url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-bill-elevate-antisemitism-envoy-ambassador-passes-house-headed,"Schneider Bill to Elevate Antisemitism Envoy to Ambassador Passes House, Headed to President’s Desk",2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bradley Scott Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,schneider,https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation authored by Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Chris Smith (NJ-4), and Eliot Engel (NY-16) that would elevate the State Department's antisemitism Special Envoy position to an Ambassadorship, giving more clout to address the alarming rise in antisemitism worldwide. The House voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 221 in January 2019 and the Senate amended and approved the legislation earlier this month. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. ""Today, the House took historic action to combat hate by unanimously passing the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Act and sending it to the President,"" said Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10). ""The United States has a critical leadership role to play in stamping out hate, both at home and around the world, and with acts of antisemitism increasing across the globe, it's important that the United States Special Envoy have the authority and standing to lead the fight. As an Ambassador, this role will be better equipped to root out hate wherever and whenever it manifests. ""I want to thank Congressman Chris Smith and House Foreign Affairs Chair Eliot Engel for working hard to keep this fight bipartisan and I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the safety of Jewish communities across the globe."" The House originally voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 221 in January 2019. The bill is endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Jewish Federations of North America.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-mcconnell-to-help-struggling-families-by-passing-2000-direct-payment-measure,"Durbin Calls on McConnell to Help Struggling Families By Passing $2,000 Direct Payment Measure",2020-12-31,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.31.20 Durbin Calls on McConnell to Help Struggling Families By Passing $2,000 Direct Payment Measure WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Republicans to support the House-passed CASH Act, a measure that would increase direct payments from $600 to $2,000 for individuals earning less than $75,000 per year. The measure passed the House by a vote of 275-134, with 44 House Republicans supporting the bill. All we're saying to Senator McConnell is give us a chance to vote. You can vote no if you wish. Give us a chance to vote for the $2,000 that can make a difference in a person's life. $4,000 for a husband and wife who are struggling to get by. Rent checks, mortgage payments, car payments, utility bills, things that really are basic to family survival. We're trying to help, and I think we should be given that chance, Durbin said.If we are in touch with the reality in our home states, in our hometowns, we should do something, something significant to end this New Year on the right note. I plead with the Republican leader who has the power, the one, the sole member of Congress of 100 members, he has the power to bring this matter to a vote and to do it immediately, within the hour. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-mcconnell-to-bring-2000-direct-payment-measure-to-the-floor-for-a-vote,"Durbin Calls on McConnell to Bring $2,000 Direct Payment Measure to the Floor for a Vote",2020-12-30,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.30.20 Durbin Calls on McConnell to Bring $2,000 Direct Payment Measure to the Floor for a Vote WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Republicans to support the House-passed CASH Act, a measure that would increase direct payments from $600 to $2,000 for individuals earning less than $75,000 per year. The measure passed the House yesterday by a vote of 275-134, with 44 House Republicans supporting the bill. Durbin also spoke about his frustration with President Donald Trump's delay in signing the final COVID-19 emergency relief package, which passed Congress last week. Unfortunately, the President delayed in signing the bill and creating needless uncertainty in America, particularly among the unemployed and others suffering from this economic and health crisis,Durbin said. One of the most widely discussed measures of the COVID-19 relief bill was the second round of economic impact payments. Just yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the CASH Act the head of the Federal Reserve, Chairman Powell, has really instructed us to keep the foot on the accelerator so that our economy doesn't slump into a recession. At a time when so many American families are laid off, unemployed, and simply struggling to get by, there is nothing more invigorating to the economy than to have a cash infusion. Durbin continued,By passing this enhanced measure, we could restore the American public's confidence in Washington, and the fact that we are listening and working together on a bipartisan basis to respond. This measure that passed the House of Representatives has the support of the President, Speaker Pelosi, House Democrats, as well as many House Republicans. Leader Schumer and my Senate Democratic colleagues support it. So I hope Senator McConnell, the Republican Leader, and his colleagues in the Republican caucus will join us to pass this bill quickly this week. In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also reiterated his disappointment that funding for state and local governments was not included in the final COVID-19 emergency relief package. One of the most important items that Congress failed to reach an agreement on was funding for state and local governments. States and localities are struggling due to increased costs and decreased revenues due to the pandemic. By this summer, my home state of Illinois will have lost more than $5 billion in revenues. I can tell you that that's going to cause pain and cutbacks,Durbin said. I certainly hope that the next President, who will be sworn in on January 20, will take this up as one of his highest priorities. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor isavailablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-i-will-vote-to-override-president-trumps-unforgivable-veto-of-ndaa,Durbin: I Will Vote to Override President Trump's Unforgivable Veto of NDAA,2020-12-29,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.29.20 Durbin: I Will Vote to Override President Trump's Unforgivable Veto of NDAA WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today announced he would vote to override President Trump's reckless veto of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA). Last week, President Trump vetoed the NDAA over a provision to rename military bases named for Confederate generals and for not including a repeal of Section 230 liability protection for tech companies. Still, despite all the good things in this bill, the bipartisanship that supported it, President Trump decided to veto the bill, one of his rarer vetoes. He prefers we continue to honor the Confederate leaders who committed treasonous atrocities in order to preserve slavery. I don't think that is reflective of the United States of today or its values, but that's his position,Durbin said.At the end of the day, I suppose we can't expect anything more from a President who has denigrated our troops by calling them suckers' and losers'. I voted to support the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA, and I'll support it again to override this President's unforgivable and reckless veto. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. Durbin-led measures included in the FY21 NDAA are: Bill language expressing support for coordinated action to ensure the security of our Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Bill languagewelcoming Ukraine into NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partnership Program. Bill language continuing support for the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Centerin North Chicago, Illinois. The Senate FY21 NDAA report also included two Durbin-led measures: Joint Munitions Command:Reportlanguage Durbin requested directing the Army to brief the Committee on the feasibility of a pilot program at the Joint Munitions Command, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, for the sustainment of munitions as part of the overall life-cycle management of any given munitions program. Military Sexual Trauma:Report language Durbin requested to urge the Defense Department to expeditiously carry out the Military Sexual Trauma pilot program he helped establish in the FY19 NDAA, in partnership with civilian institutions and using new models of care. Durbin also helped secure the following measures in the FY21 NDAA: Renaming Confederate Bases. The bill establishes a commission tasked with removing within three years all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederacy or any Confederate leader from all Defense Department assets. Troop Drawdowns. The bill includes certain restrictions on the President's drawdown of American troops from Germany, Afghanistan, and South Korea, as well as reporting requirements to ensure that the Department of Defense conducts thorough risk assessments before any hasty drawdowns take place. In addition, the bill requires an update on efforts to secure the release of Americans detained in Afghanistan. Illinoisan Mark Frerichs was abducted in Afghanistan earlier this year, and Durbin has pressed the Trump Administration to secure his release. Military Gear to Law Enforcement.The bill includes provisions placing certain restrictions on transfers of surplus military gear to civilian law enforcement as part of the 1033 program, effectively prohibiting police from obtaining bayonets, grenades, weaponized tracked combat vehicles, and weaponized drones, and requiring annual training by participating law enforcement agencies in de-escalation of force, and respect for the rights of citizens under the Constitution. The bill also requires federal law enforcement officers and members of the armed forces or National Guard deployed in response to public protests to visibly display their name and agency on their uniform. Agent Orange. The bill expands the VA's list of medical conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange to include Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonismhealth conditions that each meet the historical standard for being added to the presumptive list for service-connection as it relates to Agent Orange exposure. Durbin has cosponsored legislation on this and written to President Trump on the matter, as his Administration has been blocking inclusion of these diseases on the Agent Orange presumptive diseases list since 2017. Military Sexual Assault. The conference report includes a number of provisions aimed at addressing sexual assault and harassment in the military, including creating a task force to study and make recommendations on domestic violence in the military. It would also enable victims to make confidential reports of sexual harassment outside of the chain of command and requires the Department of Defense to implement a safe to report policy and coordinate support with the VA for survivors. PFAS. The bill includes language incentivizing the development of non-PFAS containing fire-fighting agents, requiring increased notifications about potential PFAS exposure, and increases CDC funding for PFAS research. The bill in total authorizes $90 million in PFAS testing and $1.4 billion for environmental remediation. Earlier this year, the Air Force detected PFAS during site inspections at Scott Air Force Base (AFB), the Peoria Air National Guard Base, and the Capital Air National Guard Base in Springfield, which may be impacting off-base water wells. Since then, Durbin has been pushing for immediate measures to protect the health of residents, including securing funding for PFAS-related clean-up, research, and mitigation work at and near military bases as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-statement-passage-climate-change-bills,Casten Statement on Passage of Climate Change Bills,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Sean Casten,C001117,casten.house.gov,casten,https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released a statement following the President signing H.R. 133, the fiscal year 2021 appropriations omnibus bill that included two important Casten-led bills to address climate change into law. Provisions from two bills introduced by Rep. Casten (D-IL) – the Clean Industrial Technology Act (CITA) and the Promoting Grid Storage Act (PGSA) were included in the omnibus package. Combined, the two bills authorize nearly $1.4 billion of spending on emission reduction and clean energy research and development over the next five years. Casten said, ""The climate crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time. While research and development efforts alone will not be sufficient to tackle the climate crisis, they are a necessary component as we look to decarbonize the hard-to-decarbonize sectors of our economy and utilize energy storage to support the decarbonization of our electric grid. Expanding access to clean energy via these research and development programs will lower emissions, enhance our nation's energy security, and bolster our economy. I'm proud that these bipartisan bills are signed into law and I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass additional bills to combat climate change."" CITA authorizes $500 million over five years for the Department of Energy (DoE) to establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program for technologies that reduce industrial emissions, such as chemical or cement production. It also creates a technical assistance program, meant to assist entities in promoting the commercial application of industrial emissions reduction technologies. Grid storage provisions in the package from PGSA provided for $500 million of authorizations over five years for the DoE to create and research and development program to advance energy storage technologies. The package also authorizes $355 million over five years to fund demonstration projects for energy storage systems.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/castens-graduate-act-becomes-law,Casten's GRADUATE Act Becomes Law,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Sean Casten,C001117,casten.house.gov,casten,https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten's (IL-06) released the following statement after the President signed Casten's GRADUATE Act into law as part of the year-end government spending and coronavirus relief bill. The GRADUATE Act (Giving Resources and Dollars to Undergraduates for Adequate Time for Education Act) eliminates the restriction that students can only take out federally subsidized student loans over three years for an Associate's Degree or six years for a Bachelor's Degree, while maintaining the overall cap on borrowing to prevent students from taking on too much debt. This added flexibility would enable students who encounter obstacles in their education, like needing to withdraw for a semester or transfer, to complete their degrees. ""I'm thrilled to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle come together to support non-traditional college students and pass the GRADUATE Act into law,"" said Rep. Casten. ""This law will give countless students the financial support and flexibility they need to walk across the stage at graduation and build a better life for their family."" The bill was endorsed by the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the University of Illinois system, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Higher Education Loan Coalition, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the HBCU Collective.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-statement-house-passing-2000-direct-assistance-veto-override-ndaa,"Schneider Statement on House Passing $2000 Direct Assistance, Veto Override on NDAA",2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bradley Scott Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,schneider,https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the below statement following the House of Representatives voting to pass the CASH Act and to override the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act: ""The House of Representatives passing the CASH Act tonight moves forward economic relief for struggling American families that should have been passed and sent out months ago. And the veto override shows that the NDAA, which has passed with bipartisan support and the President's signature every year for 59 years, will this year have to become law without the President's name attached. ""The fate of both these bills now lies with Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, who will decide first if he is willing to help struggling Americans and drive our economic recovery from Covid, and second if he is committed to funding America's troops. ""Because of Senate intransigence, the compromise Covid relief bill the President signed into law fell short when it came to getting desperately needed support directly to Americans. Today's CASH Act will lend a hand to those who have been hammered by this pandemic by raising direct checks from $600 to $2000. It's a morally necessary step that I hope we will build upon in the next Congress. ""Today's vote of 322-87 to override the President's veto of the NDAA was an overwhelming statement of support for those keeping us safe at home and abroad – both this holiday season and throughout the year. It was reckless when the President chose to veto this bill, which has passed the House every year for the last 59 years, and I'm thrilled that we have been able to reverse that decision. This year's defense authorization bill provides our nation's service members with the resources they need to succeed and upholds the values of our nation with investments in supporting veterans transitioning home and fighting domestic terror.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-statement-trump-signing-bipartisan-coronavirus-relief-bill,Schneider Statement on Trump Signing Bipartisan Coronavirus Relief Bill,2020-12-27,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bradley Scott Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,schneider,https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"DEERFIELD, IL — Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the following statement after the President signed the bipartisan coronavirus relief bill: ""I am grateful the President has finally decided to sign the bipartisan Covid relief package. It's an essential compromise bill that, though short of what's ultimately needed, provides a down payment on the fight to defeat the virus, provide support for struggling Americans, and move our economy towards recovery and renewal. ""Because of Senate intransigence, the compromise bill falls short in many aspects — the direct payment checks will only be $600 and it fails entirely to address state and local budgets that are struggling to employ our first responders and those on the front line of the fight against this virus. I look forward to addressing these concerns in upcoming legislation, and I hope that my Republican colleagues will join me tomorrow in voting to increase the check size to $2,000. ""I also know that the incoming Biden Administration will address this pandemic with the seriousness it deserves and help provide the further relief we need. I see hope that Congress has now showed it is able to work together to provide Americans the assistance they need, and to up the fight to end the pandemic. Let's put politics aside and start to heal our nation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-casten-energy-storage-legislation-passes-congress,"Foster, Casten Energy Storage Legislation Passes Congress",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bill Foster,F000454,foster.house.gov,foster,https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - This week, Congress passed a coronavirus relief and omnibus package which included the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act introduced by Rep. Foster (D-IL) and Rep. Casten (D-IL). The legislation would authorize $50 million to support the creation of multiple public-private partnership projects to develop energy storage technology that is commercially viable and can support the electrical grid. Much of the most advanced work in battery storage technology is being led by Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. The BEST Act would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish aggressive ""moonshot"" goals to develop improved capacity and lower costs for grid-scale storage. While the Department of Energy has issued grants to promote better battery storage, funding has not been able to support the research needed for breakthroughs in technology capable of transforming the electrical grid. ""Energy storage is one of the great frontiers in new technology that could transform our country's energy sector as we move to more environmentally sustainable energy models,"" Foster said. ""This bipartisan measure will provide a boost for research into energy storage technology, like the work being done at Argonne National Lab in my District, that could be transformational for our country's electrical grid. Advancements in energy storage technology will be critical in our ability to fight climate change and America's scientific leadership will be vital for this effort. I am proud that the BEST Act was included in this package and will be sent to the President's desk. Casten said, ""Expanding access to clean energy via advances in energy storage is fundamental to addressing climate change, enhancing our nation's energy security, and bolstering our economy. The transition to a low-carbon economy fueled by cheap, clean energy requires a commitment to research, demonstration, and deployment of new and improved energy storage systems. I'd also be remiss if I didn't thank Rep. Foster for his leadership on his Better Energy Storage Technology Act, and for incorporating provisions from PGSA into his bill. I'm proud that this bipartisan bill has passed Congress and will be signed into law.