Press Releases
Durbin, Duckworth Reintroduce Bill To Provide Equal Tax Treatment For Married Same-Sex Couples
WASHINGTON - During LGBTQ Pride Month, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), today reintroduced the Refund Equality Act. This legislation would ensure that legally-married same-sex couples - who until the U.S. Supreme Court's 2013 U.S. v. Windsor decision were barred from filing federal taxes jointly - are permitted to file amended tax returns back to the date of their marriage. The House Ways and Means Committee will … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Durbin Statement On Trump administration Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting for the joint resolutions of disapproval regarding arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The joint resolutions of disapproval passed the Senate and will now head to the House of Representatives for a vote. "The Saudi-led war in Yemen has been a humanitarian disaster - leading to an estimated 85,000 children having already died of malnutrition. And the Saudi government and royal family … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Lunch
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at an Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon. Started by the late U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, the Illinois Delegation Luncheon has been held regularly in Washington, D.C., at no expense to the federal taxpayer for more than 27 years. "I always enjoy welcoming my House colleagues to the Senate for our delegation luncheons. Having the opportunity to discuss the issues in their … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Nomination Of Martha Pacold, Mary Rowland, & Steven Seeger To Serve As U.S. District Judges 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 Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nominations of Martha M. Pacold, Mary M. Rowland, and Steven C. Seeger to serve as District Judges on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago: "We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced these three Illinoisans. They have the qualifications, integrity, and judgment to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Durbin: Senate Has Responsibility To Address Humanitarian Crisis President Trump Has Created At Southwest Border
WASHINGTON - In today's Senate Appropriations Committee markup, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, supported reporting to the floor a bipartisan funding agreement to address the humanitarian crisis that President Donald Trump has created at our southwest border. The bill includes funding to alleviate overcrowding at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities and provide food, supplies, and medical care to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Push DOT To Support Quad Cities Amtrak Route
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue an extension for federal funding for the Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline. After funding delays from former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker renewed the state's financial commitment to the proposed state-supported Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline by providing $225 … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Durbin: Pres. Trump & Republicans Are Threatening Millions Of American Families By Undermining Health Care System
WASHINGTON-In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed President Trump and Senate Republicans on their continued efforts to destabilize and undermine America's health care system. Durbin cited the pending lawsuit, Texas v. United States, in which the Trump Administration is seeking to eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act, including important protections for people with pre-existing conditions. "Is it any wonder why we are concerned about the lawsuit … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
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