Press Releases
Durbin Supports Legislation to Crack Down on Flow of Illegal Guns to Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced his support of legislation aimed at cracking down on the daily flow of illegal guns on our nation's streets. The Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act of 2015 would make gun trafficking a federal crime and provide tools to law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets, away from criminal networks and street gangs, and to prosecute those who traffic firearms. Durbin … Continue Reading
July 16, 2015
Bipartisan Senators Urge President to Highlight Ongoing Violence in South Sudan on Upcoming Visit to Africa
WASHINGTON-A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators today called on President Barack Obama to use his upcoming visit to Africa to highlight the tragic ongoing violence in South Sudan. In a letter led by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), the senators underscored the need for the Administration to address the regional divisions responsible for human suffering on a horrific scale. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John … Continue Reading
July 15, 2015
Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers and Illinois Soybean Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) long-delayed proposal to set production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other agricultural priorities. A photo of Durbin's meetings will be available shortly here. "Illinois' economy begins on the farm," Durbin said. "Today, I was pleased to meet with members from two … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Durbin Meets with the Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Renewable Fuel Standard & Agricultural Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the Illinois Farm Bureau today to discuss the importance of continuing to support and invest in Illinois' agricultural communities. The group discussed the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) long-delayed proposal to set production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other agricultural priorities. A photo of Durbin's meeting will be available shortly here. "The EPA's decision on proposed … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Durbin Meets with Top Ukrainian Officials, U.S. Ambassador Pyatt
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with top Ukrainian ministers and U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol to continue discussions on the situation in Ukraine. These discussions come amid reports of ongoing Russian-backed military buildups in Eastern Ukraine and concerns that Russian President Putin will continue to fail to comply with the Minsk agreement and sanction further aggression in the region. Durbin also met privately with America's Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt for an … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Durbin & Peters Introduce Bill to Study Effects of Petroleum Coke
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation today to address the concerns of petroleum coke on a national level and open the door for federal environmental safety regulations on the tar sands byproduct. The Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Act of 2015 would for the first time require a federal study into the health and environmental impacts of pet coke. Based on the results of the study, the bill would also require federal … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Durbin Urges Monsanto CEO to Reconsider Inversion Strategy that Would Cost U.S. Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions Each Year
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a meeting with the CEO of Monsanto, Hugh Grant, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the company to keep its tax address in the United States if its intended acquisition of Syngenta AG is successful. Durbin also reiterated his commitment to passing the Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2015 which would lower the 80% continuity of ownership test under Section 7874 of the tax code to 50%, effectively preventing Monsanto from moving forward with its plan to avoid … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Durbin Statement on Announcement of Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the announced agreement reached by international negotiators to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran: The United States, working with our allies, has reached a historic agreement with Iran that, according to President Obama and Secretary Kerry, will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. I commend our negotiators for this critical effort. Finding a diplomatic solution will make our … Continue Reading
July 13, 2015
Durbin Statement on President's Clemency Announcement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Obama announced that he had granted clemency to 46 incarcerated men and women: The President took an important step by commuting the sentences of these men and women. In far too many cases in our justice system, the punishments don't fit the crimes. This has led to an explosion of the U.S. prison population and is oftentimes unfair, fiscally irresponsible, and even a threat to … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
University of Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - University of Illinois Law student Joseph Torres spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill Judiciary Committee office. Judiciary interns help committee staff and Senator Durbin prepare for hearings while also assisting with other legislative duties. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the inner-workings of the federal government, and … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Peoria, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Peoria, Illinois native Taylor Daly spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Chicago, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Chicago, Illinois native Larry Harris spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes with the Senator's Defense Appropriations Subcommittee staff. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
McHenry, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - McHenry, Illinois student Aldair Arriola-Gomez spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Chicago, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Chicago, Illinois native Eleanor Slota spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Evanston, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Evanston, Illinois native Sean Pitt spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Rockton, Illinois Student Interns in Durbin’s Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Rockton, Illinois native Emma Porter spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator's Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin's Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Durbin, DeLauro, Levin, Reed, Doggett, Whitehouse, Warren Ask for Investigations into Ingersoll Rand’s Federal Contracts
[WASHINGTON, DC] - A bicameral group of seven Members of Congress today called for Inspector General (IG) investigations into federal contracts being awarded to Ingersoll Rand, in violation of federal law. Making the call were: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
On Fiftieth Anniversary of the Vietnam War, Durbin Honors the Men and Women who Served
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of U.S. ground forces entering Vietnam, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement honoring the service men and women who fought in the Vietnam War, and calling for renewed efforts to provide Vietnam veterans the medical care and support that they and their families need today. "It is fitting, and it is overdue, for America to thank all of those who served and sacrificed so much in the Vietnam War. But … Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Durbin, Murray, Collins, and Reed Introduce TIGER ACT
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), AND Jack Reed (D-RI) and introduced the bipartisan "Transportation Infrastructure Grants and Economic Reinvestment" (TIGER) Act. The legislation would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans to States, local governments, ports, and transit agencies for critical transportation projects throughout the country. … Continue Reading
July 09, 2015
Durbin Meets with Department of Education Special Master to Encourage Fair Debt Relief Process for Former For-profit Students
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin convened a meeting today with the recently-named Department of Education Special Master for debt relief, Joseph Smith. In June, the Department of Education announced relief for students who attended Corinthian's Heald campuses and Corinthian campuses that closed. But federal student debt relief for most former-Corinthian students has yet to come from the Department. "The steps the Department has taken to provide relief to some … Continue Reading