Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Rural and Agriculture
Durbin Questions CFTC Chairman at Agriculture Committee Hearing on Digital Assets
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today, in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing, questioned the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam about financial market stability given the extreme volatility of the crypto market. "My concern is this: I'm glad we're talking about regulation. We have to have it. But I worry we are doing enough to salve our conscience, but not doing enough to put up guardrails and stop signs on … Continue Reading
09.14.22
Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with Illinois Farm Bureau members. During the meeting, they discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of crop insurance, strengthening ethanol production, tackling climate change, fertilizer costs, and the critical role of immigrant farmworkers. They also thanked Durbin for his work to secure $829 million in federal … Continue Reading
09.02.22
Durbin Visits Local Farm To Discuss Impact Of Inflation Reduction Act On Illinois Agriculture Industry
CARBONDALE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today visited a local farm to discuss the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the Illinois agriculture industry. "Illinois' agriculture industry is not immune to climate change, with droughts in some parts of the state and flooding in others," said Durbin. "These weather changes are not exclusive to Illinois-they're a global issue. Congress designed the Inflation Reduct… Continue Reading
05.26.22
Durbin Questions Secretary Vilsack At Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing titled: "Opportunities and Challenges Facing Farmers, Families, and Rural Communities." During the hearing, Durbin highlighted the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for feeding low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who are served by the Supporting Living Facility program in Illinois. This program has help… Continue Reading
04.12.22
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Announcement Issuing An Emergency Waiver For The Use Of E15 This Summer
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today released the following statement on President Biden's announcement that EPA plans to issue an emergency waiver to allow the use of E15 this summer: "Illinoisans have been hit hard by the spike in record-breaking gas prices. Thankfully, today's announcement will allow our energy sector to use more biofuels like ethanol, known to be a reliable energy solut… Continue Reading
03.08.22
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau members, who thanked him for his work to secure $829 million in federal funding to modernize Illinois locks and dams. During the meeting, the members also spoke about the importance of federal crop insurance in the upcoming farm bill, the challenges of the rising costs of fertilizer, COVID-19-induced trucking bottlenec… Continue Reading
03.02.22
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Soybean Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, met virtually today with the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss agricultural priorities for Illinois' soybean growers. On the call, the group emphasized the importance of continued federal support for building new foreign markets for soybeans, the challenge of rising input costs, and how the Senate Agriculture Committee is preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill. T… Continue Reading
12.06.21
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Reauthorize The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, which would authorize the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (ALNHA) until 2038, an additional 15 years past the current expiration date of 2023. The bill would allow Illinoisans and Americans to visit and learn more about the historical and cultural impact of the ALNHA and Lincoln's legacy for years to come. "As … Continue Reading
09.21.21
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau members. During the meeting, Durbin discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of enacting strong infrastructure investments like rural broadband, improving ethanol production, and strengthening the role of immigrant farmworkers in the agriculture sector. Durbin also listened to the… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Farm Bureau President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert and members of the organization. On the call, Durbin discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of farmworker labor, ethanol production, international trade agreements, greater price transparency in the livestock markets, and the need for strong transportat… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Hearing On Need For Path To Citizenship For Immigrant Farmworkers
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to reflect on the state of agriculture in Secretary Vilsack's home state of Iowa as it relates to the issue of immigrant farmworkers. "We have a witness in the next panel, Linnea Kooistra-thank you for being here-she's from a dairy family… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Delivers Opening Statement At Immigrant Farmworkers Judiciary Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified today during the "Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America" Judiciary Committee hearing, the first-ever appearance by an Agriculture Secretary before the full Senate Judiciary Committee. During his opening statement, Vilsack discussed the important role immigrant farmworkers have in the food and agriculture industry and the overall economy. He also voiced support for passage of the bipartisan, House-passed Farm Workforce M… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Hearing On Need For Path To Citizenship For Immigrant Farmworkers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled "Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America." The hearing will examine the essential contributions of immigrant farmworkers to our food supply and highlight the need for the Senate to take up legislation to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented farmworkers. Key quotes: "During this p… Continue Reading
06.25.21
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $60 Million In Federal Funding For Illinois Rural Communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $59,193,800 in federal loans and grants for rural communities in Illinois. The funding, awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, will go to ten communities in Illinois to rebuild and modernize essential services. "These loans and grants will help rural communities throughout Illinois expand economic opportunities and impro… Continue Reading
05.25.21
Durbin Introduces New Bill To Expand Lincoln Home Historical Site
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, new legislation that would expand the boundary of the Lincoln Home National Historic site to include a replica 1844 Lincoln cottage and the Elijah Iles home. The bill would also require the National Park Service to increase the height of the road in front of the Lincoln home and at the intersection of 8th and Jackson to provide greater accessibility within… Continue Reading
04.27.21
Durbin Introduces Bill To Expand Protections For Puppies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with 11 of his Senate colleagues, today introduced the Puppy Protection Act, which would create stronger standards for veterinary care, housing, and breeding for dogs. The legislation would ensure that dogs within breeders' care have suitable and safe enclosures, access to outdoor areas, and regularly interact with other dogs and humans. "As many Americans welcomed a dog into their family during the pandemic, we must ensure that t… Continue Reading
04.26.21
Durbin, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Boost Agricultural Research Funding
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), both members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, today introduced legislation that would require a five percent annual funding increase each year for the next ten years for research activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). With federal agriculture research investments on the decline, the America Grows Act would restore the United States' commitment to publically funded agriculture… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos, Rush Urge USDA To Finalize Conservation Program Agreement For Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), both members of the House Agriculture Committee, urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to finalize the long-awaited Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement for Illinois. CREP is one of USDA's flagship conservation programs, usin… Continue Reading
03.16.21
Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, today met virtually with the Illinois Corn Growers Association to discuss agriculture priorities in Illinois, including strengthening the future marketplace for biofuels, federal funds for modernizing Illinois' locks and dams, and the ongoing conservation practices and future opportunities for farmers in addressing climate change. "I had an informative meeting wit… Continue Reading
03.15.21
Durbin Announces Agriculture Subcommittee Assignments for the 117th Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he will be a member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade; the Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy; and the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security. As a member of these three subcommittees, Durbin will focus on a variety of issues that directly impact Illinois agriculture, the rural economy, and farmers. "I am hono… Continue Reading