Press Releases
Durbin: COVID-19 Numbers Are Sobering, Senate Must Act Now
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke about the importance of helping unemployed and uninsured Americans, hospitals and health clinics, state and local governments, and small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's partisan COVID-19 relief proposal that failed to pass the Senate last week. Durbin urged Leader McConnell to start negotiating in good faith - as the Senate did in March when it passed the CARES … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Durbin Speaks With FDA Commissioner About COVID-19 Vaccine Approval Process & Youth E-Cigarettes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with Food and Dru Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn today about how he would ensure integrity in the COVID-19 vaccine approval process, citing concerns that political pressure on the vaccine timeline is undermining the FDA's scientific integrity and public trust. Durbin also discussed last Wednesday's long-awaited e-cigarette product application deadline, and pressed for FDA to strongly enforce its own regulations to … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Durbin Statement On EPA Decision To Deny Small Refinery Exemptions Under Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today issued the following statement after an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to deny small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): "For years, President Trump has crippled American biofuels by allowing a record number of waivers for oil companies. His decisions have dragged Illinois farm income down, damaged an important corn market, and … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Durbin Statement On GAO Report Confirming USDA Mishandled Payments To Illinois Farmers For Trade Damages
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), both members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to announce a new report from the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found the Trump Administration's payments to farmers harmed by the President's trade policies ultimately favored southern cotton growers who were less harmed compared to Illinois farmers and crops. The report is the … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Durbin Joins Colleagues To Introduce Bipartisan Resolution In Support Of Belarusian People
WASHINGTON - Following the disputed presidential elections in Belarus on September 9, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today to introduce a bipartisan resolution condemning the crackdown on peaceful protestors in Belarus and calling for the imposition of sanctions on responsible officials. "I will never forget traveling to Minsk in January 2011 to meet with the families of opposition candidates … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Federal Reserve And Treasury To Increase Access To Main Street Lending Program
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) urged Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin to establish more favorable terms for businesses and nonprofits participating in the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). In a letter to Chair Powell and Secretary Mnuchin, Durbin and Duckworth highlighted that many businesses and nonprofit organizations across Illinois - especially in Black and Brown communities that have been hit … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Durbin Calls On HHS To Stop Diverting COVID-19 Tests From Illinois Schools And Fix The Shortfall In Testing Supplies
MAYWOOD - At a press conference today with Loyola University Chicago officials, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted ongoing testing challenges at schools and universities, and announced he was sending a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking how the Trump Administration plans to rectify the shortfall in testing supplies it has created at our universities and schools after Durbin learned HHS diverted shipments of COVID-19 tests bound for … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $20 Million For Metro East Port Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $20.8 million in federal funding for the St. Louis Bi-State Regional Ports Improvements Project, which will upgrade ports in the Metro East and St. Louis region. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) BUILD grant program. "This federal funding will help improve ports that are integral to the Metro East's economy and the nation's freight transportation network," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Pritzker Announce $20 Million Federal Grant For Joliet Transportation Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the City of Joliet has been awarded $20 million in federal funding to support the I-55 at IL 59 Access Project. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) BUILD grant program. "This federal funding will help improve safety and ease congestion, while supporting local jobs and economic growth around Will County," Durbin said. "Senator Duckworth … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin, Booker Introduce Bill To Reverse Trump Withdrawal From The World Health Organization
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a bill to ensure the United States fulfills its commitments to the World Health Organization (WHO). Under the Abiding by U.S. Commitments Act, the United States will continue payments of its dues to the WHO and the other international organizations of which it is a member. Earlier this year, the White House announced it would begin the process of terminating the United States' relationship with the World Health … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin Votes Against Republican Coronavirus Legislation That Fails to Meet The Needs Of The American People
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting against Republicans' partisan, "skinny" coronavirus response legislation: "It has been nearly four months since the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act. And as the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, Senate Republicans are still refusing to step up and provide families, workers, and local communities with adequate relief in the face of this public health and … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin To McConnell: We Need To Do More To Help Struggling Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke about the importance of helping unemployed and uninsured Americans, hospitals and health clinics, state and local governments, and small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's partisan COVID-19 relief proposal that doesn't provide adequate help to Americans in need. Durbin criticized the inclusion of a provision granting corporations federal liability immunity from … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin Discusses Illinois Priorities With National Guard Chief
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today discussed Illinois National Guard operations with Army General Dan Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Durbin asked Hokanson about his priorities as National Guard Chief, including whether the Guard plans to implement a new flying mission for Springfield 183rd. Durbin also discussed active National Guard operations, which has included Guardsmen on duty in the United … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin Condemns President Trump's Reopening Comments Disparaging U.S. Service Members On Senate Floor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus on the Senate floor in speaking out against President Donald Trump's reported comments disparaging U.S. service members, calling those who were injured or killed in battle "losers" and "suckers." Durbin cosponsored a resolution introduced today by Senator Duckworth, a decorated combat veteran who herself has been the subject of attacks by … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin Joins CEO Climate Dialogue To Discuss Bill To Fund A Clean Climate Future Fund
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke to members of the CEO Climate Dialogue, a group of 21 companies and four environmental nonprofit organizations, to discuss Durbin's America's Clean Future Fund Act. The bill, introduced in August, would spur job creation by investing in a clean energy economy, achieve critical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, facilitate a fair transition for workers from declining energy sectors, and renew America's commitment to remain a world … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin, Feinstein, Nadler, Lofgren Call On Trump Administration To Consult Congress About Refugee Resettlement, As Required By Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee; U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Chairwoman of the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, pressed the Trump Administration to restore our nation's long-standing bipartisan … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin, Lee, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Smarter Pretrial Detention For Drug Charges Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Chris Coons (D-DE), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the bipartisan Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act of 2020, a targeted bill that would eliminate the blanket presumption of pretrial detention for most federal drug charges. Pretrial detention rates in the federal system are at record high levels and on an upward trend across all demographic groups. This legislation would permit … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin: After Four Months Of Delay, Republicans Plan Vote On Bill That Does Not Provide For The American People During This Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Republicans' newly proposed "emaciated" partisan coronavirus response legislation, which leaves out assistance for renters and home owners, hungry families, the census, safe elections, hospitals and health clinics, and state and local governments. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for wasting nearly four months since the House passed the HEROES … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin Introduces Bill To Create Civilian Conservation Corps
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the introduction of the RENEW Conservation Corps Act, a bill that would create a civilian conservation corps that provides valuable job training and work experience to Americans while also completing needed maintenance and restoration of parks, trails, and natural areas. Modeled after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps - which employed, educated, and trained three million young men during the Great … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Durbin Joins Risch, Cardin In Condemning In Violence In Anglophone Cameroon
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to introduce a resolution calling on the Government of Cameroon and armed separatist groups from the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions to end all violence, respect the human rights of all Cameroonians, and pursue a genuinely inclusive dialogue toward resolving the ongoing civil conflict in Anglophone Cameroon. "Last year at Chicago's Kovler Center, I heard devastating stories … Continue Reading