Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Mississippi River Navigation and Other Agricultural Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) to discuss bipartisan, bicameral legislation he introduced last week that would help the Army Corps of Engineers better maintain navigation on the Mississippi River during extreme weather and improve the nation's water infrastructure through public-private partnerships. Both bills were endorsed by the ICGA earlier today. At a speech today to members of the national Waterways … Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk, Bustos, Davis Bill Would Promote Public-Private Partnerships for Lock & Dam Modernization

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve the nation's water infrastructure - including locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers - through public-private partnerships that would expedite projects and save taxpayers money. The Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act would c… Continue Reading

Durbin, Enyart, Davis Introduce Bill to Protect Jobs by Improving Mississippi River Management and Responsiveness to Extreme Weather

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Responding to the recent record low water levels along the Mississippi River that threatened navigation and Southern Illinois commerce, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Bill Enyart (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would bolster efforts to maintain commercial river traffic during droughts and floods while minimizing the economic toll on Southern Illinois. "We came close to economic catastro… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $750,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded $754,254 in grants to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As… Continue Reading

Durbin and Duckworth Announce a Nearly $165,000 Investment in Hoffman Estates First-Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $164,960 grant to the Hoffman Estates Fire Department for operations and safety. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after da… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Chatham Mayor to Discuss Local Transportation Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Chatham Mayor Tom Gray and City Manager Del McCord to discuss local transportation and infrastructure priorities. "I was pleased to welcome Chatham's mayor Tom Gray and city manager Del McCord to Washington today to discuss the village's transportation priorities, including rail," Durbin said.… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Soybean Association to Discuss Agricultural Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss Mississippi River navigation the prospects for a new Farm Bill this year and other agricultural priorities. "Illinois' soybean farmers are a critical part of our state's economy," said Durbin. "Last year, severe drought conditions damaged crops throughout Central and Southern Illinois and nearly halted traffic along the Mississippi River. I commend the Army Corps of Engi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on the Death of Dawn Clark Netsch

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after learning of the death of Dawn Clark Netsch, former Illinois Comptroller, Illinois State Senator and the first women in Illinois history to win the Democratic nomination for Governor: "More than any other person in our state's history, Dawn Clark Netsch created the modern era of women in Illinois political leadership. As always, those who open the doors of opportunity must be extraordinarily gifted… Continue Reading

Durbin: Sequester Poses Imminent Threat to Bio-Medical Research in Illinois

[CHICAGO, IL] - Illinois' leading research universities and hospitals stand to lose nearly $40 million in funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a result of the sequestration budget cuts that take hold today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at a news conference at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Illinois received a total of $746 million in NIH funding last year. "Sequestration was meant as a budget threat, not a budget strategy, and the cuts to NIH … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on the Passage of Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a five-year reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, sending the bill to the President for his signature. The legislation will help ensure that all victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are protected and that organizations across the country assisting these victims continue to have access to critical funding and resources. "Sin… Continue Reading

Durbin, VItter Introduce Bill to Regulate Online Puppy Sales

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act today, a bill which would require all breeders that sell more than 50 dogs a year to be licensed and to undergo inspections to ensure dogs are receiving proper care. "The media regularly reports stories about dogs rescued from substandard facilities -- where dogs are housed in stacked wire cages and seriously ill and injured dogs are routinely denied … Continue Reading

Durbin, Enyart Meet with Scott Air Force Base Leaders to Discuss Ways to Maintain Base's Long-Term Strength

[SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Enyart (D-IL-12) today met with leaders at Scott Air Force Base to discuss the base's long-term strength and security. Durbin, who was recently named Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Enyart were briefed on Scott's priorities, the future needs and the support necessary for the base to sustain its long-term health by Base Commander Colonel David Almand, General Paul Silva, the head… Continue Reading

Members of Congress Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Level the Playing Field for Local Merchants

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of 53 Senators and Representatives today introduced a bill that resolves the differences between bills introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives last Congress that would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under State law by out-of-state busines… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Federal Bureau of Prisons Assessment of Its Solitary Confinement Practices

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today announcing that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has agreed to a comprehensive and independent assessment of its use of solitary confinement in the nation's federal prisons. This first-ever review of federal segregation policies comes after Durbin chaired a hearing last year on the human rights, fiscal and public safety consequences of solitary confinement. Last week, Durbin and Bureau of Prison… Continue Reading

Durbin, Lautenberg, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Close Tobacco Tax Loopholes

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined today by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to introduce the Tobacco Tax Equity Act to close loopholes in the tax code that allow tobacco companies to avoid the federal cigarette and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco tax. Because pipe tobacco is taxed at a lower rate than cigarettes, some companies have begun relabeling RYO tobacco as pipe tobacco to avoid paying the federal cigarette tax. The Joint Committee … Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Care in Midway Privatization

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged care in evaluating and approving any existing or future airport privatization agreements. Two airports are currently moving toward privatization through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Airport Privatization Pilot Program - Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois and Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While Puerto Rico is clos… Continue Reading

Durbin Psys Tribute to Hadiya Pendleton on Senate Floor

On the one-year anniversary of shooting victim Hadiya Pendleton's tragic death, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute to her memory on the Senate Floor, and commended her family and friends' ongoing efforts to help reduce gang and gun violence in Chicago. Durbin has co-sponsored a measure with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) named in Hadiya's honor that would prohibit the trafficking and straw purchase of firearms. "I rise today to pay tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, lost one year ago toda… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Unveil Immigration Reform Principles

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) unveiled a series of immigration reform principles today after months of negotiations with a bipartisan group of Senators. Durbin, joined by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), said that our immigration system is broken and proposed a comprehensive set of principles which include giving immigrants a path to … Continue Reading

Durbin to Chair Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will become the Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee when the panel organizes early next month. With the exception of military construction programs, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee oversees funding for the military and intelligence community, our national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve servicemembers. The Subcommittee also oversees… Continue Reading

As Student Loan Debt Surpasses $1 Trillion, Senators Introduce Legislation to Address Crisis

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) in reintroducing two pieces of legislation - the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 and the Know Before You Owe Act of 2013 - to restore transparency, fairness and common sense to the student loan process. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the student loan debt among… Continue Reading