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Showing 440 posts from Richard J. Durbin.
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- RD
Rock Island Arsenal is a pillar of the region and a center of innovation. But the Army executed significant personnel changes at the Arsenal without consulting Congress. I joined @duckworth.senate.gov, Senator Grassley, & @ericsorensen.bsky.social to demand answers from the Army about this shift.
- RD
I come from a union family, and I know firsthand what unions have done for millions of Americans. I spent my morning with the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO to thank them for the hard work they do maintaining the American dream.
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- RD
States have been forced to pick up the pieces after President Trump & Congressional Republicans’ disastrous health care cuts. Today, I met with the leadership of Get Covered Illinois to discuss how we can respond to these unprecedented attacks on Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care.
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- RD
Kash Patel should be replaced immediately.
- RD
Like I said… and Senate Republicans confirmed Kash Patel anyway. Dangerous.
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- RD
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Barbara Flynn Currie. From free preschool to legalizing same-sex marriage, Barbara fought tirelessly for the rights & dignities of everyone in our state. She paved the way for a generation of women in the Springfield Capitol. Barbara will be missed.
- RD
If America hopes to remain competitive in a global market, we must reinvigorate our publicly-funded agriculture innovations. I joined Senator Moran to introduce the America Grows Act to boost USDA funding for more breakthroughs and to push our nation forward in the agricultural industry.
- RD
The President and his family don’t even try to hide their corruption. Last year alone, they made at least $1.4 billion through backroom deals and legal threats. And the American people are fed up.
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- RD
Every week, someone is dying in ICE custody. Republicans want to use the reconciliation process to give ICE a blank check to continue Trump’s cruel mass deportation policies. I say we should negotiate basic reforms to these inhumane conditions instead.
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- RD
Predatory for-profit colleges provide low-quality education, worthless degrees, & crushing student debt. I sent a letter to Illinois principals, counselors, & teachers to encourage them to warn college-bound students & their families about the risks associated with attending for-profit colleges.
- RD
Senator Mike Lee and I disagree on a lot. But we both are deeply concerned about warrantless government surveillance of Americans. Read our op-ed in NYT below about how we can reform FISA Section 702 to protect our national security while upholding Americans’ constitutional rights.
link:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/opinion/section-702-surveillance-safe-act.html
- RD
Another member of the Admin’s mass deportation apparatus is leaving after terrorizing families & communities with indiscriminate immigration raids. I hope the departures at DHS will give Congressional Republicans pause before they pour more money into the President’s anti-immigrant agenda.
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- RD
Today, I joined Senator Wicker, Senator Shaheen, and a bipartisan group of Senators to host Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko in the Capitol. In our meeting, I told her I stand with Ukraine and that Congress and President Trump must also play their parts to end Putin’s bloody war.
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- RD
The decisions we make in Washington have a direct impact on Illinoisans. Today, @duckworth.senate.gov and I had a productive conversation with Champaign County First about how our federal government can best support Central Illinois’ economic development.
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- RD
No one should fear for their lives or face imprisonment for standing up for democracy. I joined Senator Cruz and a bipartisan group of Senators to call on President Xi to release political prisoners Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai.
- RD
Today, I met with Illinois members of the Joint Action Committee to discuss the dangerous rise of antisemitism, US-Israel relations, and gun violence. Hate in all its forms has no place in America, and I will continue to fight for the rule of law and democratic norms that shield us from such evils.
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- RD
Transportation and infrastructure undergird prosperity and development in Illinois, and across America. Today, I met with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois to discuss federal investments into infrastructure that would connect Americans and fuel economic growth.
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- RD
Gas & diesel cost too much. Farmers need markets for crops—biofuels will help. But oil state Republicans stopped Congress from creating year-round E15 ethanol, & slowed USDA tools that let farmers benefit from Treasury biofuel tax credits. Yesterday, I met with Growth Energy to discuss fixing this.
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- RD
Navy Pier is a centerpiece of Chicago’s landscape and an important economic hub for our city. I spoke with Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner about the federal investments we can make to allow the Pier to continue to attract millions of tourists to its many offerings.
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- RD
I met with leadership from the Knox County Area Partnership to discuss how Congress can support economic development and infrastructure in the region. It is always a pleasure to meet with organizations representing the interests of our state, and this was no exception.
- RD
President Trump’s tariffs, war with Iran, and farmworker intimidation have made farming expensive and unpredictable. Today, I met with the Illinois Pork Producers Association to discuss how to restore common sense into the farm economy.
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- RD
Six weeks into a war with easily foreseeable problems, thousands of service members at risk, and gas prices above $4 a gallon—yet Senate Republicans for the FOURTH time blocked a resolution requiring Congress to approve further military action against Iran. They are enabling this erratic President.
- RD
Like most, I’ve experienced the nuisance of robocalls. These calls often prey on non-consenting consumers. It’s got to stop, which is why I joined @schakowsky.house.gov and @kevinmullin.house.gov to introduce the Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act to guard against phone scammers.
- RD
Pleased to see that the Senate Energy Committee will be holding a Subcommittee hearing today on my REDUCE Act. This bill would put money back in the pockets of Americans doing their part to conserve energy, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels while delivering savings to homeowners and businesses.
