Press Releases
Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bill to Require Televising Supreme Court Proceedings
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Supreme Court considering numerous high-profile opinions in the coming months, Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation today to require open proceedings of the Court to be televised. Today's bill introduction coincides with "Sunshine Week," a national initiative aimed at promoting a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Durbin, Foster Introduce Bill To Preserve American Leadership In Innovation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With a decline in federal scientific research threatening our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the introduction of legislation to preserve America's standing as a leader in discovery and innovation. Federal funding for R&D has been on a downward trend for the past several decades. Today, the federal government spends almost two-thirds less on research and development today than it did in … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Durbin, Feinstein, Blumenthal To FDA: Use Existing Authority To Protect Consumers From Contaminated Dietary Supplement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to confirmed reports that international shipments of a popular dietary supplement contained hidden and potentially harmful contaminants, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a full investigation into all Oxy ELITE Pro Super Thermogenic products on the market and - if necessary - ensure that they are removed from store shelves. In February, the FDA … Continue Reading
March 17, 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 the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, increased opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba, and other agricultural priorities. Photos of Durbin's meeting with the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Durbin Statement On Resignation Of Representative Aaron Schock
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the resignation of U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL): "The allegations against Congressman Schock are serious, raising questions about his expenditure of official funds and campaign funds. His resignation came as a surprise and reflects the gravity of his … Continue Reading
March 17, 2015
Durbin Calls For Increased Funding For Breakthrough Biomedical Research At The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Rally
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for increased funding for innovative, breakthrough research at federal agencies - funding that can lead to discoveries and treatments for cancer and other diseases - at a rally today hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Durbin discussed the American Cures Act, a bill that would increase funding at our nation's top four biomedical research agencies. Today's rally was held to advocate for increased funding for … Continue Reading
March 16, 2015
Durbin: Absolute First Thing Senate Should Do This Week Is Confirm Loretta Lynch As Attorney General
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, praised the qualifications of historic Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch today during a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He urged Senate Republicans to uphold their promise of holding a vote on Lynch's nomination this week. Lynch passed the Judiciary committee on a bipartisan vote on February 26th, but her nomination has now been pending on the Senate floor … Continue Reading
March 16, 2015
Durbin Introduces American Innovation Bill
[CHICAGO] - With a decline in federal scientific research threatening our standing as a leader in discovery and innovation and our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today unveiled the American Innovation Act during a speech to the Chicago research community at 1871. The American Innovation Act will put funding for basic research on a consistent, steady growth path over the next decade by providing annual budget increases of 5 percent - over and above inflation - for … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Durbin: Congress Can't Continue To Look The Other Way As For-Profit College Industry Exploits Students, Fleeces Taxpayers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress can't continue to look the other way when it comes to abuses by the for-profit colleges that - in some cases - take in more than 90% of their revenue from the federal government yet account for these startling lopsided statistics. For-profit colleges: Educate 10% of students; Receive 20% of all federal aid to education; yet are Responsible for 44% of all student loan defaults. "How can … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Durbin, Senate Ukraine Caucus Meet With European Ambassadors To Discuss Increased Military Aid To Ukraine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and the Senate Ukraine Caucus met today with European Union Ambassador to the U.S. David O'Sullivan, as well as ambassadors and officials from the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland to discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine. During the meeting, Durbin raised the importance of halting Russian aggression in Ukraine and bullying elsewhere in the region, including the possible provision of defensive weapons to … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
As Rising Student Loan Debt Nears $1.2 trillion, Durbin Introduces Legislation To Address Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led a group of 12 other Senators today in introducing a bill that will help address the student debt crisis by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of private unsecured debt. Our nation continues to face a student debt crisis, with students and graduates carrying nearly $1.2 trillion in outstanding student loan debt. Balances of student loans have surpassed both auto loans and credit cards, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Durbin: Human Trafficking Bill Is A Chance For Bipartisan Cooperation On A Just Cause, Not A Time For Political Grandstanding
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the Justice For Victims of Trafficking Act. Durbin urged his Republican colleagues to drop a controversial provision from the bill so the Senate can move forward and pass this important piece of legislation. The problematic provision would expand the so-called Hyde Amendment to restrict the reproductive health choices of victims of human trafficking who receive services funded by the bill. Durbin also … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Durbin, Feinstein: FDA Needs To Investigate Allegations That Purina Beneful Dog Food Contains Toxins
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) called on the agency to quickly investigate claims that Purina PetCare Company's Beneful dry kibble dog food contains toxins which may have sickened thousands of dogs. Media reports cite 3,000 complaints about dogs that are sick after consuming Beneful dry kibble. Some reports allege the kibble contains toxins like propylene glycol, which is used in automobile … Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
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