Press Releases
Bipartisan Resolution Thanks Pope Francis For Role In Release Of Alan Gross, Improved Relations With Cuba
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced a resolution commending Pope Francis for his leadership in helping to secure the release of Alan Gross, and for working with the governments of the United States and Cuba to achieve a more positive relationship. "Pope Francis seems to find new ways every day to make the world a little better," … Continue Reading
January 08, 2015
Durbin Commends Pope Francis For His Role In Release Of Alan Gross From Cuba
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today spoke on the U.S. Senate Floor to introduce a resolution commending Pope Francis for his leadership in helping to secure the release of Alan Gross, and for working with the governments of the United States and Cuba to achieve a more positive relationship. Full text of the resolution is available HERE. "Pope Francis seems to find new ways every day to make the world a little better," said Durbin. "Over the past 18 months, that included … Continue Reading
January 08, 2015
Durbin: Illinois Projects Depend On Re-authorization Of Terrorism Risk Insurance
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate approved legislation to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) which provides a federal backstop for insurance coverage against losses from terrorist attacks. The legislation now goes to the President for his signature. "In Chicago - home to some of the tallest buildings in the world - many economic development projects require the reauthorization of Terrorism Risk … Continue Reading
January 07, 2015
Durbin Condemns Terrorist Attack in Paris, France
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to address the horrific terrorist attack on a satirical newspaper agency in Paris, France this morning. Reports have indicated that at least 12 people have been killed and the attack is the deadliest in France in at least two decades. "Through the NATO alliance and in many other ways we have worked with the people of France for common goals and common purpose. That is why we are so saddened this morning to … Continue Reading
January 06, 2015
Following Announcement Of Tuition Freeze Proposal, Durbin Meets With U Of I President-Elect Timothy Killeen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with University of Illinois President-elect Timothy Killeen, who was named the 20th president of the University of Illinois and is expected to succeed President Robert Easter early this year. Killeen formerly served as the vice chancellor for research and president of the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY). A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Illinois students received some great news this … Continue Reading
January 06, 2015
Durbin Honored To Represent Illinsans In Fourth Term As U.S. Senator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after being sworn in to his fourth term as a U.S. Senator representing Illinois. Durbin was escorted to his swearing in on the Senate floor by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and former U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI). "I am honored that the people of Illinois have given me the opportunity to continue representing their interests in Washington. During my time in the Senate, I have worked to create … Continue Reading
December 22, 2014
Durbin, Reed To Health Secretary: More Needs To Be Done To Address Heroin Epidemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI) led a group of twenty-one Senators today in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize programs that reduce heroin and other opioid overdose deaths in its national strategy to curb prescription drug abuse. In a letter to Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the Senators urged the Department to coordinate with the White House to ensure that opioid abuse prevention priorities continue to be reflected … Continue Reading
December 22, 2014
Democratic Leaders Urge FDA Action, Call For State Attorneys General To Classify E-Cigarettes Under The Master Settlement Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), and Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent letters to 29 State Attorneys General applauding their ongoing efforts to press the FDA to use its enforcement discretion to prevent e-cigarette manufacturers from targeting teens. The members also called on the Attorneys General to classify e-cigarettes as cigarettes under the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) to prevent e-cigarette makers from … Continue Reading
December 19, 2014
Durbin, Kirk Join In Support Of Scott AFB To House Critical New Defense Facility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined together today in sending the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) a letter in support of housing a new NGA facility at Scott Air Force Base. "Scott Air Force Base is a cost-effective location for the facility, and situated in an incredibly strong and supportive local community in downstate Illinois," the Senators … Continue Reading
December 19, 2014
Bipartisan James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building Bill Signed Into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) today announced that President Obama has signed into law their bipartisan legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 302 East Green Street in Champaign, Illinois, as the "James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building." "Naming a post office in Champaign is a fitting tribute to Mr. Burgess' distinguished record of service, both as part of … Continue Reading
December 19, 2014
Durbin Says ECMC's Push For Mandatory Arbitration Is Straight From For-Profit College Industry Playbook
