Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Rural and Agriculture
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
03.09.21
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau
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 Farm Bureau to discuss agriculture priorities in Illinois, including the role of agriculture in climate policy, the importance of immigrant workers to the farm economy, support for biofuels, and pandemic-related financial assistance. "It was great to meet with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau today and hear how I can support … Continue Reading
03.02.21
Durbin Meets with IL Soybean 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 Soybean Association to discuss agriculture priorities in Illinois, including biodiesel markets, lock and dam upgrades, the role of agriculture in climate policy, and expanding international markets for soybeans. "Illinois leads the nation in soybean production, and we must strengthen that leadership by restoring and opening new t… Continue Reading
01.13.21
Durbin Discusses Agriculture Priorities with Tom Vilsack, Biden Nominee for Secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Tom Vilsack, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. During their Zoom call, Durbin and Vilsack discussed Illinois agriculture priorities and how the Department can assist farmers after years of uncertainty during the Trump Administration. Durbin spoke about the importance of expanding markets and trade for farmers instead of President Trump's government aid and lost exports, ending favoritism of cotton over so… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Durbin Urges Illinois Rural EMS Agencies to Apply for New SIREN Grant Program Funds
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the start of the grant application process for a federal grant program that supports rural fire and emergency medical services (EMS). The funding, created through Durbin's Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, supports EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment-for everything from naloxone and first aid kits, to power stretchers or new ambulances. Durbin's b… Continue Reading
09.17.20
Durbin Meets With Illinois Pork Producers Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today spoke by phone with Illinois Pork Producers Executive Director Jennifer Tirey and President Dale Weitekamp about the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on pork producers and federal support for farmers during this crisis, including the USDA Coronavirus Assistance Program. In May, Durbin joined a bipartisan letter calling for additional USDA funding in the next COVID-19 relief pac… Continue Reading
09.16.20
Durbin Speaks With Growth Energy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today spoke with members of Growth Energy about the harmful impact Trump Administration policies and the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the ethanol industry, which is projected to cause more than $3 billion in economic damage for biofuel producers. During the call, Durbin criticized the Trump Administration's approval of 85 small refinery waivers during the past several years th… Continue Reading
09.15.20
Durbin Speaks With Illinois Farmers Union
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today spoke by phone with members of the Illinois Farmers Union about COVID-19 relief for farmers, support for ethanol producers, broadband, and strengthening trade markets. "Today I heard from members of the Illinois Farmers Union who shared their concerns about financial difficulties they continue to face from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the decisions by the Trump Ad… Continue Reading
09.15.20
Durbin Statement On EPA Decision To Deny Small Refinery Exemptions Under Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today issued the following statement after an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to deny small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): "For years, President Trump has crippled American biofuels by allowing a record number of waivers for oil companies. His decisions have dragged Illinois farm income down, damaged an important corn market, and c… Continue Reading
09.14.20
Durbin Statement On GAO Report Confirming USDA Mishandled Payments To Illinois Farmers For Trade Damages
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), both members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to announce a new report from the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found the Trump Administration's payments to farmers harmed by the President's trade policies ultimately favored southern cotton growers who were less harmed compared to Illinois farmers and crops. The report is the result … Continue Reading
09.04.20
Durbin Joins Central Illinois Young Farmers To Discuss Food Supply Protection During COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with members of the National Young Farmers Coalition Central Illinois Chapter to discuss their experiences as young farmers working during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they've supported food access in their communities. Durbin is an original cosponsor of the Food Supply Protection Act, a bill that would help strengthen the food supply chain, protect workers, reduce food waste, and support both farmers and families in … Continue Reading
09.01.20
Durbin Joins Illinois Stewardship Alliance To Discuss Relief For Local Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with members of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance to discuss issues faced by small and local farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin highlighted his support for increasing financial assistance that is tailored to local farmers who sell directly to consumers, schools, institutions, food hubs, regional distribution centers, retail markets, farmers markets, and restaurants. Congress provided $16 billion within the C… Continue Reading
07.14.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Impact With Illinois Corn Growers Association
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke with the Illinois Corn Growers Association today to discuss his support for farmers during the COVID-19 crisis, including assistance in rebuilding locks and dams, restoring strong ethanol production, and improving export markets. During the call, Durbin talked about the distribution to date of more than $5 billion in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments to livestock and row crop farmers exp… Continue Reading
05.28.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $11.8 Million For COVID-19 Testing In Rural Communities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive a total of $11,821,279 in federal funding to support COVID-19 testing in rural communities. The funding comes from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act signed into law on April 24th and will help support more than 200 Rural Health Clinics around Illinois. Each clinic will receive approximately $49,000 in federal funding. Congressional Democrats fought to … Continue Reading
05.27.20
Durbin Joines Colleagues To Introduce Legislation To Protect America's Food Supply
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to introduce legislation to help protect the food supply after the COVID-19 crisis has put an unprecedented strain on farmers, workers, food banks, and families. "For many Illinois families, this is the toughest time they've ever faced. We've seen a huge increase in demand for SNAP benefits, the use of food pantries,… Continue Reading
05.26.20
Durbin Speaks With Illinois Food Pantry Directors About Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic On Food Security
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Hunger Caucus and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today spoke with five Illinois food bank directors-who together serve food pantries, soup kitchens, and local organizations across more than half of Illinois-about rising food insecurity and the increased demand on food pantries during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the call, Durbin heard from the directors about the sharp increase in new clients, the decrease… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Durbin Discusses Impact Of COVID-19 With Illinois Agriculture Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on Illinois agriculture with leaders from Illinois agricultural groups. During the call, Durbin received an update on conditions with family farm and livestock operations, the importance of maintaining stability in both agricultural markets and the food supply chain, and recommendations for additional policy changes that can help agriculture producers during… Continue Reading
05.19.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Impact On Ethanol Producers With Growth Energy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with members of Growth Energy to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Illinois ethanol producers. On today's call, Durbin, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, heard about the severe harm to ethanol production caused by the steep decline in gasoline demand and how provisions included as part of the House-passed Heroes Act will help ethanol producers. Call participants included the Illinois companies Marquis Energy … Continue Reading
03.12.20
Durbin Meets With The Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, met with the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss agriculture priorities in Illinois. During the meeting, farmers expressed concerns with the Trump Administration's uncertain trade approach with China and the Trump Administration's abuse of small oil refinery waivers that have hurt the biofuels market. "The decision by the Trump Administration to effectively shut down the biofuels industry has hurt farmers… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Durbin Meets With Illinois Corn Growers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, met with the Illinois Corn Growers Association to discuss agriculture priorities in Illinois, including crop conditions, trade, lock and dam infrastructure, ethanol and biofuels, and refinery waivers. "Corn growers are an integral part of Illinois' agriculture economy, and we need to ensure they have certainty from the federal government as we head into the 2020 planting season. Additionally, the small… Continue Reading