In Midst of Pandemic, Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Call on President Trump to End Efforts to Sabotage the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 17 other Senators, sent a letter calling on President Trump to reverse course on efforts to repeal, sabotage, or undermine health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. In the letter, Durbin and Duckworth criticized the Administration's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put millions of Americans' health care at risk during a pandemic. The Senators… Continue Reading

Durbin, Colleagues Unveil New Plan to Cancel Student Loan Payments for Duration of Coronavirus Emergency

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) unveiled an emergency student loan payment and relief plan, which would provide much-needed relief to federal student loan borrowers through immediate cancellation of monthly student loan payments for the duration of the national emergency caused by the spread of the coronavirus, and a pay down of a minimum $10,000 for all federal student lo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Urge Dept. of Veterans Affairs to Support Illinois VA Medical Facilities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie urging the agency to ensure that all VA medical facilities in Illinois are well equipped to promptly respond to the coronavirus pandemic and provide for the wellbeing of Veterans as well as VA employees. Durbin and Duckworth noted reports of potential medical supply shortages in Chicago-area VA medical facilities and urged the VA to… Continue Reading

Durbin, Harris, Pressley Press Trump Administration on Reports that DHS is Preparing Mass Deportations of Dreamers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today led a group of 36 Senators and 87 Representatives in pressing the Trump Administration on reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing mass deportations of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the United States and know no other home. Many Dreamers have reported receiving notice that their deportation cases have recently been reopened. U.… Continue Reading

Durbin, Merkley, Colleagues Press State Department to Address False Narratives Regarding Coronavirus

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today led a group of eight Democratic Senators in urging the State Department to take action against foreign actors who are weaponizing disinformation to undermine efforts by the United States and our global partners to inform the public about efforts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In their letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Senators also pressed U.S. officials to refrain from using derogatory and in… Continue Reading

Durbin, Colleague Introduce Bill to Protect Seniors Income and Retirement During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), today announced legislation aimed at protecting seniors and retirees during the economic downturn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The bill will suspend the penalty on Required Minimum Distribution (RMDs) for retirement accounts for calendar year 2020. "As we continue to address the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, protecting the financial viability of our seniors and retirees is critically impo… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Illinois Restaurant Association

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association. On a call with the members, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the Illinois restaurant industry and discussed how Congress is planning to support restaurant employees and small businesses as normal operations come to a halt. This week, Governor Pritzker announced that all Illinois restaurants and bars would be closed for dine-in custome… Continue Reading

Durbin Outlines Priorities for Third Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today outlined his priorities for a third coronavirus economic stimulus package to provide more support for working families, small businesses, hospitals, and health care workers. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called for the third coronavirus economic stimulus package to: Include robust funding and needed flexibilities for our nation's hospitals so that they have the resources necessary to be… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Relief Efforts With Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with more 650 members of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to discuss Congressional economic and small business relief efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the Senate passed the second coronavirus stimulus package, which includes free coronavirus testing, sick leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, and food assistance for those impacted by the pandemic. "This pandemic is testing all of us and i… Continue Reading

Durbin, Portman Introduce Resolution to Maintain Senate's Constitutional Responsibilities & Allow Remote Voting During National Emergencies

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis. During certain crises, such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may advise against convening the full Senate in the Capitol. However, that should not prevent Congress from safely engaging in its constitut… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With CEOs From American and Southwest Airlines

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly about the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the airline industry, including actions to help workers and protect consumers. Durbin and Senate Democrats have been clear that any relief for the airline industry in any federal stimulus package must include workforce protections to help airline industry workers. "The airline industry is facing a greater threat than 9/11, th… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Join Bipartisan Group of Senators in Urging Trump Administration to Expand Access to Telehealth Services to Rural Communities During Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and a bipartisan group of 19 other Senators in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase subsidies to health care providers through the Rural Health Care Program, which would ensure that providers have the resources they need to deliver and expand telehealth services for rural communities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pand… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Updated Emergency Paid Leave Bill in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA), introduced the PAID Leave Act (Providing Americans Insured Days of Leave Act). The PAID Leave Act is a comprehensive emergency paid sick days and paid family and medical leave bill-fully funded by the federal government during the coronavirus emergency-to provide additional support to workers and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak and fut… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Darden Restaurants

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with CEO and President of Darden Restaurants, Gene Lee. On a call with Lee, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the restaurant industry and how the company is planning to support restaurant employees as normal operations come to a halt. "The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly have a serious impact on the restaurant industry as the country changes our social norms and daily lives to figh… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses DOD Coronavirus Response With Defense Secretary Esper

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with Defense Secretary Mark Esper to discuss the military's coronavirus response efforts, including today's action by the President to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA). Durbin urged the President to invoke the DPA in order to help address widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, diagnostic test kits, and other medical su… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Seek Answers on Coronavirus Preparedness in Immigration Detention Facilities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew T. Albence, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencies have in place to prepare for… Continue Reading

Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges Small Business Administration to Approve Federal Loan Assistance for Illinois in Response to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON - Today, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of this week, more than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Illinois, and Governor Pritzker has ordered the closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars, and prohibited gatherings of 50 people or more… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With AAR CORP CEO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with Illinois-based AAR Corp CEO John Holmes. AAR Corp operates two maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Illinois, one at Rockford International Airport and one in Wood Dale, Illinois. On a call with Holmes, Durbin promised to push for financial help for airline suppliers like AAR in any federal stimulus package. "As Congress negotiates the specifics of a financial relief packag… Continue Reading

Durbin, Colleagues, Call for Direct Cash Assistance to Help Americans Weather Economic Fallout of Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON - As the economic fallout of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and a group of his colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) outlining a bold new proposal to provide Americans with direct cash payments. "Over the course of just one week, most of America went from business-as-usual… Continue Reading

Durbin Continues Call for Senate to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act Immediately

WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also paid tribute to Illinois' first coronavirus-related death, Patricia Frieson. "I come to the floor t… Continue Reading