Durbin, Grassley, Pascrell, Gosar Lead Overhaul To H-1B, L-1 Visa Programs

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reform and close loopholes in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and require more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. This complete overhaul of the H-1B an… Continue Reading

Durbin Delivers Virtual Commencement Address For Class of 2020

SPRINGFIELD - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a virtual commencement address for Illinois' Class of 2020. Durbin congratulated Illinois' students for their achievements this year and wished them well as they begin their next chapter in life. "Class of 2020, nothing about this is fair. But there is a light within your reach. You are part of the most resilient, innovative generation in America. You are the best-educated, most tech-savvy generation the world has ever known," Du… Continue Reading

In New Video, Durbin Speaks With UFCW President About Protecting Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke with Marc Perrone, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, about protecting the health and safety of workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the video, Durbin and Mr. Perrone discussed the need for clear, comprehensive, and enforceable federal standards, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Join Senators To Call For National Moment Of Silence To Honor The Lives Lost

WASHINGTON - As more Americans tragically lose their fight to COVID-19, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to introduce bipartisan legislation to pay tribute to the 100,000 victims-including 4,607 Illinoisans-of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their families, with a moment of silence at 12 noon on Monday, June 1, 2020. "Sadly, the United States will soon have lo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $15 Million To Support Community Service Projects In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive a total of $15,579,643 in federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the agency that administers AmeriCorps and other national service programs. The funding will be distributed to 14 Illinois-based organizations to help more than 750 AmeriCorps members serve local communities, pay back student loans, and cover the cost of college after their ser… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Impact With AARP Illinois State President

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with AARP Illinois State President Rosanna Marquez about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older Americans. On the call, Durbin and Marquez discussed the necessity of protecting the Affordable Care Act and expanding Special Enrollment Periods to ensure that health care remains accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin also spoke about his support for provisions in the Heroes Act that would provide federal subsidies for… Continue Reading

Durbin Votes Against President Trump's Nominee To Be Director Of National Intelligence

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after voting against Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-TX-04), President Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence: "Several months ago, the White House withdrew John Ratcliffe's name to serve as Director of National Intelligence. There were serious concerns about his experience, his resume claims, and his ability … Continue Reading

Durbin: We Must Protect The Immigrant Health Heroes On The Frontlines Of COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, thanked the health care heroes on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted one special group of health care workers - immigrants. Durbin also called on Senate Republicans to support the House-passed Heroes Act, which would extend work authorizations for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and T… Continue Reading

Durbin To Trump: Support Veterans By Signing Resolution Overturning DeVos Borrower Defense Rule

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor to urge President Donald Trump to sign a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval (H.J.Res. 76), to overturn the U.S. Department of Education's 2019 Borrower Defense rule. The rewritten borrower defense rule would make it impossible for defrauded borrowers-including veterans-to get the relief they are owed and would lessen accountability for the schools that defraud borrowers. This week, the res… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Republicans Are Continuing Their Assault On The ACA Admist A Public Health Crisis

WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Cory Wilson to the Fifth Circuit Court, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called out Senate Republicans for pushing forward judicial nominees with records of strident opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the midst of a public health pandemic. Two of the three hearings the Senate Judiciary Committee has held since the Senate reconvened in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic have been to cons… Continue Reading

Durbin Presses HHS On Transparency Of Remdesivir Distribution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing call with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Robert Kadlec, regarding the distribution process for the COVID-19 therapeutic remdesivir. Last week, Durbin led 12 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to HHS seeking transparency and information regarding the distribution process for remdesivir and called for the agency to brief them on the allocation process… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Introduce Resolution Establishing "National Gun Violence Awareness Day"

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution in the Senate establishing June 5, 2020, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) will introduce a companion resolution in the House. Every day in America, an average of around 300 men, women, and children are shot, nearly one-third of them fatally. Designating a day to bring attention … Continue Reading

Durbin Speaks With Air Force Chief Of Staff Nominee General Charles Brown

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with General Charles Brown, who has been nominated to be Air Force Chief of Staff. On the call, Durbin pressed General Brown on his plans to protect airmen and communities from public health threats, including stopping the spread of COVID-19 and investigating the presence of PFAS in groundwater at Scott Air Force Base and the surrounding community. They also discussed securi… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact Of COVID-19 With Illinois Agriculture Leaders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on Illinois agriculture with leaders from Illinois agricultural groups. During the call, Durbin received an update on conditions with family farm and livestock operations, the importance of maintaining stability in both agricultural markets and the food supply chain, and recommendations for additional policy changes that can help agriculture producers during… Continue Reading

Durbin: When Will Senator McConnell Feel 'Urgency' To Act On COVID-19 Legislation?

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for failing to act on any COVID-19 related legislative matter on the Senate floor for the past three weeks. On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which increases aid for our health care system and state and local governments, extends unemployment insurance benefits, helps keep laid-off workers on their employer healt… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Impact On Ethanol Producers With Growth Energy

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with members of Growth Energy to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Illinois ethanol producers. On today's call, Durbin, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, heard about the severe harm to ethanol production caused by the steep decline in gasoline demand and how provisions included as part of the House-passed Heroes Act will help ethanol producers. Call participants included the Illinois companies Marquis Energy … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Global Food Security With Alliance To End Hunger

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a virtual conference led by the Alliance to End Hunger to discuss global food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin, who is Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus, discussed the importance of protecting and increasing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Illinoisans and funding the World Food Program to ensure those facing hunger abroad can afford to put food on the table. Durbin called for these e… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks For Unanimous Consent To Consider Resolution To Reaffirm U.S. Commitment To Global Effort To Find COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, during a speech on the Senate floor, asked for unanimous consent to have the Senate consider a resolution that encourages U.S. engagement with the international community on the COVID-19 response given the Trump Administration's failure to participate in global summits on vaccines and therapeutics. The resolution, led by Durbin and supported by 39 of his Senate colleagues, noted the historic international effort to eradicate sma… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Bipartisan Letter Outlining Priorities To Support First Responders In The Next COVID-19 Relief Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and nine of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership encouraging additional support for first responders in the next COVID-19 relief package. "During a time of crisis, communities rely on local first responders as the first line of defense for protection and emergency response," the Senators wrote. "As Congress considers further legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandem… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Nomination Of Normal Mayor Chris Koos To Serve On Amtrak Board Of Directors

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: "I recommended Mayor Koos for this important position, and I'm glad the President nominated him today. Mayor Koos understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois and across the country. He will be an important voice for Illinois and the Midwest in support of growing and pr… Continue Reading