Press Releases
Durbin Statement on Introduction of COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bills
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement in support of the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more: “Today, the U.S. hit another grim milestone—300,000 lives lost to COVID-19. My heart goes out to the family … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Durbin Statement on FDA Authorization of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: "I trust our medical and public health leaders who were committed to prioritizing the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine. We should be ready to roll up our sleeves, help is now on the way. We can finally see a path out of pandemic hell. Special thanks to the scientists and researchers … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Bill to Require COVID-19 Data Collection in Immigration Detention Facilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to introduce the bicameral COVID-19 in Immigration Detention Data Transparency Act, which would require immigration-detention facilities to collect and publicly report data about COVID-19 cases and the preventative measures in place in these facilities. "In the midst of this pandemic, we are reminded every day that America would be lost without immigrants. At the same time, thousands of immigrants are languishing in … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Durbin Receives Update on Ft. Hood and Illinois Army Reserve Investigations From Army Secretary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy to receive an update on the concluded Fort Hood review following the death of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, who was determined to be a sexual harassment victim. The findings of the independent civilian review board were released Tuesday, and cited widespread problems and a "toxic culture," where leaders fail to investigate crimes and lack of confidence in punishing offenders created a "permissive environment … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill with SEIU President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the status of a COVID-19 relief bill with the President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Mary Kay Henry. During the call, Durbin discussed his efforts in drafting a bipartisan $908 billion relief package that includes funding for state and local governments, unemployment insurance, small businesses, health care providers, testing and vaccine distribution, housing and education assistance, and more. "We are in the … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Nursing Homes with AARP Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo and State Chapter President Rosanna Marquez about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older Americans, especially at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. On the call, Durbin discussed the importance of passing a new COVID-19 emergency relief bill that includes dedicated testing and personal protection equipment (PPE) funding to ensure the safety of seniors in long-term care … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Durbin to McConnell: Don't Hold Emergency COVID-19 Relief For Families & Small Businesses Hostage Over Liability Immunity for Corporations
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring the bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief framework, which totals $908 billion, to the Senate floor for a vote. The bipartisan framework includes funding for state and local governments, unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Durbin Calls on Congress to Quickly Pass Emergency, Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief That Prioritizes Working Families—Not Corporations
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a virtual news conference to discuss the need for Congress to quickly pass an emergency, bipartisan COVID-19 relief package. Durbin worked with a bipartisan group of Senators in putting together a $908 billion framework earlier this week that includes funding for state and local governments, unemployment insurance, small businesses, health care providers, testing and vaccine distribution, housing and education assistance, and more. … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Durbin Highlights Bipartisan, Bicameral COVID-19 Emergency Relief Framework, Criticizes Inclusion of Corporate Liability Immunity
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted his colleagues' work in drafting a bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework, which totals $908 billion and includes funding for state and local governments, unemployment insurance, small businesses, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more. However, Durbin emphasized the need for additional funding in key areas and criticized the inclusion of … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues in Requesting Expansion of Pandemic Unemployment Programs Set to Expire During Holiday Season
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and 28 of their colleagues in urging Senate leaders to include in the next COVID-19 relief package an extension of two critical financial lifelines for Americans affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program - which provides unemployment assistance to domestic workers, freelance … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Discuss COVID-19 Outbreak at LaSalle State Veterans Home with IDVA Director, Call for Investigation
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), today discussed ongoing efforts to mitigate and prevent COVID-19 at State Veterans Homes in Illinois with Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director Linda Chapa LaVia, specifically the outbreak at the LaSalle State Veterans Home. This week, Durbin and Duckworth sent a letter to Director Chapa LaVia calling for an … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief for Schools with National Education Association President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Becky Pringle, the new president of the National Education Association (NEA), about the need for additional COVID-19 stimulus funds for education and child care. Durbin discussed his support of the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act, which would provide $430 billion to the education sector, including $50 billion in grants to child care providers. "As the nation continues to reel from this awful pandemic, our educators … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
Durbin Calls On McConnell To Pass Meaningful COVID-19 Relief Legislation To Help Hard Hit Businesses Struggling During Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to pass the HEROES 2.0 Act to provide assistance for struggling Illinoisans and small businesses and slammed the Senate Republican Leader for spending five days jamming a Supreme Court nomination through the Senate floor instead of helping struggling small businesses and families. The HEROES 2.0 Act passed the House of Representatives nearly one month ago, on October 1. Durbin is a … Continue Reading
October 21, 2020
Durbin On McConnell COVID-19 Bill: An Effort To Find Political Cover, Not Real Help
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) partisan COVID-19 relief proposal as "an effort that throws that five-foot rope to a man drowning 30 feet from shore," and spoke about the importance of helping unemployed and uninsured Americans, hospitals and health clinics, state and local governments, schools, and small businesses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin also urged Leader McConnell to start … Continue Reading
October 21, 2020
Durbin Presses SSA To Explain COVID-19 Reopening Strategies In Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide information on its plan to safely reopen facilities and resume operations nationwide and in Chicago, Illinois. In a letter to SSA Commissioner Andrew Saul, Durbin urged the agency work to ensure that any effort to reopen facilities be based on scientific data and incorporate a clear and comprehensive operations plan to protect employees and their families. "I have received … Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
Durbin: Senate Republican's Partisan COVID-19 Relief Proposal Is Half-Hearted And Half-Inspired
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) partisan COVID-19 relief proposal as "half-hearted" and "half-inspired," and spoke about the importance of helping unemployed and uninsured Americans, hospitals and health clinics, state and local governments, and small businesses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin also urged Leader McConnell to start negotiating in good faith - as the Senate did in March when it … Continue Reading
October 05, 2020
Durbin, Warren To Federal Prison Authorities: Take Urgent Action To Contain Further Spread Of COVID-19 In Federal Prisons
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to act promptly to reduce the rapid spread of COVID-19 in federal facilities by adopting a public health-driven approach to managing the novel coronavirus, including releasing eligible individuals to home confinement and adopting appropriate and humane procedures to medically isolate or quarantine individuals infected with COVID-19 instead of … Continue Reading
October 02, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues In Calling For Investigation Into Political Inference With Coronavirus Information
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in leading 24 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General calling for an immediate investigation into allegations of political interference with public health information at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and … Continue Reading
October 01, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Cosponsor Legislation To Build Core Public Health Infrastructure Needed To Save Lives, Fight Threats Like COVID-19
WASHINGTON- This week, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 16 of their Democratic Senate colleagues to introduce the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA). The legislation would establish a new core public health infrastructure program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with up to $4.5 billion in annual funding to bolster the nation's efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthen its … Continue Reading
September 28, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $8 Million For COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $6.2 million to the Illinois Department of Public Health and $1.9 million to the Chicago Department of Public Health to help prepare for an eventual distribution of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, upon regulatory review from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The funding, which is from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and … Continue Reading