Press Releases
Senators Urge HHS To Strengthen, Finalize Tobacco Deeming Regulations To Protect Children Against Harmful E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeffery Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell urging HHS to strengthen and finalize tobacco deeming regulations so that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority over all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The Senators … Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
Durbin: EPA Designation Entitles Mahomet Aquifer To Special Protection
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated news today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the Mahomet Aquifer as a sole source aquifer. Durbin filed a comment with the EPA last year in support of the proposal designating the Mahomet Aquifer as a sole source of drinking water for the residents of central Illinois and entitled to special protections. A copy of Senator Durbin's letter to the EPA is available here. "More than half of the population … Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
Before Meeting With Illinois MS Society, Durbin Calls For A Renewed Commitment To Biomedical Research On The Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following a speech on the United States Senate Floor urging Congress to make federal funding for treatments and cures to diseases like multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis a national priority, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with members of the Illinois Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society who are in Washington, DC for the National MS Conference. A photo of today's meeting, which was attending by Illinois MS Society President Holly Messick, will be available shortly … Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
Durbin Applauds White House Announcement Of Increased Nonlethal Military Aid For Ukraine, Renews Call For Defensive Weapons
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Obama approved increased funding and nonlethal military equipment for Ukraine: "This is a good day for the Ukrainian people," said Durbin. "A timely increase U.S. military aid is critical for Ukraine to defend its borders against brazen and violent Russian aggression in the east. I applaud President Obama for sending a strong signal both to the people of Ukraine as well as to the Kremlin. But more … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin To Army Secretary: It Is Time For The Corps To Come To The Table On Metro East Levees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Committee, met today with Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno and insisted the Army help resolve an issue related to planned improvements to the levees in the Metro East area of Illinois. Local leaders and community members in Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties have raised money to make much-needed improvements to federal levee projects in their … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin Meets With Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott To Discuss Regional Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Rock Falls, Illinois Mayor Bill Wescott who was Washington, D.C. to discuss 2015 regional priorities including infrastructure initiatives. A photo from today's meeting is available here. "Mayor Wescott proudly serves the City of Rock Falls, Illinois and it was great to meet with him today," said Durbin. "I look forward to continuing our work together this year by finding ways to improve the community and the local economy … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of Senators today introduced a bill that would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete on a level playing field with out-of-state sellers. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 would give states the option to require out-of-state businesses, such as those selling online or through catalogs, to collect and use taxes already owed under State law the same way local businesses do. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) along with Assistant Senate … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin Introduces Bill To Help American Workers, Families Avoid Asbestos Exposure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With asbestos-related diseases still claiming as many as 10,000 American lives every year, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation today that will help Americans avoid exposure to the potentially deadly substance by increasing the amount of information available to the public about where it is found. Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that increases the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers in those who are exposed to it. The World Health Organization … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin: President's Student Aid Bill Of Rights Will Better Protect Student Borrowers But Is No Substitute For Debt Relief
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), author of the Student Loan Borrower's Bill of Rights, today applauded President Obama's decision to provide additional protections to both federal and private student loan borrowers, but said that work remains to bring immediate relief to millions of struggling borrowers. Today's announcement of a Student Aid Bill of Rights will simplify how students interact with student loan servicers. It incorporates many improvements from Durbin's own … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Durbin Urges Senate To Confirm Loretta Lynch As Attorney General This Week
March 09, 2015
Durbin meets With Illinois Firefighters, Speaks At The International Association Of Firefighters Conference
[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with firefighters from across Illinois today to discuss labor rights, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that support local fire stations, and first-responder issues. A photo from the meeting is available here. Earlier in the day, Durbin spoke at the International Association of Firefighters 2015 legislative conference. In his speech, Durbin discussed labor issues, including his support for the National Labor … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Durbin Statement On Senate GOP Letter To Leaders Of Iran
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding an open letter signed by Senate Republicans to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran: This is a cynical effort by Republican Senators to undermine sensitive international negotiations-it weakens America's hand and highlights our political divisions to the rest of the world. Understand that if these negotiations fail, a military response to Iran developing their nuclear capability … Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Durbin Statement On Train Derailment In Western Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement on the oil train derailment near Galena, Illinois. "First and foremost - though the situation on the ground is far from over - I am extremely grateful that it appears no one has been hurt. I have spoken with federal, state and local agencies responding to the disaster and will continue to closely monitor developments. "Nationally, the rising number of fiery train derailments across the country is … Continue Reading
March 05, 2015
Durbin, Baldwin Introduce Expansion of VA Caregiver Program That Could Help Thousands More Veterans and Their Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced the introduction of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Family Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act, a bill that would open the VA Family Caregivers Program to all eligible veterans who were severely injured while serving our country. The Family Caregivers Program provides home health training, peer support, and a small financial stipend to caregivers of severely injured veterans. The caregivers also have access … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Durbin Meets With Chicago Transit Leaders To Discuss Upcoming Legislation Reauthorizing Critical Transportation Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With Congress preparing to consider a legislation to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with representatives from the Chicago region's transit, light rail, and bus organizations to discuss the importance of robust federal support for mass transit and our national transportation network. Today's meeting was attended by Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Chairman Kirk Dillard and representatives from Metra, … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Middle Class Tax Cuts: Senate And House Democrats Introduce Bills To Put More Money In Pockets Of Working Families, Reduce Costs Of College, Child Care
Democrats to Republicans in weeks before GOP budget rollout: Tax cuts should go to the middle class, not the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations Bill sponsors and supporters will be going to the floors of the Senate and House in the coming days to discuss bills, call on GOP to join them to increase middle class paychecks, and talk about Democrats' plans to grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin Meets With United We Dream To Discuss Comprehensive Immigration Reform
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with representatives from United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth organization in the country, to discuss comprehensive immigration reform, the DREAM Act, and executive action. A photo from today's meeting is available HERE. "United We Dream is a powerful voice for young immigrants nationwide," Durbin said. "Dreamers just want a chance to give back to the only country they've called home. The DACA program has been … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin, Democrats: Additional Measures Needed To help Pregnant Women Get Health Care Coverage
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 36 Democratic Senators wrote a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, encouraging her to further improve women's access to health care under the Affordable Care Act by instituting a special open enrollment period for women to enroll in health coverage when they find out they are pregnant. "We write to support your efforts to ensure that women have full access to the comprehensive, affordable … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin Statement On Prime Minister Netanyahu's Address To Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress: America's support for Israel has historically been bipartisan, forging the strongest of ties between our two nations. That is why I was deeply troubled by the manner in which Speaker Boehner invited the Prime Minister to address this joint session-without consultation with the White House or the Democratic leadership of the House … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
Durbin Meets With The National Healthy Start Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with representatives from the National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) today who presented him with the 2015 Distinguished Healthy Start Legislator award. The award is presented annually to members of Congress who have made contributions toward improving birth outcomes. A photo from today's meeting is available HERE. "I would like to thank the National Healthy Start Association for this award," Durbin said. "NHSA does important work … Continue Reading