Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Establish Rural Transportation Infrastructure Office
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today introduced the Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021, which would improve federal support for transportation and infrastructure needs of rural communities in America. Current programs to assist rural areas are handled by various offices and agencies throughout the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Durbin and … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Durbin Meets With South Suburban Coalition About Local Infrastructure Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with members of the South Suburban Coalition (SouthCom) to discuss the impact of the pandemic in their municipalities and the local government funding included in the American Rescue Plan. They talked about the need for increased federal investments in their communities through the American Jobs Plan. On the call, Durbin also provided an update about the ongoing infrastructure negotiations in the Senate and heard … Continue Reading
June 03, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Join 18 Senators In Calling On Federal Agencies To Share Data, Work Together To Expand Access To High-Speed Internet
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in leading a group of 17 additional Senators in calling on the leaders of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to share data to identify communities without high-speed internet access and work together to improve broadband connectivity. "The … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Durbin, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Children From Lead Poisoning
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) today introduced the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2021, which would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to update its lead poisoning prevention measures to reflect modern science and ensure that families and children living in federally-assisted housing are protected from the devastating consequences of lead poisoning. "Children continue to be at risk from lead … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Durbin To Reintroduce Measure To Combat Lead In Federally Assisted Housing; Discusses Funding In American Jobs Plan To Replace Lead Pipes
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today held a news conference to draw attention to several efforts at the federal level to combat lead exposure and contamination in Illinois and across the country. Next week, Durbin will be reintroducing bipartisan legislation to protect children living in federally assisted housing from lead poisoning. Durbin is also pushing for the passage of President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which includes $45 billion to replace 100 percent of the nation's lead … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin Joins Colleagues In Introducing Electrifying America's Future Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 14 Senate Democrats in introducing the Electrifying America's Future Resolution to advance the vision of widespread electrification across every sector of American life. "As we experience the disastrous effects of climate change, we know we must invest in cleaner forms of energy," said Durbin. "With the Electrifying America's Future Resolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to building more … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $12 Million For MidAmerica Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport has been awarded $12.6 million in federal grant funding to support the final phase of the airport's terminal expansion project. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and federal COVID-19 relief packages. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success, especially as communities … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Durbin: McConnell Would Rather Cut Taxes For The Ultra-Wealthy Than Repair America's Crumbling Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - One day after the deadline for filing personal income taxes in America, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) "red line" when it comes to funding President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which would make historic investments in transportation infrastructure, clean energy, and broadband. When Senator McConnell met with President Biden last week, he said that raising taxes on the largest corporations is a "red line" … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Durbin Discusses Federal Electric Vehicle Research And Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a virtual news conference to discuss electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure opportunities in Illinois. President Biden's American Jobs Plan (AJP) proposes a $180 billion investment in research and development and another $174 billion investment in electric vehicles and charging stations. With Rivian's EV manufacturing facility in Normal, cutting-edge battery research at Argonne National Laboratory, and a statewide push for … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Postal Board Of Governors Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of U.S. Postal Board of Governors nominees Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds: "With Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's irresponsible leadership impacting vital postal service, it's more important than ever that the Postal Board of Governors serve as a check on DeJoy's actions. I'm confident in the abilities and qualifications of Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds to … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Durbin, Quigley, Rubio, & Duckworth Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Map Urban Flooding & Help FEMA Better Assess Risks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021. The bill would enhance the mapping of urban flooding to prevent associated damage and help give cities and towns the tools they need to address flooding on the a local level. "Climate change … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
Durbin: Illinois Has The Chance To Become Leader In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to highlight the exciting progress in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Illinois. On the Senate floor, Durbin spoke about his recent visit to the Rivian plant in Normal, Illinois, ahead of the manufacturing facility beginning production of its inaugural line of electric trucks, SUVs, and delivery vans. Durbin emphasized that Rivian's new plant, which was redeveloped from an idle Mitsubishi plant, is … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
Durbin Statement On Treasury Department Guidance On State And Local Government Funding In American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Department of the Treasury announced guidance for state and local government funding included in the American Rescue Plan: "Democrats and President Biden provided these federal relief dollars to prevent layoffs and save essential services. State and local governments will finally be able to fill revenue gaps to keep our teachers, first responders, and state employees serving our … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Durbin: Investment In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In American Jobs Plan Key To Maintain U.S. Global Economic Edge
NORMAL - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Chris Koos to discuss the need to invest in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure as part of President Biden's American Jobs Plan (AJP). The AJP proposes a $174 billion investment in EVs, including new tax incentives to buy American-made EVs and a grant program for state and local governments and the private sector to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030. "Normal is stepping up to the plate to ensure the United States … Continue Reading
May 05, 2021
Durbin Discusses American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure With Macomb Area Chamber Of Commerce
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss the local impact of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and how President Biden's American Jobs Plan can help the region address its infrastructure priorities. The ARP included $13.7 billion in state and local funding for Illinois, which will be key to preventing further job losses and keep teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders on the payroll. The flexible … Continue Reading
April 29, 2021
Durbin, Payne, Jr. & Blumenthal Introduce Rail Passenger Fairness Act To Improve Amtrak On-Time Performance
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced today the bicameral Rail Passenger Fairness Act to help improve Amtrak on-time performance (OTP) around the country. The bill provides Amtrak with the ability to take the freight railroads to court in order to enforce current law, which requires freight railroads to provide preference to passenger rail operating on their rail … Continue Reading
April 29, 2021
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Drinking Water And Wastewater Infrastructure Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021: "The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act will begin to address the epidemic of lead in our nation's drinking water. It also offers towns like Centreville, Illinois, a chance to fix their broken pumps, shore up drainage ditches, and begin addressing water issues that have been overlooked for far too … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Durbin Meets Virtually With USPS Board Of Governors Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with President Biden's nominees for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors - Ronald Stroman, former Deputy Postmaster General; Anton Hajjar, former General Counsel for the American Postal Workers Union; and Amber McReynolds, former CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute. During their meeting, Durbin asked the nominees for their thoughts on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 10-year operational plan, … Continue Reading
April 27, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Introduce Bill To Reduce Distracted Driving And Protect Roadside First Responders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today introduced legislation designed to reduce crashes involving distracted driving and save lives, including preventing first responder roadside deaths. The bill would require the implementation of life-saving safety technologies on all new vehicles, including federal fleet vehicles, fund the deployment of digital alert technology for … Continue Reading
April 27, 2021
Durbin Joins Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association For Virtual Town Hall
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association to talk about the details of President Biden's American Jobs Plan and discuss removing the $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. Durbin also answered questions from members about federal investment in Illinois transportation projects, including the extension of the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line. "After four years of hearing about … Continue Reading