Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin, Senators Press DOD And VA To Protect Veterans And Service Members At Ashford University
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today urged the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take steps to protect service members using Tuition Assistance (TA) benefits and veterans using GI Bill benefits at Ashford University in light of the company's impending loss of VA … Continue Reading
November 13, 2017
Durbin Introduces Legislation To Make The VA Smoke-Free
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Patty Murray (D-WA), announced legislation to prohibit smoking at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation would repeal an antiquated 1992 law that requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to furnish and maintain designated indoor or outdoor smoking areas. Supported by the Department of Veterans … Continue Reading
November 09, 2017
Durbin, Senators Reintroduce Military And Veterans Education Protection Act With Groundbreaking Support From Veterans Service Organizations
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Jon Tester (D-MT) today to reintroduce the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act, legislation that would close a loophole that allows for-profit schools to avoid having to secure at least 10 percent of their revenue from non-federal sources. "This bill is one of many commonsense reforms we need to bring greater accountability to a for-profit industry that … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017
Durbin, Cohen, Colleagues: Congress Should End Loophole That Encourages For-Profit Colleges To Target Veterans And Service Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) were joined by U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today to introduce bicameral legislation that would help put an end to the for-profit college industry's aggressive recruiting of veterans, service members, and their families. The Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act would prohibit for-profit colleges and … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017
Durbin Meets With VA Secretary, Continues To Press For Reforms At Marion VA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss the steps being taken to ensure accountability at Marion VA Medical Center following reports of alleged incidents of prohibited personnel practices. Durbin also noted Marion VA Medical Center Director Jo-Ann Ginsberg's effort to address concerns among the top leadership team at Marion VA, but urged Secretary Shulkin to look into the concern that the middle … Continue Reading
October 24, 2017
Durbin Presses VA Secretary To Protect Veterans From Predatory For-Profit Colleges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss recent VA proposals related to the financial relationships of its employees with for-profit colleges and the for-profit college industry's shameful record of preying on veterans. In 2016, for-profit colleges received 34 percent of all VA GI Bill education funds or $1.7 billion - often using aggressive recruiting and misleading marketing to target veterans. … Continue Reading
October 10, 2017
Durbin Visits Marion VA, Receives Update On Ongoing Investigation
MARION - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Marion VA Medical Center and met with leadership and concerned staff to discuss the ongoing investigations related to mismanagement and retaliation against whistleblowers, and the potential impact on patient safety and care. Following Durbin's calls for an investigation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has sent a number of national offices to the Marion VA for a series of reviews, interviews, and briefings. "We owe each and every … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Durbin Highlights Contributions Of Military And JROTC Dreamers
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Republican leaders of the Senate and House to bring the bipartisan Dream Act to the floor, highlighting the contributions of Dreamers who are serving in the military and involved in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs. Following the Trump Administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, many JROTC cadets and servicemembers who are DACA recipients are at risk of deportation … Continue Reading
September 12, 2017
Durbin-Harris Amendment Would Keep Non-Citizen Military Personnel From Discharge Due To Immigration Status
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), vice chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) today filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to retain military personnel in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program until their background screenings are completed. Because of a backlog in the screening process, it is estimated that between 1,000 and 1,800 MAVNI recruits have lost … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Urge VA Secretary To Look Into Mismanagement At Marion VA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss allegations of mismanagement and poor patient care at Marion VA Medical Center. Recent reports detail alleged incidents of prohibited personnel practices at Marion VA, including whistleblower retaliation, nepotism, unfair labor practices, and mistreatment and abuse of employees. Most concerning is the fact that this alleged … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Durbin Calls On Pentagon To Clarify Administration Policy For Transgender Individuals In the Military
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) pressed the Department of Defense to clarify the Administration's policy with regard to transgender individuals serving openly in the U.S. military, after President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. government will no longer accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity. In a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Durbin requested that Sec. Mattis provide him with the revised service accession plans, an explanation of the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Durbin Statement On President Trump Reinstating Ban On Transgender People Serving In U.S. Military
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government will no longer accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military: "The bedrock principle of our all-volunteer military is to evaluate every individual on the basis of their willingness and ability to serve. The president's announcement this morning banning transgender individuals from serving our military ironically … Continue Reading
July 05, 2017
Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill To Protect Veterans' Education Benefits
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in introducing bipartisan legislation that would provide relief to veterans whose Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits are affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. In 2016, ITT Tech filed for bankruptcy and closed all 136 campuses in 38 states - after receiving $917 million in Post-9/11 GI Bill funds - leaving student veterans stranded and unable to … Continue Reading
June 28, 2017
Durbin, Murphy Bill Will Meet Demand For High Quality Prosthetic Care For Veterans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) today introduced two bills to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for our nation's service members and veterans. The legislation would enhance research in best practices and support colleges and universities seeking to establish degree programs to train specialists. "The men and women who serve our country and suffer serious injuries because of it have already sacrificed enough. They should … Continue Reading
June 19, 2017
Durbin, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Families of Wounded Warriors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help make certain wounded warriors and their families are fully aware of the services available to them through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver program. The Caregiver Program Information Improvement Act of 2017 would require the caregiver program to be added to the list of statutorily-mandated counseling items for service members pending separation from the … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Durbin, Bustos Announce Illinois Defense Priorities Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today announced that the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 includes numerous defense priorities for the State of Illinois. "One reason I support this bill is because it includes a strong defense appropriation, which provides critical equipment and training for our troops, and funds the continued fight against terrorist threats like … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Durbin Statement On The Confirmation Of David Shulkin As VA Secretary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Senate unanimously approved his nomination. "A son of Fort Sheridan in Highland Park, Illinois, David Shulkin is eminently qualified to serve as our nation's VA Secretary," said Senator Durbin. "Dr. Shulkin has been a strong advocate for the VA against privatization, and as the agency's Under Secretary of Health under President … Continue Reading
June 10, 2014
Durbin Statement on Awarding of Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after President Obama signed into law a bill that he co-sponsored awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Borinqueneers": "American minorities have a proud history of serving their county with honor and distinction, even in the face of racism and exclusion. As the largest and longest-standing segregated unit in our military's history, the 65th Infantry … Continue Reading
June 09, 2014
Durbin Statement On Internal VA Audit On Waitlist Practices
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after reviewing the results of a nationwide internal audit into waitlist practices at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. "This news is troubling. It comes on the heels of news last week that at least eight veterans had to wait more than 90-days for an appointment at the Marion VA Medical Center. That is unacceptable," said Durbin. "I have asked Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson to … Continue Reading
May 27, 2014
Durbin Announces Committee Approval of Legislation to Improve Prosthetic Care for Veterans
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, last week approved legislation including language he authored to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for the nation's servicemembers and veterans. Durbin inserted a section into the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which the committee approved Thursday, which would enhance research in best practices and offer competitive grant funding … Continue Reading