Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin Issues Statement On President Biden's Pardon Of LGBTQ+ Service Members Who Wrongfully Received Dishonorable Discharges For Their Identity
CHICAGO – On the ninth anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodeges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on President Biden’s pardon for military service members who were convicted under a now-repealed military law because of their sexual orientation: “On the anniversary of Obergefell, President Biden has taken another step forward in advancing the rights of LGBTQ+… Continue Reading
05.16.24
Durbin Talks Military Readiness With Chief of U.S. Air Force Reserves
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today met with Lt. Gen. John Healy, Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, to discuss military readiness. Durbin also received an update about Scott Air Force Base’s 932nd Airlift Wing, which Durbin protected from divestment and for which he secured nearly $60 million for aircraft upgrades in recent fiscal years. The 932nd Airlift Wing trains, equips, and employs C-40C aircra… Continue Reading
08.03.22
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Honoring Our PACT Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Honoring Our PACT Act, legislation that will expand eligibility for health care for veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty: "When Americans sign up to serve our country in the military, we promise that we will not leave them behind. The Senate honored our veterans' service today with the passage of the PACT Act, which will give new hope… Continue Reading
06.08.22
President Biden Signs Durbin, D. Davis, Underwood Bill Restoring Education Benefits To Veterans Into Law
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, President Joe Biden signed the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-7), and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), into law. The legislation will help more than 300 Illinois veterans who were scammed out of their benefits by the unaccredited, for-profit Future Tech Career Institute (FTCI) in Chicago. "During the pand… Continue Reading
05.24.22
Durbin, D. Davis, Underwood Urge VA To Quickly Implement Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration And Recovery Act Once Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough requesting an update about how the VA plans to implement the Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act after it is signed into law by President Biden. The legislation, led by Durbin, Davis, and Underwood, will help more than 300 Illinois veterans wh… Continue Reading
05.12.22
Durbin Talks Military Modernization With U.S. Air Force Secretary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III about the Air Force's priorities for Fiscal Year 2023 and military modernization efforts. On the call, Durbin received an update about recent upgrades to satellite communications equipment on C-40 planes based in Illinois. Durbin urged against efforts to divest from the 932nd Airlift Wing's C-40 plans at Scott Air… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin Questions Secretary Of State Antony Blinken On Situation In Ukraine At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), today at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the U.S. Department of State's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget request. Durbin, Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, began his questioning asking about Ukraine's needs following Putin's unjustified and unprovoked war. "Are we falling short for what they need [Ukraine]? Are we doing eno… Continue Reading
04.26.22
In Speech On Senate Floor, Durbin Calls For Improved Safety Kits For Army Humvees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about upgrading safety features of the Army's Humvees and improving training to address the troubling number of military tactical vehicle accidents. In his remarks, Durbin highlighted research into anti-lock brake and electronic stability safety kits, known as ABS/ESC, as well as other upgrades, to help prevent accidents. While u… Continue Reading
03.16.22
Durbin Speaks With U.S. Transportation Command, Discusses Military Readiness
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with the Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost about military readiness priorities including air refueling; sealift recapitalization; strategic airlift; and global command, control, and integration. During their call, Durbin recognized General Ovost's support for the work of units across Illinois, including at Scott Air Force Base and Peoria Air National Guard Base. "T… Continue Reading
12.16.21
Durbin, Cornyn, Portman, Shaheen, Members Introduce Bipartisan Resolution To Support Ukraine Against Russia Military Invasion
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today led a bipartisan group of 10 Senators in introducing a resolution expressing support for an independent and democratic Ukraine-one that is secure against further Russian military aggression. The resolution comes as Russian forces build up on the Ukrainia… Continue Reading
10.18.21
Durbin Honors Life And Legacy Of Colin Powell
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute on the Senate floor to Secretary of State Colin Powell, who passed away at the age of 84 today. In his remarks, Durbin highlighted how Powell served his nation as a U.S. Army General, a National Security Advisor, the first Black Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first Black Secretary of State. Durbin also spoke about Powell's upbringing as the son of Jamaican immigrants and his support for the Dream Act. "Bu… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Durbin, Leahy Urge President Biden To End Lethal Force Outside Of War Zones, Revise Nation's Counterterrorism Policies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to revise our nation's policy regarding use of lethal force. Over the course of the past three administrations, Durbin and Leahy have raised questions about the legal bases and consequences of lethal strikes. As the Biden administration is reported… Continue Reading
08.26.21
Durbin Statement On Bombing Attacks in Afghanistan
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the attacks outside the Kabul airport and the Baron Hotel in Afghanistan: "Today's heinous attacks in Kabul targeted American citizens, service members, diplomats, and vulnerable Afghans trying to flee for their safety. My heart is with families and loved ones of the service members and other innocent people who have been injured or killed in these acts of terror. "Once the airport and s… Continue Reading
07.20.21
Durbin: Republicans Must Drop Opposition To Emergency Supplemental Bill To Pay National Guard, Capitol Police
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, urged Senate Republicans to support an emergency supplemental appropriations bill, introduced by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT), that would address the urgent security needs facing the Capitol and the country. The $3.7 billion bill would address the violent insurrection that took place on January 6, provide fun… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Durbin Questions Secretary Of Defense And Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Of Staff At Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing about the Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Request, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. Durbin began his questioning asking about the importance of keeping our military nonpartisan. "Two of the pillars of our national defense are civilian control of the military and our ambition, goal, or demand that … Continue Reading
06.08.21
Durbin Joins Gillibrand To Announce New Legislation To Clean Up PFAS At Military Installations With Highest Levels Of Contamination
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to introduce the Filthy Fifty Act, legislation directing the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify and clean up per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at U.S. military installations with some of the highest detections across the country. The hundreds of contaminated military sites across the country jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of military communities who have suffere… Continue Reading
06.08.21
Durbin Questions Secretary Of State Blinken On Afghanisatn
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing about the State Department's Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Request, questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the United States' policy towards Afghanistan in the future. "It appears the Taliban is going to be a political force there. There is also a government in place. I'm not quite sure if there is any accommodation between them going on or expected," Durbin said. "I think … Continue Reading
06.04.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Announce $372,000 In CARES Act Funding For Southland Development Authority
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today announced that the Southland Development Authority in Cook County, Illinois, has been awarded $372,500 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's funding will support the Southland Equitable Recovery Stimulus Program, which will provide businesses with immediate pandemic recovery ass… Continue Reading
06.04.21
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Senators In Bipartisan Request For Additional C-130J Aircraft
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to support the additional procurement of at least eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as part of the modernization effort for the Air National Guard in the Fiscal year (FY) 2022 Defense Appropria… Continue Reading
06.03.21
Durbin, Wicker Request Strong FY22 DOD Medical Research Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), are urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to uphold its commitment to our nation's service members by providing at least $2.89 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Health Program's Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) account. "Such an allocation will build upon an exempla… Continue Reading