09.21.21

Durbin Joins Illinois Manufacturers' Association Members For Discussion On Industry Priorities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) for a discussion about workforce development, infrastructure legislation, trade, and immigration. Durbin provided an overview of proposed text in the upcoming reconciliation bill to implement key workforce provisions from President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. Durbin went on to highlight the importance of immigration reform in building and maintaining the manufacturing workforce in the United States.

Durbin fielded questions from participating IMA members about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developing a rule to require employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their employees are fully vaccinated or being tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, addressed workforce shortages through offering day care, and discussed Durbin’s bill, the INFORM Consumers Act, which would help prevent online marketplaces from being used by illicit third-party sellers to hawk counterfeit and stolen goods.

“As we recover from a once in a century pandemic and an accompanying economic crisis, we must rebuild our country stronger than ever. I appreciate the opportunity to hear firsthand about the concerns and priorities of Illinois manufacturers as we consider approaches to heal our economy,” said Durbin. “I’m proud of the resilient and forwarding-thinking companies based here in Illinois, and I will continue to advocate for our state’s manufacturing community and its workers.”

A photo of the virtual meeting is available here.

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