Press Releases
Durbin: Only Congress Has The Power To Declare War With Iran
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today slammed President Donald Trump's erratic and incoherent policies regarding Iran that might plunge the United States into yet another endless war in the Middle East. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also urged his colleagues to support a war powers resolution, introduced by Durbin and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) last week, to force a debate and vote in … Continue Reading
January 03, 2020
Durbin, Kaine File War Powers Resolution To Require Congressional Authorization For War With Iran
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), introduced a war powers resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. "The Senate must not let this President march into another war in the Middle East without authorization from Congress," Durbin said. "The Constitution is clear - only the Congress can declare war. And whether it does or not, we must ask critical questions of what … Continue Reading
January 03, 2020
Durbin Statement On U.S. Strike That Killed Iranian General Soleimani
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after the Pentagon confirmed that a U.S. strike killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad: "The killing of Iranian General Soleimani invites even further escalation by a President who has a poor record of judgment in dealing with world powers. "While President Obama successfully negotiated a nuclear arms agreement with … Continue Reading
January 02, 2020
Durbin Statement On Trump Administration's New E-Cigarette Flavor Policy
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that it will ban the sale of some flavored e-cigarette pods and cartridge products, such as those used in JUUL devices. However, in a major reversal, menthol flavored pods will be exempt from this ban and vape shops will be mostly exempt by being allowed to continue selling flavored liquid nicotine used in "open tank systems"-these products often come in … Continue Reading
December 30, 2019
Durbin Statement On Continued Detention Of Philippine Senator Leila De Lima
CHICAGO-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the continued detention of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima by the government of the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte: "Philippines human rights champion Senator Leila de Lima has been jailed for more than 1,000 days on highly questionable charges. Her release, which has been championed by groups such as Amnesty International - and now the U.S. Congress - is unfortunately symbolic … Continue Reading
December 23, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Nomination Of Stephen McGlynn To Serve As U.S. District Judge For The Southern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the White House announced the nomination of Stephen McGlynn to serve as a District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: "We are pleased that the President has nominated Judge Stephen McGlynn. He has the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to serve with distinction as a district court judge in the Southern District of Illinois. We appreciate the … Continue Reading
December 21, 2019
Durbin Announces Creation Of New Website To Report Blocked Crossings To Federal Railroad Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will establish a website where the public can report blocked rail crossings by freight trains in an effort to collect better data and prevent blocked rail crossings, which are jeopardizing safety in communities across Illinois. Durbin helped secure provisions in this year's Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill that directed FRA to create this website in order to improve passenger rail … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Toomey, Durbin Introduce Bill To Add Ireland To E-3 Non-Immigrant Visa Program
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to add Ireland to the E-3 non-immigrant visa program. The bill would allow Irish nationals annual access to any unused E-3 visas from the previous fiscal year. In exchange, Ireland intends to provide Americans expanded access to work visas in Ireland. A similar bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05) and Richard Neal (D-MA-01) passed the House of … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Senators Call On Mnuchin To Strengthen IRS Criminal Division
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), today sent a letter to the Department of the Treasury urging the Administration to strengthen the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) enforcement efforts, including focusing on tax code violations and financial crimes. The Senators, in a letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin, expressed serious concern over the IRS Criminal … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Illinois Residents To Apply Now For Census Jobs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Census Bureau in Illinois is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers, among other positions, for the 2020 Census. Thousands of people throughout Illinois will be needed to work as census takers for the 2020 Census between January and June of 2020. These short-term jobs pay between $14.00 - $29.50 an hour, allow for flexible hours, and offer paid training and reimbursement for … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Congress Passes Bipartisan Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills yesterday. The bills are expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today. "These bills invest in Illinois' environment, transportation infrastructure, health, agriculture, service members, and security. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, bringing home federal … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Takano: VA Must Protect Veteran Students In Wake Of FTC Settlements With For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-41), along with several of their colleagues, today sent a letter to Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie urging the Department of Veteran Affairs to protect veteran students in the wake of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlements with for-profit Career Education Corporation (CEC) and University of Phoenix (UOP) for unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices. In August, the FTC announced a $30 million … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Lankford, Kinzinger, Loebsack Introduce Bill To Support Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and James Lankford (R-OK), along with U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), introduced a new bill to support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act would update Medicare's "Critical Access Hospital" (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Senators Call On Mnuchin To Strengthen IRS Criminal Division
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), today sent a letter to the Department of the Treasury urging the Administration to strengthen the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) enforcement efforts, including focusing on tax code violations and financial crimes. The Senators, in a letter to Secretary Steven Mnuchin, expressed serious concern over the IRS Criminal … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Urge Illinois Residents To Apply Now For Census Jobs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Census Bureau in Illinois is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers, among other positions, for the 2020 Census. Thousands of people throughout Illinois will be needed to work as census takers for the 2020 Census between January and June of 2020. These short-term jobs pay between $14.00 - $29.50 an hour, allow for flexible hours, and offer paid training and reimbursement for … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Congress Passes Bipartisan Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills yesterday. The bills are expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today. "These bills invest in Illinois' environment, transportation infrastructure, health, agriculture, service members, and security. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, bringing home federal dollars … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin Announces Creation Of New Website To Report Blocked Crossings To Federal Railroad Administration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will establish a website where the public can report blocked rail crossings by freight trains in an effort to collect better data and prevent blocked rail crossings, which are jeopardizing safety in communities across Illinois. Durbin helped secure provisions in this year's Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill that directed FRA to create this website in order to improve passenger rail … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Takano: VA Must Protect Veteran Students In Wake Of FTC Settlements With For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA-41), along with several of their colleagues, today sent a letter to Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie urging the Department of Veteran Affairs to protect veteran students in the wake of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlements with for-profit Career Education Corporation (CEC) and University of Phoenix (UOP) for unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices. In August, the FTC announced a $30 million … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Durbin, Lankford, Kinzinger, Loebsack Introduce Bill To Support Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and James Lankford (R-OK), along with U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), introduced a new bill to support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act would update Medicare's "Critical Access Hospital" (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, … Continue Reading
December 19, 2019
Durbin Statement On Bipartisan Government Funding Bills
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 for the bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills, which secure funding for important priorities for American families and our national security: "These funding bills include important investments for Illinoisans and Americans across the country, including increased funding for our troops, National Science … Continue Reading