity proceedings, including by prohibiting an administrative patent judge who participated in deciding whether to institute an IPR (i.e., whether to allow the IPR to proceed based on the initial petition) from also participating in deciding the final outcome of the same IPR; prohibiting a person (individual or entity) from petitioning for an IPR against a patent unless the person meets certain standing requirements (currently, any person may petition for an IPR); prohibiting a person who has challenged a patent's validity in an IPR from raising the same challenges against the patent in other proceedings (e.g., district court) if the IPR has been instituted; and raising the burden that the petitioner in an IPR must meet to invalidate a previously issued patent claim. The bill also makes institutions of higher education (IHEs) and nonprofit entities that hold patents on behalf of IHEs eligible for reduced patent-related fees, including filing fees. (Currently, employees of IHEs are eligible for reduced fees but not the IHEs themselves.) The bill also makes fees collected by the USPTO available for the USPTO's use without further appropriations from Congress.

Bill· SS. 1552 (119th)open

Living Donor Protection Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2025

Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term insurance carriers from denying or otherwise restricting coverage for living organ donors. Specifically, carriers may not deny, cancel, vary premiums, or otherwise impose conditions on policies based on an individual's status as a living organ donor. The bill also expressly specifies that recovery from organ-donation surgery constitutes a serious health condition that entitles eligible employees to job-protected medical leave. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must update educational materials on living organ donation to include information about the benefits and risks of living organ donation and the impact of donation on insurance access, particularly with respect to the bill's changes.

Bill· SS. 1563 (119th)open

Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2025

Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to hire retired law enforcement personnel to perform civilian law enforcement tasks on behalf of the agency and to train civilian employees in the performance of such tasks. Under the bill, the term civilian law enforcement task includes assisting with certain investigations, reviewing camera footage, conducting crime scene analysis, and conducting forensic analysis. 

Bill· SS. 1528 (119th)open

CHILD Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2025

Bill· SS. 1531 (119th)referred

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2025

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

Bill· SS. 1516 (119th)open

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2025

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of an area made up of (1) Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL; (2) the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and (3) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. (The National Park Service uses special resource studies when determining whether to designate sites as National Historical Sites.) The study must evaluate the national significance of the study area; determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System; consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations; and identify cost estimates for any federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with such alternatives. Interior must report on the results of the study and make recommendations to specified congressional committees.

Bill· SS. 1503 (119th)referred

Equality Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2025

Bill· SS. 1404 (119th)referred

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Combating Organized Retail Crime Act This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization. First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense. Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property. Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards. Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.

Resolution· SRESS.Res. 169 (119th)referred

A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Bill· SS. 1441 (119th)open

SAVES Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 or the SAVES Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program to award grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit entities to provide service dogs to veterans who have certain disabilities, conditions, or diagnoses (e.g., a visual impairment). Under the program, the VA may provide up to $2 million to a nonprofit entity in a fiscal year. The VA must provide a veterinary insurance policy to veterans who receive a service dog through a grant under the program. 

Bill· SS. 1467 (119th)open

Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act This bill limits the circumstances in which credit reporting agencies may provide consumer credit reports to third parties in connection with residential mortgage transactions.  Specifically, the bill prohibits a credit reporting agency from providing a consumer's credit report to a third party in connection with a residential mortgage transaction unless the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance and (1) the third party provides documentation certifying that it has the consumer's consent; or (2) the third party has originated a mortgage on behalf of the consumer, is a current mortgage loan servicer to the consumer, or has a current specified banking relationship with the consumer. These provisions take effect 180 days after the bill's enactment.

Bill· SS. 1469 (119th)referred

Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025

Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act of 2025 This bill requires that local school food service personnel receive annual training and certification on food allergies as part of the training provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Under current law, the mandatory training and certification for school food service personnel must include modules on (1) nutrition, and (2) health and food safety standards and methodologies. Under the bill, the training and certification must also include a module on food allergies, including information on the best practices to prevent, recognize, and respond to food-related allergic reactions. As part of the certification, the bill also requires that food service personnel demonstrate competence in the training provided.

Bill· SS. 1367 (119th)referred

NO FAKES Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2025 or the NO FAKES Act of 2025 This bill creates a federal intellectual property right to protect individuals from unauthorized digital replicas (e.g., digital content made using generative artificial intelligence) of their voice and visual likeness. Specifically, the bill gives each individual or right holder the right to authorize the use of the individual's voice or visual likeness (1) in a digital replica, or (2) for a product or service requiring authorization to avoid liability under the bill. This property right is not assignable during the individual’s lifetime but is licensable and does not expire upon the death of the individual. Generally, any individual or entity that engages in specified prohibited activities (e.g., distributing a digital replica without authorization) shall be liable in a civil action and subject to related penalties. The bill exempts specified uses from liability, such as categories of conduct likely to involve protected speech under the First Amendment (e.g., news reporting, sports broadcasts, and satire). The bill establishes a notice-and-takedown process for unauthorized digital replicas. The bill establishes penalties related to false or deceptive notice. The bill expressly preempts state laws related to digital replicas except for causes of action under state statutes or common law in existence as of January 2, 2025.

Bill· SS. 1370 (119th)referred

GOSAFE Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act or the GOSAFE Act This bill establishes a framework to regulate gas-operated semiautomatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices under federal firearms laws. First, the bill generally prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm that is or is modified to operate as a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm; a combination of parts that modify or can be assembled into a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm, or that produce an unlawful gas-operated semiautomatic cycling action; a device or combination of parts designed to materially increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm; or a firearm that is modified to materially increase the rate of fire. Second, the bill generally prohibits (1) the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or receipt of a large capacity ammunition feeding device; or (2) the possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after the date of enactment.  A violation is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 12 months, or both, for each violation.  In addition, an individual who possesses a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm during a federal felony offense is subject to additional penalties—a fine, a mandatory minimum prison term of two years, or both. Finally, the bill allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender gas-operated semiautomatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices under a buy-back program.

