Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy and the Environment
Durbin Meets with Quad City Development Group to Discuss Regional Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with fifty-five community leaders from the Quad Cities to discuss their regional priorities as part of the Quad City Development Group (QCDG) trip to Washington. "The Quad City Development Group does a great job of coming together to promote a unified agenda for the entire region," said Durbin. "Their record with the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), fighting for the Rock Island Arsenal was excellent. Now the… Continue Reading
03.17.09
Durbin: Water Crisis a "Mortal and Long-Term Threat" to Global Health, Stability
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered remarks on the global water crisis today and introduced legislation to dramatically improve access to clean water and sanitation. "Access to safe drinking water is a right that everyone in the world ought to enjoy but too few are able to realize," Durbin said. "Water access is no longer simply a global health and development issue; it is a mortal and long-term threat that is increasingly becoming a national se… Continue Reading
03.11.09
Durbin Reaction to Reports of $500 Million Error in FutureGen Cost Estimate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after recent news that a Government Accountability Office report found the Department of Energy made a half-billion dollar error in its estimate of the total cost for the FutureGen project. "After five years of competition and preparation, the Department of Energy walked away from FutureGen in January of last year citing escalating costs. Despite that, the Illinois Delegation, leaders in… Continue Reading
03.11.09
Durbin: Congress Approves $34.6 Million to Prevent Spread of Emerald Ash Borer
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $34,625,000 for nationwide efforts to combat and prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Additionally, the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes special language directing the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to manage the infestation and provide appropriate resources. "Emerald Ash … Continue Reading
03.11.09
Durbin: Congress Approves More than $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Asian Carp Barrier
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $6.537 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue operation and construction on the Asian Carp Barrier project. The Omnibus Appropriations Act included funding for the barrier project which will prevent the spread of invasive species, including Asian Carp, between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. "The Asian Carp th… Continue Reading
03.10.09
Congress Gives Approval to Nearly $230 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Omnibus Appropriations Act that was approved today by Congress includes $229,727,154 in funding for Illinois projects. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($36 MILLION): Today's legislation includes over $36 million in funding to create a new transit line, the Circle line, in Chicago and expand transit service along the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Ravens… Continue Reading
02.26.09
Durbin: President Obama's Budget Restores Responsibility and Invests in the Future
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the budget President Obama delivered to Congress today is an important break past policies and responsibly invests in the future of the country. "We've inherited a mess - the result of mistaken policies, misplaced priorities and an era of profound irresponsibility," Durbin said. "This irresponsibility ends right now. The President's budget is up-front and honest about the challenges we face and makes the tough choices necessary to get… Continue Reading