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-schakowsky-price-lee-meeks-castro-spanberger-and-sherman-spearhead-letter,"Reps. Schakowsky, Price, Lee, Meeks, Castro, Spanberger, and Sherman Spearhead Letter to President-elect Biden with 150 Total Signers Urging Diplomatic Steps to Return Both Iran and U.S. to JCPOA",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jan Schakowsky,S001145,schakowsky.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), David Price (D-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Abigail D. Spanberger (D-VA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) sent a letter to President-elect Joseph R. Biden with a total of 150 signers expressing support for renewed diplomacy to halt and reverse Iran's nuclear program, to address other pressing issues, and to reduce the likelihood of violent regional conflict. The letter expresses support for both Iran and the U.S. returning to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear agreement. The seven members circulating the letter releasedthe following statement: One of the most pressing foreign policy challengesfacingthe incoming Biden administration will be halting and reversing Iran's nuclear program,which was left largely unconstrained after President Trump withdrew from theJCPOA.The Trump administration's incoherent and provocative policies toward Iran and our multilateral relationshipsonlyadvanced the Iranian nuclear program,failed to effectively address Iran's other malign behavior, and greatly increased the likelihood of violent confrontation and conflict. As Congressional leadersregardless of our support or opposition to the JCPOA in 2015 weareunited in our support for swiftly taking the necessary diplomatic steps to restore constraints on Iran's nuclear program and return both Iran and the United States to compliance with theJCPOAas a starting point for further negotiations. We are sending this letter to endorse President-elect Biden's call for diplomacy as the best path to halt and reverseIran's nuclear program, decrease tensions in the region, andfacilitate our nation'sreincorporation into the international community. The 150 signatories include the following Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: David Price, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Gregory Meeks, Joaquin Castro, Abigail D. Spanberger, and Brad Sherman, Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Pete Aguilar, Colin Allred, Cindy Axne, Karen Bass, Ami Bera, M.D., Donald S. Beyer Jr., Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Earl Blumenauer, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Cheri Bustos, G. K. Butterfield, Salud O. Carbajal, Andr Carson, Sean Casten, Judy Chu, David Cicilline, Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., Katherine M. Clark, Yvette D. Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, II, Steve Cohen, Gerald E. Connolly, Jim Cooper, Jim Costa, Joe Courtney, TJ Cox, Jason Crow, Sharice L. Davids, Danny K. Davis, Peter A. DeFazio, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, Suzan Delbene, Mark DeSaulnier, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Mike Doyle, Veronica Escobar, Anna Eshoo, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Abby Finkenauer, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Ruben Gallego, John Garamendi, Jess G. Chuy Garcia, Vicente Gonzalez, Al Green, Ral M. Grijalva, Deb Haaland, Josh Harder, Jahana Hayes, Denny Heck, Brian Higgins, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Jared Huffman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Pramila Jayapal, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Henry C. Hank Johnson, Jr., Marcy Kaptur, William R. Keating, Robin L. Kelly, Joseph P. Kennedy, III, Ro Khanna, Daniel T. Kildee, Derek Kilmer, Andy Kim, Ann Kirkpatrick, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ann McLane Kuster, James R. Langevin, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson, Brenda L. Lawrence, Andy Levin, Mike Levin, Dave Loebsack, Zoe Lofgren, Alan Lowenthal, Stephen F. Lynch, Tom Malinowski, Carolyn B. Maloney, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, James P. McGovern, Jerry McNerney, Gwen Moore, Seth Moulton, Jerrold Nadler, Richard E. Neal, Joe Neguse, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Jimmy Panetta, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Donald M. Payne, Jr., Ed Perlmutter, Chellie Pingree, Stacey E. Plaskett, Mark Pocan, Katie Porter, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Jamie Raskin, Harley Rouda, Lucille Roybal-Allard, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Bobby L. Rush, Tim Ryan, Linda T. Snchez, John Sarbanes, Mary Gay Scanlon, Adam Schiff, Kim Schrier, M.D., Robert C. Bobby Scott, Jos E. Serrano, Albio Sires, Adam Smith, Jackie Speier, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Paul D. Tonko, Norma J. Torres, Lori Trahan, Lauren Underwood, Filemon Vela, Nydia M. Velzquez, Peter Visclosky, Maxine Waters, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Peter Welch, Jennifer Wexton, and John Yarmuth. A copy of the letter can be viewed here and the text is copied below. Dear President-elect Biden: Congratulations on your election to become the next President of the United States, and we wish you success on behalf of our nation. We particularly welcome your commitment to the restoration of American leadership and diplomacy. With respect to Iran, we agree that diplomacy is the best path to halt and reverse Iran's nuclear program, decrease tensions in the region, and facilitate our nation's reincorporation into the international community. We are united in our support for swiftly taking the necessary diplomatic steps to restore constraints on Iran's nuclear program and return both Iran and the United States to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a starting point for further negotiations. The JCPOA, an agreement you helped champion, verifiably constrained Iran's nuclear program until after the United States' unilateral withdrawal. Since 2019, Iran has changed course by increasing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium and enriching uranium to a higher purity level, while also installing advanced centrifuges beyond the agreement's limits. As a result, Iran's breakout time of one year, as estimated under the JCPOA by the U.S. intelligence community, has decreased to a few months. The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign has left Iran with an unconstrained nuclear program, failed effectively to address Iran's other malign behavior, and greatly increased the likelihood of violent confrontation and conflict. This incoherent and provocative policy has increased regional tension and attacks against our troops and our partners and emboldened Iranian hardliners. As a result, the risk of potentially devastating miscalculation remains unnecessarily high. Re-engaging multilaterally on preventing the development of an Iranian nuclear weapon and re-opening channels of communication are essential to reversing these dangerous developments. The Trump administration's unilateral withdrawal from the internationally negotiated and UN-endorsed JCPOA undermined global non-proliferation efforts, fractured U.S. relationships with key allies, diminished U.S. leadership and influence, and reduced U.S. leverage in addressing other national security issues with Iran. Iran's other destabilizing activities in the region, such as its support for terrorism, development of ballistic missiles, human rights violations against its own people, and holding of foreign political prisoners, including Americans, warrant strong and coordinated international diplomacy. The JCPOA does not prevent our ability to address these destabilizing activities. An unrestrained Iranian nuclear program would exacerbate these other threats posed by Iran and inspire a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. We know preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon through diplomacy will be a top priority of your administration, and we strongly believe that the JCPOA provides a critical framework to achieve this goal effectively. We strongly endorse your call for Iran to return to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States to rejoin the agreement, and subsequent follow-on negotiations. We understand that returning to the agreement will require the selective lifting of some sanctions and rigorous implementation to verifiably ensure Iranian compliance. Americans have seen first-hand how withdrawing from multilateral agreements and abandoning our allies jeopardizes our national security goals. As a result, it is critical to not be discouraged by efforts to preclude diplomacy. Reinstating our international agreements and engaging in sustained diplomacy are the best ways to achieve long-term non-proliferation and urgent national security objectives, including the prevention of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon and the laying of a foundation for progress on other critical issues. We look forward to working with you on these important matters. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-blasts-commutation-medicaid-fraudster-s-sentence,Schakowsky Blasts Commutation of Medicaid Fraudster’s Sentence,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jan Schakowsky,S001145,schakowsky.house.gov,,,legacy,"EVANSTON Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Co-Chair of the House Democrats Task Force on Aging and Families, blasted President Trump for commuting the sentence of Philip Esformes who was convicted for what the Department of Justice called the largest single health care bribery and kickback scheme in American history: President Trump is truly showing us who he values with his slew of pardons and commutations as he unveils the contempt he has for the rule of law. Philip Esformes stole from taxpayers, raking in $1.3 billion in revenues from Medicaid and Medicare. Today's commutation of Esformes is an insult to the hard-working professionals who work in our nursing homes and provide care to our nation's seniors. It also diminishes the hard work that law enforcement officials did to bring this fraudster to justice. Esformes preyed on the Chicago and Miami communities, where he would bribe medical professionals while placing vulnerable residents in harmful situations. For example, he placed older nursing home residents with younger patients who had mental illnesses. These situations led to residents being attacked and beaten to death, while Esformes paid off government regulators to look the other way. He allowed substance-addicted patients to wander in the streets while he collected government payments for services and treatment he was supposed to be providing them. He violated the trust of Medicaid and Medicare in untold proportions, in a way that sews distrust in an industry vital to the health and safety of our nation's seniors and others. I have fought for years to bring reforms to the nursing home industry, to protect our nation's most vulnerable residents and to prevent the kind of scams and fraud perpetrated by Mr. Esformes. I will continue to work with my colleagues to prevent these kinds of situations and to protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid and Medicare. ####",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-hosts-town-hall-coronavirus-relief-package-and-federal-funding,Underwood Hosts Town Hall on Coronavirus Relief Package and Federal Funding Legislation,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,underwood,https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"December 23, 2020 The legislation delivers urgently needed relief to support small businesses, accelerate COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and deliver direct payments to Illinoisans WEST CHICAGO— Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) hosted a Facebook Live Town Hall on the coronavirus relief and federal funding package that passed the house Monday evening. During the town hall, Underwood discussed the legislation and shared how it will help northern Illinois communities. The legislation includes critical wins that Underwood has fought for to deliver urgently needed relief to support small businesses, accelerate COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and deliver direct payments to Illinoisans. ""It's been an incredibly tough year for Illinois communities, and we have all been tested by this pandemic. This much-needed bipartisan legislation will deliver emergency coronavirus relief and a fund our federal government to help save the lives and livelihoods of the American people,"" said Underwood. ""I will continue to fight for more financial relief until our economy has fully recovered from the pandemic."" A full video of Underwood's town hall can be found here. A one-pager of the legislation can be found here. Underwood priorities for the 14th District in the coronavirus relief legislation includes: Accelerating the Vaccine Distribution– We know that we cannot get our economy working unless we can get the coronavirus under control. The legislation will accelerate the free and equitable distribution of vaccines so Illinoisans can get access to a vaccine as soon as possible. It also implements a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions to support our heroic health care workers and providers. Delivering Money Directly to the American People – The legislation provides another round of direct relief payments worth up to $600 per adult and $600 per child. For Illinoisans who have been unemployed during this time: We averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits, added a $300 per week Unemployment Insurance enhancement from December 26 through March 14, and lengthened the number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive benefits by 11 weeks. The law also ensures self-employed, gig, freelance and part-time workers remain eligible for federal unemployment insurance. Providing critically needed emergency rental assistance and extends the eviction moratorium—This package establishes the first-ever emergency federal rental assistance program which will give people funds to pay past due rent, future rent payments, and utility bills. It also extends the existing CDC moratorium through January 31, so that the rental assistance program can take effect. Delivering Key Tax Benefits for Families– The legislation includes to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit that help ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a larger tax credit. Helping Our Students – The agreement provides funding for schools, including support for air conditioning and filtration systems to help reopen classrooms. School districts from across our community reached out to asking for help to make these critical infrastructure upgrades, because some schools lack air conditioning altogether. Additionally, the legislation approved additional funding to keep child care providers open to provide assistance to providers and help get parents back to work. Getting More Families Online– Across our community students are still struggling with reliable internet connection. Teachers shared stories of students who had to use the free WIFI available in local fast food restaurant parking lots to get their assignments done because they don't have enough bandwidth at home. Schools and libraries are doing all they can to connect students with hot spots, but ultimately, we need bigger solutions for this problem. The agreement will help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic and it provides money is to build broadband infrastructure throughout our communities. Delivering Help for Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Restaurants – The package contains critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses. It includes additional forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans including for restaurants and non-profits, and it has a program just for self-employed people and businesses with fewer than 10 employees. There is targeted help for live venues and cultural institutions like museums, and additional grant funds will be available to help many smaller businesses on main streets across IL-14. It also extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in their jobs during coronavirus closures or periods of reduced revenue and also provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave. Ending Surprise Medical Billing – No matter if it is an emergency or a planned procedure, more patients will be protected from crushing, surprise medical bills for out-of-network care beyond their control.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/video-underwood-hosts-town-hall-coronavirus-relief-package-and-federal-funding,Underwood Hosts Town Hall on Coronavirus Relief Package and Federal Funding Legislation,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,,,legacy,"WEST CHICAGO Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) hosted a Facebook Live Town Hall on the coronavirus relief and federal funding package that passed the house Monday evening. During the town hall, Underwood discussed the legislation and shared how it will help northern Illinois communities. The legislation includes critical wins that Underwood has fought for to deliver urgently needed relief to support small businesses, accelerate COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and deliver direct payments to Illinoisans. ""It's been an incredibly tough year for Illinois communities, and we have all been tested by this pandemic. This much-needed bipartisan legislation will deliver emergency coronavirus relief and a fund our federal government to help save the lives and livelihoods of the American people, said Underwood. I will continue to fight for more financial relief until our economy has fully recovered from the pandemic."" A full video of Underwood's town hall can be found here. A one-pager of the legislation can be found here. Underwood priorities for the 14th District in the coronavirus relief legislation includes: Accelerating the Vaccine Distribution We know that we cannot get our economy working unless we can get the coronavirus under control. The legislation will accelerate the free and equitable distribution of vaccines so Illinoisans can get access to a vaccine as soon as possible. It also implements a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions to support our heroic health care workers and providers. Delivering Money Directly to the American People The legislation provides another round of direct relief payments worth up to $600 per adult and $600 per child. For Illinoisans who have been unemployed during this time: We averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits, added a $300 per week Unemployment Insurance enhancement from December 26 through March 14, and lengthened the number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive benefits by 11 weeks. The law also ensures self-employed, gig, freelance and part-time workers remain eligible for federal unemployment insurance. Providing critically needed emergency rental assistance and extends the eviction moratoriumThis package establishes the first-ever emergency federal rental assistance program which will give people funds to pay past due rent, future rent payments, and utility bills. It also extends the existing CDC moratorium through January 31, so that the rental assistance program can take effect. Delivering Key Tax Benefits for Families The legislation includes to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit that help ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a larger tax credit. Helping Our Students The agreement provides funding for schools, including support for air conditioning and filtration systems to help reopen classrooms. School districts from across our community reached out to asking for help to make these critical infrastructure upgrades, because some schools lack air conditioning altogether. Additionally, the legislation approved additional funding to keep child care providers open to provide assistance to providers and help get parents back to work. Getting More Families Online Across our community students are still struggling with reliable internet connection. Teachers shared stories of students who had to use the freeWIFI available in local fast food restaurantparking lots to get their assignments donebecause they don't have enough bandwidthat home.Schools and libraries are doing all they can to connect students with hot spots, butultimately,we need bigger solutions for this problem.The agreement will help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic and it provides money is to build broadband infrastructure throughout our communities. Delivering Help for Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Restaurants The package contains critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses. It includes additional forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans including for restaurants and non-profits, and it has a program just for self-employed people and businesses with fewer than 10 employees. There is targeted help for live venues and cultural institutions like museums, and additional grant funds will be available to help many smaller businesses on main streets across IL-14. It also extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in their jobs during coronavirus closures or periods of reduced revenue and also provides a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave. Ending Surprise Medical Billing No matter if itis an emergency or a planned procedure,morepatients willbe protected fromcrushing, surprise medical bills for out-of-network care beyond their control. