Press Releases
Durbin & Kirk: Gilmore Confirmed by Senate as U.S. Marshal for Illinois' Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate has unanimously confirmed Edward Gilmore to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. "Through many years of service to Illinois, Edward Gilmore has established a reputation for responsibility and professionalism in the law enforcement community," said Durbin. "He will bring a wealth of knowledge and managerial experience to the position of U.S. Marshal … Continue Reading
October 29, 2015
Durbin Joins Bipartisan Effort to Save Student Loan Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Casey (D-PA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in a bipartisan letter, cosigned by a majority of the Senate, to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid urging them to take up and pass legislation to reauthorize the Perkins Loan Program. This critical lifeline for many low-income students expired on September 30, despite receiving a unanimous one-year, no-cost … Continue Reading
October 29, 2015
Eleven Senators Commend Defense Department for Enforcement Actions Against University of Phoenix
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, eleven U.S. Senators today commend the recent actions by the Department of Defense to enforce its Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Phoenix in order to protect servicemembers and taxpayers. Earlier this month, after its own investigation into allegations raised by Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, the Defense Department placed the University of Phoenix on probation and prohibited the … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Durbin: Budget Deal Pulls Economy Back from the Brink, Will Allow for Increase in Medical Research Funding
WASHINGTON-Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced his support today for the two-year bipartisan budget agreement in a Senate floor speech. "We have before us a deal that removes the threat of catastrophic sequestration budget cuts for two years and allows our country to meet our financial obligations," said Durbin. "I will support it when it comes to the Senate floor." Durbin announced his support for the deal in a speech on the Senate Floor highlighting … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Durbin Statement on Judge's Decision to Require Corinthian Colleges to Pay Restitution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after learning that a federal district court judge has ordered the bankrupt Corinthian Colleges, Inc. to repay $531 million - including more than $400 million in student loans - to the now-shuttered school's former students. "Corinthian Colleges, Inc. - a for-profit college - defrauded students and taxpayers out of more than $500 million," said Durbin, who was the first to ask for an investigation … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Durbin, Senators Introduce “No Check, No Sale" Bill to Close Loophole Allowing Gun Sales Without a Completed Background Check
WASHINGTON-Today, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce legislation that would close a loophole in current law that allows gun sales to proceed if a background check is not completed after 72 hours, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to purchase a gun. When a criminal background check indicates that a … Continue Reading
October 28, 2015
Durbin Defends Defense Department Action Against University of Phoenix
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a speech on the floor of the Senate, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today encouraged the Defense Department to remain steadfast in its protection of students and taxpayers when it comes to future decisions related to the University of Phoenix's participation in the Department's voluntary military education programs - Tuition Assistance for servicemembers and MyCAA for their spouses. Earlier this month, after an investigation into an article by Reveal from the Center … Continue Reading
October 27, 2015
Senator Durbin and U.S. PIRG: Students Win Against Banks in U.S. Department of Education Rule
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today the U.S. Department of Education significantly lowered costs for college students by banning some of the worst fees from bank accounts on campus. The agency's new rule will impact over 9 million college students that are exposed to campus-sponsored bank accounts. These debit accounts, often used by students to house their financial aid dollars, are not a better deal for students than what they might find off campus. The fees can be confusing and unavoidable. In … Continue Reading
October 27, 2015
Durbin Speaks Out on Gun Violence, Medical Reserach at Capitol Hill Rally for Children
WASHINGTON-Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today at the American Academy of Pediatrics' Rally for Children at the U.S. Capitol. Watch video of Durbin's remarks HERE. Full text of Durbin's remarks: "It was about two and a half years ago that I went to the National Institutes of Health and saw a man who's an inspiration, to me and to many, Dr. Francis Collins. And he brought together the doctors who were in charge of the Institutes and caught me up … Continue Reading
October 27, 2015
Durbin: Let's Give Students a Fighting Chance for a Debt-Free Education
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) reminded participants at a forum on college affordability and the student debt crisis that for-profit institutions of higher education enroll only about 10% of all college students, yet take in a disproportionate 20% of the Department of Education's federal student aid funds while accounting for 44% of student loan defaults. According to a recent report by Brookings, in 2014, 13 of the top 25 schools whose students owed the most in federal … Continue Reading
October 26, 2015
Durbin Statement on New Cape Air Contract for Quincy, Marion & Cape Girardeau
