Press Releases
Durbin Discusses Contact Tracing With Founder Of Partners In Health, Dr. Paul Farmer
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Dr. Paul Farmer, founder of Partners in Health (PIH), about COVID-19 contact tracing. PIH worked with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to develop the country's first state-wide coronavirus contact tracing program, and has subsequently worked with the State of Illinois on its contact tracing plans. Durbin asked Dr. Farmer about what America will need to develop nationwide contact tracing capacity to identify individuals who may … Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues Urge Senate Leadership To Include Funding For Children's Hospitals And Health Providers In Future COVID-19 Relief
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to press Senate leaders to include relief specifically for children's hospitals and pediatric health care providers in the next COVID-19 relief package. In their letter, the Senators raised concerns that hospitals serving children cannot continue to sustain the expected $10 billion in losses in the next several months. Starting in January, … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Durbin Speaks With Illinois Food Pantry Directors About Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic On Food Security
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today spoke with five Illinois food bank directors-who together serve food pantries, soup kitchens, and local organizations across more than half of Illinois-about rising food insecurity and the increased demand on food pantries during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the call, Durbin heard from the directors about the sharp increase in new clients, the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Release Plan To Expand Health Care Coverage & Affordability During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Patty Murray (D-WA) to release a Senate Democratic plan to expand health care coverage and affordability during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a white paper, the Senators outline a series of common sense legislative priorities that the Senate should take up immediately, including Durbin's proposal to help laid-off workers remain on their employer … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Durbin Joins Colleagues To Introduce Bipartisan Bill Extending Paycheck Protection Program
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to introduce a bipartisan bill that would extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to reflect the fact that economic shutdowns have lasted longer than originally anticipated. The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act would extend the deadline to apply for a PPP from June 30, 2020, to December 31, 2020, and allow borrowers 16 … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Durbin, Grassley, Pascrell, Gosar Lead Overhaul To H-1B, L-1 Visa Programs
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reform and close loopholes in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and require more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. This complete overhaul of the H-1B … Continue Reading
May 23, 2020
Durbin Delivers Virtual Commencement Address For Class of 2020
SPRINGFIELD - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered a virtual commencement address for Illinois' Class of 2020. Durbin congratulated Illinois' students for their achievements this year and wished them well as they begin their next chapter in life. "Class of 2020, nothing about this is fair. But there is a light within your reach. You are part of the most resilient, innovative generation in America. You are the best-educated, most tech-savvy generation the world has ever known," … Continue Reading
May 22, 2020
In New Video, Durbin Speaks With UFCW President About Protecting Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke with Marc Perrone, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, about protecting the health and safety of workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the video, Durbin and Mr. Perrone discussed the need for clear, comprehensive, and enforceable federal standards, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Join Senators To Call For National Moment Of Silence To Honor The Lives Lost
WASHINGTON - As more Americans tragically lose their fight to COVID-19, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to introduce bipartisan legislation to pay tribute to the 100,000 victims-including 4,607 Illinoisans-of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their families, with a moment of silence at 12 noon on Monday, June 1, 2020. "Sadly, the United States will soon have … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $15 Million To Support Community Service Projects In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive a total of $15,579,643 in federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the agency that administers AmeriCorps and other national service programs. The funding will be distributed to 14 Illinois-based organizations to help more than 750 AmeriCorps members serve local communities, pay back student loans, and cover the cost of college after their … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Impact With AARP Illinois State President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with AARP Illinois State President Rosanna Marquez about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older Americans. On the call, Durbin and Marquez discussed the necessity of protecting the Affordable Care Act and expanding Special Enrollment Periods to ensure that health care remains accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin also spoke about his support for provisions in the Heroes Act that would provide federal subsidies … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin Votes Against President Trump's Nominee To Be Director Of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after voting against Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-TX-04), President Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence: "Several months ago, the White House withdrew John Ratcliffe's name to serve as Director of National Intelligence. There were serious concerns about his experience, his resume claims, and his … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin: We Must Protect The Immigrant Health Heroes On The Frontlines Of COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, thanked the health care heroes on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted one special group of health care workers - immigrants. Durbin also called on Senate Republicans to support the House-passed Heroes Act, which would extend work authorizations for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Durbin To Trump: Support Veterans By Signing Resolution Overturning DeVos Borrower Defense Rule
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor to urge President Donald Trump to sign a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval (H.J.Res. 76), to overturn the U.S. Department of Education's 2019 Borrower Defense rule. The rewritten borrower defense rule would make it impossible for defrauded borrowers-including veterans-to get the relief they are owed and would lessen accountability for the schools that defraud borrowers. This week, the … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin: Senate Republicans Are Continuing Their Assault On The ACA Admist A Public Health Crisis
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Cory Wilson to the Fifth Circuit Court, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) called out Senate Republicans for pushing forward judicial nominees with records of strident opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the midst of a public health pandemic. Two of the three hearings the Senate Judiciary Committee has held since the Senate reconvened in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic have been to … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin Presses HHS On Transparency Of Remdesivir Distribution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing call with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Robert Kadlec, regarding the distribution process for the COVID-19 therapeutic remdesivir. Last week, Durbin led 12 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to HHS seeking transparency and information regarding the distribution process for remdesivir and called for the agency to brief them on the allocation … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Introduce Resolution Establishing "National Gun Violence Awareness Day"
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution in the Senate establishing June 5, 2020, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) will introduce a companion resolution in the House. Every day in America, an average of around 300 men, women, and children are shot, nearly one-third of them fatally. Designating a day to bring … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin Speaks With Air Force Chief Of Staff Nominee General Charles Brown
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with General Charles Brown, who has been nominated to be Air Force Chief of Staff. On the call, Durbin pressed General Brown on his plans to protect airmen and communities from public health threats, including stopping the spread of COVID-19 and investigating the presence of PFAS in groundwater at Scott Air Force Base and the surrounding community. They also discussed … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin Discusses Impact Of COVID-19 With Illinois Agriculture Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on Illinois agriculture with leaders from Illinois agricultural groups. During the call, Durbin received an update on conditions with family farm and livestock operations, the importance of maintaining stability in both agricultural markets and the food supply chain, and recommendations for additional policy changes that can help agriculture producers … Continue Reading
May 20, 2020
Durbin: When Will Senator McConnell Feel 'Urgency' To Act On COVID-19 Legislation?
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for failing to act on any COVID-19 related legislative matter on the Senate floor for the past three weeks. On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which increases aid for our health care system and state and local governments, extends unemployment insurance benefits, helps keep laid-off workers on their employer … Continue Reading