Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
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
02.12.14
Durbin Introduces Bill to Support Military Families By Fixing Inconsistency in GI Bill Benefit Transfer Eligibility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would support military families by extending Post-911 GI Bill education benefits to foster children and legal wards. The GI Education Benefits Fairness Act was introduced last year on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representations by U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). "The Post-9/11 GI Bill - the most comprehensive education benefits package for service members … Continue Reading
02.07.14
Durbin Urges Expansion of VA Family Caregiver Program
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Congress to expand the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Family Caregiver program which he created. Next week the Senate will consider a veterans bill which contains a provision extending eligibility for the program to caregivers of all veterans. Currently only the family members of those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan may participate. "I created the Family Caregiver Program in 2009 so that the caregivers of severely injured Ir… Continue Reading
01.30.14
Durbin Applauds Effort to Better Track Military and Veterans Education Benefits
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education and Justice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission announced the launch of a new online complaint system designed to collect feedback from veterans, service members and their families who are experiencing problems with educational institutions that receive funding from federal military and veterans educational benefits programs. … Continue Reading
01.28.14
Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure investment… Continue Reading
01.28.14
Durbin Meets with Illinois Servicemember Who Will Be His Guest for the State of the Union
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (HM3) Joseph Marcinkowski from Batavia, Illinois who will be his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address later this evening. Durbin has invited Illinois servicemembers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as his guests to the State of the Union since 2005 when he hosted Army Major Tammy Duckworth. HM3 Marcinkowski will also attend the Secretary of the Senate's dinner… Continue Reading
01.17.14
Durbin, Bustos: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Helps Ensure Strong Future for Thompson Prison, Rock Island Arsenal
[ROCK ISLAND] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today said that the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which both houses of Congress passed this week on bipartisan votes and now heads to President Obama's desk, contains funding to activate Thomson Correctional Center and secure a strong future for the Rock Island Arsenal. Durbin and Bustos also announced they have written federal Bureau of Prisons Director Charles Samuels requesting the agency sp… Continue Reading
01.13.14
Durbin, Bustos: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Improves Rock Island Arsenal Competativeness, Ensures Steady Workload in Future
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014, which was filed in the House and Senate earlier today includes two provisions that will help solidify the future of Rock Island Arsenal. The bill, which reflects a budget agreement between the House and Senate, must now be voted on by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama. "As a result of the p… Continue Reading