Press Releases
Durbin To HHS Secretary: FDA Won't Act To Curb Youth E-Cigarette Epidemic, Will You?
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to use his authority and full force of his agency to tackle the youth vaping epidemic. Durbin, referencing a meeting last month with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless, urged Azar to take action on e-cigarettes in light of FDA's refusal to respond to this public health epidemic in a timely manner. "It has become clear … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Durbin Receives Update From Venezuelan President Juan Guaido
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to interim Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó about the ongoing violence, deteriorating security situation, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the discredited regime of Nicolás Maduro. During today's call, Durbin reiterated his support for Guaidó and his constitutional role to help Venezuela return to the community of democracies, and to do so with a thoughtful and timely transition and … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Durbin Meets With Acting Director Of Bureau Of Prisons To Discuss Prison Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Acting Director Hugh Hurwitz to discuss the Trump Administration's implementation of the recently-enacted Grassley-Durbin First Step Act, inadequate staffing, and the overuse of solitary confinement. Durbin also received an update on the activation of the Federal penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois. "The goal of our criminal justice system should be to … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Durbin, Murray, Dem Senators Seek Status Of Group Discharge Applications Submitted By State AG's
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with 20 of their Democratic colleagues, today requested the U.S. Department of Education provide an update on group discharge applications filed by 21 State attorneys general on behalf of thousands of defrauded students who are eligible for federal loan discharge under the borrower defense provision of the Higher Education Act. The applications cover students who attended American Career Institute, Anthem University, … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Durbin Opposes Anti-LGBTQ Trump Nominee, Matthew Kacsmaryk
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he will oppose President Donald Trump's Texas district court nominee Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has repeatedly written in his personal capacity about his opposition to LGBTQ rights and the Obergefell case. Durbin also called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for spending another week rubber-stamping President Trump's extreme nominees and creating a legislative … Continue Reading
June 17, 2019
Illinois Congressional Delegation To FCC: Improve Rural Broadband Maps
WASHINGTON - Today, the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and the four FCC Commissioners urging the FCC to improve the nation's broadband maps by reforming the mapping process for broadband services. The members noted that currently the mapping process lacks detail, accuracy, and granularity, meaning many underserved areas, including many rural communities in Illinois, could go without critical funding to improve … Continue Reading
June 17, 2019
Durbin Releases Questions For The Record Responses From Department Of Education
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following responses from the U.S. Department of Education to his Questions for the Record (QFR) following a March 28, 2019, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request from the U.S. Department of Education. A spread sheet for answer "a" is available here. Question from Durbin: Question. It is my understanding that on … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Durbin, Davis Introduce Bill To Study Possible National Park For Julius Rosenwald
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07) today introduced a bill that honors Julius Rosenwald-the former part-owner of Sears, Roebuck and Company-for his work in establishing Rosenwald Schools to promote African American education in the rural South. The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Act would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Work To Bring Fairness to FEMA Disaster Declaration Process
WASHINGTON - Following historic and severe flooding affecting one-third of Illinois, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the reintroduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act. The bill would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process to make it more transparent and equitable to small and rural communities in larger states like Illinois. Due to FEMA's disaster declaration process, states like … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Durbin Meets With Champaign County Leaders To Discuss Transportation Priorities
WASHINGTON - In a meeting with local leaders from Champaign County today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed central Illinois transportation priorities and the importance of investing in our nation's infrastructure. The group discussed improving the Illinois Terminal of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, an intersection of I-57 and I-74 in the northwest corner of Champaign, and Amtrak on-time performance (OTP). "Illinois is in desperate need of improvements to our roads, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Durbin And Cicilline: Tobacco Farms Are No Place For Kids
WASHINGTON - On World Day Against Child Labor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) reintroduced legislation to protect child laborers from the dangers of exposure to tobacco plants, which can include acute nicotine poisoning and other long-term health effects. The U.S. currently has no specific restrictions to protect children from nicotine poisoning or other health risks associated with tobacco farming. The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Nomination Of John Kness To Serve As U.S. District Judge For The Northern 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 John Kness to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago. The Kness nomination accompanies the previous nominations of Mary Rowland, Martha Pacold, and Steven Seeger to serve on the Northern District of Illinois bench: "We are pleased that the President nominated Mr. Kness as … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $6 Million For Rail Improvements Around Peru, Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the City of Peru, Illinois, has been awarded a $6,081,036 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal funding will support the second phase of the Peru Intermodal, Safety, Congestion, and Energy Security Project (PISCES II), creating a more efficient and safe rail system around the City of Peru. "This important … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Durbin To McConnell: End the Legislative Graveyard & Bring The American Dream And Promise Act To The Floor
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today came to the Senate floor to once again call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to schedule a floor vote on the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which will establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
On Senate Floor: Durbin Discusses Trip To Alton, Illinois To View Flood Damage
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today recounted his trip this past weekend to Alton, Illinois, on the Mississippi River and Winchester, Illinois, near the Illinois River to see first-hand the effects of severe flooding that has reached historically high levels and duration. Durbin thanked local volunteers, first responders, charitable organizations, and officials at Illinois' state government agencies for their emergency response efforts. Durbin … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Durbin: President Trump Is Most Anti-Immigrant President In History & Weakest On Border Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today called on Senate Republicans to work with Democrats on smart, effective, and humane solutions to the humanitarian crisis at the southwest border. During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham's Secure and Protect Act, Durbin stated that he cannot support this proposed legislation because it would not … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Durbin Meets With The Illinois Farm Bureau To Discuss Farming Conditions, Disaster Aid, & Trade Policy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss financial difficulties with crop conditions in Illinois due to the wettest planting season in decades. During the meeting, farmers expressed concerns with the Trump Administration's uncertain trade approach with Mexico, and the importance of more federal investments in infrastructure, like rural broadband. "As I saw over … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Durbin, Leahy, Cardin, Brown, Senators Introduce Resolution Expressing Support For Free, Fair, Transparent Elections In Guatemala
WASHINGTON - Ahead of Guatemala's elections on Sunday, June 16, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced a resolution expressing support for free, fair, and transparent elections in Guatemala. The resolution also expresses concern over efforts to undermine United Nations anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala and opposition to President Donald Trump cutting … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Durbin, Cohen: Congress Must Close Loophole That Encourages For-Profit Colleges To Target Veterans & Service Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today introduced bicameral legislation that would help put an end to the for-profit college industry's aggressive recruiting of veterans, service members, and their families. The Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act would prohibit for-profit colleges and universities from receiving more than 85 percent of their revenue from the federal government and change the calculation of federal revenue … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Durbin, Capito, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Address Childhood Trauma
WASHINGTON - Building off sweeping federal legislation they passed in 2018 to help children exposed to trauma, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase support for children who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma, such as witnessing violence, parental addiction, or … Continue Reading