- RD
I spent my morning with U of I System students, faculty, and leaders to welcome them to the Capitol. These bright students and staff are visiting Congress to advocate for increased federal investment into research and education, both of which I am a strong supporter of.
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- RD
What does the Democratic Whip from Illinois, Senator from Missouri, & New Mexico Attorney General have in common? A commitment to protect our kids from Big Tech. Proud to have joined Senator Hawley & AG Raúl Torrez to demand Congress do more to shield kids from online abuse and exploitation.
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- RD
People who defraud Americans and facilitate drug smuggling should face the consequences of their actions. But President Trump pardoned these very individuals because they supported his family business. The President is putting his wealth over the safety of Americans.
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- RD
On Yom HaShoah, we remember the six million Jews and millions of others who were killed in the Holocaust, as well as the strength and resiliency of those who fought back against Nazi oppression. May we keep their memory alive and continue their fight against hate and tyranny.
- RD
The Trump Admin purged DOJ & FBI of qualified employees because they worked on investigations into the President. The Department is now warning that DOJ is critically understaffed while we are engaged in a conflict with Iran. The President’s revenge campaign is making you less safe.
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- RD
The Department of Justice exists to bring safety and peace to America. But the President has used it to wage a campaign of retribution. The next Attorney General must restore the Department to its original mission.
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- RD
Unions are the bedrock of the American Dream. A union job in a meat packing plant put me through college. It was hard work, but it taught me lessons I would never forget. Six decades later, I am honored to receive a lifetime membership card from the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 881.
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O’Hare is the nation’s busiest airport, and it should have the resources and federal support that matches its status. Yesterday, I joined @duckworth.senate.gov to speak with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford about how FAA can invest in O’Hare to ensure it remains in a league of its own.
- RD
I asked GAO to investigate FDA and DOJ’s progress in combatting illegal & addictive vapes. The conclusion is troubling. Insufficient coordination, a lack of enforcement, and diversion of resources to mass deportations. More must be done to protect our children from the grips of big tobacco.
link:https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/10/illegal-vapes-gao-report-shows-insufficient-enforcement-fda/?utm_campaign=twitter_organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
- RD
Someone is dying in ICE custody every week. Republicans want to use the reconciliation process to give ICE a blank check. I say: Let’s negotiate basic reforms instead.
- RD
Congratulations to the Hungarian people on a smooth election process. The United States welcomes a closer relationship with our NATO ally and Hungary’s new government in standing up to Putin and helping Ukraine.
- RD
President Trump’s 2027 budget includes cuts to energy assistance, cancer research, and infrastructure to help pay for more funding for ICE and his mass deportation agenda. The President’s animus toward immigrants will mean less assistance for the Americans who need it most.
- RD
The United States is $39 trillion in debt. Yet President Trump plans the largest increase in defense spending since the Korean War, adding another $6.9 trillion over the next 10 years, including funding for his dubious war with Iran.
- RD
NIH research has supported nearly every new drug in the past decade, but President Trump wants to cut its budget by $5 billion next year. The President’s cuts will take cures away from patients and hope away from families.
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Justice Department attorneys aren’t Donald Trump’s personal attorneys. They’re OUR attorneys. And they work for our country—not just him.
- RD
This is a power grab by a weaponized Trump Justice Department. State bar associations investigate ethical misconduct of all barred attorneys. The Trump DOJ can’t be trusted to investigate DOJ attorneys. State bars should continue to independently investigate.
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President Trump’s proposed budget is a perfect encapsulation of his priorities. Cuts to programs that help Americans afford their groceries, energy bills, & rent. More funding for his war with Iran and mass deportations. This budget puts the President’s ego first and Americans last.
- RD
Trump’s profane Easter diatribe was an embarrassment to our nation and to the troops he is charged with leading. Is there one Republican Senator who will call this indecent display out?
- RD
It has been more than one week since Senate Democrats convinced our Republican colleagues to join us to pass a bill that would fund TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard. But House Republicans continue to block this bill.
- RD
Wishing a happy Easter to families in Illinois, and those celebrating around the world. May your day be filled with joy and love.
- RD
Best of luck to the Fighting Illini as they take on UConn tonight to make it to the NCAA Championship Game. Illinois is rooting for you!
- RD
ICE put in a request for local police to hold this refugee and keep him from his family beyond his release date. But no one at DHS took responsibility or provided him with even a basic level of compassion. Deaths like these are the tragic results of this Administration’s cruelty.
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Congratulations to NASA on the successful launch of Artemis II returning America to the Moon. Illinois is home to manufacturers and universities that are proud contributors to many NASA missions, including Artemis.
- RD
Yesterday, Congressional Republicans announced that they finally agreed to stop obstructing a bill that would end the TSA & FEMA shutdown. But today, House Republicans chose NOT to pass the bill they JUST agreed on. Because of their chaos government employees will continue to miss their paychecks.
- RD
President Trump’s tariff taxes have hurt American farmers, businesses, and families. On the one-year anniversary of the President’s so-called “Liberation Day,” it is clear that the President’s tariffs have accomplished nothing but create hardships for working families.
- RD
Read my statement on the President firing Attorney General Bondi.
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