Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Visits Local Farm To Discuss Impact Of Inflation Reduction Act On Illinois Agriculture Industry
CARBONDALE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today visited a local farm to discuss the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the Illinois agriculture industry. "Illinois' agriculture industry is not immune to climate change, with droughts in some parts of the state and flooding in others," said Durbin. "These weather changes are not exclusive to Illinois-they're a global issue. Congress designed the Inflation … Continue Reading
August 10, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Secure Key Illinois Priorities In Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured key provisions for Illinois in the Senate-passed Inflation Reduction Act. These priorities include investing in domestic energy production and manufacturing right here in the U.S., reducing carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030, investing in clean energy tax credits, lowering prescription drugs, extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and more. "The Inflation Reduction Act … Continue Reading
August 07, 2022
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of The Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, groundbreaking legislation that will fight inflation, make drug prices more affordable, reduce costs, and make the nation's largest investment in our share of the climate fight ever: "Senate Democrats have heard the American people: do something to fight inflation, lower prescription drug prices, and combat the climate crisis. Today's … Continue Reading
August 06, 2022
Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass The Historic Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged his colleagues to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower health care costs, combat climate change, reduce the federal deficit, and fight inflation. Durbin began his speech by highlighting the various bills the Senate has passed in the last six weeks-thanks to Senate Democrat's leadership. On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, legislation … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Statement On Caterpillar Decision To Move Headquarters From Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today released the following statement regarding Caterpillar's plans to move its headquarters from the Chicago area to Texas after nearly 100 years: "Caterpillar's surprise decision to move its headquarters from Illinois after nearly 100 years is extremely disappointing. While in terms of jobs impact for Illinois, this transition will only directly … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Durbin, Grassley, Whitehouse, Cornyn Bill To Help Small Businesses & Families In Bankruptcy Heads To President Biden's Desk
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and John Cornyn (R-TX), applauded passage of their bipartisan legislation to help small businesses and individuals stay afloat during bankruptcy in the House of Representatives last night. The bill, which cleared the House on a vote of 392-21, was already passed … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Durbin Statement On Failed Vote To Provide Relief To Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the Small Business COVID Relief Act, legislation that would provide $48 billion in relief to restaurants and other small businesses: "Illinois small businesses, including restaurants, are the lifeblood of our communities. In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Illinois small businesses showed resilience while Democrats worked persistently to provide them with the … Continue Reading
May 09, 2022
In Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Highlights Impact Of American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law In Creating American Jobs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor praising the Biden Administration for the uptick in American jobs shown in the April 2022 jobs report and the unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, which reflects pre-pandemic levels. During his remarks, Durbin highlighted the efforts of Congressional Democrats and President Biden in passing the American Rescue Plan to provide relief to families and small businesses and Democrats' leadership … Continue Reading
May 05, 2022
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Boeing Decision To Move Headquarters From Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding Boeing's plans to move its headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C.: "Boeing's decision to leave Illinois is incredibly disappointing-every level of government in our state has worked to make Chicago and Illinois the perfect home for Boeing's headquarters for the past 20 years. We are working together to ensure Boeing leadership both … Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
Durbin Meets With Illinois Restaurant Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association to discuss pressing issues facing the state's restaurant industry. During the meeting, Durbin also spoke about the need for Congress to pass immigration reform, as immigrants play a crucial role in keeping the hospitality industry running. Durbin went on to express his support for replenishing the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which … Continue Reading
April 26, 2022
Durbin Discusses Jobs Program & Appropriation Funding With Secretary Of Labor Marty Walsh
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh. During their meeting, Durbin and Walsh discussed the DOL Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which totals $14.6 billion. The funds would go toward Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, Reentry Employment Opportunities, apprenticeship grants, Job Corps, YouthBuild, and more. Durbin and Walsh also discussed health care workforce shortages that have been … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Durbin Joins Brown To Call On Regulators To Focus On Lending To Main Street
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in leading their colleagues in a letter to the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, urging them to work with banks and credit unions to ensure small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, women, and veterans, have access to safe and sound credit as Main Street recovers from … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Durbin Talks Financial Security With Illinois Comptroller
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza about the state's unemployment insurance trust fund to ensure residents continue to have access to the program as Illinois recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. During their meeting, Durbin and Mendoza discussed his legislation, the Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act, which would retroactively extend the waiver of interest payments on federal … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Durbin Discusses Retirement Security With Illinois State Treasurer
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs about the state of retirement and financial security in Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin received an update from Frerichs about Illinois Secure Choice, a state-facilitated retirement program that helps Illinois employers provide their workers with access to a retirement savings vehicle. Durbin and Frerichs also discussed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act as a possible avenue to offer … Continue Reading
March 11, 2022
Congress Passes Bipartisan Spending Bill With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations bill. "Congress came together on a bipartisan basis to pass a comprehensive budget, which will benefit families across Illinois. This bill makes critical investments in public health, housing, infrastructure, public safety and violence prevention, election security, … Continue Reading
March 11, 2022
Senate Passes Bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
Senate Passes Bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Washington-The Senate passed the omnibus government funding bill that includes the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act, authored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bill, which would reauthorize VAWA through 2027, preserves advancements made in previous reauthorizations and includes a number … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Senate Passes Bipartisan Spending Bill With Key Priorities Secured By Durbin
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus appropriations bill. "The omnibus spending package is a testament to the incredible progress we have made in the last year and makes significant investments for Illinois. It provides more than $13 billion to the people of Ukraine fighting tooth and nail to defend their freedom. It also … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Durbin: This Spending Package Is A Testament To The Progress We've Made During The Past Year Of The Democratic Majority
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Omnibus. The funding will reduce the cost of living for working families, create good-paying jobs, ensure families and children can access critical supplies, provide more than $13 billion to Ukrainians, make critical investments in our future, and much more. "Ukraine needs humanitarian, military, and … Continue Reading
February 15, 2022
Durbin, Yarmuth, Boyle Introduce Bicameral Legislation To Transfer Debt Ceiling Authority To Treasury Secretary
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), House Budget Committee Chair Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY), and House Budget Committee Vice-Chair Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) introduced the Debt Ceiling Reform Act, legislation that would repeal the debt ceiling and give the Secretary of the Treasury the authority to issue new debt as long as the president notifies Congress that new debt is needed. Republicans previously used stonewalling tactics led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Durbin Statement On Vote To Raise The Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default on our nation's debt: "Today, Senate Democrats acted to prevent a catastrophic default on our nation's debt, preserving the full faith and credit of the United States. I am grateful to our Republican colleagues who voted last week to fast-track a solution, allowing today's vote to only require a simple majority-ending the … Continue Reading