Durbin, Senators Call on Department of Interior to Cancel Oil and Gas Leases Across Public Lands in Utah

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) called on U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to cancel hundreds of oil and gas leases across Utah that threaten fragile landscapes and, if developed, will further exacerbate the impacts of climate change. In a letter to DOI Secretary David Bernhardt, the Senators cite how fossil fuel leas… Continue Reading

Durbin Attempts to Pass Legislation to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, today joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to request Senate passage of the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, which would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Hong Kong residents currently in the U.S. and provide refugee protections to Hong Kong residents facing persecution. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) objected to the request. "Thousands of protesters i… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Senate Dems Announce Significant Additions to the Economic Justice Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats, today unveiled new additions to the Economic Justice Act, a major legislative proposal that now provides more than $435 billion in immediate and long-term investments in communities of color to address systemic racism and reverse decades of historic underinvestment. "The substantial additions to the Economic Justice Act make an even larger inv… Continue Reading

Durbin Receives Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: "The Attending Physician of the Capitol notified all Members of Congress and staff that, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive, Congress and the Supreme Court - along with Executive Branch agencies - would be provided and encouraged administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to meet the requirements for continuity of government op… Continue Reading

Senate Passes Bill to Rename Galesburg Post Office in Honor of Senior Airman Daniel Miller

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Senate unanimously passed legislation introduced to rename the U.S. Post Office facility at 476 East Main Street in Galesburg, Illinois, as the Senior Airman Daniel Miller Post Office Building. Senior Airman Miller was killed in action protecting our nation on January 7, 2007, by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq. U.S. Representative Cheri Bus… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More than $9 million to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a total of $9.709 million in federal funding to Illinois to provide critical COVID-19 public health infrastructure support, such as data monitoring capabilities, for vaccination distribution and administration. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will receive $6,691,329 for vaccine distribution, laboratory support, and other ac… Continue Reading

Durbin: We Must Pass a Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill Before the Holidays

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Congress to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief package before leaving for the holidays. Congressional leadership is currently negotiating a package based off the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that Durbin helped negotiate. The package includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health … Continue Reading

Durbin: I Don't Understand the White House's Silence in the Face of Russian Cyberattack

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed President Trump for his silence in the aftermath of a government-wide cyberattack that was likely conducted by Russia - one of a series of ongoing Russian attacks and threats including the placing of bounties on American servicemembers. Durbin called for the Administration to be firm and honest with the American people about the nature of this threat and for a full investigation into what … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities, Medical Research with Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nominee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with Xavier Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Becerra presently serves as California's Attorney General and previously served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017 representing downtown Los Angeles. If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino HHS Secretary. Durbin and Becerra spoke about shared priorities for sup… Continue Reading

Durbin Receives Briefing from Operation Warp Speed About COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was briefed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and officials from Operation Warp Speed and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort. Durbin received an update from health officials on how they plan to improve transparency, predictability, and accountability on the allocations and shipments of vaccine doses to Illinois, following inconsistent reports … Continue Reading

Durbin: We Must Pass a Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill Before the Holidays

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Congress to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief package before leaving for the holidays. Congressional leadership is currently negotiating a package based off the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that Durbin helped negotiate. The package includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with General Lloyd Austin, President-Elect Biden's Nominee for Defense Secretary

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after a call with General Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be Secretary of Defense. On the call, Durbin asked General Austin how he would approach leading the Pentagon as a civilian; how the U.S. can compete with adversaries like China; and about necessary reforms to address a variety of issues like procurement d… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls for Senate Action to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, today participated in a hearing on the United States' Hong Kong refugee policy. During the hearing, Durbin urged the Senate to immediately pass the bipartisan House-passed Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, which would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Hong Kong residents currently in the U.S. and provide refugee protections to Hong Kong residents facin… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $15 Million for Illinois Community Health Centers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $14.9 million in federal funding awarded to three Community Health Centers (CHC) throughout Illinois. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' health center cluster grant program. Every year, Illinois CHCs serve more than 1.4 million Illinoisans, regardless of their ability to pay. "Community Health Centers are a vital resource for so many Illinoisans an… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses DACA and Immigration Reform with FWD.us

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today spoke with leaders at FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization focused on immigration and criminal justice reform. Durbin discussed his hopes for comprehensive immigration reform under the Biden-Harris Administration next year. Durbin expressed his gratitude towards millions of immigrants who are essential workers - many working in hospitals and other health care settings acros… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities with Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General Nominee

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Vivek Murthy, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be the next U.S. Surgeon General. Murthy previously held the position of Surgeon General during President Barack Obama's second term, and he is expected to take a leading role in Biden's COVID-19 response. Durbin and Murthy spoke about shared priorities for increasing uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, addressing health disparities, including D… Continue Reading

Durbin to McConnell: Bring the Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Legislation to the Floor for a Vote this Week

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation to the floor for a vote this week. Durbin was part of the bipartisan group that unveiled the emergency relief package yesterday, which includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, hous… Continue Reading

Durbin: Time to Move Past Election and Help President-Elect Biden Lead

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Republican elected officials to honor their oaths of office and uphold our democracy by recognizing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President-elect and Vice President-elect. Durbin slammed the last-ditch effort by 17 Republican attorneys general and more than half of the House Republican Caucus joining in a lawsuit and accompanying amicus brief before the Supreme Court, which incredibly ar… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Introduction of COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement in support of the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more:  “Today, the U.S. hit another grim milestone—300,000 lives lost to COVID-19.  My heart goes out to the family and… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on FDA Authorization of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: "I trust our medical and public health leaders who were committed to prioritizing the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine. We should be ready to roll up our sleeves, help is now on the way. We can finally see a path out of pandemic hell. Special thanks to the scientists and researchers w… Continue Reading