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Department of Transportation announced that it has awarded new contracts to Cape Air to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) from Quincy, Marion and Cape Girardeau to St. Louis International Airport. The current contracts expire at the end of November. "Cape Air has been a reliable, safe and affordable air service provider in Quincy, Marion and the Cape Girardeau region," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
October 26, 2015
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $14 Million TIGER Grant for Metra's Fox River Bridge Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $14 million in federal funding through the TIGER grant program to Metra to replace the existing rail bridge over the Fox River. A new double track bridge is expected to eliminate the bottleneck between freight rail and Metra's Milwaukee District - West Line while upgrading technology that will allow for Positive Train Control … Continue Reading
October 26, 2015
Durbin, Warren, Takano & Colleagues Urge Social Security Administration to Implement Supreme Court’s Marriage Decisions, Not Penalize Previously-Married Same-Sex Couples
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), and 119 of their congressional colleagues in a letter urging Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn W. Colvin and Attorney General Loretta Lynch to make sure that the Supreme Court's landmark marriage decisions are implemented and that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is treating all marriages equally. The letter urges SSA not to … Continue Reading
October 22, 2015
Senate Approves Durbin-Authored Resolution Commemorating Discovery of Polio Vaccine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Ahead of World Polio Day, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan resolution commemorating the discovery of the polio vaccine and supporting efforts to eradicate the disease everywhere it exists. The resolution was introduced earlier this year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the announcement of the discovery of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. The resolution encourages federal funding for the Global Polio Eradication … Continue Reading
October 22, 2015
Durbin Joins Blumenthal & 26 Senate Colleagues Imploring President Obama to Correct Improper Implementation of Helms Amendment, Reducing Barriers to Safe Abortion for Women and Girls in Conflict-Affected Regions
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in a letter with 26 of their Senate colleagues urging President Obama to ensure the United States is adequately supporting the reproductive health needs for women and girls in conflict-affected zones by removing unnecessary barriers to safe abortion. This action is desperately needed because of the increased use of rape as a tool of warfare perpetrated by groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria … Continue Reading
October 22, 2015
Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Grassley-Durbin Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act
WASHINGTON-The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015, which grants judges greater sentencing flexibility for certain low-level drug offenders and establishes recidivism reduction programs, while targeting violent criminals. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 15-5. The bill passed today includes minor clarifications to the original bill text. The bill is the product of bipartisan negotiations led by Senate Judiciary Committee … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Durbin Hosts Meeting with Southern Illinois Leaders, Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Discuss Regional Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a meeting with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation representing Southern Illinois and local leaders from the region. Former U.S. Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL), U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), and U.S. Representatives John Shimkus (R-IL), Mike Bost (R-IL), and Rodney Davis (R-IL) attended the meeting. Durbin convened the meeting to discuss two major priority issues for the region: efforts to increase rail … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Senators Press OMB to Quickly Review Rule Finally Regulating E-Cigarettes and Other Unregulated Tobacco Products
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), pressed the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to complete its review of a long-overdue rule to regulate e-cigarettes and other forms of tobacco as quickly as possible. A Centers … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
Durbin Applauds New Administration Effort to Address Opiod Epidemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded a new effort by federal, state, local and private sector partners to address the ongoing problem of prescription drug and heroin addiction and abuse. Under the leadership of the Obama Administration, the partnership aims to double the number of health providers enrolled in their State Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, as well as the number of providers certified to prescribe naloxone - a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose … Continue Reading
October 20, 2015
Durbin Speaks on Senate Floor to Share Experience on Greek Island at Center of Syrian Refugee Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), an outspoken supporter of providing humanitarian relief to Syrian refugees and increasing the capacity for refugee admissions to the United States, spoke on the Senate Floor today about his recent travel to Greece, where he visited the island of Lesbos. Thousands of refugees have come ashore after fleeing the violence in Syria. "The mayor of Lesbos has been generous and thoughtful in addressing the suffering. He told me he often … Continue Reading