Press Releases
Durbin Calls for Vote This Week on Clean Emergency Funding Bill to Combat Zika Virus
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with maternal fetal medicine, infectious disease, and public health specialists to discuss the growing threat posed by the Zika virus. More than four months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requested emergency funding to develop a vaccine and fight the spread of the deadly virus, but after months of delay from Congressional Republicans, not one dollar of additional funding … Continue Reading
July 05, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $16.7 Million for Head Start & Early Head Start
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start providers grants totaling $16,791,209 to support early education and comprehensive services for low-income children and families. In June, Senator Durbin announced more than $58 million for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. "The Head Start program is the source of countless success … Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
Durbin, Senators Push to Attach Airport Security Measures to FAA Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined a group of Democratic senators in urging House and Senate members negotiating the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill to include a provision to enhance U.S. airport and mass transit security. The senators sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who are currently negotiating the … Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
Durbin Critical of Army Corps Decision Not to Use a Project Labor Agreement for the Wood River Levee, a Part of the Metro East Levee Projects
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today criticized a decision by the Army Corps of Engineers not to select a contract with a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Wood River Levee in Wood River, Illinois. Both Durbin and the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council had urged the Army Corps to use a PLA. "This decision is baffling to a community that made it abundantly clear that this project contain a PLA. PLAs serve as a basis for a partnership between the local … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $107 Million for Emergency Preparedeness in Illinois During FY2016
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $107 million in federal funding to improve emergency preparedness across Illinois. In fiscal year 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded state and local authorities, transportation agencies, and port facility operators in Illinois preparedness grants totaling $107,952,308 to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism and other hazards. "The recent string of horrific terror attacks around the world has … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Durbin Statement on Lifting of Ban on Transgender People Serving in U.S. Military
CHICAGO-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the lifting of the ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the United States military: Today's announcement perfects the bedrock principle of our all-volunteer military, which is to evaluate every individual on the basis of their willingness and ability to serve. Transgender service members serve our nation honorably right now. Secretary Carter's decision permits … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $37.8 Million for Head Start & Early Head Start
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded Illinois Head Start and Early Head Start providers grants totaling $37,874,534 to support early education and comprehensive services for low-income children and families. Today's funding, in addition to more than $20.5 million earlier this month, total more than $58 million for the month of June. "The Head Start program is the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Durbin, Senators Call for Vote on Export-Import Bank Nominee
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined a group of 41 other senators today - on the one year anniversary of the Export-Import Bank being unable to fully function - in calling on the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to hold a vote on the nominee to the Export-Import Bank Board. In a letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), the senators reinforced the negative impact the lack of a committee vote on the nominee, Mark McWatters, on the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Durbin Announces $3.5 Million to Detect & Defend Against Radioactive Threats
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $3.5 million in federal funding to build the Chicago Fire Department's capabilities to identify and protect against nuclear and other radioactive threats. Today's funding was made available through the Department of Homeland Security's Securing the Cities Program, under which CFD stands to receive up to $30 million over five years. "Chicago is a world-class city that attracts millions of visitors each year - to our lakefront, … Continue Reading
June 29, 2016
Edwardsville Farmer Mike Campbell Joins Durbin for Senate Rural Summit
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined by Edwardsville, IL farmer Mike Campbell for the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee's Rural Summit. At Senator Durbin's invitation, Campbell is in Washington, D.C., to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities facing rural communities in Illinois and across the country. Campbell currently sits on the board of the Madison County Farm Bureau, and he previously served in the USDA's Office of Advocacy and Outreach Small … Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Durbin, Senate Leaders Call for New Round of Talks on Zika to Produce Bipartisan Bill Free of Ideological Poison Pills Riders
WASHINGTON-Ahead of today's scheduled Senate vote on the Military Construction Veterans Affairs and Zika Appropriations conference report, Senate Democratic leadership released a new letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan labeling the report as both extreme and insufficient and calling for an immediate new round of talks to produce a bipartisan bill free of ideological poison pill riders. The letter, which was signed by Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Dick … Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $20.5 Million for Head Start and Early Head Start
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $20.5 million in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Illinois. Since the beginning of June, the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded Illinois providers grants totaling $20,501,838 for early education and comprehensive services for low-income children and families. "The Head Start program is the source of countless success stories in … Continue Reading
June 28, 2016
Durbin Speaks Out Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry in Cruz Hearing on ‘Radical Islam'
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today condemned the rise of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bigotry in the United States during a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights, and Federal Courts, entitled: "Willful Blindness: Consequences of Agency Efforts to Deemphasize Radical Islam in Combating Terrorism." Durbin chaired the first ever congressional hearing on the Civil Rights of American Muslims in 2011. "Instead of dealing with suspected … Continue Reading
June 27, 2016
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Ruling in Whole Woman's Health V. Hellerstedt
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down abortion restrictions passed by the Texas legislature in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. "More than forty years after Roe v. Wade established a woman's right to choose, American women still face attempts to restrict their access to abortion. Texas' law was another such measure - passed under the guise of protecting women's health, it placed an undue burden on low-income … Continue Reading
June 27, 2016
Durbin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Calling on EPA to Establish a Strong Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in calling for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to finalize its proposed rule on biofuels volume requirements for 2017 under the RFS. In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the senators urged the agency for a strong RFS that will support U.S. jobs and the economy, reduce the environmental impact of the transportation … Continue Reading
June 24, 2016
Durbin Statement on Decision to More Closely Monitor CSX's Use of Elsdon Rail Line
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after learning of the Surface Transportation Board's decision to impose enhanced reporting requirements on CSX's Elsdon Rail Line so that it can better monitor and mitigate the increased amount of blocked grade crossings. "Since CSX acquired the Elsdon Rail Line in 2013, the increased frequency of rail traffic blocked crossings has led to significant traffic delays and threats to pedestrian safety," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court upheld race-conscious college admissions in Fisher v. University of Texas. "Affirmative action has helped generations of well-qualified minority students - often first-generation college students - access higher education and new career opportunities," said Durbin. "Affirmative action is constitutional and will allow universities to continue taking steps to make their student bodies as diverse … Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $17 Million for HIV Care & Support in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $17,300,456 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for HIV assistance programs in Illinois. Today's funding, awarded through the Ryan White Care Act Part B, will allow the Illinois Department of Health to provide comprehensive medical care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. "This critical investment supports valuable patient care and is key for improving health outcomes in medically … Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
Durbin Speaks on Senate Floor About Supreme Court Ruling on Immigration
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the Senate after the Supreme Court issued a 4-4 decision in the legal challenge to Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The result of this deadlock is that the lower court decisions blocking the implementation of DAPA and DACA remain in place for now. These programs were established as part of President Obama's immigration announcement on … Continue Reading
June 23, 2016
Durbin and Cardin Applaud OAS Special Session on Venezuela Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) issued the following statement after the Organization of American States (OAS) affirmatively voted today to review the OAS Secretary General's report on the deteriorating political and economic situation in Venezuela. "Secretary General Almagro's leadership in invoking the OAS Inter-American Democratic Charter is a much-needed step toward diffusing Venezuela's urgent and deepening political, economic, and humanitarian … Continue Reading