On The Senate Floor, Durbin Reflects On Historic 2026 Midterm Elections

November 09, 2026 On The Senate Floor, Durbin Reflects On Historic 2026 Midterm Elections Durbin: “Americans, from one end of this nation to the other, exercised their right to vote last Tuesday, and in doing so, they changed the course of America and its politics for years to come.” WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighted last Tuesday’s historic election wins—which included flipping both chambers of Congress. “Americans have fought and died to protect the Constitution—they have marched and bled to change this document so that the promise of a more perfect union would be available to all men and women, not just a few. Was it perfect? By no means… Does the Constitution still work? I think anyone watching the results of last Tuesday’s election would say that it does… Americans, from one end of this nation to the other, exercised their right to vote last Tuesday, and in doing so, they changed the course of America and its politics for years to come. What happened on that day renewed my faith in this country,” said Durbin. “The midterm elections were a repudiation of the toxic brand of politics we have faced for the past 10 years… Americans made it clear that our nation prefers love over hate and community over cruelty. We saw that message on full display in my home state of Illinois,” Durbin continued. During his speech, Durbin offered his congratulations to Illinois’s Senator-elect, Juliana Stratton, noting that she has served Illinois as a member of the General Assembly and Lieutenant Governor and that he looks forward to seeing her success in her new role. In addition to Stratton, Illinois Democrats won every statewide race that was on the ballot, and they won in deep red counties like McHenry County, which had not voted for a Democrat for governor since 1852. Durbin then highlighted how voters rejected the chaos, corruption, and cruelty of the Trump Administration’s policies. “Those results are unsurprising for anyone who has had a chance to speak to Illinois families over the past two years, who have all too often faced the brunt of the cruelty, chaos, and corruption of this Administration. They saw the cruelty firsthand on our streets during ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ when immigration agents raided and terrorized our communities in Illinois—jailing and beating immigrants and U.S. citizens alike… They saw chaos in our hospitals when patient after patient witnessed their health insurance premiums dramatically increase, if they even still had insurance at all, after this Administration’s health care cuts. And they saw the corruption in the White House when families struggled to afford groceries and gas while the President and his cronies enriched themselves beyond their wildest dreams… Illinoisans made it clear on Tuesday that they do not have confidence in this Administration’s leadership—and tens of millions of Americans across the country joined them in that effort,” said Durbin. Durbin then highlighted the historic and diverse wins from the 2026 midterm election. Next Congress, 159 women will serve across the two chambers. In addition, voters elected the first Muslim American, the first Native American woman, and the first openly gay man to serve in the United States Senate. Senator Duckworth and Senator-elect Stratton will be the first women of color to serve a state simultaneously. “In governors’ races, voters elected more women, and more women of color, to the highest state office than we have ever seen before. While there is still more to be done to ensure that the composition of our elected officials reflect the people who put us here, Tuesday brought us one step closer to a world where every American can see themselves in their representatives,” said Durbin. Durbin then slammed President Trump for promoting Stephen Miller to serve as the White House Chief of Staff after the election. Durbin continued, “As fortunate as Tuesday was, it was only the first step. Americans made it clear they demand change, and it is up to those in Washington to give it to them. You would think after this clear and resounding defeat, the President would listen to the voters. But what was one of his first decisions in the aftermath of this historic election? To choose Stephen Miller, architect of this Administration’s cruel mass deportation campaign, as his new chief of staff.” Following American voters’ massive rejection of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, Durbin concluded his speech by urging Congress and the President to pass his Dream Act , bipartisan legislation which would allow noncitizens without lawful status who were brought to the United States as children and meet certain education, military service, or work requirements to earn lawful permanent residence. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status. However, under current law, there is often no chance for them to ever become citizens and fulfill their potential. Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here . Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here . Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations. -30- Print Email Share Tweet