Columbia Standard

Ahead of a significant Senate vote, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin has filed several amendments to the Republicans' reconciliation budget bill. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin's proposed amendments reflect his priorities in this role.

Durbin expressed concerns about the Republican budget resolution, stating, "Overnight, Senate Republicans will attempt to advance a budget resolution that clears the way to cut taxes for President Trump and Elon Musk’s billionaire friends. And who will be left holding the bag? American families." He emphasized that Democrats intend to reveal how "Donald Trump and Republicans have eviscerated so many of our institutions for their billionaire buddies."

The amendments introduced by Durbin focus on various protections:

- A reserve fund aimed at safeguarding noncitizen food and farm laborers from arrest or deportation if they do not pose a public safety threat. This amendment is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.

- A measure to protect noncitizens eligible for DACA from mass deportations, with support from Senators Alex Padilla and Angus King.

- Provisions to shield DOJ and FBI personnel involved in January 6 investigations from termination or retribution.

- Protection against mass layoffs for probationary DOJ and FBI staff.

- Prevention of DOJ and FBI involvement in mass deportation efforts that could hinder their work on critical issues like child sexual abuse material investigations.

- Ensuring federal funds remain available for victims of crime and related support services without being frozen.

- Safeguarding Violence Against Women Act programs tailored to specific communities from cuts due to anti-DEI efforts within DOJ.

- Restricting access by Elon Musk and certain departments to classified systems within DOJ.

Durbin's initiatives aim at addressing these areas while maintaining fiscal neutrality.