Press Releases
Durbin Statement on White House Fiscal Responsibility Summit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after participating in President Obama's Fiscal Responsibility Summit. Held today at the White House, the summit was the first of a series of bipartisan discussions on how we can address the long-term fiscal problems facing the nation. "Today's summit brought together a diverse and bipartisan group of individuals around a common goal - to look beyond the immediate economic crisis and put our nation on sound … Continue Reading
February 20, 2009
Durbin Announces a $3 Million DOT Grant for Greater Peoria Regional Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $3,000,000 grant to construct a new terminal facility at Greater Peoria Regional Airport. This grant will fund an essential upgrade of the airport's infrastructure that will support the Peoria Airport Authority's effort to serve travelers safely and efficiently while remaining competitive in the region. The Greater Peoria Regional Airport is a public airport … Continue Reading
February 18, 2009
Durbin Statement on Senator Roland Burris
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today on the evolving situation regarding Senator Roland Burris (D-IL): "When we met with Roland Burris in January, we made it clear that in order for him to be seated in the U.S. Senate he needed to meet two requirements - first, that he submit the proper paperwork certifying his appointment, and second, that he appear before the General Assembly's Impeachment Committee to testify openly, honestly and … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Durbin to Travel to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey This Week
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) will travel to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey over the President's Day congressional recess. The primary focus of this trip will be the tense political situation in Cyprus. Durbin will depart Saturday, traveling first to Cyprus, then on to Greece and Turkey. Stops in Nicosia, Athens, Ankara and Istanbul are currently planned. Due to security concerns, specific details of the trip will not be released in advance. "For … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Durbin, Burris, Illinois Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Relief for Nine Illinois Counties
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roland Burris (D-IL) were joined by members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in requesting that President Obama declare nine Illinois counties - Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline and Union - federal disaster areas. Members signing on to today's letter include Representatives Jerry Costello (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Debbie Halverson (D-IL), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), … Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Durbin Statement on the Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - a bipartisan bill that will create good-paying jobs; make investments in America's future; and cut taxes for working families. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law early next week. "In three weeks, this President, working with Congress, was passed landmark legislation to promote economic recovery, create jobs and … Continue Reading
February 11, 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Delivered on the floor of the United States Senate I know from your state of New York and my state of Illinois what this recession really means. In December the recession really hit my home state of Illinois hard. We lost 1,200 jobs a day in December. 36,000 jobs. And that is a hit that continues, I'm afraid, in the month of January and maybe in the early part of February. The overall unemployment rate for America is 7.6%. 3.6 million jobs lost since the beginning of the recession just … Continue Reading
January 08, 2009
Economic Recovery Plan
Delivered on the floor of the United States Senate. Mr. President, I want to follow on the comments of my friend from New Hampshire, Senator Gregg. Although he and I may disagree on some political issues, and we do, the fact is , many of the things he just said I agree with completely. I think there is a sense among Members of Congress that we are facing an extraordinary set of circumstances in America today. The Presiding Officer, from the State of Michigan, probably has endured more … Continue Reading
November 03, 2008
Durbin Welcomes State Senator Dave Koehler as Special Guest to the Joint Session of Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today welcomed Illinois State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and his wife, Nora Sullivan, as his guests to an address by Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel to a joint session of Congress. Durbin, a member of the Senate Escort Committee, will meet with his guest after the joint session. "Today's Joint Session of Congress is a celebration of the ongoing partnership between the United States and a unified … Continue Reading
October 28, 2008
Durbin Statement on Final Approval of Long-awaited Internet Code of Conduct
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after a number of the largest internet companies, human rights organizations and other stakeholders finally approved a voluntary code of conduct governing companies' operations in countries where internet freedom is restricted. Durbin noted that Congressional action may still be needed to protect freedom of expression and user privacy. "Freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed to all … Continue Reading
October 03, 2008
Durbin Statement on Announcement of New FBI Guidelines