Bill· SS. 1374 (119th)referred

BUMP Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act or the BUMP Act This bill generally prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt, or possession of a device that is primarily designed, or redesigned, to increase the rate of fire when attached to a semiautomatic firearm; a device, part, or combination of parts that is designed and functions to increase the rate of fire of a firearm; or a semiautomatic firearm that has been modified to materially increase the rate of fire or to approximate the action or rate of fire of a machine gun. Additionally, the bill adds to the list of firearms subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act semiautomatic firearms that have been modified to materially increase the rate of fire or approximate the action or rate of fire of a machine gun.

Bill· SS. 1381 (119th)referred

Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2025 This bill establishes limits on executive compensation and provides protections for employee wages and benefits if an employer files for Chapter 11 (reorganization) bankruptcy. First, the bill increases the limit on claims for wages, salaries, other employee benefits, and commissions from $10,000 to $20,000 and eliminates the requirement that such claims must have been earned within 180 days before the filing of the bankruptcy petition. The bill grants certain claims higher priority in the bankruptcy process, including specific types of severance pay; contributions to an employee benefit plan; back pay, civil penalties, or damages arising from certain labor law violations; and certain pension plan withdrawal liabilities. The bill also limits executive compensation under a reorganization plan. For example, insiders (parties with close relationships to the debtor), senior executives, and others as specified by the bill may only receive payments or other distributions that are generally applicable to all full-time employees, subject to certain limits. The bill further restricts the compensation of any insider who continues to be employed by the debtor. A reorganization plan may only be approved if it provides for the recovery of claims relating to retiree benefits or for other financial returns paid under the plan. The bill also provides protections for collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) during bankruptcy proceedings. If a proceeding resulting from a CBA was or could have been commenced before the bankruptcy, the bankruptcy does not act as a stay in such a proceeding.

Bill· SS. 1393 (119th)referred

American Family Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2025

Bill· SS. 1316 (119th)open

Strong Communities Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2025

Strong Communities Act of 2025 This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to make competitive grants for local law enforcement agencies to provide training to officers and recruits who agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities. 

Bill· SS. 1310 (119th)referred

No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2025

No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act This bill excludes from the tax deduction for ordinary and necessary business expenses amounts paid or incurred to influence employees with respect to labor organizations or labor organization activities. The bill also imposes information reporting requirements related to such expenses and imposes penalties for failure to comply.  Under the bill, amounts paid to influence employees with respect to labor organizations include amounts paid (including wages and other costs) in connection with an action that results in a complaint or settlement related to an unfair labor practice or a finding of interference, influence, or coercion related to railway employees’ rights to organize and bargain collectively; for any meeting or training attended by employees and at which labor organizations are discussed; and that require certain employer disclosures and financial reporting. (Some exceptions apply.)  The bill requires employers to file a return reporting certain information related to expenses paid to influence employees with respect to labor organizations and imposes a penalty for noncompliance. The amount of the penalty is the greater of (1) $10,000, or (2) $1,000 multiplied by the number full-time equivalent employees. Additional penalties apply for violations that continue for more than 90 days.  The bill also imposes information reporting requirements on persons conducting activities on behalf of another person to influence employees with respect to labor organizations. The bill allows certain penalties for noncompliance with the reporting requirements to be waived if noncompliance is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

Bill· SS. 1277 (119th)referred

IDEA Full Funding Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Bill· SS. 1294 (119th)referred

Federal Firearm Licensee Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Federal Firearm Licensee Act This bill establishes new security requirements and expands recordkeeping and reporting requirements for federally licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers of firearms (i.e., federal firearms licensees, or FFLs). The bill also broadens the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to administer federal firearms laws and enforce violations. Specifically, bill requires FFLs to implement and comply with a plan to secure their business premises, conduct quarterly physical checks of their business inventories, maintain video surveillance of the area where firearms are sold or transferred, and initiate firearms-related background checks for employees. Additionally, the bill requires FFLs to report to the ATF any inventory firearm that is lost, stolen, or unaccounted for and to notify the ATF about default-proceed transactions (i.e., allowable firearm transfers to an unlicensed person prior to the completion of a background check when the submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days). Finally, the bill removes limits on the ATF's authority to conduct activities related to the administration of federal firearms laws. It enhances the ATF's inspection authority, including by removing the limit on the number of annual compliance inspections (currently, one), requiring inspections of high-risk FFLs, and authorizing an additional 650 investigators. Finally, the bill directs the ATF to deny an application for a federal firearms license if it would endanger public safety or if the applicant is unlikely to comply with the law.

Bill· SS. 1297 (119th)referred

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 This bill provides legal protections for a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who is detained or subject to immigration-related proceedings. The Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a case involving an unaccompanied child, may appoint or provide counsel at the government's expense to non-U.S. nationals in removal proceedings and related appeals. An unaccompanied child must be represented by counsel paid for and appointed by the government at every stage of such proceedings unless the child has obtained counsel at their own expense. If HHS fails to provide counsel to an unaccompanied child, the child's deadline for filing a motion to reopen a removal proceeding shall not apply, and the filing of such a motion shall stay the child's removal from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide a complete copy of a non-U.S. national's immigration file to the non-U.S. national (or the non-U.S. national's counsel) within seven days of a notice to appear for an immigration proceeding, and failure to provide the file shall result in a delay in the proceeding. DHS must provide access to counsel for all detained non-U.S. nationals. The Office of Refugee Resettlement must develop model guidelines for representing non-U.S. national children in immigration proceedings. HHS must annually report on the extent to which it has provided counsel for unaccompanied children under this bill.