Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Health Care
Members of Congress, Authors of E-Cigarette Marketing Report Respond to FDA Tobacco Regulations
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), John D. Rockefeller (D-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) - authors of a recent investigative report that found a dramatic recent increase in the marketing of electronic cigarettes - responded to deeming regulations proposed by the Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would expand the agency's … Continue Reading
April 14, 2014
Durbin, Waxman, Harkin, Rockefeller & Members of Congress: Report Shows E-Cigarette Marketing Campaigns Lighting Up Among Young Users
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Eleven Democratic lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives today released a report that shows a dramatic recent increase in the marketing of electronic cigarettes - or e-cigarettes - with extensive resources being dedicated to social media, sponsorship of youth-oriented events, and television and radio advertisements that reach substantial youth audiences. The report, "Gateway to Addiction? A Survey of Popular Electronic Cigarette Manufacturers and … Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
Durbin Commends House Members for Joining Effort to Protect Children from E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended six members of the House of Representatives, including U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), for introducing the Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act to prohibit the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens. Durbin joined U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introducing a companion measure in … Continue Reading
March 25, 2014
Senators: FDA Must Regulate E-Cigarettes and Other Nicotine Delivery Products
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In light of mounting evidence that the emerging market of new nicotine delivery products poses serious public health and consumer protection issues, six U.S. Senators today called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to move quickly to regulate the rapidly evolving market of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products saying: "It's time for the FDA to stop the sale of these candy-flavored poisons to our children." U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), … Continue Reading
March 12, 2014
Durbin Introduces the American Cures Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] With a decline in federal biomedical research threatening our standing as a leader in discovery and innovation and our global competitiveness, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the American Cures Act, to support the future of research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense Health Program (DHP), and the Veterans Medical & Prosthetics Research Program. "In the last two … Continue Reading
March 11, 2014
In Letter to President Obama, Durbin, Five Other Senators, Urge Administration to Finalize Regulations for Tobacco Products
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In a letter to President Obama, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) - joined by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) - urged the Administration to review and finalize regulations for tobacco products, which may include e-cigarettes and e-hookahs, without further delay. By Executive Order, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has 90 days to complete review of … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Durbin Calls for an End to 'Friday Night Tykes'
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Esquire Network to remove the new show "Friday Night Tykes" from its line-up because it glorifies a culture of violent competitiveness that can be dangerous for the safety and long term health of children. In a letter to the network's President, Adam Stotsky, Durbin cited instances where football coaches encourage 8 and 9 year-old children to deliver repeated blows to the head and to play through injury. "Many school districts are making … Continue Reading
February 26, 2014
Durbin, Boxer, Harkin, Blumenthal, Markey Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Kids from E-Cigarettes
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today introduced the Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act to prohibit the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens. "E-cigarette makers are adopting the deplorable marketing tactics once used by tobacco companies to entice children and teenagers into using their addictive product. With fruit and candy flavors and glossy celebrity … Continue Reading
February 14, 2014
Senators Urge Top Cigarette Retailer to Remove Tobacco Products from Stores
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following last week's announcement that CVS Caremark would begin removing tobacco products from its more than 7,600 U.S. stores, seven United States Senators today urged Walmart - the number one retailer of cigarettes in the country - to do the same, and stop selling tobacco products in its stores. Today's letter was signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal … Continue Reading
February 07, 2014
Senate Approves Kirk-Durbin Resolution to Honor and Support Global Efforts to Eradicate Polio
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) supporting the goals and ideals of World Polio Day. The resolution also commends the international community for taking steps to prevent and fully eradicate this deadly disease. World Polio Day is recognized internationally every year to mark the progress made to end polio and advocate for a polio-free world. Global eradication is … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
On the Eve of the Opening Ceremonies, Durbin Honors Olympic Athletes from Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Opening Ceremonies for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games to be held tomorrow morning, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored the athletes from Illinois who will be competing in Sochi, Russia. "Tomorrow, hundreds of athletes from across the world will gather in Sochi, Russia for the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. It is a time when almost all the nations of the world come together in the spirit of peace and cooperation to celebrate the … Continue Reading
February 05, 2014
Durbin Applauds CVS Caremark Decision to Stop Tobacco Sales
[Washington, DC] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after CVS Caremark announced that it would stop selling tobacco products - including e-cigarettes - in its stores by October 14, 2014. "Today, CVS has set out to prove what many of us already believe: that looking out for the long-term well-being of their customers isn't just good for public health, it is also good business," said Durbin. "I believe this decision will not only have a positive impact on … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Members of Congress Call for Ban of E-Cigarettes on Capitol Grounds
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - To ensure that visitors and staff are protected from the potential dangers posed by electronic cigarettes and their vapor, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and U.S. Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) today called on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Office Building Commission to include electronic cigarettes in existing … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure … Continue Reading
January 15, 2014
Durbin: The Surgeon General's First Report on Smoking Was a Turning Point, But We Still Have a Long Way to Go
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Tobacco Use, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke on the United States Senate Floor today to recognize the landmark report and the progress that has been made since it first sparked a public debate on the public health impact of smoking half a century ago. Today, Durbin also called for a renewed commitment to halting the still ongoing and deadly epidemic of tobacco, particularly among young people. … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Senators: Golden Globes Should Celebrate Achievements in Film and Television, Not Smoking and E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a primetime broadcast of the Golden Globes that featured prominent images of celebrities smoking e-cigarettes, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today asked NBC Universal and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to take action to ensure that future broadcasts avoid the glamorization of smoking and protect the health of young fans. Electronic cigarettes - or "e-cigs" - have more … Continue Reading
January 13, 2014
Durbin & Blumenthal Optimistic FDA's New Online Reporting System Will Better Detect Unsafe Dietary Supplements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today expressed optimism that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s new online adverse event reporting system will improve submission of reports from dietary supplement consumers and members of the industry and help FDA better detect dietary supplements that pose health risks. Previously, only voluntary reports could be submitted online while mandatory adverse event reports associated with … Continue Reading
December 20, 2013
Senators Urge Swift Review of FDA Rule to Regulare the Manufacturing, Sale, and Marketing of E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As tobacco products like electronic cigarettes and flavored cigars continue to grow in popularity and increase nicotine addiction and tobacco use among young people, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Ed Markey (D-MA) today called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to promptly complete its review of a proposed rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would expand the FDA's regulatory authority … Continue Reading
December 20, 2013
Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the Acting IRS Commissioner, Daniel Werfel, today asking him to complete the rulemaking process that would restrict what hospitals can charge for services to people without health care coverage and would prohibit hospitals from aggressive pursuit of medical debts from people who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay them. The rule was required as one of the consumer protection provisions found in the Affordable … Continue Reading
December 16, 2013
Durbin and Kelly Urge Centers for Disease Control to Study Threat to Public Health Posed by Pet Coke
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today sent a pair of letters in response to the potential threat posed to Southeast Chicago residents by nearby petroleum coke storage sites. Petroleum coke, a potentially harmful byproduct of petroleum refining more commonly known as pet coke, is stored in open-air sites near residential blocks in the area. Durbin visited some of those communities today. Kelly visited the communities previously. … Continue Reading