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Department of Education should not allow ECMC Group to include mandatory arbitration agreements in student enrollment documents. In his letter to ECMC, Durbin called the tactic "alarmingly similar" to those used by the for-profit college industry to shield themselves from being held responsible for wrongdoing while preventing students from receiving relief. His letter was also sent to Education Secretary Arne Duncan and … Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Durbin Statement On The Release Of Alan Gross, Normalization Of Relations With Cuba
[JOINT BASE ANDREWS] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement while en route to welcome home Alan Phillip Gross, an American aid worker imprisoned by the Castro regime in Cuba, and regarding President Barack Obama's announcement on the normalization of trade and travel relations with the Republic of Cuba: I'm overjoyed to welcome Alan Gross home after five long years in a Cuban prison. Alan's supposed crime was that he provided Cuba's small Jewish community with … Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
President Signs Into Law Bipartisan Legislation To Name Galesburg VA Clinic After Lane Evans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced that the President signed into law bipartisan legislation that will name the veterans facility in Galesburg, Illinois the "Lane A. Evans VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic." The bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House by Bustos and in the Senate by Durbin and Kirk and was supported by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation. Evans - who … Continue Reading
December 17, 2014
Durbin: STB Stands with Illinois Communities, Extends Monitoring Period of Canadian National
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has extended the oversight period for the Canadian National (CN) Railroad by two years until January 23, 2017. Durbin has made numerous calls for the STB to extend its oversight over the problematic rail company, most recently in a letter to the board this September. A copy of Durbin's letter to the STB is available here. In 2008, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) placed CN … Continue Reading
December 16, 2014
Durbin Calls On FDA To Act As Teen E-Cigarette Use Surpasses Traditional Tobacco Products
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to new data showing that more U.S. teenagers are using e-cigarettes than traditional cigarettes: "Thanks to decades of strong federal regulations and effective public health efforts, like the CDC's recent "Tips from Former Smokers" campaign, youth tobacco use is finally on the decline. But these hard-won gains are at risk if we fail to address a gateway to tobacco addiction: e-cigarettes," … Continue Reading
December 16, 2014
Durbin Announces New Chair Of Illinois Farm Service Agency
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named Jill Appell of Altona, Illinois to be Chair of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Illinois State Committee. Ms. Appell farms in Knox County. Ms. Appell replaces Darell Sarff of Chandlerville, Illinois, a Central Illinois grain and vegetable farmer and a past board member of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Durbin first recommended both Ms. Appell and Mr. Sarff for appointment to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2014
Senate Passes Durbin-Corker Water For The World Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Senate today unanimously passed The Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014, bipartisan legislation to significantly improve access to clean water and sanitation around the world. The bill is sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Corker (R-TN), and cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ). The bill was passed earlier this month by the House of Representatives, where it is sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and … Continue Reading
December 15, 2014
Durbin-Sponsored Ukraine Freedom Act of 2014 Heading To President's Desk
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives have passed the Ukraine Freedom Act of 2014, legislation he co-sponsored that imposes additional sanctions against the Russian defense, energy and financial sectors and also authorizes military and non-military assistance to Ukraine. The measure now heads to President Obama's desk to be signed into law. "Congress has come together to send a strong rebuke to Russian leaders for their … Continue Reading
December 15, 2014
Durbin: Now Is The Time To Confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy As Surgeon General
[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) took to the Senate Floor today in support of the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General. Durbin praised Dr. Murthy for his dedication to fighting obesity, tobacco related diseases, and other chronic diseases that account for 7 out of the top 10 causes for death in America and make up for 84 percent of America's health care costs. Dr. Murthy's nomination is supported by over 100 public health and medical organizations including the … Continue Reading
December 13, 2014
Durbin Announces Priorities Included In Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed By Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act of 2015 was passed by the Senate. The bill was passed by the House earlier this week and next heads to President Obama for his signature. "I'm disappointed Speaker Boehner and the House Republicans felt compelled to give what amounts to a taxpayer handout to Wall Street just in time for the holidays," said Durbin. "By … Continue Reading