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-thanks-health-care-heroes-for-their-works-and-sacrifices-in-2020,Durbin Thanks Health Care Heroes for Their Works and Sacrifices in 2020,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.23.20 Durbin Thanks Health Care Heroes for Their Works and Sacrifices in 2020 SPRINGFIELD U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today in a Facebook video message thanked health care heroes, medical researchers, and essential workers for their sacrifices and hard work keeping America safe this year. This has been an unrelenting, draining, and scary time for many, many months. But your resilience and commitment to others has been a beacon of light during this crisis,Durbin said.A hundred years from now, when people tell the story of this pandemic, you will be the heroes of this story. And that's exactly as it should be. Happy holidays. Video of Durbin's remarks is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-warren-booker-colleagues-request-investigation-of-trump-administrations-unprecedented-spree-of-federal-executions,"Durbin, Warren, Booker, Colleagues Request Investigation of Trump Administration's Unprecedented Spree of Federal Executions",2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.23.20 Durbin, Warren, Booker, Colleagues Request Investigation of Trump Administration's Unprecedented Spree of Federal Executions WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in a letter to Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking an investigation of the frenzied and unprecedented spree of federal executions during [President Trump's] lame-duck period. In July 2020, the Trump Administrationendeda 17-year hiatus on federal executions when it executed Daniel Lewis Lee, and followed that with six more executions between July 16, 2020, and September 24, 2020. Since his defeat at the polls in the November 2020 election, President Trump and political appointees at the DOJ haveramped upthe pace of executions during the lame duck period of his presidency, with executions of Orlando Hall on November 19, 2020; Brandon Bernard on December 10, 2020; and Alfred Bourgeois on December 11, 2020. Three more executionsare scheduledmere days before the end of President Trump's term in January 2021, including Lisa Montgomery, who would be the first woman to be put to death by the federal government in 67 years."" This spree of executions marks a break with both modern history and decades-old practice. Prior to the Trump Administration's revival of federal executions, the federal governmenthad not executeda federal prisoner since 2003 and has only executed three people in the previous 50 years. And the executions that have and are scheduled to occur after November 3, 2020 are the first executions under a lame duck' president in over 100 years,' and comedespite the factthat President-elect Joe Biden has said he intends to end the use of capital punishment by the federal government while in office,'wrote the Senators. The reversal of long-standing DOJ policies and protocols for federal executions raise numerous questions about the fairness and application of these policies and protocols by the Trump Administration, including theclear evidencethat racial bias against defendants of color and in favor of white victims has a strong effect on who is capitally prosecuted, sentenced to death, and executed, whether concerns about botched executions have been fully addressed, and whether employing death sentences during a pandemic is unsafe,particularly when it requiresinmates, their families, and legal representatives, and teams of federal execution specialists to travel to the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where executions are held. To address concerns, the lawmakers request that the investigation reviews the following matters: What was the policy rationale for the 2019 reversal of long-standing policies and processes that prevented federal executions since 2003? Did DOJ officials conduct appropriate analyses and review when determining whether to reverse those policies and procedures? Does the application of the federal death penalty under President Trump exhibit a pattern or practice of racial bias? Has the Trump Administration taken appropriate steps to ensure that federal executions are not botched and are conducted in the most humane fashion possible? What are the costs of federal executions? Why has the Bureau of Prisons used secretive, no-bid contracts to obtain lethal injection drugs, and was the use of these contracts appropriate? Has the Trump Administration taken appropriate steps to ensure that families and legal representatives of those that are put to death, and federal officials involved in executions are protected from the spread of COVID-19? Full text of the letter is availablehere. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402565,Kinzinger Touts Big Wins for the American People in Year-End COVID Relief Package,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Adam Kinzinger,K000378,kinzinger.house.gov,,,legacy,"After voting in favor of the year-end stimulus package, H.R. 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement. share: f t Washington, DC After voting in favor of the year-end stimulus package, H.R. 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement touting the many wins included for the American people: Once again, the American people have been caught in the middle of a political standoff. Still, I'm glad to see so many Republican priorities included in this funding package, and relieved that our Democrat colleagues finally decided to negotiate in good faith on a COVID-19 relief package that we could get passed through Congress and on to the President's desk. Despite this package being long overdue, I was proud to vote in its favor because of the many provisions that will positively impact the American people facing the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding measure includes many bipartisan wins that take important steps to help provide COVID-19 relief through funding for vaccines, PPP loans, unemployment insurance, and $13 billion to support the agriculture sector, among other provisions. The package also includes spending bills that will protect our energy sector, our environment, our national security and cyber defenses, and our consumers. Several of my own bills have been included in this package like measures increase energy efficiency in the public and private sectors, and provisions to secure our telecom and information networks and their supply chains from foreign threats. The funding package also expands the telehealth grant program authorized under the CARES Act, ends the egregious practice of surprise billing, and funds community health centers (CHCs), and includes many other reforms to protect patients and taxpayers. A few of the different legislations sponsored by Congressman Kinzinger that has been included in the year-end H.R. 133 funding package, as provisions and/or adopted language, can be found listed below: H.R. 1430, the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Support Act - This legislation would reauthorize an existing program that encourages the use of energy efficient technologies by generating electricity and capturing heat (that would otherwise be wasted) to provide useful thermal energy. More can be found here. H.R. 2044, the Smart Building Acceleration Act - This bill assists in the building sector of adopting smart building technology to increase energy efficiency by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Federal Smart Building Program. Full text of the legislation can be found here. H.R. 1420, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act - This bill sets forth the requirements to increase energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. More on this can be found here. H.R. 8000, the Ensuring Network Security Act - This legislation amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to expand eligibility from providers with 2 million customers to those providers with up to 10 million customers. The Congressman's statement on this bill's inclusion can be found here. H.R. 3079, the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act - The bill requires federal facilities to implement energy and water efficient measures. More on this legislation can be found here. Following its passage in the House, the Senate moved to consider the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed 92 to 6. The full text of the bill, which expands 5,593 pages, can be found online here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-votes-covid-relief-measurers-and-comprehensive-funding-package,Schakowsky Votes For COVID Relief Measures and Comprehensive Funding Package,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jan Schakowsky,S001145,schakowsky.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON On Monday, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, voted for legislation to provide relief to families and small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation passed also includes comprehensive funding language to keep the federal government in operation through the 2021 fiscal year. Several key pieces of legislation, including some consumer protection priorities ushered through the House by Schakowsky's Subcommittee, were included in the final bill of the 116th Congress. One thing is clear; the pandemic relief portions of this legislation do not do enough for the families and small businesses struggling to survive this crisis. Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats fought hard for more, from passing two relief packages since May that Senate Republicans ignored, to the negotiations for this legislation that is now on its way to the President's desk, said Congresswoman Schakowsky. This legislation will provide $600 survival checks to individuals, $2400 to families of four, $300 weekly unemployment benefits through March, relief programs that focus on the smallest of small businesses, and a grant program for independent live entertainment venues and cultural institutions hardest hit by this crisis. The COVID-19 relief components of the legislation secured critical lifelines for the American people, including: $600 stimulus checks per individual, $1200 for couples, and $600 for each child, up to two; Allows mixed immigration status families to receive these economic impact payments, which is retroactive to the first payment from the CARES Act; $300 a week in unemployment benefits, through March, and increases the total amount of weeks individuals are eligible for benefits from 39 to 50; Allows states to waive overpayment reimbursements made without fault of the individual; enhanced SNAP benefits to combat the hunger crisis; funding and policy changes to help small businesses, focusing on smaller businesses, creating second draw PPP loans and grants for live entertainment venues; $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools; Provides funding to airlines and their contractors to rehire and provide backpay to furloughed employees; The pandemic relief programs were included in the annual funding bill required by Congress to authorize and pay for federal government operations. These investments allow for strong funding in programs that will strengthen American families and communities. Congresswoman Schakowsky added, as we bring the 116th Congress to an end, we passed groundbreaking and historic funding to help hard working Americans, protect consumers, and take climate change head-on. Legislation that came thru my subcommittee and included in this package will increase product safety inspectors at U.S. ports to stop dangerous products from getting into the country. It will also help protect consumers from harmful, flammable products and predatory COVID-19 scams, andprotect racehorses and jockeys from avoidable risks. Some of the key funding highlights in this funding package include: Increased funding for better schools in our public education systems; Full funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program and other childhood nutrition programs; Increased funding for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs to hold polluters accountable, and other programs to combat climate change; Reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention and removal activities, restoring focus on a more humane approach to immigration; Honoring our commitment to our veterans, with increased funding for VA medical care, suicide prevention, homelessness assistance and gender-specific care. Finally, this legislation authorizes some new key programs, such as creating two new Smithsonian museums; one honoring the history of women and another celebrating the story of Latinos in the United States. It improves access to higher education, by increasing access to Pell Grants and simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also does away with the drug conviction question from the FAFSA that has been a barrier to many seeking higher education, Schakowsky added. It also eliminates medical surprise billing by ensuring patients are only responsible for their in-network cost-sharing amounts in both emergency situations and certain non-emergency situations where they can't choose an in-network provider. A division-by-division summary of the appropriations provisions is here. A division-by-division summary of the coronavirus relief provisions is here. A division-by-division of the authorizing matters is here. One-page fact sheets on the critical priorities included among the appropriations provisions, the coronavirus relief provisions, and the authorizing matters are here, here, and here respectively. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-leads-community-sending-digital-holiday-greetings-over-120-local,Underwood Leads Community in Sending Digital Holiday Greetings to over 120 Local Organizations serving on the Frontlines of Pandemic,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,underwood,https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WEST CHICAGO— Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) sent holiday cards to local heroes in the form of digital notes, drawings, videos, and photos to essential workers keeping Illinois safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Underwood collected 136 holiday cards from residents across the 14th District of Illinois. Underwood partnered with community stakeholders throughout the district to distribute the digital thank you messages to over 120 organizations working in and around the 14th Congressional district. ""One thing I love about this community is that our neighbors really show up for one another. It's been an exhausting year, and on top of transitioning to remote learning and work while doing all we can to keep our families healthy, that people would take time to answer the call for holiday cards for our local heroes makes me so proud,"" said Underwood. ""These heroes deserve all of our thanks for the sacrifices they have made this year, and I'm so glad we could put a smile on a few faces with this small act of gratitude."" ""Now, this is pretty amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, and thank you for taking the time to gather messages and cards from the great people of the 14th District of Illinois. I am honored to share this with our team here at the Lindenhurst Police Department. Please share our gratitude with Congresswoman Underwood,"" said Chief Thomas Jones of Lindenhurst Police Department. Photos of holiday cards can be found here. For additional information, or if your organization would like to receive a copy of the notes, please call Congresswoman Underwood's Office at (630) 549-2190. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-bustos-secure-millions-for-improvements-at-rock-island-arsenal,"Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Secure Millions for Improvements at Rock Island Arsenal",2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Secure Millions for Improvements at Rock Island Arsenal [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today announced that $120 million in funding for the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) was included in the bipartisan funding agreement that passed the House and Senate and will be signed into law. This funding will provide the Army with necessary mobile maintenance capacity and boost manufacturing capability at RIA. It will be split with AM General, an automotive manufacturer that builds military and commercial vehicles. Rock Island Arsenal plays an important role in our national security and I'm pleased that this bipartisan agreement provides funding that will support jobs, manufacturing and the modernization of military equipment, said Duckworth. I'll keep working with Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Bustos to ensure the long term success of the Rock Island Arsenal. These funds will provide additional work at the Rock Island Arsenal, ensuring Humvees have the maintenance shelters they require. I was proud to work with Senator Duckworth and Representative Bustos to secure this federal funding that supports the men and women at the Arsenal, Durbin said. The Rock Island Arsenal has long played a key role in our nation's defense efforts, and in the wake of the pandemic has become even more critical to our region, said Congresswoman Bustos, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. I was proud to work with Senators Durbin and Duckworth to help secure this funding to ensure the important work converting Humvees for use in the field continues. This money will make sure the Rock Island Arsenal has the resources it needs. Earlier this year, Duckworth, Durbin and Bustos joined U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy to tour the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence at the Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center to discuss its efforts to combat COVID-19. The members also sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees urging authorization for the United States Army to launch a pilot program that certain users could access for details about Army real estate, which could encourage a fresh influx of talent and opportunity into Army installations like the Rock Island Arsenal. This was also included in the legislation passed by Congress yesterday. