Press Releases
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 bi… Continue Reading
07.14.15
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 u… Continue Reading
07.14.15
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 safety… Continue Reading
07.14.15
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 U.S.… Continue Reading
07.14.15
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 country,… Continue Reading
07.13.15
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 public… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 dev… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 inne… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 pro… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 abo… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 i… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 inne… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 inn… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 s… Continue Reading
07.10.15
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 we … Continue Reading
07.10.15
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
07.09.15
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 former-Corinth… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Durbin Meets with Generals Selva and McDew Of Scott Air Force Base
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with two Air Force Generals from Scott Air Force Base who are currently nominated for promotions. Durbin met with the current Commander of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, General Paul Selva, who is nominated to serve as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. Durbin also met with General Darren McDew who currently heads the Air Mobility Command, also located at Scott Air Force Base, and is nomin… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Durbin, Blumenthal and Senate Colleagues Urge U.S. Chamber to Cease Efforts to Undermine Anti-Smoking Public-Health Measures
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a letter with their colleagues U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) urging the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to reconsider and refocus its efforts away from undermining global anti-smoking measures. Following reports of the Chamber's lobbying to defeat anti-smoking regulations across the globe, th… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Durbin and Duckworth Call for Stronger Consumer Protections for Military Families
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke at a press conference today to call for additional tools to better protect members of the military and their families from abusive financial practices. Today, Duckworth introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would empower the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to oversee and enforce compliance with certain existing provisions of the Service Member Civil Relief Act… Continue Reading