Durbin, McCain to NATO Secretary General: NATO Must Protect Legal International Borders

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) sent a letter yesterday to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen regarding the continued Russian aggression toward Ukraine. "We write to express grave concern over Russian actions in and around Ukraine. Such aggressive military and intelligence operations aimed at destabilizing other sovereign nations threaten decades of European security and are an affront to the values of NATO, the United States, the Europe… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Baltic and Polish Ambassadors To Discuss Ukraine and Russia

Washington, D.C. -Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) met with Lithuanian Ambassador Žygimantas Pavilionis, Estonian Chargé Tanel Sepp, and Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf to discuss the latest Russian-instigated unrest in eastern Ukraine. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "The Ambassadors expressed their concerns with the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and we agree that the Russian escalation of violence and lawlessness in eastern U… Continue Reading

Durbin Charis Hearing on Defense Department's Health Programs

Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing of the Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense today on the Department of Defense's health programs. Following last week's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and President Obama's visit to the base today, the hearing focused heavily on the Department's funding for mental health programs and medical research to aid psychological health and rehabilitation. During the hearing, Durbin questioned Lieutenant General P… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks For IG Investigation into Federal Agency's Oversight of Trucking Companies With a History of Violations

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inspector General (IG) to audit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's investigative practices. A Chicago Tribune report found a troubling example of FMCSA ordering, but never actually launching, an investigation into an Illinois motor carrier with a long history of violating safety rules. "The January crash in Illinois took the life of a tollway worker and severely injured a … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on General Selva's Senate Confirmation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement congratulating General Paul Selva on his confirmation as the next commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, located at Scott Air Force Base. A photo of Durbin's meeting with Selva in Washington on March 14, 2014 can be accessed HERE. "With his experience at Air Mobility Command, General Selva is well prepared to take on this critical new assignment at Scott Air Force Base. Beyond his qualificati… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Will County Officials To Discuss Local Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Will County Board who were in Washington, D.C. for their annual fly-in. Durbin and the group discussed local economic development, transportation improvements and manufacturing partnerships. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "The Will County Board serves as an important local voice for the business and community interests of the entire region," Durbin said. "I was happy to meet with them to discuss … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Champaign County Officials To Discuss Transportation Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with delegates from Champaign County First who were in Washington, D.C. for their annual fly-in. Durbin and the group discussed transportation priorities, including job-creating high speed rail and road construction projects. A photo from today's meeting with Champaign County First is available here. "Champaign County First serves as an important local voice within its community," Durbin said. "I was happy to meet with the group mem… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Transportation Secretary to Discuss Illinois Transportation Issues

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a meeting with the Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed the importance of a robust investment in Illinois transportation as part of any new transportation bill. The current transportation bill - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) - expires on October 1, 2014. They also discussed both freight and passenger rail safety. "Secretary Foxx and I discussed the importance of Illinois' airports, highways, … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $2.67 Million Federal Training Grant for Chicago Education and Manufacturing Coalition

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Manufacturing Careers & College Connect (MCCC) Program in Chicago, Illinois - led by Manufacturing Renaissance, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Daley College, and local employers - has received a $2,670,909 federal grant through the Department of Labor's Youth CareerConnect Program. "This federal funding is a direct investment in our students, our schools, and… Continue Reading

Senators Call on FTC and FDA to Protect Consumers from False Advertising Claims by E-Cigarette Makers

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to the heads of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today, urging the agencies to take enforcement action against e-cigarette manufacturers who make unsubstantiated or false claims in their advertising, including unproven assertions that their products help smokers of conventional ciga… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on New Job Openings for Thomson Prison

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after learning that the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons has begun the process of finding staff for Thomson prison. "I am glad to see that the Bureau of Prisons' operations in Thomson, Illinois are getting underway so soon after Congress appropriated funding for the project," said Durbin. "I will continue working with Congresswoman Bustos to ensure that the Obama Administration remains com… Continue Reading

Durbin to EPA: Make this the Last Season for the Dirtiest Ship on Lake Michigan

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator, Susan Hedman, to enforce the consent decree and ensure that this is the last sailing season for the S.S. Badger - the only coal-fired ferry still operating in the U.S. The S.S. Badger's final season is scheduled to begin on May 16, 2014. Durbin wrote: "The SS Badger has had more than six years to develop a credible plan to upgrade its boiler and stop dumping tons … Continue Reading

Durbin Calls For Regulation of E-Cigarettes Following CDC Report on Liquid Nicotine Poisonings

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found a dramatic increase in calls to poison control centers as a result of e-cigarette and liquid nicotine poisonings, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to promptly complete its review of a proposed rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would expand the FDA's regulatory authority over tobacco prod… Continue Reading

Durbin, Harkin, Cummings: More Coordination Needed in Federal Oversight of For-Profit College Industry

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced legislation that would improve coordination between federal agencies that oversee the for-profit college industry. Through the establishment of an interagency oversight committee, the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Improvement Act - which will be introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD), … Continue Reading

Durbin Hosts Illinois Members at Bipartisan Delegation Lucheon

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the seventh bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 113th Congress. Photos of today's luncheon will be available shortly here. The luncheon today was attended by ten members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL), Representative T… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Yandle for Southern District Judgeship

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, has approved Staci Yandle for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois. Her nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. Upon confirmation, she will serve in the Benton Federal Courthouse. "Ms. Yandle's nomination is not only historic, it is well deserved," said Durbin. "Our bipartisan screening committee… Continue Reading

Durbin Recognizes Importance of World Autism Awareness Day

[WASHINGTON, DC] - In a statement for the Senate record, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today recognized the importance of World Autism Awareness Day. Approximately one million individuals in the United States have autism and according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control released last week, 1 in every 68 children have autism in the United States, making it the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. In Illinois, nearly 26,000 families live with autism.… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Striking Down Limit to Campaign Contributions

Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the Supreme Court's decision to strike down limits to individual campaign contributions: "The Supreme Court once again has sold American elections to highest bidder. This decision may be more good news for American oligarchs, but it is bad news for voters," Durbin said. "We have to move away from the wild west of deep corporate pockets and special interest war chests and focus on creatin… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on General McDew's Senate Confirmation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement congratulating General Darren McDew on the confirmation of his appointment to the rank of General, from Lieutenant General, and for his assignment as Commander of Air Mobility Command, located at Scott Air Force Base. "General McDew's service with the 18th Air Force and understanding of the importance of Scott's mission and community make him well qualified for this position," said Durbin. "I want t… Continue Reading

Durbin to Tech Giants: Uphold Your Commitment to Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Washington, D.C. -Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today wrote to nine of the nation's top tech firms, asking them to renew their commitment to passing comprehensive immigration reform and to reject efforts to pass stand-alone legislation increasing the H-1B visa cap. Today's letter comes on the opening day for filing H-1B visa petitions. "I write to ask you to renew your commitment to passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation and to pledge that you will not support st… Continue Reading