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-highlight-illinois-priorities-included-in-major-water-infrastructure-bill-now-heading-to-presidents-desk,"Duckworth, Durbin Highlight Illinois Priorities Included in Major Water Infrastructure Bill Now Heading to President’s Desk",2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin Highlight Illinois Priorities Included in Major Water Infrastructure Bill Now Heading to President's Desk [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) as well as Ranking Member on EPW's Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the inclusion of several key priorities that will help Illinois in the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) 2020 Reauthorization, which passed the Senate yesterday as part of the omnibus agreement and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The legislation will help enhance protections for Chicago shorelines, advance Illinois lock and dam modernization projects, increase funding for Great Lakes port and harbor projects, safeguard the Great Lakes from the scourge of Asian Carp and advance critical improvement projects along Chicago-related waterways in addition to including $65 million to modernize degraded bump stations in flood-prone communities along the Mississippi River. This legislation includes many provisions I fought for to strengthen our state's economy and public health while creating good-paying jobs, said Duckworth. This bill will help enhance our improve flood protections, safeguard our environment, modernize our inland waterways and protect the Great the Lakes. I'm proud to have worked with Senator Durbin and my colleagues in the Senate to send this important legislationand the Illinois-focused provisions in itto the President's desk. Improving Illinois' waterways infrastructure is critical in keeping our state competitive economically and supporting communities, Durbin said. This year's bill funds several key projects, including protection for Lake Michigan, prevention against the spread of Asian Carp, lock and dam modernization, flood control, and support for the Army Corps of Engineers. I was proud to work with Senator Duckworth to secure this funding that will benefit cities, towns, and communities across the state. The 2020 WRDA reauthorization includes the following Duckworth and Durbin priorities: Modifies and Improves Inland Waterways Cost-Sharing: This provision will help expedite seven lock and dam modernization projects on the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers to give farmers and other industries a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Protects the Great Lakes from the scourge of Asian Carp and reduces costs for Illinois: Building on previous efforts by Senators Duckworth and Durbin, the bill authorizes the construction of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam Project and lowers construction costs for Illinois taxpayers. Enhances protections for Chicago shorelines and expedites improvements to the Chicago River: The bill will help Chicago shoreline protection and resiliency efforts for areas affected by recent flooding by providing a new funding stream for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to study the expansion of the Chicago Shoreline Project. It also reinforces a federal commitment to the Chicago River Restoration Framework Plan that will inform future restoration projects along the Chicago River. Includes $65 million to repair or replace degraded pump stations in flood-prone communities along the Mississippi River, like Cairo, Illinois, that often do not have the resources necessary to protect themselves from increased rainfall and flooding. This provision will help the USACE to rebuild and better protect these areas. Increases funding for Great Lakes port and harbor projects: The bill reforms the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and increases the percentage of HMTF funding directed to Great Lakes projects to 13%, up from 9.8% last year. This funding will help to address the $550 backlog of maintenance work at Great Lakes ports throughout the region. Advances critical improvement projects along the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) System by authorizing USACE to conduct the necessary feasibility studies to advance ecosystem restoration, recreation and other projects in Chicago-related waterways, including portions of the Illinois River, Chicago River, Calumet River, Grand Calumet River and Little Calumet River. It also authorizes the Bubbly Creek Restoration Project on the South Branch of the South Fork of the Chicago River. Establishes new emergency fund for Upper Mississippi dredging: The new $25 million emergency reserve fund will support dredging and mitigation projects along the Upper Mississippi River in response to significant flood events like last year's historic flooding. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-touts-provisions-and-initiatives-included-in-bipartisan-covid-19-relief-deal-and-omnibus-agreement,Duckworth Touts Provisions and Initiatives Included in Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Deal and Omnibus Agreement,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2020 Duckworth Touts Provisions and Initiatives Included in Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Deal and Omnibus Agreement [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal and agreement to fund the United States Government through the end of the fiscal year: This bipartisan government funding legislation is far from perfect, but good governance requires compromise and leadership. There are obviously things I wish had been included, like funding for local governments to support first responders and additional assistance for struggling small businesses and restaurant operators. Nonetheless, I'm proud this bill includes new funding I helped secure for early childhood education, small businesses and food assistance programs, as well as provisions that will support working families, our servicemembers and our environment. Below is a list of Duckworth-supported initiatives included in the funding bill: The Relief for Working Families Act: this Duckworth-led legislative fix will authorize states to waive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments that were improperly provided to residents who acted in good faith and played no role in securing the surplus PUA overpayment. Enhancements to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program: Duckworth-led proposals to strengthen the SBA Microloan Program by providing $57 million for the SBA Microloan Program to help participants with technical assistance and leveraging approximately $64 million in SBA Microloans to support minority-owned small businesses and other underserved small business interests. Fix to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Senior Living Facilities (SLF): this Duckworth and Durbin-led provision will block the Trump administration's harmful effort to eliminate Illinois SLF participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's SNAP, enabling the more than 150 Illinois SLFs to continue serving as SNAP providers of three healthy meals to over 8,000 total Illinoisan residents they serve every day. Millions in Funding for U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal (RIA): helped secure $120 million for the RIA major Army installation that employs more than 6,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel. Funding for Head Start: helped secure $250 million in additional funding for Head Start, which urgently needs this support to continue operating safely in providing early childhood education and other vital services to low-income children and family during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Funds Important Military Equipment Made by Illinoisansincludes a $1.5 billion increase for 9 P-8A aircraft, a platform used for a variety of critical missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance around the world. The bipartisan bill also adds $86 million above the President's budget for Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and an additional $33.5 million for Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, two programs that provide workhorse tactical vehicles suited for a range of purposes. Promotes Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act: this bipartisan legislation will establish performance-based regulations to ensure aviation maintenance education institutions have the flexibility to teach core curriculum reflective of the ongoing technical advances and innovation happening across the aviation and aerospace industry. Authorizes a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, expands programs to collect vaccination coverage data, and authorizes grants to address vaccine-preventable diseases. The PIPES Act: bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) pipeline safety program for four years and provide important advances in new safety technology and regulatory reform. Additional $90 million for Army Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, a critical component of the long-term Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative. $11.8 million for environmental justice programs, a 24 percent increase compared to prior year. $16.5 million for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to assist communities facing the closure of a nuclear power facility, a $1.5 million increase above fiscal year 2020 amount. $2 million increase for Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) above fiscal year 2020 amount. $70 million increase for Lead Hazard Reduction grants above previous year's amount and $10 million increase for the Healthy Homes Initiative. $69 billion for COVID-19 healthcare-related expenses, including $3 billion for the Provider Relief Fund, $22.4 billion in testing, contact tracing, surveillance, containment and mitigation (which can include HCBS), with a targeted investment of no less than $2.5 billion for expanding access to testing and contact tracing in high-risk and underserved populations, including for communities of color and rural areas. $5 million increase for women's health research at the NIH to expand NIH-supported research that addresses issues that affect women, promote the inclusion of women in clinical research and develop and expand opportunities for women throughout the biomedical research career pipeline. Physician Fee Schedule: provides for a one-time, one-year increase in the Medicare physician fee schedule of 3.75 percent, to support physicians and other professionals in adjusting to changes in the Medicare physician fee schedule during 2021, and to provide relief during the COVID-19 public health emergency. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-urges-incoming-biden-administration-to-cover-costs-of-national-guard-troops-activated-to-respond-to-covid-19,Duckworth Urges Incoming Biden Administration to Cover Costs of National Guard Troops Activated to Respond to COVID-19,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2020 Duckworth Urges Incoming Biden Administration to Cover Costs of National Guard Troops Activated to Respond to COVID-19 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to President-elect Joe Biden requesting the incoming administration takes immediate and urgent action to authorize 100 percent federal cost-share for all Title 32 activations of National Guard troops responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In part, Duckworth wrote: Issuing such an order on day one of the Biden-Harris administration would be welcomed by Governors across our country and send a strong message that our Nation is once again being led by a President of the United States who understands that a national emergency requires a fully- and predictably-funded national response. In May, Duckworth introduced the National Guard COVID-19 Response Stability Act to ensure that all National Guard troops activated in response to the pandemic receive additional benefits and provide states with greater certainty. Durbin is a cosponsor of the legislation. Duckworth has sent multiple letters to the administration about this issue, most recently leading the Illinois Congressional delegation in calling on President Trump to support Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's request to extend Title 32 authorization for National Guard servicemembers. Duckworth joined her colleagues to announce plans to introduce a bill to restore full federal funding for the National Guard's efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. A full copy of the letter is available below and here. Dear President-Elect Biden: I commend the leadership of the Biden-Harris Transition in preparing to take office and strengthen our Nation's response to the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has tragically killed more than 315,000 Americans. To support this effort, I respectfully request that shortly after you are sworn in to become our Nation's 46th Commander in Chief, you take decisive action to establish a new policy of the United States Government that provides a 100 percent Federal cost-share for all Title 32 activations of National Guard members responding to the COVID-19 public health crisis for the duration of the response effort. Issuing such an order on day one of the Biden-Harris administration would be welcomed by Governors across our country and send a strong message that our Nation is once again being led by a President of the United States who understands that a national emergency requires a fully- and predictably-funded national response. The Trump administration's short-sighted decision earlier this year to nickel-and-dime Governors by reducing the Federal cost-share to only 75 percent for States' use of Title 32 activations to support COVID-19 response efforts was misguided. Cutting off desperately needed Federal support for National Guard activations only compounded the stress on individual States struggling to combat rising case counts, increasing hospitalizations and tragic deaths while addressing revenue shortfalls that are the inevitable result of reductions in economic activity during an uncontrolled deadly pandemic. Members of the National Guards represent the best of America, dutifully answering their communities' calls for help in Illinois and throughout the country. The National Guard is providing lifesaving assistance by setting up field hospitals, running testing sites and assisting in long-term care facilities, among other critical efforts. Moving forward, the National Guard will be a vital force multiplier in enhancing vaccine distribution efforts. However, optimizing this assistance will require the Federal Government to provide Governors with confidence that this valuable Federal assistance will be covered by Federal dollars for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Authorizing a 100 percent Federal cost-share for Title 32 activations that remains in effect during all COVID-19 response and recovery efforts will provide much-needed confidence and certainty to all 50 States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. This presidential action would also keep faith with members of the National Guard, who deserve access to all Federal benefits rightfully earned as they help Americans respond to a deadly pandemic away from their families and civilian jobs. Thank you in advance for your consideration of my urgent request. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congress-passes-bipartisan-spending-bill-with-illinois-priorities-secured-by-durbin,Congress Passes Bipartisan Spending Bill with Illinois Priorities Secured by Durbin,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.20 Congress Passes Bipartisan Spending Bill with Illinois Priorities Secured by Durbin WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations bill. This bill makes critical investments in Illinois' public health, housing, transportation infrastructure, defense installations, environment, education, and security. America desperately needed a budget heading into 2021 as we continue to grapple with this pandemic and the crises it has caused. After much delay, I'm glad that Congress was able to come together on a bipartisan basis to pass this bill, which will benefit families and workers in Illinois. These funding bills include the following priorities for Illinois: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Medical Research: Increases funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $1.25 billion, for a total funding level of $42.9 billion in fiscal year 2021. Over the past six years, Durbin has led the bipartisan Congressional effort to increase funding for the NIH by $12.6B, or 42 percent. Last fiscal year, Illinois universities, laboratories, and research organizations received $1.1 billion in federal NIH funding. Community Health Centers (CHCs):$11.134 billion in new mandatory funding for CHCs for the next three years, including to support their efforts to address health disparities and tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in communities of color and underserved urban and rural areas. In Illinois, there are 51 CHCs that serve 1.4 million people in the state each year. National Health Service Corps (NHSC):$862 million in new mandatory funding for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs to recruit doctors, nurses, and other clinicians to communities with health care shortages. In Illinois, 625 health care professionals serve in the NHSC to provide care in underserved communities. Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage: Includes passage of Durbin's bipartisan legislation, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act, to eliminate the current arbitrary 36-month limit and provide extended Medicare immunosuppressive drug coverage for kidney transplant patients to improve their health outcomes. Public Health Preparedness:Includes a $58 million increase, for a total funding level of $4.1 billion, for public health preparedness, data collection, and response efforts for public health departments and hospitals. Pediatric Paramedic Network: Includes $10 million for a new Pediatric Pandemic Network Program of children's hospitals to prepare for and respond to public health threats. Support for Rural Fire & EMS Agencies:Includes a $500,000 increase, for a total of $5.5 million, for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies that Durbin passed into law in 2018. Childhood Trauma:Includes an additional $3 million to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, $5 million for CDC efforts to address Adverse Childhood Experiences, and an additional $5 million to the Project AWARE school mental health grants. Gun Violence Research:The bill includes $25 million for CDC and NIH to conduct gun violence research. Opioid Epidemic:Includes an additional $85 million, for a total funding level of $4 billion, for substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts. Textbook Affordability: Includes $7 million for new grants under the Open Textbook Pilot program, a program based on Durbin's legislation that awards grants to create and expand the use of freely accessible college textbooks. Durbin has secured $24 million for this effort over four years. Impact Aid:Includes $1.5 billion for Impact Aida $15 million increase over FY20. Twelve Illinois school districts count on Impact Aid funds Increasing Pell Grant Awards:Increases the maximum Pell award by $150 to $6,495.The package also restores Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals. Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development BUILD Grants:$1 billion in nationwide funding for the BUILD multimodal infrastructure grant program (formerly TIGER'), of which Illinois has been a major beneficiary since the program was created in 2009. Amtrak:$2 billion in nationwide Amtrak funding including $1.3 billion for the National Network, which supports Illinois' long distance and state-supported routes. Combined with the $1 billion in Amtrak funding included for COVID relief, this funding will prevent further layoffs and service reductions in Illinois. Airport Improvements:Includes$400 million in FAA Airport Improvement Program funding, which will help support capital projects at Illinois airports. Transit Grants:Includes $2 billion in FTA Capital Investment Grants including $525 million for Core Capacity Projects. The Chicago Transit Authority uses Core Capacity funding for its Red and Purple Line modernization efforts. Rail Safety Grants:Includes $375 million for grants through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program and $400 million for grants through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program. Bus Grants:Includes more than $243 million for Bus & Bus Facilities Grants and $125 million for Low and No Emission Bus grants. Highway and Bridge Funding:Includes more than $49 billion in highway funding, including $1 billion for risk-based bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction. Community Development Block Grants:$3.5 billion in flexible funding for states and localities to invest in affordable housing and economic development. Public Housing Fund:$7.8 billion in funding for the newly consolidated Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds. Homelessness Prevention:$3 billion in funding to help communities prevent homelessness, including full funding for the Homeless Assistance Grant program. Lead Hazard Control:Includes $360 million for the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, including to provide Lead Hazard Reduction grants, which help to identify and remediate lead-based paint in homes. Energy & Water Department of Energy's Office of Science:$7.03 billion in funding. Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory: $1.046 billion for the Office of Science's High Energy Physics Program, which provides 90% of Fermilab's funding.Within that amount, $171 million is provided for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility and $79 million is provided for the Proton Improvement Plan-II. Argonne National Laboratory:$2.245 billion for the Office of Science's Basic Energy Sciences Program, which provides approximately 40% of Argonne's funding. Within that amount, $160 million is provided for the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade and $525 million is provided for five Basic Energy Sciences light sources. This bill also provides $150 million for Argonne's Leadership Computing Facility and $24.1 million for the Batteries and Energy Storage Innovation Hub the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. Army Corps of Engineers:$7.795 billion to support the planning, construction, and operation of Corps water infrastructure projects, a $145 million increase from last year. Quincy Bay Restoration:The bill includes $33 million for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program, which is helping to fund the restoration of Quincy Bay. St. Louis Locks:$12 million for continued rehab work on the Melvin Price Lock near Alton. Chicago Shoreline:Includes report language urging the Corps to provide funding to reassess and expand the Chicago Shoreline Project. Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study:Advances a new start for a coastal resiliency study targeting the Great Lakes. NESP:Continues preconstruction, engineering, and design funding for the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP), which will modernize and expand seven outdated locks along the Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway System and fund ecosystem restoration. Brandon Road/Asian Carp:Includes report language urging Corps to provide funding to advance projects to protect the Great Lakes from invasive Asian Carp including the Brandon Road Project in Joliet. Great Lakes Fisheries Commission:$47 million to help with invasive species in the Great Lakes. Interior and Environment Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI):$330 million in funding for the GLRI to support the inter-agency program to address issues affecting the Great Lakes, including invasive species and pollution. Since 2010 GLRI has invested more than $226 million Illinois to implement 170 projects including the removal of toxic chemicals from Waukegan Harbor, green infrastructure projects like the Millennium Reserve near the Calumet River, and the restoration of 40 acres of land at Northerly Island. Great Lakes Science Center:$23.1 million in funding to support the research efforts at the U.S. Geological Survey's Great Lakes Science Center. EPA PFAS Programs:$49 million in funding for the EPA's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Programs. Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in McHenry County:$500,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Caregivers:Includes $1.2 billion for the Caregivers Program, a program Durbin established to provide support for veteran caregivers. Veterans Homes: Includes $90 million for State Home Construction Grants, which provide strong financial support to Illinois Veterans Homes for renovations and new construction. In addition, the bill includes $100 million for grants to such facilities to address COVID outbreaks, which has been an issue at Illinois Veterans Homes and across the country. Veteran Health Records: Includes Durbin's language supporting electronic health record integration between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Durbin helped establish the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center as the first fully integrated, joint DOD and VA health care facility prior to its opening in 2010. Medical Research:Includes $815 million for medical and prosthetic research to advance and promote the health and care of veterans through the development of cutting edge treatments in a host of areas, including mental health, wounded warrior care, and care for women veterans. Defense Medical Research:$2.7 billion in defense medical research provides for five percent real growth over last year's level. Defense medical research continues to provide breakthroughs to benefit military service members, their families, and ultimately all Americans. Rock Island Arsenal:$120 million added for theproduction of maintenance shelters for Humvees. $125 million added for the Arsenal Initiative to maintain labor rates at three Army arsenals, including Rock Island, which makes the arsenals a better deal for the taxpayer for work that would often be contracted out to defense industry. $10 million added for accelerating the Center of Advanced Manufacturing. Direction for the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to assess military organic industrial base support to pandemic response. PFAS:Provides $227 million for response to PFAS contamination near military bases, which is an increase of 67 percent over the budget request. The provided funding is the maximum that the military services have reported they are able to spend in 2021 to address PFAS. These amounts will ensure continued response to PFAS pollution detected at Scott Air Force Base, Peoria Air National Guard Base, the Capital Air National Guard Base in Springfield, and other facilities. The amount also includes $15 million to continue the CDC health assessment of PFAS on military communities. Boeing:Funding for production of 24 F/A-18 aircraft, 12 F-15EX fighters, and continued development of the MQ-25 Stingray drone, which will support the workforce at Boeing St. Louis. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Protecting SNAP Benefits for Illinois Seniors: The bill includes Durbin's bill language to protect SNAP nutrition assistance benefits for 8,000 low-income seniors and elderly people in Illinois. In recent years, USDA has sought to strip SNAP eligibility and participation from 150 supportive senior living facilities across Illinois, and the Durbin amendment blocks this regulatory overreach. Agricultural Research Service: $1.492 billion to support agricultural research including at the USDA lab in Peoria. Bee Research:The bill provides funding for the Agricultural Research Service facility in Peoria to sequence and study the genomes of all species of bees in the United States to assist in addressing the decline in bee pollinators across the country. USDA Electronic Crop Reporting: The bill includes Durbin's report language directing USDA to adopt and deploy streamlined electronic crop reporting technology in full within 120 days so that farmers need only to submit one crop report for USDA. Improved USDA export reports. The bill includes Durbin's report language directing USDA to issue quarterly reports on the five top agricultural export destinations, by country, for each state. Homeland Security Firefighter Grants:Includes a total of $720 million in funding through the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response(SAFER) grants. FEMA Disaster Relief Fund:$17.1 billion in funding for FEMA's disaster relief efforts. Fallen Firefighters Memorial:Includes $49.3 million for the U.S. Fire Administration, including full funding for a Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Combatting Domestic Terrorism:Includes a requirement for the Department of Homeland Security to report on incidences of domestic terrorism, as well as train law enforcement to prevent infiltration of domestic terrorists in these careers. Transportation Security Administration (TSA):The bill rejects reductions in the TSA workforce and recommends targeted increases to better staff checkpoints at all airports, including small and rural airports. Commerce, Justice, and Science Bureau of Prisons:The bill includes $7.8 billion to fund Bureau of Prisons staff, inmate care, and building construction and maintenance costs, in addition to $300 million to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount ensures full funding of FY21 operations of USP Thomson, a high-security federal prison in Thomson, Illinois. $409 million of the funding is specifically dedicated to the implementation of the First Step Act, at Durbin's request. Durbin was one of the lead authors of the First Step Act, a landmark, bipartisan law that uses evidence-based recidivism reduction programs to help inmates successfully return to society after serving their sentence; it also reduces some sentences for certain low-level, nonviolent offenders while preserving important law enforcement tools to tackle criminal enterprises. National Science Foundation:$8.5 billion for basic science research to promote innovation, ensure America's competitiveness in the global economy and help train the future scientific and technical workforce. It also includes Durbin's language addressing the need for investment in high-performance computational systems to maintain U.S. leadership in scientific competitiveness. NOAA:The bill includes $78.5 million for Coastal Zone Management Grants and $46.7 million for Coastal Zone Management and Services to support regional efforts to restore and protect coastal communities in the Great Lakes Region. The bill also includes $4.6 million for the Regional Climate Centers to develop products and services for climate-related issues affecting sectors such as agriculture, transportation, energy generation, and water resources. Financial Services and General Government Dirksen Courthouse:Directs GSA to provide advance notice and to consult with the Appropriations Committee before taking any actions to dispose or develop the federal buildings adjacent to the Dirksen Courthouse. Election Security:Includes $17 million for the Election Assistance Commission to carry out its duties and ensure safe elections. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-applauds-senate-passage-of-bill-to-study-possible-national-park-for-julius-rosenwald,Durbin Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Study Possible National Park for Julius Rosenwald,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.20 Durbin Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Study Possible National Park for Julius Rosenwald WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded unanimous Senate passage of a bill that honors Julius Rosenwaldthe former part-owner of Sears, Roebuck and Companyfor his work in establishing Rosenwald Schools to promote African American education in the rural South. TheJulius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Actwould require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald to determine the best ways to commemorate this incredible part of American history focusing on his efforts to promote African American education. The House version of the bill, introduced by U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), passed earlier this year. The legislation now heads to the President's desk for signature. Julius Rosenwald was a Springfield native and influential in building and establishing schools in African American communities throughout the South. His commitment to African American education forever changed the lives of many across the rural south, which is why I introduced a bill to issue a study from the Department of Interior for a possible national historic park designation. I'm glad the Senate unanimously agreed to honor Rosenwald's legacy and I look forward to this bill being signed into law and the recommendations from the Department's study,Durbin said. In the early 20th century, Rosenwald worked with the Tuskegee Institute on a pilot program to build six schools in rural Alabama for African American children who were receiving little to no education. The program expanded and eventually led to the construction of more than 5,300 Rosenwald Schools and related buildings in fifteen states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia). The schools were constructed and maintained through partnership between the Julius Rosenwald Fund and local communities, which contributed land, labor, materials, and money to build and maintain the schools. These schools played a significant role in narrowing the gap between the educational levels of Black and white students in the South, educating one-third of Black students in the south. A 2011 study by Federal Reserve economist concluded that these schools played a significant role in narrowing the gap between education levels of Black and white students in the South. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-votes-for-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-legislation,Durbin Votes for Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.20 Durbin Votes for Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting for the $900 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, direct checks for American families, and more: Last week, a group of Democrats and Republicansincluding myselfcame together and introduced compromise emergency relief legislation in the areas where we could agree. This package did not include everything I think we needed. But after eight months of inaction, it served as the catalyst to move much-needed bipartisan COVID-19 relief forward to help American families and small businesses. Like all compromises, this bill is not perfect. I'm disappointed that we weren't able to agree on including much-needed funding for states and localities in this package. I want to be clear: I'm not giving up on funding for states and localities. This funding is essential in our fight against the pandemic and for our economic recovery. However, this legislation includes many important provisions including extending crucial unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans; offering a lifeline to struggling small businesses and nonprofits; providing direct checks to millions of American families; and providing funding for vaccine distribution, nutrition assistance, rental assistance, our hospitals and health care clinics, schools and universities, transit systems, and more. As we continue to face this unprecedented public health crisis, I believe that more funding will be needed. But this emergency relief will help us weather a tough winter ahead and should be signed by President Trump without delay. This bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation includes the following priorities for Illinois: Working Families Provides enhanced unemployment benefits at $300 per week and extends unemployment programs, including for about 160,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 248,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation; Provides direct payments up to $600 per adult and child; Extends the federal eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021, and provides $25 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep families in their homes, at a time when nearly one in four Illinois renters report being behind on rent payments; Allows states to waive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance overpayments for individuals who acted in good faith, similar to theRelief for Working Families Actintroduced by Durbin and Duckworth; Addresses hunger by increasing SNAP benefits by 15 percent for nearly two million individuals in Illinois, provides $5 million to implement provisions from Durbin'sExpanding SNAP Options Actto increase retailer choices for online SNAP purchasing,and by provides $575 million in nationwide funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs, which serve more than 1.5 million people in Illinois; Provides $7 billion nationwide to support broadband connectivity, including a $3.2 billion benefit to keep low-income households and the recently unemployed connected; Small Businesses Provides much-needed assistance for small businesses, including minority-owned businesses and nonprofits, including $284 billion for first and second round forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, key policy modifications to better assist struggling small businesses and nonprofits, and dedicated set-asides for the smallest businesses and community-based lenders; Provides $15 billion nationwide in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions; Provides $20 billion nationwide for the Small Business Administration's EIDL Grant Program to assist small businesses in low-income communities; Health Care Provides $55.5 billion in funding for vaccine development and distribution as well as COVID-19 testing and public health efforts, including approximately $1 billion to Illinois health departments for efforts to expand testing capacity and swiftly and equitably distribute vaccines; Provides $9 billion in funding and fiscal relief from looming Medicare payment cuts to hospitals and health care providers, including more than $350 million in expected financial assistance for health care heroes in Illinois; Provides $4.5 billion in mental health and addiction treatment funding to address the surge in drug overdoses, suicides, trauma, and stress from the pandemic, including an estimated $140 million for Illinois; Education Provides $82 billion nationwide for education, including $54 billion for K-12 and $20 billion for higher education; Provides $10 billion nationwide in much needed support to the struggling child care sector and $250 million for Head Start; State and Local Governments Extends the deadline for CARES Act state and local funding; Transportation Provides $14 billion in transit funding, including more than $500 million in funding for Illinois transit agencies; Provides $2 billion in airport funding, including more than $88 million for Illinois airports and airport concessionaires; Provides $1 billion in funding for Amtrak to prevent further furloughs and service reductions in Illinois; Provides $10 billion in highway funding, including more than $350 million for Illinois to support infrastructure projects and jobs created through Illinois' Capital Program; Provides $15 billion in payroll support for airlines workers and $1 billion for airline contractors, which will help to protect the jobs of thousands of Illinois airline workers; Provides $2 billion in funding to help struggling Illinois bus companies keep their workers on the job; Agriculture Provides $13 billion nationwide for agriculture, including row crops, $225 million for specialty crops, $400 million for dairy donations, $100 million for local producers that serve farmers markets, and $28 million for farmer mental health; Authorizes hog and poultry pandemic depopulation reimbursements; Authorizes USDA to make payments to ethanol and biofuels producers for unexpected market losses due to COVID; Provides up to $1.5 billion nationwide for food purchase and redistribution, and requires USDA to pursue improvements to assist local growers and ensure rural last mile deliveries; and, Provides $60 million nationwide for Durbin's Food Supply Protection Act to help small meat and poultry processors with expansions and equipment. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/bost-votes-covid-19-relief-bill,BOST VOTES FOR COVID-19 RELIEF BILL,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Mike Bost,B001295,bost.house.gov,bost,https://bost.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted in support of end-of-year government funding and COVID-19 relief legislation to provide working Americans, small businesses, and frontline workers relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan and bicameral bill includes funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, vaccine and testing funding, and $600 direct payments for adults and dependents. “Had Speaker Pelosi put the needs of the American public above her own partisan agenda, we could have saved countless jobs and businesses months ago,” said Bost. “While it shouldn’t have taken until the 11th hour, I am thankful that help is on the way. Hardworking Southern Illinois families, healthcare and frontline workers, and small businesses, through no fault of their own, have been devastated by COVID-19 shutdowns. This legislation will provide desperately needed relief to millions of Americans this holiday season and, combined with the successes of Operation Warp Speed, gives us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” Important Provisions in the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal Makes updates to the Paycheck Protection Program to allow businesses to apply for a second PPP loan, allow churches and faith-based organizations to apply for loans, and allow businesses to utilize PPP funds in addition to standard business tax deductions Includes $20 billion of funding to ensure Americans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to them, $8 billion for vaccine distribution, and $20 billion for continued testing efforts. $600 stimulus checks for adults and dependents Extends unemployment benefits by an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks $10 billion for childcare centers and $82 billion for schools to help them safely reopen for in-person learning $13 billion for farmers and producers impacted by COVID-19, including funding for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program $7 billion for broadband funding $4 billion for substance abuse programs ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-statement-passage-covid-relief-package-omnibus-spending-bill,"Casten Statement on Passage of COVID Relief Package, Omnibus Spending Bill",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Sean Casten,C001117,casten.house.gov,casten,https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) voted for H.R. 133, the more than $2.3 trillion fiscal year 2021 appropriations omnibus and emergency coronavirus relief bill. Casten said, ""For over eight months, I've fought alongside my Democratic colleagues in the House for COVID-19 relief sufficient to get the virus under control and ensure struggling Americans can stay afloat. I'm pleased we passed a bipartisan bill that includes urgent, necessary funding for our small businesses, vaccine distribution, child care, direct payments to help our families, and unemployed Americans. While this is a step in the right direction, I'm disappointed that funding for our state and local governments was not included in the package. Next Congress, I will continue to fight to give people the support they need until the pandemic and economic crisis are fully behind us."" The fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations bill expands access to housing, tackles food insecurity, funds local preparedness grants and gun violence research to keep our communities safe, and expands internet access for rural communities. Casten, a leader on climate change, is pleased the legislation provides significant funding to protect the environment and combat climate change. Specifically, it provides $2.86 billion for DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ($72 million above FY 2020); $427 million for ARPA-E to support the development of clean, affordable, and secure energy ($2 million above FY 2020); $7.026 billion for DOE's Office of Science to support energy innovation for the future ($26 million above FY 2020); and $182 million for NOAA Climate Research ($12.5 million above FY 2020). The FY21 Appropriations Bill provides: $16.5 billion for Education for the Disadvantaged Grants to Local Educational Agencies and $12.9 billion for IDEA Special Education Grants to States. Expands access to housing, providing $43.4 million in new targeted vouchers to reduce homelessness among families with children, individuals, the unsheltered, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence. Tackles food insecurity, with full funding for WIC, child nutrition programs, and SNAP. Builds safer communities, with $25 million split evenly for federal research at the CDC and NIH into our nation's gun violence epidemic, as well as $85 million for grants to improve the NICS firearms background check system. Protects our environment, with $9.24 billion, a $180 million increase, for the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure clean air and water and to hold polluters accountable. $7.8 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resource development activities and develops civil works projects to improve navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Several infrastructure projects were funded, including a flood risk feasibility study for DuPage County and the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to support commerce and prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan. The package also contains $900 billion much-needed emergency coronavirus relief. Among its provisions, the bill provides:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-statement-receiving-covid-19-vaccine,Casten Statement on Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Sean Casten,C001117,casten.house.gov,casten,https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) issued the following statement about receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine: ""As a nation, we are fortunate to have a vaccine that is safe and proven. We are also fortunate to have a public health system that has developed a robust protocol for national vaccine and I'm particularly thankful the first round of vaccines continue to be distributed to our frontline health care workers who have worked tirelessly to combat this virus. ""Last week I received the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on the advice of public health officials who determined that both as a public health matter and to ensure continuity of government, all members of the House and Senate should be vaccinated in this first phase. ""I am pleased to be able to help slow, and ultimately stop the spread of this disease. And in the meantime, we all must continue to maintain social distancing and masking wearing protocols. ""Whether you are a frontline worker, a young high school student, a remote IT employee, or a senior in a nursing home, I urge you to make sure that you get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible. ""The light is now visible at the end of the tunnel, but we must remain vigilant until we are all the way through. We can beat this, but only if we work together.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-chuy-garc-votes-covid-relief-government-funding-and-against-border,"Congressman Chuy García Votes for COVID Relief, Government Funding, and Against Border Wall and Bloated Defense Spending",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today the House voted on a year-end agreement consisting of two legislative packages to fund the government through 2021 and provide additional COVID-19 relief. Congressman Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04)voted for Part II of H.R. 133, which funds domestic programs that include healthcare, environmental protections, roads and public transportation, workforce development, affordable housing, and over $900 billion in additional COVID-19 relief. The Congressman voted against Part I of H.R. 133, which funds the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as the Department of Justice, Commerce, and scientific agencies. Congressman Garca issued the following statement: I voted for the bipartisan COVID-19 rescue bill to provide working families in the Chicagoland area the financial assistance they, and millions of Americans, desperately need. Ensuring we implement the most robust response to crush the coronavirus remains my top priority and this bill provides over $900 billion to that end. ""Thousands of families face evictions, layoffs, and the ongoing risk of contracting the virus, especially frontline, essential workers of whom many are Latino, Black, or working class. Small business owners face a dark winter as new restrictions limit operations and employers struggle to pay the bills and keep their employees on payroll. For thousands more, there will be empty seats at the dinner table and grief for those who have lost loved ones. ""Though this relief package is too little, too late, the bill was significantly improved during negotiations and contains specific provisions I fought hard to include: To provide direct assistance to struggling families, $600 survival checks for each adult and child were added; To provide assistance to mixed-status families, survival checks were made available to eligible spouses and children, and a retroactive provision was added enabling them to receive stimulus checks they were denied in the first round; To keep our economy moving and provide essential workers affordable transportation, $14B was included to keep transit agencies like CTA, Pace Bus, and Metra afloat; To keep a roof over struggling families, $25B in rent assistance was included; To keep thousands of airline workers at Midway and O'Hare on the job; $15B was added to extend the Paycheck Support Program and keep flight attendants and airport service workers on payroll; To support struggling families cope with job losses, an additional $300 per week in federal unemployment insurance was extended through March; To protect families in federally-assisted housing from carbon monoxide poisoning, the package also included my CO Alerts Act which provides over $300 million to install detectors in affordable housing units; To ensure Amtrak is accessible to Americans with disabilities, the bill also includes my legislation to ensure at least $75M is set aside to upgrade necessary infrastructure and protocols; ""Though far from the scope of relief needed, the inclusion of mixed-status families to receive survival checks, and the added retroactive eligibility for the first round of checks, was significant in my decision to support the package. Immigrant families keep our communities thriving and they deserve inclusion in any relief Congress provides. ""Separately, I voted against the portion of this package that funds the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense because I strongly oppose additional funding to construct the border wall or maintain the inhumane detention and deportation apparatus of our government. ""Let me be clear: this bill is insufficient to meet this moment of crisis, economic uncertainty, and grief we face, but serves as a necessary step towards the significant recovery effort we must undertake. I look forward to crafting significant relief legislation in the 117th Congress that heeds the advice of medical professionals and scientists. In partnership with a Biden-Harris Administration we will crush the virus and fight for an equitable and robust recovery."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-chuy-garcia-s-co-alerts-act-passes-house,Congressman Chuy Garcia’s CO ALERTS Act Passes House,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today the House passed Congressman Jess Chuy Garca's (IL-04) Carbon Monoxide Alarms Leading Every Resident To Safety (CO Alerts) Act as part of an omnibus funding package. The CO ALERTS Act, formerly known as the Safe Housing for Families Act, protects residents of public and subsidized housing from carbon monoxide poisoning by providing funds for the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in each unit of affordable housing. The funding package is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law soon. An investigation by NBC News last year found that at least 13 residents of public housing have died of carbon monoxide poisoning since 2003, and the CO Alerts Act authorizes $304 million over the next three years to install carbon monoxide detectors in subsidized housing. Covered housing units include public housing as well as units covered by subsidized housing programs including tenant-based assistance, project-based assistance, supportive housing for the elderly, supportive housing for persons with disabilities, housing opportunities for persons with AIDS and rural housing. Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, and the solution is inexpensive when it comes to saving lives. No family should worry about dying in their sleep, and the CO Alerts Act ensures families in affordable housing are safe from this silent killer, said Congressman Jess Chuy Garca. The government must take responsibility for the safety of working families in housing it provides and passage of this bill is a major step to provide safe housing for all families. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-davis-and-ranking-member-walorski-applaud-inclusion-foster-youth,CHAIRMAN DAVIS AND RANKING MEMBER WALORSKI APPLAUD THE INCLUSION OF FOSTER YOUTH GRANTS IN OMNIBUS RELIEF BILL,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"PRESS RELEASE Monday, December 21, 2020 CHAIRMAN DAVIS AND RANKING MEMBER WALORSKI APPLAUD THE INCLUSION OF THE SUPPORTINGFOSTER YOUTH & FAMILIES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC ACTIN THE OMNIBUS AND CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL WASHINGTON, DC – Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackie Walorski (R-IN) of the House Committee on Ways & Means’ Subcommittee on Worker & Family Support applaud the inclusion of Supporting Foster Youth & Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. While the COVID-19 pandemic presents difficulties for all Americans, foster youth are particularly subject to instability given that they are typically without reliable adults and other supports in their lives. We know that nearly 20,000 youth “age out” of foster care each year, and youth who aged out of care during this national emergency have reported high rates of homelessness, food and economic insecurity, and are at risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus. As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, Chairman Davis and Ranking Member Walorski introduced the bipartisan H.R. 7947 to provide emergency temporary supports and flexibilities for older foster youth, grandparents raising grandchildren & other kinship families, home visiting for at-risk pregnant & parenting families, foster care prevention services, and other child welfare services through the end of FY 2021. Upon confirmation of inclusion in the legislative package, Chairman Davis said, “I am especially proud of this bipartisan legislation, which will provide the necessary emergency resources and supports that foster youth and families need to weather this storm. This bill was crafted in direct response to what foster youth in our communities have been telling us they need, right now, in order to be okay during the pandemic.” “This is a major victory for some of America’s most vulnerable children and families, who will have additional support to get through the coronavirus crisis and build a stronger, more stable future,” Ranking Member Walorski said. “Foster youth and families, at-risk pregnant women and mothers, and kinship caregivers such as grandparents raising grandchildren already face unique challenges in normal times. The pandemic has only added to the obstacles they must overcome to achieve the American Dream – but help will soon be on the way. I’m grateful to Chairman Davis for his partnership in building on past reforms with this targeted relief to help families thrive.” Supporting Foster Youth & Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) has been endorsed by hundreds of national, state, and local organizations, including organizations representing current and former foster youth. The provisions are located in Division X of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 the section-by-section summary of which can be found HERE. A fact sheet on H.R. 7947 is available HERE. A list of groups that have endorsed H.R. 7947 can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-davis-and-ranking-member-walorski-applaud-inclusion-supportingfoster,CHAIRMAN DAVIS AND RANKING MEMBER WALORSKI APPLAUD THE INCLUSION OF THE SUPPORTINGFOSTER YOUTH & FAMILIES THROUGH THE PANDEMIC ACT IN THE OMNIBUS AND CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackie Walorski (R-IN) of the House Committee on Ways & Means’ Subcommittee on Worker & Family Support applaud the inclusion of Supporting Foster Youth & Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. While the COVID-19 pandemic presents difficulties for all Americans, foster youth are particularly subject to instability given that they are typically without reliable adults and other supports in their lives. We know that nearly 20,000 youth “age out” of foster care each year, and youth who aged out of care during this national emergency have reported high rates of homelessness, food and economic insecurity, and are at risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus. As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, Chairman Davis and Ranking Member Walorski introduced the bipartisan H.R. 7947 to provide emergency temporary supports and flexibilities for older foster youth, grandparents raising grandchildren & other kinship families, home visiting for at-risk pregnant & parenting families, foster care prevention services, and other child welfare services through the end of FY 2021. Upon confirmation of inclusion in the legislative package, Chairman Davis said, “I am especially proud of this bipartisan legislation, which will provide the necessary emergency resources and supports that foster youth and families need to weather this storm. This bill was crafted in direct response to what foster youth in our communities have been telling us they need, right now, in order to be okay during the pandemic.” “This is a major victory for some of America’s most vulnerable children and families, who will have additional support to get through the coronavirus crisis and build a stronger, more stable future,” Ranking Member Walorski said. “Foster youth and families, at-risk pregnant women and mothers, and kinship caregivers such as grandparents raising grandchildren already face unique challenges in normal times. The pandemic has only added to the obstacles they must overcome to achieve the American Dream – but help will soon be on the way. I’m grateful to Chairman Davis for his partnership in building on past reforms with this targeted relief to help families thrive.” Supporting Foster Youth & Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947) has been endorsed by hundreds of national, state, and local organizations, including organizations representing current and former foster youth. The provisions are located in Division X of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 the section-by-section summary of which can be found HERE. A fact sheet on H.R. 7947 is available HERE. A list of groups that have endorsed H.R. 7947 can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-danny-k-davis-passage-final-appropriations-bill-and-pandemic,Statement of Rep. Danny K. Davis on Passage of Final Appropriations Bill and Pandemic Relief Legislation,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"DECEMBER 21, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC - I am pleased that the Congress was finally able to come to an agreement on these two major legislative matters. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long and I believe that the up to $600 per adult and child direct payments and $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work is not adequate or sufficient to meet the needs of tens of millions of our people. It is my hope that when we return next year we can set about urgently remedying that deficiency. There were some important additional items included in the legislation including additional $16.5 billion appropriated for education for Disadvantaged Grants to local educational agencies, $43.4 million for targeted vouchers to reduce homelessness, full funding for WIC, child nutrition programs and SNAP, $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open. I am also pleased many of the provisions I have sponsored this Congress were included like; $500 million for foster youth grants, $100 million for the Second Chance Act, Pell Grants for Prisoners, Community Health Center grants and an increase in above the line charitable deductions to name a few. The legislation includes important new protections holding patients harmless for surprise medical bills and extends critical public health programs, including Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers, and Special Diabetes Programs. It expands the Pell Grant program by the largest amount in a decade, including making it easier for students to predict their eligibility and providing incarcerated students access to Pell Grants and discharges loans made to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) under the HBCU Capital Financing Loan program, providing $1.34 billion in relief. It continues crucial investments in green energy and energy efficiency by extending the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Credit (PTC), and other tax incentives designed to incentivize the deployment of residential green energy and energy efficiency commercial buildings and extends the popular Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income energy efficiency retrofits, which will result in approximately 300,000 units receiving weatherization services. The package provides billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible, to implement a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions reserved specifically for combating the disparities facing communities of color, and to support our heroic health care workers and providers. An important and critical addition is the inclusion of a supplemental appropriation of $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. Also included is critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, and nonprofits recover from the pandemic. The legislation includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street. It includes $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium. The legislation helps ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a strong tax credit based on their 2019 income, preserving these vital income supports for vulnerable families and supports paid sick leave: with a tax credit to support employers offering paid sick leave, based on the Families First framework. I look forward to getting back to work in the new year to tackle all of the issues and challenges we were unable to resolve. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-bipartisan-covid-relief-package,Foster Statement on Bipartisan COVID Relief Package,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bill Foster,F000454,foster.house.gov,foster,https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the bipartisan COVID relief package introduced in the House: ""I support this bipartisan package because it is a useful down payment that will provide additional economic relief for hardworking American families and small businesses struggling to make ends meet. It will also deliver critical resources needed to effectively deploy vaccines throughout the country. ""Through this legislation we're providing billions of dollars to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible so that we can save lives and defeat this virus. ""In addition to extending enhanced unemployment insurance and providing more PPP funding to help keep small businesses afloat, this package includes several key measures that will offer immediate relief like rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes, direct economic impact payments of up to $600 per adult and child, nutrition assistance for hungry families, and tax credits to help support paid sick leave for workers. ""This relief package isn't perfect, and it doesn't include relief for local governments and municipalities, like those in our District that have been on the front lines of this pandemic from day one. That's an issue that the new Congress must tackle in the weeks to come.