Durbin Meets With BNSF Chairman To Discuss Railway's Crude Oil By Rail Operations Following Galena Train Derailment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the derailment of a BNSF Railway train carrying crude oil near Galena, Illinois, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose to receive an update on the accident and to discuss the rail company's crude oil by rail operations. BNSF is the largest shipper of crude oil in North America. A photo of today's meeting will be available shortly here. "In the days following the train derailment in Galena, Illinois, BNSF offici… Continue Reading

Durbin: Great Work At Lovell Should Be Applied To Other Healthcare Facilities Serving Servicemembers And Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a hearing today on the Defense Health Program Budget, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, pointed to the success of Lovell Federal Health Care Facility in North Chicago, Illinois as a model for healthcare facilities elsewhere. During the hearing, Durbin acknowledged the challenges confronting Department of Defense healthcare facilities and commended the work being done at Lovell to streamline services fo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Brown, Reed Introduce Budget Amendment To Reward Companies That Invest In American Workers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced an amendment to the FY2016 Budget designed to provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safet… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Budget Amendment To Reward Companies That Invest In American Workers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for a vote on his amendment to the FY2016 Budget designed to provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safety net programs to make ends meet. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With The Illinois Farm Bureau

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the Illinois Farm Bureau today to discuss the importance of continuing to support and invest in Illinois' agricultural communities. The group discussed the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, increased opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba, and other agricultural priorities. A photo of Durbin… Continue Reading

Durbin, Boxer, Senators Introduce Bill To Crack Down On Predatory Lending Practices

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barbara Boxer (D-C) today joined U.S. Senators, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in introducing the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act - a bill to eliminate the excessive rates and fees that some consumers are charged for payday loans, car title loans and other types of credit. The bill - introduced today in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwrig… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warren, Reed: Bill Would Put Student Loan Borrower Bill Of Rights Into Law

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following a decision by President Obama to provide additional protections to student loan borrowers, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them. Cosponsors of today's legislation include: "I commend the President's announcement of additional relief for student borro… Continue Reading

Durbin, Democrats Call For Crude-By-Rail Safety Investments

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter today with 20 other Senators calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support robust investment for a Safe Transportation of Energy Products program to address increasing safety concerns related to the transportation of Bakken crude and other energy products. The Senators also called for increased funding for crude-by-rail safety efforts conducted by agencies such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Pipeline an… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senate Dems Mark Affordable Care Ct Anniversary, Blast GOP Efforts To Roll Back Progress

More than 16 million uninsured Americans gained affordable health coverage because of the law Number of Americans without health insurance has fallen 35%, the most in about 40 years 9.4 million seniors have saved more than $15 billion on prescription drugs Republican budget would roll back the clock, kick over 11 million to the curb [WASHINGTON. D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), She… Continue Reading

Durbin: Rising Number Of Poisonings In Children Due To Laundry Detergent Packets Is Alarming

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) today held a press conference - during National Poison Prevention Week - to discuss the Detergent Poisoning and Child Safety Act (PACS Act), a bill that would address the rising number of poisonings in children due to liquid detergent packets. Speaking in support of the PACS Act today was Chicago native Dr. Kyran Quinlan, pediatrician and chair of the American Academy of… Continue Reading

Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Luncheon

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the second bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 114th Congress. Started by the late U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, the Delegation Luncheon has been held regularly in Washington, DC at no expense to the federal taxpayer for over 25 years. A photo of today's luncheon is available here. The luncheon today was attended by five members of the Illinois Congr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bill to Require Televising Supreme Court Proceedings

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Supreme Court considering numerous high-profile opinions in the coming months, Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation today to require open proceedings of the Court to be televised. Today's bill introduction coincides with "Sunshine Week," a national initiative aimed at promoting a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of informat… Continue Reading

Durbin, Foster Introduce Bill To Preserve American Leadership In Innovation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With a decline in federal scientific research threatening our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the introduction of legislation to preserve America's standing as a leader in discovery and innovation. Federal funding for R&D has been on a downward trend for the past several decades. Today, the federal government spends almost two-thirds less on research and development today than it did in 1965 … Continue Reading

Durbin, Feinstein, Blumenthal To FDA: Use Existing Authority To Protect Consumers From Contaminated Dietary Supplement

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to confirmed reports that international shipments of a popular dietary supplement contained hidden and potentially harmful contaminants, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a full investigation into all Oxy ELITE Pro Super Thermogenic products on the market and - if necessary - ensure that they are removed from store shelves. In February, the FDA co… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Corn Growers And Illinois Soybean Association

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, increased opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba, and other agricultural priorities. Photos of Durbin's meeting with the Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soy… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Resignation Of Representative Aaron Schock

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the resignation of U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL): "The allegations against Congressman Schock are serious, raising questions about his expenditure of official funds and campaign funds. His resignation came as a surprise and reflects the gravity of his situation."… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls For Increased Funding For Breakthrough Biomedical Research At The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Rally

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for increased funding for innovative, breakthrough research at federal agencies - funding that can lead to discoveries and treatments for cancer and other diseases - at a rally today hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Durbin discussed the American Cures Act, a bill that would increase funding at our nation's top four biomedical research agencies. Today's rally was held to advocate for increased funding for canc… Continue Reading

Durbin: Absolute First Thing Senate Should Do This Week Is Confirm Loretta Lynch As Attorney General

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, praised the qualifications of historic Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch today during a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He urged Senate Republicans to uphold their promise of holding a vote on Lynch's nomination this week. Lynch passed the Judiciary committee on a bipartisan vote on February 26th, but her nomination has now been pending on the Senate floor for… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces American Innovation Bill

[CHICAGO] - With a decline in federal scientific research threatening our standing as a leader in discovery and innovation and our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today unveiled the American Innovation Act during a speech to the Chicago research community at 1871. The American Innovation Act will put funding for basic research on a consistent, steady growth path over the next decade by providing annual budget increases of 5 percent - over and above inflation - for cutting… Continue Reading

Durbin: Congress Can't Continue To Look The Other Way As For-Profit College Industry Exploits Students, Fleeces Taxpayers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress can't continue to look the other way when it comes to abuses by the for-profit colleges that - in some cases - take in more than 90% of their revenue from the federal government yet account for these startling lopsided statistics. For-profit colleges: Educate 10% of students; Receive 20% of all federal aid to education; yet are Responsible for 44% of all student loan defaults. "How can we … Continue Reading