Latest Richard Durbin News

Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct

Dec. 21, 2024 16:02 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct. Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans...

Senate approves 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally

Dec. 20, 2024 21:26 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term, when he filled three...

House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat

Dec. 12, 2024 12:17 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — What was once a bipartisan effort to expand by 66 the number of federal district judgeships across the country passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, though prospects for becoming law are murky after Republicans opted to bring the measure to the floor only after...

Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues

Dec. 09, 2024 08:34 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — Two days before FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged Monday to try to ensure migrant labor standards are “properly respected” around the tournament. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate and...

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Dec. 06, 2024 20:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — ABC’s “This Week” — Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.; retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command. ___ NBC's “Meet the Press” — President-elect Donald Trump. ___ CNN's “State of the...

Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain

Dec. 03, 2024 17:20 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership...

Trump says he'll nominate Kash Patel as FBI director to remake the agency. Here's what happens next

Dec. 01, 2024 16:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning announcement that he will nominate Kash Patel as FBI director sets the stage for a fresh round of turbulence at a law enforcement agency tasked with protecting the homeland and investigating federal crimes. Patel, a...

Trump pick Kash Patel must prove he'll restore public faith in the FBI, a leading GOP senator says

Dec. 01, 2024 14:55 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump's drive to upend the FBI was welcomed by Republican senators although it was not clear on Sunday how strongly members of the incoming majority party would embrace his move to install ally Kash Patel as the next director of the Justice Department's top investigative...

Two US senators urge FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host over human rights risks

Nov. 25, 2024 10:33 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — Two United States senators urged FIFA on Monday not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host next month in a decision seen as inevitable since last year despite the kingdom’s record on human rights. Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Dick Durbin of Illinois...

Today in History: November 21, Las Vegas hotel fire claims 85 lives

Nov. 21, 2024 00:02 AM EST

Today is Thursday, Nov. 21, the 326th day of 2024. There are 40 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 21, 1980, 85 people died, most because of smoke inhalation, after a fire broke out at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also on...