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://lahood.house.gov/2020/12/rep-lahood-supports-covid-19-relief-bill,Rep. LaHood Supports COVID-19 Relief Bill,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Darin LaHood,L000585,lahood.house.gov,lahood,https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) voted this evening in favor of the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Bill. The bill includes approximately $900 billion in COVID-19 aid. After the vote, Rep. LaHood released the following statement: ""As I traveled across the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in recent months, I heard from businesses on the brink of shutting down for good because of Governor Pritzker's state-mandated closures, workers who still cannot access Illinois' unemployment system, and health care workers who need additional support to care for COVID-19 patients. This bipartisan agreement includes important provisions to extend the Paycheck Protection Program, expand vaccine distribution, reopen our schools, and increase rural broadband access. No compromise is perfect, but this bipartisan bill will provide critical support to families, workers, small businesses, and our frontline health care heroes in Illinois. ""I continue to hold real concerns about the massive amount of deficit spending we are piling up and Congress' yearly inability to work in regular order to fund our government. While Congress needs to act to provide COVID-19 relief, if we continue this spending pattern unchecked, the burden left on our children and their children will be unbearable. ""As we head into the new year, the health and economic impact of COVID-19 will continue to present our nation with serious challenges. This bill will provide important relief to those in need and resources to support key programs in Illinois. It is essential that the Governor, the General Assembly, and local elected officials in Illinois also work swiftly to allow businesses to safely reopen, get our kids back in the classroom, and alleviate the issues so many of my constituents continue to have with Illinois' unemployment system."" Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal Key COVID-19 provisions in the legislation include: Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it $8 billion for vaccine distribution $20 billion to assist states with testing $600 for both adults and dependents with safeguards to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving payment $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning $300 million to build out rural broadband $250 million for telehealth $13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture industry Key provisions that Rep. LaHood introduced or advocated for: Paycheck Protection Program deductibility, which Rep. LaHood called for earlier this month CERTS Act - $2 billion included in CERTS funding for the moto-coach industry, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor H.R. 5952 - SNF Hemophilia Access Act, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor $15 billion in funding for the Payroll Support Program for airlines, which will support 18th District airports Allows FSA/DCFSA users to rollover unused dollars into 2021, which Rep. LaHood called for in May Ends surprise medical billing, by taking patients out of the middle with no government rate setting and giving true and honest cost estimate for patients three days prior to scheduled procedure, which are key priorities for Ways and Means Republicans Improves support for unique rural health care needs suggested by the Rural and Underserved Task Force, of which Rep. LaHood is a member Includes responsible reforms to what are commonly known as “tax extenders,” including making the Craft Beverage and Short Line Rail tax credits permanent. Allocates $55 million for airport control towers, which will benefit needed airport tower upgrades at 18th District airports H.R. 7947 - Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, which provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kin caregivers, at-risk families, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services, and allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-covid-relief-and-government-funding-package,Quigley Statement on COVID Relief and Government Funding Package,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Mike Quigley,Q000023,quigley.house.gov,quigley,https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Chairman of the Appropriations Committee's Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed legislation to provide relief to American families amidst the ongoing COVID-19 and economic crises: ""I'm glad that Senate Republicans finally stopped playing politics and worked with Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to arrive at a reasonable compromise. Long-awaited relief for Americans is finally on the way. This may not be the robust package we had hoped for but it is absolutely necessary to provide aid for the American people now so that families and small businesses can keep food on their tables, employees on payrolls, and business doors open. ""While I am deeply disappointed that the final bill does not include support for struggling state and local governments, we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. My constituents simply cannot afford to wait for a perfect bill and, despite its flaws there, is much in this bill to be pleased about including stimulus checks, unemployment assistance, extending the eviction moratorium, helping small business by allowing another round of Paycheck Protection Program loans, and funding for the hardest-hit industries whose doors are still closed. ""There is still more to be done. I strongly encourage President-elect Joe Biden to continue COVID relief negotiations after his inauguration and I strongly encourage him to prioritize state and local aid in that package. The past nine months have been devastating for local governments and we face catastrophic cuts without support. In the meantime, I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure Illinois and Chicago get the help they need. ""As federal and state agencies begin the process of rolling out the next round of relief checks and business assistance, my offices and I stand ready to provide help to constituents navigating these processes."" Included in the same package was Fiscal Year 21 government funding legislation: ""During these unprecedented times, a government shutdown – no matter how short – is simply unacceptable. Now more than ever, the American people need their leaders to do their jobs and keep the agencies that serve them running. That's why I'm glad that House and Senate legislators were able to come together on a bipartisan compromise to fund our government for the coming year. It was critical that we were able to agree to a year-long package rather than yet another short-term extension, stability is what the American people need. The package ensures that Americans can count on federal services as the pandemic and economic crisis continues. ""Much like the COVID relief bill, this funding package is not the bill I would have written. However, I'm proud to have still secured key provisions for Illinois. ""As Chairman of the House subcommittee responsible for providing federal funds to assist states' election security efforts, I am disappointed that the bill fails to include support for continued improvements to our election infrastructure. Since the election, Republicans have alleged massive voter fraud and faulted our voting infrastructure and yet, they fought the inclusion of this critical funding. Beyond this shortcoming, there were some successful provisions that made it into my bill. For example, despite the tight budget constraints I was able to secure $11.92 billion for the IRS, an increase of $409 million from the previous fiscal year, to help provide better resources for taxpayers, create a more efficient IRS and improve their technology."" Quigley's FSGG bill includes: $7.72 billion for the Judiciary, a significant increase from last year to provide prospering funding for our judicial system $270 million for Community Development Financial Institutions $778.9 million for the Small Business Administration to allow them to continue to assist small businesses during this critical time $20 million for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to help review the impact of foreign investments on our national security Additionally, the funding bills include:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403948,"Rep. Davis Votes in Support of Additional COVID-19 Relief, Government Funding Legislation",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Rodney Davis,D000619,rodneydavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) voted in support of additional COVID-19 relief and government funding legislation. The legislation included an extension of PPP and pandemic unemployment benefits, funding for vaccine production and distribution, and other legislative priorities of Rep. Davis'. I'm glad that Speaker Pelosi finally relented on her multi-trillion-dollar liberal wish list and agreed to support bipartisan, targeted COVID-19 relief, said Rep. Davis. While I wish Congressional leaders could've come to an agreement on liability protections and additional support for local governments, this legislation provides vitally-needed support for small businesses, workers forced out of a job due to government orders, farmers, and many others who have been hurt by this pandemic. It also provides huge support for production and distribution of coronavirus vaccines, which will help us return to normal next year. In the weeks and months ahead, Congress must provide thorough oversight of these programs to ensure that they function as intended and provide Americans the support they need to get through these challenging times. Also included in the legislation were several provisions requested by Rep. Davis, including a 5-year extension of his student loan repayment plan and funding for the study required by law to have the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site added as a unit of the National Park System. I'm proud that legislation voted on tonight included several provisions we have been working on for years, continued Rep. Davis. A five-year extension of our Employer Participation in Repayment Act' will continue a public-private partnership to lower student debt responsibly. Our plan protects taxpayers while providing meaningful, tax-free student debt relief for workers. That should be the approach to tackle our nation's student debt crisis. This legislation also includes funding for the study required by law to have the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site added as a Unit of the National Park System. This funding is a critical step towards giving the Site the recognition it deserves and ensuring that future generations of Americans will never forget about the innocent lives that were lost. The COVID-19 relief legislation: Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan Includes 501(c)(6) organizations but excludes unions from eligibility $15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss Codifies federal rules that ensure churches and faith-based organizations are eligible for PPP loans Reopening America $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it $8 billion for vaccine distribution $20 billion to assist states with testing $20 billion distribution from existing provider relief fund Stimulus checks -- $600 for both adults and dependents Temporarily extends a number of unemployment programs created by CARES Act that expire Dec. 31, 2020 Provide unemployed individuals an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks from December 26, 2020-March 14, 2021 Extends and phases-out PUA, which is a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to March 14 (after which no new applicants) through April 5, 2021 $10 billion for grants to childcare centers to help providers safely reopen $4 billion for substance abuse significant progress made over past several years on opioid addiction has been reversed because of impact of COVID lockdowns $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic Extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021 $7 billion in broadband funding that includes Nearly $2 billion to replace foreign manufactured broadband equipment that poses national security threats $300 million to build out rural broadband $250 million for telehealth $45 billion for transportation, including $16 billion for another round of airline employee and contractor payroll support $14 billion for transit $10 billion for highways $2 billion for intercity buses $2 billion for airports $1 billion for Amtrak Increases SNAP benefits by 15% for six months, but does not expand eligibility, and requires the Secretary to issue a report on redemption rate and unexpended balances Provides funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a program that serves over 700,000 older Americans monthly $13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture sector Enhances assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to support specialty crop, non-specialty crop, livestock, dairy, and poultry producers Gives discretionary authority to the Secretary to support producers of biofuels, producers of organics or value-added products, and timber harvesting and hauling businesses Additional funding is directed to programs that support local producers and new and beginning farmers, dairy producers, dairy processors via reimbursement for donated dairy products, fisheries, textile mills, agricultural research, small and medium size meat processors, and to state departments of agriculture for farm stress programs ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-pass-covid-19-relief-including-bipartisan-schneider-bills-improving,"House to Pass COVID-19 Relief, Including Bipartisan Schneider Bills Improving Health Care",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bradley Scott Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,schneider,https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Today, the House of Representatives will pass the negotiated COVID-19 relief deal, initially framed and helped along by sustained efforts from the Problem Solvers Caucus, of which Schneider is a founding member. The bill will also include two bills led by Schneider, the BENES Act and the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act. Additionally, the bill includes Schneider's initiative to train 1000 additional doctors annually, based on language from his Opioid Workforce Act. ""This package should have been delivered months ago and there's still much needed assistance missing from the final agreement. But right now, it's better to be late than to never pass a bill. Today, we will deliver funding to accelerate vaccine distribution, support small businesses, and provide rental assistance and $600 direct payment checks,"" said Brad Schneider. ""I'm proud to be a part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, the bipartisan group that kept the negotiations alive and allowed us to get to this place. And I'm proud that my legislation supporting hospitals and streamlining Medicare enrollment will be included in the bill. Nevertheless, this agreement is only a down payment on what is needed to get our country back to healthy – physically and economically. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House, and the bicameral work of the Problem Solvers Caucus to make sure Congress remains focused on the needs of our communities, our health care system, our state and local governments and our nation as a whole in the new year."" The spending package contains $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people. Among its provisions, the bill provides: Billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to crush the virus; $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the COVID hunger crisis; A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child; A $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work; $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open; and An additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus. Provisions for small business include: Clarifies the deductibility of PPP-related expenses, including the tax-treatment of EIDL Advances for those with PPP loans Expands PPP funds to be used towards certain operational expenses, like purchasing worker PPE, while remaining forgivable Creates simplified loan forgiveness process for recipients of $150,000 or less in PPP funds Allows for a ""second draw"" for certain PPP borrowers, focused on hardest-hit industries and smallest businesses Makes most 501(c)(6) organizations – like local chambers of commerce – eligible for PPP loans Sets up $15 billion in funds specifically for live venues, museums, and movie theaters The text of the spending package, H.R. 133, is available here. A division-by-division summary of the appropriations provisions is here. A division-by-division summary of the coronavirus relief provisions is here. A division-by-division of the authorizing matters is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-s-legislation-support-veterans-stem-careers-passes-congress-heads,Underwood’s Legislation to Support Veterans in STEM Careers Passes in Congress; Heads to President to be Signed into Law,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON This week, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood's (IL-14) legislation to support veterans in STEM careers passedthe House of Representatives.TheVeterans in STEM Act(H.R. 6140) wouldexpandSTEM scholarships for clinical health training programs.The legislationpassed as a part of H.R 7105, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, which will now head to President Trump to be signed into law. Our nation's veterans'service and experience uniquely qualifiesthem to work ininnovativeSTEM fields. That's why I've introduced the Veterans in STEM Act to provide newcareeropportunities to veteransandexpandtrainings in the health care sector that will helpstrengthenour economy in northern Illinois and across the county,said Underwood.I'm pleased to see mylegislationincluded in this historiclegislativepackage, andI urge President Trump to immediately signthis bill into law."" In addition to Underwood's provision, theJohnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, also includesprovisions from the House passedDeborah Sampson Actto improve care for women veterans which Underwood stronglysupported, along withprovisions toexpand veteran benefits, provide assistance to homelessveterans,and support veterans impacted by COVID-19. Asection-by-section summary of H.R. 7105, theJohnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020,can be foundhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwoods-legislation-support-veterans-stem-careers-passes-congress-heads,Underwood’s Legislation to Support Veterans in STEM Careers Passes in Congress; Heads to President to be Signed into Law,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,underwood,https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— This week, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood's (IL-14) legislation to support veterans in STEM careers passed the House of Representatives. The Veterans in STEM Act (H.R. 6140) would expand STEM scholarships for clinical health training programs. The legislation passed as a part of H.R 7105, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, which will now head to President Trump to be signed into law. Our nation's veterans' service and experience uniquely qualifies them to work in innovative STEM fields. That's why I've introduced the Veterans in STEM Act to provide new career opportunities to veterans and expand trainings in the health care sector that will help strengthen our economy in northern Illinois and across the county,"" said Underwood. ""I'm pleased to see my legislation included in this historic legislative package, and I urge President Trump to immediately sign this bill into law."" In addition to Underwood's provision, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, also includes provisions from the House passed Deborah Sampson Act to improve care for women veterans which Underwood strongly supported, along with provisions to expand veteran benefits, provide assistance to homeless veterans, and support veterans impacted by COVID-19. A section-by-section summary of H.R. 7105, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-statement-on-omnibus-provision-protecting-food-access-for-8000-illinois-supportive-living-facility-residents,"Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Omnibus Provision Protecting Food Access For 8,000 Illinois Supportive Living Facility Residents",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Omnibus Provision Protecting Food Access For 8,000 Illinois Supportive Living Facility Residents WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statements after they successfully secured a provision in the fiscal year 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that will stop the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from terminating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for a group of supportive