Durbin Introduces Legislation To Preserve America's Global Leadership By Investing In Breakthrough Biomedical Research

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - With a decline in federal biomedical research threatening our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the American Cures Act to support the future of research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense Health Program (DHP), and the Veterans Medical & Prosthetics Research Program. Durbin first introduced this legislation during the previous Congress last year. "Just one week ago, … Continue Reading

Durbin, Delauro To Hold Press Call Announcing Bill To Create Single Food Safety Agency

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) will hold a press conference call TODAY at 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET announcing their bill to create a single food safety agency. Durbin and DeLauro previewed their bill in an op-ed last week. The Safe Food Act of 2015 would create a single, independent federal food safety agency. Currently food safety oversight is split up among 15 different agencies, resulting in a patchwork where no single voice gu… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Air Force Chief Staff To Discuss Illinois Installations

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with General Mark Welsh, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. During the meeting, General Welsh and Durbin - who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees discretionary spending for our nation's military, including bases - discussed the long-term future of Illinois' Air Force installations. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Illinois has long played an important role in our nation's … Continue Reading

Durbin, Delauro To Hold Press Call Announcing Bill To Create Single Food Safety Agency

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) will hold a press conference call tomorrow at 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET announcing their bill to create a single food safety agency. Durbin and DeLauro previewed their bill in an op-ed last week. The Safe Food Act of 2015 would create a single, independent federal food safety agency. Currently food safety oversight is split up among 15 different agencies, resulting in a patchwork where no single voice … Continue Reading

Durbin: Reject House Republican Efforts To Hold Homeland Security Funding Hostage Over Anti-Immigration Amendments

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With just one month until the short-term funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security expires, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to call on the Senate to reject House Republican efforts to create an artificial funding crisis in an attempt to force the Senate to accept extreme anti-immigrant amendments that they have attached to the Homeland Security appropriations bill. "So what are these policies that the House Republicans feel so stro… Continue Reading

Durbin Honors 'Mr. Cub' Ernie Banks On The Senate Floor

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to honor Chicago Cubs legend and baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, who passed away last Friday night at the age of 83. In 2013, Banks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the White House, the highest honor given to civilians in the United States. Durbin recommended Banks be considered for the award and a photo from the reception following the White House ceremony is available HERE. Video of Durbi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Chicago Cubs Legend Ernie Banks

[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the death of Ernie Banks: "I am saddened to learn of the passing of Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. 'Mr. Cub' was so much more than a great hitter and Gold Glove fielder. His infectious love for the game of baseball was matched only by his passion for the people of Chicago."When I called the White House and asked the President to consider a Medal of Freedom for Ernie Banks, I felt that his impressive… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy

[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the newly confirmed Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy today to discuss public health priorities. Durbin was a strong supporter of Dr. Murthy during his confirmation process, praising him for his dedication to fighting obesity, tobacco related illness, and other chronic diseases. A photo of today's meeting is available HERE. Durbin's Floor Speech in support of Dr. Murthy's confirmation is available HERE. "As we've seen last year, health… Continue Reading

Durbin, Illinois Mayors Discuss 2015 Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with mayors from across Illinois who are in Washington, D.C. for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors. Durbin discussed 2015 priorities including transportation and infrastructure initiatives, helping working families, marketplace fairness and local economic development. "The Illinois mayors and local leaders who are here in Washington today represent an important voice for each of their communities, cities and townships back home,"… Continue Reading

Durbin Releases Video Statement Following The State Of The Union Address

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released a video statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address. Footage of Senator Durbin's statement is available for download by TV stations high definition HERE and standard definition HERE. Audio of Senator Durbin's statement is available HERE. In what has become an annual tradition, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) hosted an Illinois servicemember as his guest for the President's State of th… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Obama's State Of The Union Address

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement in response to President Obama's State of the Union Address: Few people can make the case for strengthening America's middle class like President Obama. Tonight, the President laid out a vision for our country that puts working families first, and I couldn't agree more. The President called on Congress to expand access to college and make it more affordable for millions of students across the country. His … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Veteran & Caregiver Who Will Be His Guests For The State Of The Union

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with retired Air Force Captain Anthony "Tony" Simone and his wife, Andrea who will be his guests for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address later this evening. Durbin first met Captain Simone and Andrea in 2013 at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Maywood, Illinois, where Captain Simone receives medical care and Andrea is a member of the caregivers community. Captain Simone and Andrea will also attend the Secretary of the … Continue Reading

Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Terrorist Attacks In France

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Senate has unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution to condemn the tragic terrorist attacks at the offices of the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket in Paris. The resolution, authored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and a group of bipartisan Senators, expresses condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity with the people of France, and reaffirms the universal right of freedom of expression.… Continue Reading

Durbin, Reed, Levin, Doggett Re-Introduce Corporate Inversions Act Of 2015

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Sandy Levin (D-MI) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) in re-introducing the Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2015, which aims to stop business practices known as inversions - corporate deals that allow U.S. companies to move their tax domicile overseas to evade U.S. taxes. "We've heard this story over and over. Profitable corporations finding a loophole in the tax code to avoid their t… Continue Reading

Durbin Will Host Illinois Veteran & Caregiver For Tomorrow's State Of The Union

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In what has become an annual tradition, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) will host an Illinois servicemember or veteran as his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. Retired Air Force Captain Anthony "Tony" Simone will also be joined by his wife, Andrea, who has served as Tony's caregiver since he suffered a traumatic brain injury while on his third deployment. Durbin first met Captain Simone and Andrea in 2013 at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Maywo… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Congressional Delegation To Cuba

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after returning from the first congressional delegation visit to Cuba since the United States announced its change of policy: "We had a very productive trip. The changes to America's Cuba policy announced by President Obama last month marked the beginning of a new chapter in American foreign policy. Reestablishing travel and trade relations will mean real benefits for people in Illinois and across the country,… Continue Reading

Durbin: Illinois Conservation Projects Receive $2.7 Million Through Farm Bill Program

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a total of $2.7 million in funding for three local conservation projects aimed at protecting wildlife and improving soil quality along waterways in Illinois. Today's funding was made available through the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which was created in the Farm Bill that Congress passed last year. In May 2014, USDA designated both the Mi… Continue Reading

Lawmakers Say Child's Death Brings Urgency To Liquid-Nicotine Regulation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Last month, a one-year-old boy in Fort Plain, New York was found unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away, becoming the first child in the United States to die reportedly from liquid-nicotine poisoning. That tragedy, and too many similar close calls, has prompted U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to reintroduce legislation they and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues authored to child-proof liquid nicotine cont… Continue Reading

Senators Introduce Resolution To Condemn Terrorist Attacks In France

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in France last week, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), and a group of bipartisan Senators in introduced a bipartisan resolution to condemn the attacks at the offices of the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket. The resolution also expresses condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity with the people of France, and it reaffirms the universal right o… Continue Reading

Durbin: We Are A Nation Of Immigrants

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the U.S. Senate Floor to speak out against a House Republican effort to defund the President's immigration policies, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which temporarily halts deportations of young Americans known as "Dreamers" - immigrant students who were brought here as children by their parents and who grew up in the United States. During his speech, Durbin told the story of Sergeant Oscar Vazquez… Continue Reading