Durbin: Hard to Believe that Cartoons and Candy Don't Increase E-Cigarettes' Appeal to Kids

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee reviewing e-cigarette advertising and promotional practices that appeal to kids. During his remarks, Durbin called attention to the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, the potential health risks posed by their use, and the aggressive marketing of those products to children and adolescents. Photos of Senator Durbin at the hearing will be available shortly here. "We… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Subcommittee Advances Constiutional Amendment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, which he chairs, advanced a Constitutional Amendment giving Congress and states express authority to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for political campaigns. The amendment is a response to the tidal wave of secret spending from corporations and Super PACs unleashed by recent decisions of the Supreme Court's conservati… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Veteran Service Organizations As Progress Continues On Legislation To Bring Accountability To The VA

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with representatives from the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, and Veterans of Foreign Wars to discuss the ongoing federal and criminal investigations into reports that facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs used secret lists to conceal the amount of time veterans waited for healthcare. Earlier this month, Durbin met with veteran… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $41,000 Investment In Burbank First-Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $41,130 investment in the Burbank Fire Department in Burbank, Illinois for operations and safety. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durb… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Illinois Manufacturing With Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Mayor of Rockford Larry Morrissey to discuss manufacturing initiatives and economic development in Rockford. Mayor Morrissey is in Washington, DC to attend the White House "Maker Faire," where he presented information about the Rockford region's aerospace cluster and manufacturing partnerships. The White House is hosting the first "Makers Faire" to meet with students, entrepreneurs and everyday citizens who are using new tools a… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing On DOD Budget Issues

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Fiscal Year 2015 funding requests for the Department of Defense (DOD). Durbin also questioned both Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, on how growing expenditures for the Tuition Assistance program and MyCAA, for military spouses, have impacted DOD's budget. Durbin suggested that the DOD should be taking a more proactive … Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Other Senators To Introduce Legislation Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors From Gun Violence

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Edward Markey (D-MA) to introduce the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, a bill that would protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence by preventing an individual subject to a temporary restraining order from purchasing or possessing a firearm for the duration of the order. The bill was named after Lori Jackson, a Connecticut res… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Approves Yandle For Southern District Judgeship

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has confirmed Staci Yandle for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois. She will serve in the Benton Federal Courthouse. The Senate approved Yandle by a vote of 52-44. "Staci Yandle's confirmation today marks another important milestone in the journey toward equality of opportunity for all Americans. Her confirmation is not only historic, it is well deserved," said Du… Continue Reading

Durbin: Judiciary Subcommittee to Vote on Constiutional Amendment Tomorrow

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - An amendment giving Congress and states express authority to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money for political campaigns will be voted on tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18, by members of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). The amendment is a response to the tidal wave of secret spending from corporations and Super PACs unleashed by recent decisions of the Supreme Court'… Continue Reading

Durbin, Quinn, UI Labs Announce $10 Million Federal Funding For Digital Manufacturing Lab

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, and UI LABS today announced that the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) has received $10 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to transition Adaptive Vehicle Make (AVM) manufacturing technology to U.S. industry. In January, Durbin, Quinn and other elected officials announced a $70 million federal grant awarded to UI Labs to bring the future of American manu… Continue Reading

Durbin, Gutierrez, Foster, Johnson Discuss Federal Deportation Policy With Community Leaders

[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-04), U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson today met with Chicago community leaders and immigration advocates to discuss federal policy regarding deportations. At President Obama's direction, Johnson is currently leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on a thorough review of those policies which is expected to conclude in August. Johnson is… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $207,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities

DURBIN ANNOUNCES A NEARLY $207,000 INVESTMENT IN ILLINOIS FIRST-RESPONDER CAPABILITIES Naperville Fire Department to receive more than $131,000 in funding [WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $206,567 in grants to four fire departments throughout Illinois. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires an… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation To Increase Accountability To Senior Staff At VA Medical Centers

DURBIN: SENATE PASSES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY TO SENIOR STAFF AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS Senator meets with Acting Secretary to receive update on Illinois VA facilities cited for further review in recent audit FBI begins criminal investigation into VA system following requests from Durbin, other members of Congress [WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation to improve veterans' access to health … Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Announce $4.35 Million For Improvements At Chicago Rockford International Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced today that the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has received $ 4,350,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Upgrades to the runway will allow the airport to accommodate current and additional air cargo activity. "Chicago Rockford International is one of Northern Illinois' premiere airpor… Continue Reading

Durbin: GOP Has Chosen To Protect As Few As 22,000 Millionaires Over 25 Million Student Borrowers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Opposition to helping millions of Americans have a fair shot at an affordable college education is unacceptable and wrong, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today during a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership following a 56 to 38 procedural vote on the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. A 60 vote threshold was needed in order to open debate on the Senate Floor. The bill, which Durbin co-sponsored, would allow those with outstanding student loa… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Leaders From McLean County In Washington

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce to discuss local transportation and economic development priorities. A photo from today's meeting is available here. "The McLean County Chamber of Commerce serves as an important local voice for the business and community interests of the entire region," Durbin said. "I was happy to meet with some of its members today in Washington and will continue to work with them on efforts t… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $350,000 Federal Grant For New Fire Station In Crawford County, Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Hutsonville Township Fire Protection District has received $350,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Community Facility Grant program to help build a new fire station in Crawford County, Illinois. "Fire stations are home to the firefighters, first-responders, and fire protection equipment that keep our communities safe. Building a modern new fire station in Crawford County will … Continue Reading

Durbin: Bipartisan Bill Investing in Illinois Water Infrastructure Priorities Becomes Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated today as President Obama signed into law the Conference Report of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014. The legislation, which was passed by the U.S. Senate at the end of May, authorizes critical investments in Illinois priorities and will help better prepare the Illinois, the Midwest, and the country for extreme weather events like droughts and floods. "Summers in our state bring rising temperatures that can c… Continue Reading

Senators Urge Department of Transportation to Finally Ban E-Cigarettes On Airplanes

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today urged the Department of Transportation to finally prohibit the use of e-cigarettes on airplanes. DOT first proposed a ban more than two years ago, but has delayed issuing a final regulation that would bar e-cigarette "vaping" on all domestic and international flights to or from the United States. In t… Continue Reading

Durbin: College Diploma Should Open the Door to Opportunity, Not To Debtors Prison

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a press conference today with young Americans struggling with student loan debt, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed actions Congress could take this week to help ease their burden. Tomorrow, the Senate will hold a procedural vote to open debate on the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. That bill would allow those with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at the lower interest rates offered to new borrowers this past academic year. If passed, ove… Continue Reading