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement in reaction to the Justice Department's announcement late Friday afternoon that the Attorney General is revising the guidelines for FBI investigations: "The American people will react skeptically to the Administration's efforts to rewrite the rules for FBI surveillance one month before the election in the eighth year of the Bush Administration." "The Justice Department claims that they consulted … Continue Reading
August 04, 2008
Durbin Says Internet Giants Close To Agreement On Code Of Conduct
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that a number of the largest American internet companies, human rights organizations and other stakeholders have reached agreement on a voluntary code of conduct that would govern internet companies operating in countries where internet freedom is restricted, like China. The participants are now reviewing the agreement for final approval. "I commend Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, and other participants for agreeing on the … Continue Reading
July 23, 2008
Durbin Introduces Bill to Improve Mental Health Services on College Campuses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today introduced legislation to improve mental health services on college campuses. The Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act creates a competitive grant program that would provide funding to colleges to focus on both outreach to identify students with mental health needs and treatment of students coming to counseling centers for help. "The shootings at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech focused national attention on college … Continue Reading
July 21, 2008
Durbin, Coburn Seek Update on Long-awaited Code of Conduct for Internet Giants
[WASHINGTON, DC] - United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) sent a letter today to three internet giants, seeking an update on a long-planned voluntary code of conduct being written by the industry. The code of conduct, which was discussed during a hearing Durbin chaired in May on global internet freedom and corporate responsibility, would regulate the actions of internet firms which operate in countries that restrict internet use and content. Today's letter was sent to … Continue Reading
October 23, 2007
Durbin, Along with Military & Education Leaders, Urges Congress to Support Bright, Accomplished Kids with Bipartisan DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Senate colleagues to come together and support the DREAM Act, a narrowly tailored, bipartisan measure which would permit a select group of undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years. "When I hear some describe this bill as amnesty, I wonder, if someone is willing to … Continue Reading
July 13, 2007
DREAM Act as an Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill
Mr. President, last month we had a controversial and spirited debate over immigration. It went on for several weeks on the floor of the Senate, and many Members of the Senate thought about it and voted one way or the other. The net result is that nothing happened. That is unfortunate. Everybody concedes our immigration laws have broken down. About 600,000 illegal people come into the United States each year and stay. Over 20 years, we now have 12 million people. The number continues to … Continue Reading
May 16, 2007
Feingold-Reid Amendment--Ending Iraq War and Bringing Troops Home
Mr. President, today we face an awesome vote, a historic vote in the Senate. It is a vote about this war in Iraq. It is an issue which consumes this Senate and this Nation. We have lost 3,400 soldiers, over 30,000 returned home injured, some with serious, grievous disabilities and injuries they will battle for a lifetime. We have spent over $500 billion, and there is no end in sight. This morning, the White House announced that the President has finally found a general who will accept … Continue Reading
May 15, 2007
High Costs of Iraq War, Need for Policy Change
Mr. President, time is running out to fund the troops. There are many of us who believe the policy in Iraq is a failed policy. The numbers we are given every week are stark and frightening: Over 3,370 American soldiers have now lost their lives in the war in Iraq. Another five were killed yesterday. Over the weekend, three American soldiers were kidnapped. There is a manhunt underway to try to find them and rescue them as quickly as possible. And to all those involved, they have our … Continue Reading
May 03, 2007
Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act of 2007
Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the bipartisan Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act of 2007. I am pleased to have the support and cosponsorship of Senator Grassley for this important legislation, and I look forward to working closely with Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Specter to advance the bill through the judiciary Committee and to secure its enactment into law. The Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act will take the next step toward wiping out the domestic … Continue Reading
May 03, 2007
Homeland Security Education Act--Increase International Competitiveness in Science and Technology
Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the Homeland Security Education Act. This bill encourages initiatives to increase the number of Americans trained in science, technology, engineering, math, and foreign languages. More than a century ago, Henry Ford revolutionized transportation and industry with the creation of the Model T. This car and the process designed to create it were so innovative that it was copied by every other company. The Model T became the base model for … Continue Reading