Durbin Calls for Passage of Safe Chemicals Act

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for Senate passage of legislation that would overhaul an antiquated law that has left American families exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals included in everyday household products and furnishings and given the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) little recourse against the aggressive chemical companies that have exploited the lack of oversight. "The U.S. EPA, wittingly or unwittingly, has allowed the manufacturers of toxic … Continue Reading

Durbin, Vitter Commend USDA Rule to Close Loophole and Regulate Online Puppy Sales

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and David Vitter (R-LA) today commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for closing a loophole that allows domestic puppy mills selling puppies via the internet to escape regulation and avoid inspection. This rule, which will specifically apply to large breeders, is an important step towards ensuring that pets sold over the Internet are treated humanely and receive proper care. La… Continue Reading

Illinois / Iowa Senators Introduce Bill to Require Strategic Plan for Workload Increases at Rock Island Arsenal

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would help increase the workload and help ensure the long-term health of Rock Island Arsenal. The Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act of 2012 would require the Army to create a strategic plan to increase workload and ensures arsenals around the nation are considered for military contracts Defense-wide rather than just within the … Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing on FCC Budget

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing today before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and Government on the President's FY13 budget request for the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). "Our nation's communications system enables us to keep in touch with friends and family; enjoy endless forms of entertainment; stay up to date on the news of the day; and to participate in the global economy," Durbin said. "The FCC ensu… Continue Reading

Durbin: Transportation Secretary's Visit Underscores Importance of Transportation Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the transportation bill Conference Committee, today spoke with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the importance of passing a transportation bill that includes funding for a new competitive grant program for projects of regional and national significance. This grant program would give Illinois and Iowa the opportunity to seek additional federal funding for the I-74 Bridge project which Secretary LaHood is scheduled to visi… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls on Members of Illinois Senate to Support Bill to Improve Security in East St. Louis

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on members of the Illinois Senate to support legislation introduced by Illinois State Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne that would strengthen local policing efforts and help improve the safety and security of East St. Louis and three nearby Metro East communities. Durbin added that, as a member of Congress, it is extremely rare for him to advocate for the passage of state legislation - a move he does not take lightly. "… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls for Illinois Postal Facilities to Remain Open GIving House of Representatives More Time to Act on Bipartisan Senate Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to keep Illinois post offices and mail processing facilities open in order to give the House of Representatives additional time to act on the comprehensive bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate to reform the postal service. Durbin cited the important role these facilities play in the Postal Service's operations and Illinois' economy. "In spite of Senate action, it is my understandi… Continue Reading

Senate Confirms Lee to Fill Federal Judgeships in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a representative from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's (R-IL) office today announced that the Senate has confirmed John Lee for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Durbin and Kirk have also worked closely on the nomination of John Tharp, who is expected to receive a confirmation vote later this month to fill a second vacancy in the Northern District. Prior to the vote, Durbin spoke in favor of the… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a field hearing today examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown joined Durbin at the hearing. "If the goal of Ohio's new voting law … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $1.8 Million for Rural Development in Marion County

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development division has awarded a loan of $1,156,000 and a grant of $653,200 for the Northeast Marion County Water Company under the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The project involves the construction of 46 miles to an existing water line, providing an additional 110 Illinoisans with safe drinking water. The Northeast Marion County Water Company curr… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk Express Strong Concern About Disposal of Toxic Chemicals in Clinton Landfill

[CLINTON, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) will send a letter today to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman expressing their strong concern about the proposed industrial waste facility at Clinton Landfill, Durbin announced at a news conference at Clinton City Hall. "With our letter, we're letting the EPA know the importance of protecting the Mahomet Valley Aquifer and commending the decision to further evaluate the safety of disp… Continue Reading

Durbin "Likes" Facebook Decision to Join Global Network Initiative As an Observer

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Facebook announced that it would be joining the Global Network Initiative (GNI) as an observer. "Facebook is presented with the significant human rights issues that the Global Network Initiative is designed to help companies address. For years, I've urged the social network giant to join the GNI and take other steps to protect the human rights of its users," Durbin said. "Facebook h… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on NFL Player Suspensions Bounty Investigation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the NFL announced the suspension of four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program: "Today's announcement by the NFL is a positive step that shows that the League is taking seriously the issue of bounty programs," Durbin said. "I have spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and I will meet with him in the coming weeks to discuss additional steps the … Continue Reading

Senators Respond to New Data on Tobacco Tax Loophole

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) expressed concern about the findings of a study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealing more than $1.3 billion in lost state and federal revenue by tobacco manufacturers relabeling roll-your-own tobacco as pipe tobacco. The lower tax rate for pipe tobacco encourages its use as a source of cheap cigarettes and diminishes the impact fe… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Transportation Officials to Discuss Illinois Priorities for Federal Transportation Bill

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with key transportation leaders in Chicago today to discuss Illinois' priorities and the stark differences between the House and Senate transportation bills. Durbin and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello were the only Illinoisans named to the joint Senate-House Conference Committee tasked with working out the differences between the Senate (S.1813) version and House (H.R.4348) version of a national transportation funding bill. "As the roa… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $117 Million in HUD Funding for Illinois Communities and Housing Agencies

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois communities and housing agencies will receive $116,966,851 in grant funding through four programs administered by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Community Development Block Grants The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program provides annual grants to states and local governments to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable l… Continue Reading

As Members of Transportation Conference Committee, Durbin and Costello Will Work to Protect Illinois Priorities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today committed to working to protect important Illinois priorities in the upcoming House-Senate Conference Committee on the next transportation bill. They also asked the members to submit their priorities in writing in order to ensure the entire delegation is working together to protect important, job-creating Illinois transport… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a field hearing examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 7th, at the Carl B. Stokes United States Court House in Cleveland, Ohio… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Bill That Preserves Funding for Fermilab and Argonne National Lab

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved a bill that preserves essential federal funding for scientific research and development programs that will support work at two Illinois labs - Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab which together employ over 4,000 Illinoisans. These projects were included in President Obama's FY2013 Budget and supported by Durbin. "Science labs like Fermi and Arg… Continue Reading

Durbin, Lautenberg Announce Committee Approval of Provision to Encourage FDA Ban on Flavored Cigars

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which they are members, approved report language that would urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue deeming regulations asserting its regulatory authority over tobacco products - including cigars - as part of the FY 2013 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies. The measure now moves to the full Senat… Continue Reading