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Durbin Statement on the DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the DREAM Act - a narrowly-tailored bill that would allow a select group of immigrant students with great potential to contribute more fully to America - failed to overcome a Republican filibuster this morning. "Today we had a chance to make a dream come true for tens of thousands of young people across America - a dream that they would have a chance to become part of the future … Continue Reading
December 09, 2010
Statement from the Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader on the DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the DREAM Act: "Yesterday the House passed a strong, bipartisan version of the DREAM Act - a narrowly-tailored bill that would allow a select group of immigrant students with great potential to contribute more fully to America. "In light of that vote, the Senate will move to the House-passed version of the bill later this month. … Continue Reading
April 21, 2010
Durbin, Bean: While Canadian National Continues to Ignore Safety Rules Surface Transportation Board Should Respond Decisively
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-IL) today urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider exercise its statutory authority on Canadian National (CN) after hearing of the company's dangerous underreporting of more than 1,400 blocked crossings. "CN should not be allowed to under report the true impact of its operations at roadway crossings," the Illinois members wrote. "Community officials and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2010
Latinos and Healthcare Reform
Senator Dick Durbin March 19, 2010 Latinos and Healthcare Reform Prepared Remarks In March of 1927-over 80 years ago-one of the greatest civil rights leaders was born. Cesar Chavez had the rarest kind of courage-moral courage-and he had great faith in the promise of America. During times like this, it is good to ask ourselves: "What would Cesar Chavez say if he were here today?" I think he would be encouraged to see how far we have come in bridging some of the old racial … Continue Reading
April 23, 2009
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Legislation to Reform H-1B Visa Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act - narrowly-tailored bipartisan legislation that would reform the H-1B and L-1 guest-worker programs to prevent abuse and fraud and to protect American workers. "The H-1B visa program should complement the U.S. workforce, not replace it," Durbin said. "Congress created the H-1B visa program so an employer could hire a foreign … Continue Reading
October 23, 2007
Durbin, Along with Military & Education Leaders, Urges Congress to Support Bright, Accomplished Kids with Bipartisan DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Senate colleagues to come together and support the DREAM Act, a narrowly tailored, bipartisan measure which would permit a select group of 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. "When I hear some describe this bill as amnesty, I wonder, if someone is willing to … Continue Reading
July 13, 2007
DREAM Act as an Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill
Mr. President, last month we had a controversial and spirited debate over immigration. It went on for several weeks on the floor of the Senate, and many Members of the Senate thought about it and voted one way or the other. The net result is that nothing happened. That is unfortunate. Everybody concedes our immigration laws have broken down. About 600,000 illegal people come into the United States each year and stay. Over 20 years, we now have 12 million people. The number continues to … Continue Reading
May 25, 2006
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation Approved By Senate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The United States Senate today approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The bill balances enforcement - stronger border security, tougher sanctions on employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants - with provisions allowing undocumented immigrants who work hard and play by the rules to earn their way to legal status. The Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 62 to 36. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that while the bill was not perfect, it was a … Continue Reading