Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Rural and Agriculture
Durbin, Duckworth Join Booker To Introduce Honor Farmer Contracts Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, legislation to release illegally withheld funding for all contracts and agreements previously entered into by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). President Trump’s USDA has refused to make reimbursement payments to fulfill signed … Continue Reading
March 27, 2025
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau In Washington
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss the state of federal agriculture policy and Illinois’ agricultural priorities. During the meeting, Durbin heard from Farm Bureau members about the economic uncertainty they are facing with crop prices and production costs, and the financial harms caused by the Trump Administration’s tariffs. Other … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Durbin Shares Story Of Illinois Researcher At USDA Fired During DOGE's Short-Sighted Purge Of Critical Government Employees
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today shared the story of an Illinoisan, Jeannie Klein-Gordon, who was fired from her position as a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of President Trump and Elon Musk’s mission to gut the federal workforce. In his speech, Durbin emphasized that laying off researchers and agricultural experts will have long-term consequences for Illinois’ economy and agricultural … Continue Reading
July 10, 2024
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau President And Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with Illinois Farm Bureau members and President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan, to discuss Illinois’ agricultural priorities as the Senate continues its work on the Farm Bill. During their meeting, the group expressed support for federal crop insurance and shared concerns about California’s Proposition 12 and its effects on pork producers. … Continue Reading
July 02, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski Statement On Appointment Of Pam Monetti To Serve As Illinois Director For USDA Rural Development
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement regarding Pam Monetti’s appointment as the new Illinois Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development: “At our recommendation, the Biden Administration has made an excellent choice in appointing Pam Monetti … Continue Reading
April 11, 2024
Durbin, Thune Urge Biden Administration to Prioritize E15 Fuel, Leverage American Agriculture
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to permit the summertime sale of E15 fuel. The Senators note that American biofuels are a clean and reliable energy solution that will help drive down fuel costs forconsumers. “[W]e must pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which … Continue Reading
March 05, 2024
Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the new President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan, who shared priorities of the Illinois’ agricultural sector for the upcoming year. During their meeting, Mr. Duncan discussed the effects of California’s Proposition 12 on the economics of the hog industry and the important role of H-2A temporary workers for farm labor availability. Mr. … Continue Reading
March 08, 2023
Durbin Questions CFTC Chairman On Crypto At Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today, in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing, questioned the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam about the collapse of FTX-one of the world's largest crypto trading platforms. In November, FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, resigned. Durbin previously asked Chairman Behnam about FTX at an Agriculture Committee hearing in December. Durbin … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Durbin Talks Renewable Energy for Rural Communities in Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing entitled "Farm Bill 2023: Rural Development and Energy Programs." During the hearing, Durbin spoke about benefits of expanding renewable energy into rural communities, including solar panels. "We just got our utility bill at our home in Springfield, Illinois, for the month of October. I'm pleased to report to you that we are not being charged for any … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Durbin Questions CFTC Chairman at Agriculture Committee Hearing on Digital Assets
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today, in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing, questioned the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam about financial market stability given the extreme volatility of the crypto market. "My concern is this: I'm glad we're talking about regulation. We have to have it. But I worry we are doing enough to salve our conscience, but not doing enough to put up guardrails and stop signs … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with Illinois Farm Bureau members. During the meeting, they discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of crop insurance, strengthening ethanol production, tackling climate change, fertilizer costs, and the critical role of immigrant farmworkers. They also thanked Durbin for his work to secure $829 million in … Continue Reading
September 02, 2022
Durbin Visits Local Farm To Discuss Impact Of Inflation Reduction Act On Illinois Agriculture Industry
CARBONDALE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today visited a local farm to discuss the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the Illinois agriculture industry. "Illinois' agriculture industry is not immune to climate change, with droughts in some parts of the state and flooding in others," said Durbin. "These weather changes are not exclusive to Illinois-they're a global issue. Congress designed the Inflation … Continue Reading
May 26, 2022
Durbin Questions Secretary Vilsack At Agriculture Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing titled: "Opportunities and Challenges Facing Farmers, Families, and Rural Communities." During the hearing, Durbin highlighted the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for feeding low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who are served by the Supporting Living Facility program in Illinois. This program has … Continue Reading
April 12, 2022
Durbin Statement On President Biden's Announcement Issuing An Emergency Waiver For The Use Of E15 This Summer
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, today released the following statement on President Biden's announcement that EPA plans to issue an emergency waiver to allow the use of E15 this summer: "Illinoisans have been hit hard by the spike in record-breaking gas prices. Thankfully, today's announcement will allow our energy sector to use more biofuels like ethanol, known to be a reliable energy … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Farm Bureau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau members, who thanked him for his work to secure $829 million in federal funding to modernize Illinois locks and dams. During the meeting, the members also spoke about the importance of federal crop insurance in the upcoming farm bill, the challenges of the rising costs of fertilizer, COVID-19-induced trucking … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Soybean Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, met virtually today with the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss agricultural priorities for Illinois' soybean growers. On the call, the group emphasized the importance of continued federal support for building new foreign markets for soybeans, the challenge of rising input costs, and how the Senate Agriculture Committee is preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill. … Continue Reading
December 06, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Reauthorize The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, which would authorize the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (ALNHA) until 2038, an additional 15 years past the current expiration date of 2023. The bill would allow Illinoisans and Americans to visit and learn more about the historical and cultural impact of the ALNHA and Lincoln's legacy for years to come. … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Durbin Meets With Illinois Farm Bureau Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau members. During the meeting, Durbin discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of enacting strong infrastructure investments like rural broadband, improving ethanol production, and strengthening the role of immigrant farmworkers in the agriculture sector. Durbin also listened to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin Meets Virtually With Illinois Farm Bureau President
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met virtually with Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert and members of the organization. On the call, Durbin discussed agriculture priorities for Illinois' farmers, including the importance of farmworker labor, ethanol production, international trade agreements, greater price transparency in the livestock markets, and the need for strong … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin Questions Witnesses At Hearing On Need For Path To Citizenship For Immigrant Farmworkers
WASHINGTON - During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to reflect on the state of agriculture in Secretary Vilsack's home state of Iowa as it relates to the issue of immigrant farmworkers. "We have a witness in the next panel, Linnea Kooistra-thank you for being here-she's from a dairy … Continue Reading