Durbin Outlines Priorities for Third Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today outlined his priorities for a third coronavirus economic stimulus package to provide more support for working families, small businesses, hospitals, and health care workers. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called for the third coronavirus economic stimulus package to: Include robust funding and needed flexibilities for our nation's hospitals so that they have the resources necessary to be… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Relief Efforts With Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with more 650 members of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to discuss Congressional economic and small business relief efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the Senate passed the second coronavirus stimulus package, which includes free coronavirus testing, sick leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, and food assistance for those impacted by the pandemic. "This pandemic is testing all of us and i… Continue Reading

Durbin, Portman Introduce Resolution to Maintain Senate's Constitutional Responsibilities & Allow Remote Voting During National Emergencies

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis. During certain crises, such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may advise against convening the full Senate in the Capitol. However, that should not prevent Congress from safely engaging in its constitut… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With CEOs From American and Southwest Airlines

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly about the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the airline industry, including actions to help workers and protect consumers. Durbin and Senate Democrats have been clear that any relief for the airline industry in any federal stimulus package must include workforce protections to help airline industry workers. "The airline industry is facing a greater threat than 9/11, th… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Join Bipartisan Group of Senators in Urging Trump Administration to Expand Access to Telehealth Services to Rural Communities During Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and a bipartisan group of 19 other Senators in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase subsidies to health care providers through the Rural Health Care Program, which would ensure that providers have the resources they need to deliver and expand telehealth services for rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pand… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Updated Emergency Paid Leave Bill in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA), introduced the PAID Leave Act (Providing Americans Insured Days of Leave Act). The PAID Leave Act is a comprehensive emergency paid sick days and paid family and medical leave bill-fully funded by the federal government during the coronavirus emergency-to provide additional support to workers and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak and fut… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Darden Restaurants

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with CEO and President of Darden Restaurants, Gene Lee. On a call with Lee, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the restaurant industry and how the company is planning to support restaurant employees as normal operations come to a halt. "The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly have a serious impact on the restaurant industry as the country changes our social norms and daily lives to figh… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses DOD Coronavirus Response With Defense Secretary Esper

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with Defense Secretary Mark Esper to discuss the military's coronavirus response efforts, including today's action by the President to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA). Durbin urged the President to invoke the DPA in order to help address widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, diagnostic test kits, and other medical su… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Seek Answers on Coronavirus Preparedness in Immigration Detention Facilities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew T. Albence, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencies have in place to prepare for… Continue Reading

Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges Small Business Administration to Approve Federal Loan Assistance for Illinois in Response to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON - Today, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of this week, more than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Illinois, and Governor Pritzker has ordered the closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars, and prohibited gatherings of 50 people or more… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With AAR CORP CEO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with Illinois-based AAR Corp CEO John Holmes. AAR Corp operates two maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Illinois, one at Rockford International Airport and one in Wood Dale, Illinois. On a call with Holmes, Durbin promised to push for financial help for airline suppliers like AAR in any federal stimulus package. "As Congress negotiates the specifics of a financial relief packag… Continue Reading

Durbin, Colleagues, Call for Direct Cash Assistance to Help Americans Weather Economic Fallout of Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON - As the economic fallout of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and a group of his colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) outlining a bold new proposal to provide Americans with direct cash payments. "Over the course of just one week, most of America went from business-as-usual… Continue Reading

Durbin Continues Call for Senate to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act Immediately

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also paid tribute to Illinois' first coronavirus-related death, Patricia Frieson. "I come to the floor t… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Alzheimer's Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with CEO and President of the Alzheimer's Association, Harry Johns. On a call with Johns, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the Alzheimer's Association and the nonprofit industry as a whole. "The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly impact nonprofits, like the Alzheimer's Association, and Congress should consider the needs of these organizations. The Alzheimer's Association provides cri… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senators Urge President to Use Existing DPA Authority to Address Shortages of Medical Equipment Needed to Treat and Prevent Spread of COVID-19

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and 24 other Senators, urged President Trump to use his existing authority to help address widespread shortages of medical equipment, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In a letter sent to President Trump, the Senators pushed the President to invoke the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), which authorizes the president to strengthen domestic manufacturing c… Continue Reading

Durbin Pushes For More Coronavirus Test Kit Supplies on Call With CDC Director

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield to push for more coronavirus test kit supplies for the State of Illinois. Durbin has urged the Trump Administration repeatedly to provide more test kit supplies and personal protective equipment as soon as possible. "On my call with CDC Director Redfield, I expressed my concern about the coronavirus test kit situation in Illinois. The State is worried … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Press Trump Administration for Testing Kit Supplies & Personal Protective Equipment for Illinois

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to take immediate action to fulfill Illinois' personal protective equipment (PPE) request. On March 4, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requested distribution of PPE from the federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). These masks, respirators, gloves, and gowns are essential equipment that our front … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement on First Coronavirus-related Death in Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Illinois announced its first coronavirus-related death: "We are both saddened by the confirmation of our state's first death from COVID-19. Our thoughts go out to the victim's family and loved ones during what we know is an incredibly difficult time for them. As we have all seen, this pandemic will disrupt the way we all go about our daily lives, but this sad news is a reminde… Continue Reading

Durbin Receives Update From Illinois Director of Public Health on Coronavirus Response

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the response to the coronavirus pandemic with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. On a call with Dr. Ezike, Durbin asked what the State will need as coronavirus cases increase, and how the federal government can support state efforts to keep people healthy and safe. Durbin has urged the Trump Administration repeatedly to provide more test kit supplies and personal protective equipment to the State as … Continue Reading

Durbin: Why Are We Waiting to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act?

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. "There is no reason for us to delay this in any way. We should move on it quickly. Putting this off for a day or two, or whatever the plan is wit… Continue Reading