Press Releases
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge Congressional Negotiators to Cancel Student Loan Payments and Debt in COVID-19 Response Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), sent a letter to Congressional negotiators, urging them to cancel student loan payments and debt in the COVID-19 response package. "Students and families should not have to worry that they will go into default on their student loans during or immediately after this emergency--they should be worried about keeping themselves and their loved ones safe," th… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Response With Walgreens CEO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with Walgreens CEO Alex Gourlay today to discuss the response to the coronavirus pandemic and operations at Walgreens locations in Illinois. In the midst of this pandemic, they discussed plans to help patients access adequate supplies of medications for the long-term-such as patients with diabetes needing insulin-and how pharmacies can assist with urgent community needs, such as providing drive-thru testing sites. "These are unprecedented time… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Durbin Discusses Midway Air Traffic Control Tower with FAA Administrator
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Stephen Dickson to discuss the continued closure of the air traffic control tower at Midway Airport after two FAA tower employees tested positive for COVID-19. Durbin asked Dickson for an update on the air traffic control tower and when FAA plans to reopen and resume normal operations. "I urged Administrator Dickson to quickly resolve the operations issues ongoing at Midway and ensure th… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Response with Army Secretary McCarthy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, spoke with U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy to discuss the Army's coronavirus response efforts. Durbin discussed the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and medical support, and asked about continued support for the State of Illinois. "The U.S. Army will be a critical partner in this effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and Congress … Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Illinois Hospitals
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, on a call with more than 20 CEOs from Illinois hospitals and AJ Wilhelmi, President of the Illinois Health & Hospital Association, discussed the impact of coronavirus and what resources are needed to fight the pandemic at Illinois hospitals. Durbin thanked the hospital representatives for everything their hospitals and health workers have done so far to help Illinois patients and pledged to continue to push for a direct and immediate infusi… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin, Duckworth Discuss Coronavirus Impact on Workers with Illinois AFL-CIO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, and the Illinois AFL-CIO executive committee. On a call with the Illinois AFL-CIO, Durbin and Duckworth asked how the pandemic will impact the labor community and discussed the proposals Congress is considering to help workers during the pandemic. Durbin and Duckworth have supported direct cash payments to Americans, in… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Illinois Shelter-in-Place Order
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered a statewide Shelter-in-Place amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: "Governor Pritzker's shelter-in-place order is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19. This pandemic will continue to disrupt our daily lives, but it is more important than ever for all Illinoisans to follow official health and safety guidance, practice social dist… Continue Reading
03.20.20
In Midst of Pandemic, Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Call on President Trump to End Efforts to Sabotage the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 17 other Senators, sent a letter calling on President Trump to reverse course on efforts to repeal, sabotage, or undermine health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. In the letter, Durbin and Duckworth criticized the Administration's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put millions of Americans' health care at risk during a pandemic. The Senators… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin, Colleagues Unveil New Plan to Cancel Student Loan Payments for Duration of Coronavirus Emergency
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) unveiled an emergency student loan payment and relief plan, which would provide much-needed relief to federal student loan borrowers through immediate cancellation of monthly student loan payments for the duration of the national emergency caused by the spread of the coronavirus, and a pay down of a minimum $10,000 for all federal student lo… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Dept. of Veterans Affairs to Support Illinois VA Medical Facilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie urging the agency to ensure that all VA medical facilities in Illinois are well equipped to promptly respond to the coronavirus pandemic and provide for the wellbeing of Veterans as well as VA employees. Durbin and Duckworth noted reports of potential medical supply shortages in Chicago-area VA medical facilities and urged the VA to… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Durbin, Harris, Pressley Press Trump Administration on Reports that DHS is Preparing Mass Deportations of Dreamers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today led a group of 36 Senators and 87 Representatives in pressing the Trump Administration on reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing mass deportations of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the United States and know no other home. Many Dreamers have reported receiving notice that their deportation cases have recently been reopened. U.… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin, Merkley, Colleagues Press State Department to Address False Narratives Regarding Coronavirus
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today led a group of eight Democratic Senators in urging the State Department to take action against foreign actors who are weaponizing disinformation to undermine efforts by the United States and our global partners to inform the public about efforts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In their letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Senators also pressed U.S. officials to refrain from using derogatory and in… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin, Colleague Introduce Bill to Protect Seniors Income and Retirement During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), today announced legislation aimed at protecting seniors and retirees during the economic downturn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The bill will suspend the penalty on Required Minimum Distribution (RMDs) for retirement accounts for calendar year 2020. "As we continue to address the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, protecting the financial viability of our seniors and retirees is critically impo… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Illinois Restaurant Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association. On a call with the members, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the Illinois restaurant industry and discussed how Congress is planning to support restaurant employees and small businesses as normal operations come to a halt. This week, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois restaurants and bars would be closed for dine-in custome… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin Outlines Priorities for Third Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Package
WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today outlined his priorities for a third coronavirus economic stimulus package to provide more support for working families, small businesses, hospitals, and health care workers. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called for the third coronavirus economic stimulus package to: Include robust funding and needed flexibilities for our nation's hospitals so that they have the resources necessary to be… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Relief Efforts With Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with more 650 members of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to discuss Congressional economic and small business relief efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the Senate passed the second coronavirus stimulus package, which includes free coronavirus testing, sick leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, and food assistance for those impacted by the pandemic. "This pandemic is testing all of us and i… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin, Portman Introduce Resolution to Maintain Senate's Constitutional Responsibilities & Allow Remote Voting During National Emergencies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis. During certain crises, such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may advise against convening the full Senate in the Capitol. However, that should not prevent Congress from safely engaging in its constitut… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With CEOs From American and Southwest Airlines
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly about the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the airline industry, including actions to help workers and protect consumers. Durbin and Senate Democrats have been clear that any relief for the airline industry in any federal stimulus package must include workforce protections to help airline industry workers. "The airline industry is facing a greater threat than 9/11, th… Continue Reading
03.19.20
Durbin, Duckworth Join Bipartisan Group of Senators in Urging Trump Administration to Expand Access to Telehealth Services to Rural Communities During Coronavirus Outbreak
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and a bipartisan group of 19 other Senators in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase subsidies to health care providers through the Rural Health Care Program, which would ensure that providers have the resources they need to deliver and expand telehealth services for rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pand… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Updated Emergency Paid Leave Bill in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA), introduced the PAID Leave Act (Providing Americans Insured Days of Leave Act). The PAID Leave Act is a comprehensive emergency paid sick days and paid family and medical leave bill-fully funded by the federal government during the coronavirus emergency-to provide additional support to workers and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak and fut… Continue Reading