Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin Extends Impact Aid Funding Formula for Schools Serving the Great Lakes Naval Base
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Impact Aid Coalition, today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a Durbin authored amendment that will extend the practice of allowing the five public schools serving the Great Lakes Naval Training Base to pool their students to maximize federal education assistance through the Impact Aid program. This amendment - added to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and … Continue Reading
July 24, 2009
Durbin: Lovell Health Center Language Approved by Senate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin announced that language needed to complete the James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center was included in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act approved by the Senate late last night. The language is based on legislation that was introduced earlier this year by Durbin and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) that gives authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate the new Federal Health Care … Continue Reading
July 24, 2009
Durbin Amendment to Provide Support to Families of Severely Disabled Veterans Approved by Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his amendment to increase access to compensation for injured servicemembers who require assistance in everyday living was included in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act approved by the Senate late last night. The amendment - co-sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) -- was designed to assist families who need financial assistance as they put the brakes on their lives to care for a family … Continue Reading
July 16, 2009
Durbin Announces One-Year Extension for Firefighters at 183rd
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The F-16 maintenance mission and the National Guard firefighter unit at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport has been granted a one-year extension through September 2010, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today. The Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing's F-16 maintenance mission which will keep open the option to find a permanent flying mission at … Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves More Than $11 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, has approved $111,037,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects: Army Corps of Engineers: • Carlyle Lake, Carlyle. $5,171,000 in funding for operations and maintenance at Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, with … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009
Durbin Unveils 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2010. The bill covers $46.4 billion in overall spending for a number of agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies including the nation's financial services regulators. "White-collar … Continue Reading
June 26, 2009
Lovell Health Center Legislation Approved by Senate Committee
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined with the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) in applauding the inclusion of language needed to complete the James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier today. Earlier this week, Durbin and Akaka introduced legislation to give authority to the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2009
Durbin, Akaka, Bean: Lovell Health Center One Step Closer to Completion
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined today by the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Daniel Akaka (D-HI) in introducing legislation needed to complete the James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center. The legislation - which Durbin has asked the Senate Armed Services Committee to consider for inclusion in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act later this week - gives authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Durbin: Duckworth Sworn in as VA Assistant Secretary
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Earlier today at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Tammy Duckworth was publicly sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) honored the Iraq War veteran during this morning's ceremony in the Military Advanced Training Center (rehabilitation clinic) at Walter Reed. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki was also in attendance. Text of … Continue Reading
May 18, 2009
Durbin: Senate Confirms Lamont for Army Assistant Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama's choice to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, Tom Lamont, was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate earlier this evening. "With years of experience in the Illinois Army National Guard, Tom Lamont has a deep understanding of the needs of the Army," said Durbin. "He is a dedicated public servant with exceptional … Continue Reading
May 13, 2009
Durbin, Bean Commend President for Commitment to Lovell Health Care Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) today praised President Obama's decision to support legislative authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate the new "Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center". Language included in the budget summary of the VA signals the intent of the Administration to offer specific language regarding the Lovell Health Care Center. It is expected … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
Durbin Introduces Lamont at Senate Armed Services Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced President Obama's choice to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, Tom Lamont, to the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The Army has soldiers deployed around the world. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan create tremendous strain on our soldiers and their families," said Durbin. "The Army needs leaders like Tom Lamont right now. With years of experience … Continue Reading
April 24, 2009
Durbin Praises Nomination of Tom Lamont for Army Assistant Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised President Obama's choice of Thomas R. Lamont to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of Defense. "Tom Lamont is a decorated veteran who will be able to draw on his twenty-five years of experience with the Illinois National Guard in this position," said Durbin. "He is also a dedicated public servant with exceptional knowledge and expertise in both the legal and legislative … Continue Reading
April 22, 2009
Durbin: Senate Confirms Duckworth for VA Position
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the Senate approval of Tammy Duckworth to be Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. "President Obama and America's veterans now have Tammy Duckworth as their advocate and champion," said Durbin. "I know Tammy will bring the same level of commitment to the VA that she has shown in fighting for her country and representing Illinois veterans." … Continue Reading
April 15, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $650,000 in Recovery Act Funding for Impact Aid in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $654,425 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the repair and modernization of two Illinois school districts. Today's funding is part of an announcement by the Department of Education making $39.6 million in Impact Aid Construction grants available nationwide for communities with military bases, Indian reservations and other federal property that do not generate local tax … Continue Reading
April 01, 2009
Durbin Introduces Duckworth at VA Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced President Obama's choice to be Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "Tammy's entire life has been in service to our country. She is a proven leader and public servant uniquely qualified for this position," said Durbin. "Tammy's advocacy for veterans is recognized by the veterans' … Continue Reading
March 26, 2009
Durbin Introduces Bipartisan DREAM Act to Help Students Earn a Path to Legal Residency
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) today introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act - a narrowly tailored, bipartisan measure which would permit undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years. "Our immigration laws prevent … Continue Reading
March 24, 2009
Durbin Announces $38.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Defense Facilities in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois Department of Defense (DoD) facilities will receive a total of $38,542,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for construction projects and repairs, quality of life improvements and energy efficiency projects. Today's funding is expected to immediately generate additional employment in communities around the defense facilities. "The Recovery Act will put people to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2009
Durbin Announces $78.8 Million in Recovery Act Funding for VA Facilities in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) facilities located in Illinois will receive $78,827,369 in funding for from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding, allocated through the Veterans Health Administration, will be used for upgrades and repairs at six VA hospitals, construction at three VA extended care facilities and repairs and equipment purchases at seven VA cemeteries. … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves Legislation Allowing Reservists Who Are Federal Employees to Receive Full Salary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Congress' approval of his provision to help federal employees in the National Guard and Reserves avoid a loss of income when they are called to active military duty. Durbin first introduced legislation in 2001 - the Reservist Pay Security Act - to ensure that our brave men and women are paid the equivalent of their full civilian salary while they have been called to active … Continue Reading