Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin Visits Marion VA, Receives Update On Ongoing Investigation
MARION - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Marion VA Medical Center and met with leadership and concerned staff to discuss the ongoing investigations related to mismanagement and retaliation against whistleblowers, and the potential impact on patient safety and care. Following Durbin's calls for an investigation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has sent a number of national offices to the Marion VA for a series of reviews, interviews, and briefings. "We owe each and every v… Continue Reading
09.18.17
Durbin Highlights Contributions Of Military And JROTC Dreamers
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Republican leaders of the Senate and House to bring the bipartisan Dream Act to the floor, highlighting the contributions of Dreamers who are serving in the military and involved in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs. Following the Trump Administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, many JROTC cadets and servicemembers who are DACA recipients are at risk of deportation if… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Durbin-Harris Amendment Would Keep Non-Citizen Military Personnel From Discharge Due To Immigration Status
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), vice chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) today filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to retain military personnel in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program until their background screenings are completed. Because of a backlog in the screening process, it is estimated that between 1,000 and 1,800 MAVNI recruits have lost their … Continue Reading
08.02.17
Durbin, Duckworth Urge VA Secretary To Look Into Mismanagement At Marion VA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss allegations of mismanagement and poor patient care at Marion VA Medical Center. Recent reports detail alleged incidents of prohibited personnel practices at Marion VA, including whistleblower retaliation, nepotism, unfair labor practices, and mistreatment and abuse of employees. Most concerning is the fact that this alleged mismanagement… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Durbin Calls On Pentagon To Clarify Administration Policy For Transgender Individuals In the Military
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) pressed the Department of Defense to clarify the Administration's policy with regard to transgender individuals serving openly in the U.S. military, after President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. government will no longer accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity. In a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Durbin requested that Sec. Mattis provide him with the revised service accession plans, an explanation of the poli… Continue Reading
07.26.17
Durbin Statement On President Trump Reinstating Ban On Transgender People Serving In U.S. Military
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government will no longer accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military: "The bedrock principle of our all-volunteer military is to evaluate every individual on the basis of their willingness and ability to serve. The president's announcement this morning banning transgender individuals from serving our military ironically fall… Continue Reading
07.05.17
Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill To Protect Veterans' Education Benefits
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in introducing bipartisan legislation that would provide relief to veterans whose Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits are affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. In 2016, ITT Tech filed for bankruptcy and closed all 136 campuses in 38 states - after receiving $917 million in Post-9/11 GI Bill funds - leaving student veterans stranded and unable to reallo… Continue Reading
06.28.17
Durbin, Murphy Bill Will Meet Demand For High Quality Prosthetic Care For Veterans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) today introduced two bills to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for our nation's service members and veterans. The legislation would enhance research in best practices and support colleges and universities seeking to establish degree programs to train specialists. "The men and women who serve our country and suffer serious injuries because of it have already sacrificed enough. They should ex… Continue Reading
06.19.17
Durbin, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Families of Wounded Warriors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help make certain wounded warriors and their families are fully aware of the services available to them through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver program. The Caregiver Program Information Improvement Act of 2017 would require the caregiver program to be added to the list of statutorily-mandated counseling items for service members pending separation from the Depar… Continue Reading
05.04.17
Durbin, Bustos Announce Illinois Defense Priorities Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today announced that the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 includes numerous defense priorities for the State of Illinois. "One reason I support this bill is because it includes a strong defense appropriation, which provides critical equipment and training for our troops, and funds the continued fight against terrorist threats like ISIL… Continue Reading
02.14.17
Durbin Statement On The Confirmation Of David Shulkin As VA Secretary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Senate unanimously approved his nomination. "A son of Fort Sheridan in Highland Park, Illinois, David Shulkin is eminently qualified to serve as our nation's VA Secretary," said Senator Durbin. "Dr. Shulkin has been a strong advocate for the VA against privatization, and as the agency's Under Secretary of Health under President Obam… Continue Reading
06.10.14
Durbin Statement on Awarding of Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after President Obama signed into law a bill that he co-sponsored awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Borinqueneers": "American minorities have a proud history of serving their county with honor and distinction, even in the face of racism and exclusion. As the largest and longest-standing segregated unit in our military's history, the 65th Infantry Regiment … Continue Reading
06.09.14
Durbin Statement On Internal VA Audit On Waitlist Practices
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after reviewing the results of a nationwide internal audit into waitlist practices at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. "This news is troubling. It comes on the heels of news last week that at least eight veterans had to wait more than 90-days for an appointment at the Marion VA Medical Center. That is unacceptable," said Durbin. "I have asked Acting VA Secretary Sloan Gibson to brief … Continue Reading
05.27.14
Durbin Announces Committee Approval of Legislation to Improve Prosthetic Care for Veterans
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, last week approved legislation including language he authored to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for the nation's servicemembers and veterans. Durbin inserted a section into the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which the committee approved Thursday, which would enhance research in best practices and offer competitive grant funding t… Continue Reading
05.22.14
Durbin Meets With Secretary Shinseki, Calls For Public Report On Illinois VA Facilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following a meeting today with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to discuss recent reports that facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs - including Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital - used secret lists to conceal the amount of time veterans waited for healthcare, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for a complete review of VA medical facilities, in Illinois and across the country. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Today, I press… Continue Reading
05.02.14
Durbin, Shock, Davis, Simon Celebrate Opening of Renovated 183rd Fighter Wing
[SPRINGFIELD] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon today attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated 183rd Fighter Wing. Durbin is the chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees discretionary spending for our nation's military, including bases. "From defense exercises in South Korea to disaster response needs at home, the 183rd Fighter Wing … Continue Reading
04.30.14
Durbin Commends Rock Island Arsenal Workforce While Chairing Hearing On U.S. Army
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Defense, today highlighted the accomplishments of the Rock Island Arsenal civilian workforce during a hearing reviewing the budget of the United States Army. "I see the value of our civilian workforce every day in Illinois at the Rock Island Arsenal," Durbin said. "When the private sector couldn't provide our troops with what they needed for the fight in Iraq, the civilian workers at Rock Island st… Continue Reading
04.15.14
Durbin, Kirk, Simon Join Secretary of the Air Force at Scott Air Force Base
[SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon today joined newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in a visit to Scott Air Force Base. Durbin is the chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees discretionary spending for our nation's military, including bases. "Scott Air Force Base is a crucial part of the region's economy and our nation's defense. Every time I vis… Continue Reading
03.21.14
Gen. Mark Welsh Visits Scott Air Force Base
[SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE] - U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh today visited Scott Air Force Base with members of Illinois' Congressional Delegation to discuss Scott's importance to our nation's military and meet with leaders of the surrounding community to hear about the strong local support for the base. Gen. Welsh agreed to visit Scott at the invitation of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee that oversees discretionary spending for our n… Continue Reading
03.06.14
Durbin Announces Springfield's Tom Lamont Named to Commission on Military Monuments
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today congratulated Springfield native Tom Lamont, the former Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, on his appointment to the American Battle Monuments Commission. The Commission is responsible for honoring American armed forces where they have served and for controlling the construction of military monuments and markers on foreign soil by others. "I had no doubt that when Tom Lamont retired as Assistant Secre… Continue Reading