Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Rural and Agriculture
Durbin Slams Trump Administration For Throwing Parties, Remodeling The White House While Negating Its Responsibility To Pay Out Snap Benefits For 42 Million Americans
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) criticized the Trump Administration for attempting to abandon its responsibility to pay out SNAP benefits after two courts ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does have the authority to use emergency funds to provide SNAP benefits to the 42 million Americans who rely on the program. As Durbin makes clear in his remarks, the President is halting SNAP benefits and harming the … Continue Reading
November 03, 2025
Durbin Commends Chicago-Area Businesses For Feeding Illinoisans As Trump Administration Refuses To Process Full Snap Benefits During Republicans’ Shutdown
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended Chicago-area businesses for offering meals to Illinoisans as the Trump Administration reluctantly provides minimal SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans during the Republican-led government shutdown. Last month, the Trump Administration claimed that it did not have the authority to process SNAP benefits in November despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) having between $8 and … Continue Reading
October 31, 2025
Durbin Statement On Trump Administration’s Decision To Withhold SNAP Benefits From 42 Million Americans During Republican-Led Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to not process SNAP benefits in November as congressional Republicans keep the government shut down: “First, the Republicans cut almost $200 billion from the SNAP program in their so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Now, the Republican shutdown and President Trump’s USDA will stop next month’s SNAP benefits … Continue Reading
October 30, 2025
Durbin Slams Senate Republicans, Trump USDA For Blocking SNAP Funds For 42 Million Americans
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, criticized congressional Republicans for continuing their shutdown as 42 million Americans are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits. Despite the Trump Administration’s recent claims, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has between $8 and $9 billion in funds to pay out SNAP benefits to Americans for the month of November. “Forty-two million … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, Durbin Questions Fertilizer And Seed Companies About High Costs For Illinois Farmers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries.” Durbin pressed witnesses to acknowledge that farmers are harmed by the series of mergers and acquisitions that have led to high costs and hindered agricultural innovation. During his … Continue Reading
October 28, 2025
In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Agricultural Competition, Durbin Criticizes Trump Administration For Prioritizing South America Over American Farmers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Pressure Cooker: Competition Issues in the Seed & Fertilizer Industries.” In his remarks, Durbin criticized the Trump Administration’s inconsistent trade policies which have created an uncertain market for Illinois’ farmers. Rather than providing … Continue Reading
October 24, 2025
Durbin Joins Booker, Klobuchar, Luján, 42 Colleagues To Urge Trump USDA To Immediately Release November Snap Benefits
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and 42 of their Senate Democratic colleagues on Wednesday to send a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins calling on the USDA to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November. The … Continue Reading
September 10, 2025
Durbin Highlights Importance Of Foregn Farmworkers During Meeting With Illinois Pork Producers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Illinois Pork Producers Association who shared their top policy priorities in the pork industry. Durbin and the group discussed the effects of California’s Proposition 12 on Illinois pork production, as well as the critical role of foreign workers in keeping the Illinois pork industry strong. “Illinois pork production relies heavily on … Continue Reading
March 28, 2025
Durbin, Duckworth Join Booker To Introduce Honor Farmer Contracts Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, legislation to release illegally withheld funding for all contracts and agreements previously entered into by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). President Trump’s USDA has refused to make reimbursement payments to fulfill signed … Continue Reading
March 27, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau In Washington
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss the state of federal agriculture policy and Illinois’ agricultural priorities. During the meeting, Durbin heard from Farm Bureau members about the economic uncertainty they are facing with crop prices and production costs, and the financial harms caused by the Trump Administration’s tariffs. Other … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Durbin Shares Story Of Illinois Researcher At USDA Fired During DOGE's Short-Sighted Purge Of Critical Government Employees
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today shared the story of an Illinoisan, Jeannie Klein-Gordon, who was fired from her position as a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of President Trump and Elon Musk’s mission to gut the federal workforce. In his speech, Durbin emphasized that laying off researchers and agricultural experts will have long-term consequences for Illinois’ economy and agricultural … Continue Reading
July 10, 2024
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau President And Members
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 and President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan, to discuss Illinois’ agricultural priorities as the Senate continues its work on the Farm Bill. During their meeting, the group expressed support for federal crop insurance and shared concerns about California’s Proposition 12 and its effects on pork producers. … Continue Reading
July 02, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski Statement On Appointment Of Pam Monetti To Serve As Illinois Director For USDA Rural Development
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement regarding Pam Monetti’s appointment as the new Illinois Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development: “At our recommendation, the Biden Administration has made an excellent choice in appointing Pam Monetti … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Durbin, Thune Urge Biden Administration to Prioritize E15 Fuel, Leverage American Agriculture
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel. The Senators note that American biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that will help drive down fuel costs forconsumers. “[W]e must pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which … Continue Reading
March 05, 2024
Durbin Meets 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 with the new President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan, who shared priorities of the Illinois’ agricultural sector for the upcoming year. During their meeting, Mr. Duncan discussed the effects of California’s Proposition 12 on the economics of the hog industry and the important role of H-2A temporary workers for farm labor availability. Mr. … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Durbin Questions CFTC Chairman On Crypto At Agriculture Committee Hearing
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 the collapse of FTX-one of the world's largest crypto trading platforms. In November, FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, resigned. Durbin previously asked Chairman Behnam about FTX at an Agriculture Committee hearing in December. Durbin … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Durbin Talks Renewable Energy for Rural Communities in Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing entitled "Farm Bill 2023: Rural Development and Energy Programs." During the hearing, Durbin spoke about benefits of expanding renewable energy into rural communities, including solar panels. "We just got our utility bill at our home in Springfield, Illinois, for the month of October. I'm pleased to report to you that we are not being charged for any … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
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 … Continue Reading
September 02, 2022
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 … Continue Reading