Aerospace Group:

Congress

No. 2 Senate Democrat, Senior Defense Appropriator Durbin Won’t Seek Reelection

By Matthew Beinart

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025

SHARE:

No. 2 Senate Democrat, Senior Defense Appropriator Durbin Won’t Seek Reelection

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks during a press conference held in the James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 2021. (U.S. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Rodriguez)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the no. 2 Senate Democrat and a senior defense appropriator, announced Wednesday he will not seek reelection in 2026. Durbin’s decision is likely to set off a highly contested Democratic primary for the open Illinois seat. “The decision of whether to run for reelection has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today…

Unmanned Systems

Counter-Drone Needs Will Be Addressed In Next NDAA Based On Iran War Lessons, Banks Says

A Republican senator on Armed Services Committee on Thursday said that defending against Iranian drones has been challenge for U.S. warfighters and will be an area of focus in the […]

Pentagon

Pentagon ‘Working Options’ On Iran Supplemental, May Seek Funds For New Capabilities

The Pentagon is “working options” for a potential supplemental spending request to fund the operation against Iran and replenish munitions used in the strike campaign, with a senior official noting […]

Congress

Wicker Backs “Crash Program” To Supply Ukraine With Low-Cost Weapons

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) on Thursday proposed a rapid effort to supply Ukraine with low-cost weapons to aid that country in turning back Russia. “We […]

Congress

Dem Lawmakers Want To Codify Trump’s Push For More Defense Contractor Accountability

A group of four Congressional Democrats want to codify President Donald Trump’s push to hold defense firms accountable for prioritizing production investments over paying out stock buybacks, and are seeking […]