living facilities (SLFs) in Illinois that serve 8,000 low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Without this provision from Duckworth and Durbin, USDA was set to kick these 8,000 individuals in Illinois off of the SNAP program in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a rigid and arbitrary new regulatory interpretation by USDA, and despite the Supportive Living Program serving vulnerable Illinoisans for decades with federal approval. This provision's inclusion is welcome news for thousands of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in Illinois who were at risk of losing access to nutritious meals in the middle of a deadly global pandemic,Duckworth said.I'm proud to have worked alongside Senator Durbin to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing their harmful effort that would have jeopardized effective community-based services and allowed vulnerable Illinoisans to go hungry this holiday season. The cruelty and senselessness of the Trump Administration's USDA reached new lows with their attempt to eliminate SNAP benefits, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, for 8,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities across Illinois. The Illinois Supportive Living Program has served our state well for more than two decades as an essential lifeline for those in need of a helping hand. I am pleased to have secured this provision, together with Senator Duckworth, to block this bureaucratic overreach and protect access to nutrition benefits for our neighbors, Durbin said. There are SLFs in every Illinois Congressional District and in 71 Illinois counties. A complete list of SLFs in Illinois is available here. In November, Duckworth, Durbin, and a bipartisan group of Illinois Delegation members sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue opposing the Department's administrative overreach, and criticized the Department's efforts to terminate these SNAP benefits despite legislative action and prior commitments in Congressional testimony from USDA to preserve SNAP benefits for this group, and twenty years of USDA approval for this arrangement that helps keep low-income seniors out of more institutional nursing home settings. Illinois's SLF program was created in 1997 through a state law designed to be an alternative to institutional nursing settings for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities under Medicaid. For more than twenty years, the Illinois's SLF program has been a nationally leading model in promoting affordable, independent-living options, and has relied upon a federal Medicaid waiver to serve this population. USDA has threatened to end the SNAP program for these Illinois SLFs despite no findings of fraud or misuse of SNAP benefits, and despite the fact that Illinois SLFs comprise a fraction of one percent of the SNAP program yet importantly serve a very low-income and vulnerable population. For decades, USDA consistently authorized new SLFs and re-authorized existing SLFs across Illinois as SNAP participants, enabling the facilities to serve meals in an innovative and efficient manner by pooling SNAP benefits for meals for eligible low-income disabled and elderly residents who otherwise would face physical difficulty with conventional individual grocery purchases using SNAP. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-statement-on-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-deal-funding-agreement,"Duckworth Statement on Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Deal, Funding Agreement",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2020 Duckworth Statement on Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Deal, Funding Agreement [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today about her support for the bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal, which will be attached to an agreement to fund the United States Government through the end of the fiscal year: For months, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have blocked multiple attempts by Democrats to provide real, substantial relief to hard-working Americans who are struggling. And finally this week, we were able to come to a bipartisan compromise to provide some desperately needed relief to Americans and small businesseswhile also funding the government through the end of the fiscal year. However, it is not enough.I'm deeply disappointed that we aren't providing the large-scale relief dollars our teachers, firefighters and healthcare workers need, all because Republicans would rather fight for liability shields for corporations that would hurt workers and people with disabilities. We've lost more than 310,000 Americans to this deadly virus, and we simply can't wait a minute longer to send urgent relief to Illinoisans and people across this country. Although this proposal is far from perfect, when faced with the choice of accepting this deal or no relief at all, I will vote for it because it extends all pandemic unemployment benefits by 11 weeks, provides funding to prevent healthcare providers from closing, makes sure millions don't go hungry during the pandemic, protects Americans from getting evicted, increases funding for our schools, sends stimulus checks to those who need help and provides more resources for testing, contact tracing, PPE and vaccine distribution. There's still so much more we need to do to help working families, local governments and small businessesespecially independent restaurant operatorsweather this storm. And while states will have broad flexibility to spend funds on COVID-19 mitigation, including for home and community-based services, we still must expand Medicaid coverage for these services to keep seniors and people with disabilities out of deadly congregate living settings. We have a long road ahead of us, and in the New Year, Congress must continue to deliver Americans the resources they need to get to the other side of this crisis. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-underwood-garca-kelly-receive-covid-19-vaccine-encourage-communities-of-color-to-receive-the-vaccine-when-it-is-available,"Duckworth, Underwood, García, Kelly Receive COVID-19 Vaccine, Encourage Communities of Color to Receive the Vaccine When it is Available",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 21, 2020 Duckworth, Underwood, Garca, Kelly Receive COVID-19 Vaccine, Encourage Communities of Color to Receive the Vaccine When it is Available [WASHINGTON, DC] After receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine over the weekend, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Jess ChuyGarca(D-IL-04) and Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) urged communities of color to receive the vaccine when it is available to them. The members also released a video discussing the importance of trusting the science and getting vaccinated. With full confidence in the science and at the direction of the Attending Physician of the Capitol for continuity of government operations requirements, I received my first dose of the Pfizer vaccination over the weekend, Duckworth said. I urge everyone in Illinois to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to them, especially communities of color that have been dying at disproportionate rates from this virus and have understandable hesitations when it comes to trusting the safety of this vaccine and our medical system. I'll continue working alongside my colleagues to increase awareness of this safe, effective vaccine so that we can protect our fellow Americans and end this deadly pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccine is our best way to save lives and get the virus under control, said Underwood. Members of Congress were offered the vaccine under continuity of government protocol starting last week. I was vaccinated at that time. I know there is some reluctance to be vaccinated, but I'm encouraging everyone I know, including my parents and friends, to get the vaccine when it is available to them. Vaccines are safe and they work! Latino, Black, Indigenous, and Asian American communities suffer from the highest rates of coronavirus infections and deaths. It is critical we make sure our communities know the COVID vaccine is safe, effective, and will save lives, Garca said. Under the direction of the Capitol Physician I was vaccinated, and I urge everyone to get it as soon as they are able. I'm working to ensure the vaccine is widely accessible, free, and equitably distributed as soon as possible. It is vitally important that our communities of color be equipped with facts to dispel mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, Kelly said. Our communities have been hit especially hard and the only way to save more lives is for us to take the vaccine. This is not the time to listen to conspiracy theories and give in to fear of the healthcare system. I believe in science and know the importance of preventing more Black Illinoisans from losing their lives to this devastating disease. We must trust the tireless work of scientists and doctors around the world who worked day and night to ensure that we can get back to business as usual. Duckworth has recently held virtual roundtables with Black and Latinx community leaders to discuss the disproportionate public health impact of COVID-19 on people of color as well as plans to equitably distribute a safe vaccine to these communities in Chicago and across Illinois. Duckworth and the community leaders also discussed addressing medical racism, educational outreach and cultural sensitivity so these Illinoisans can feel reassured of the safety of the vaccination. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-statement-on-omnibus-provision-protecting-food-access-for-8000-illinois-supportive-living-facility-residents,"Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Omnibus Provision Protecting Food Access for 8,000 Illinois Supportive Living Facility Residents",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.20 Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Omnibus Provision Protecting Food Access for 8,000 Illinois Supportive Living Facility Residents WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statements after they successfully secured a provision in the fiscal year 2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that will stop the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from terminating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for a group of supportive living facilities (SLFs) in Illinois that serve 8,000 low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Without this provision from Durbin and Duckworth, USDA was set to kick these 8,000 individuals in Illinois off of the SNAP program in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a rigid and arbitrary new regulatory interpretation by USDA, and despite the Supportive Living Program serving vulnerable Illinoisans for decades with federal approval. The cruelty and senselessness of the Trump Administration's USDA reached new lows with their attempt to eliminate SNAP benefits, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, for 8,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities across Illinois. The Illinois Supportive Living Program has served our state well for more than two decades as an essential lifeline for those in need of a helping hand. I am pleased to have secured this provision, together with Senator Duckworth, to block this bureaucratic overreach and protect access to nutrition benefits for our neighbors,Durbin said. This provision's inclusion is welcome news for thousands of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in Illinois who were at risk of losing access to nutritious meals in the middle of a deadly global pandemic,Duckworth said.I'm proud to have worked alongside Senator Durbin to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing their harmful effort that would have jeopardized effective community-based services and allowed vulnerable Illinoisans to go hungry this holiday season. There are SLFs in every Illinois Congressional District and in 71 Illinois counties. A complete list of SLFs in Illinois is availablehere. In November, Durbin, Duckworth, and a bipartisan group of Illinois Delegation members sent aletterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue opposing the Department's administrative overreach, and criticized the Department's efforts to terminate these SNAP benefits despite legislative action and prior commitments in Congressional testimony from USDA to preserve SNAP benefits for this group, and twenty years of USDA approval for this arrangement that helps keep low-income seniors out of more institutional nursing home settings. Illinois's SLF program was created in 1997 through a state law designed to be an alternative to institutional nursing settings for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities under Medicaid. For more than twenty years, the Illinois's SLF program has been a nationally leading model in promoting affordable, independent-living options, and has relied upon a federal Medicaid waiver to serve this population. USDA has threatened to end the SNAP program for these Illinois SLFs despite no findings of fraud or misuse of SNAP benefits, and despite the fact that Illinois SLFs comprise a fraction of one percent of the SNAP program yet importantly serve a very low-income and vulnerable population. For decades, USDA consistently authorized new SLFs and re-authorized existing SLFs across Illinois as SNAP participants, enabling the facilities to serve meals in an innovative and efficient manner by pooling SNAP benefits for meals for eligible low-income disabled and elderly residents who otherwise would face physical difficulty with conventional individual grocery purchases using SNAP. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-senators-call-on-department-of-interior-to-cancel-oil-and-gas-leases-across-public-lands-in-utah,"Durbin, Senators Call on Department of Interior to Cancel Oil and Gas Leases Across Public Lands in Utah",2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.20 Durbin, Senators Call on Department of Interior to Cancel Oil and Gas Leases Across Public Lands in Utah WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) called on U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to cancel hundreds of oil and gas leases across Utah that threaten fragile landscapes and, if developed, will further exacerbate the impacts of climate change. In a letter to DOI Secretary David Bernhardt, the Senators cite how fossil fuel leasing and development on public lands managed by DOI is a primary contributor to climate change, accounting for nearly 24 percent of the nation's annual carbon dioxide emissions. Due to successful litigation and administrative appeals, the Utah-Bureau of Land Management has been forced to reconsider decisions on more than five hundred leases, covering more than 700,000 acres of public lands in Utah. We urge you to outright cancel these leases,the Senators wrote. The more than five hundred leases being reconsidered by the Bureau are located in some of the nation's most wild, scenic, and culturally rich areas. Hundreds of them encompass Bureau-identified lands with wilderness characteristics proposed for wilderness designation in S. 3056,America's Red Rock Wilderness Act. These oil leases threaten environmentally sensitive and culturally rich lands throughout Utah that Congress has worked to protect. Given the significance of these lands, we request that you cancel these leases,the Senators concluded. The full letter is availablehereand below: December 21, 2020 Dear Secretary Bernhardt: We are writing to call for the cancellation of hundreds of oil and gas leases across Utah that threaten our climate and, if developed, will further exacerbate the impacts of climate change. Due to successful litigation and administrative appeals, the Utah-Bureau of Land Management has been forced to reconsider decisions on more than five hundred leases, covering more than 700,000 acres of public lands in Utah. We urge you to outright cancel these leases. Fossil fuel leasing and development on public lands managed by the Department of the Interior is a primary contributor to climate change. In a recent report, the United States Geological Service concluded that the development and combustion of fossil fuels extracted from public lands account for nearly twenty-four percent of the nation's annual carbon dioxide emissions. The leasing and development of Bureau-managed minerals is the primary source of the Interior Department's significant greenhouse gas emissions. The development of the oil and gas leases in Utah currently under review by the Bureau will, by the agency's own estimate, contribute significant amounts of new climate change-driving emissions. Confronted with the climate crises, the significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions that will result from development on these leases is unacceptable. The more than five hundred leases being reconsidered by the Bureau are located in some of the nation's most wild, scenic, and culturally rich areas. Hundreds of them encompass Bureau-identified lands with wilderness characteristics proposed for wilderness designation in S. 3056, America's Red Rock Wilderness Act. Due to the significant threat these leases pose to our climate and wild places, we ask you to cancel them and to reject the proposed development in the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness. One lease (UTU-93713) deserves particular mention because it is within Congressionally designated Wilderness: the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness area. The Bureau issued this lease without allowing for public participation and without preparing analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Federal courts have held that such actions violate the law. The Bureau rushed to issue this lease in February 2019 with full knowledge that the public lands it encompassed were set to be designated as Wilderness in the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which was signed into law on March 12, 2019. This historic, bipartisan law created 1.3 million acres of Wilderness across the nation, including the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness. It also added the Green River, which flows through Labyrinth Canyon, to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This remote stretch of desert river is one of the most famous in our nation due to its solitude, rich cultural history, and unmatched scenic beautyvalues enjoyed by thousands of Americans every year. The proposed development will destroy Congress sought to protect when it created the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness. These oil leases threaten environmentally sensitive and culturally rich lands throughout Utah that Congress has worked to protect. Given the significance of these lands, we request that you cancel these leases. Thank you for considering our request. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-shares-support-for-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-legislation,Durbin Shares Support for Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.21.20 Durbin Shares Support for Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Legislation WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke in support of the $900 billion bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief package that was announced last night. The compromise package was based off the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that Durbin helped negotiate and introduce last week. The final package includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, direct checks for American families, and more. It was about four weeks ago when a Republican Senator and a Democratic Senator invited six of their colleagues for dinner. It was a bipartisan group for three or four weeks, we tried to write a relief bill. We did it by phone, by Zoom, and through staff work that was endless. And finally, Tuesday of last week, we were able to announce ita $748 billion consensus bill for relief much of which is included in this relief package which we're going to consider today,Durbin said. I want to thank my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, for their patience and determination to reach this point. I really believe that we ended up opening the conversation. The Leaders, thanks goodness, moved in to follow on and make it a reality. And today, we are going to seriously consider a measure to keep America's economy moving and to give us a fighting chance against the coronavirus. Durbin continued,We have more work to be done. We're not out of the woods. We have to consider measures which will address the reality of the economy in the future. We want to make sure that Americans have a chance to get back to work and businesses have a chance to survive in this time of COVID-19. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-receiving-covid-19-vaccine,Foster Statement on Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine,2020-12-20,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bill Foster,F000454,foster.house.gov,foster,https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement about receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine: ""At the direction of the Attending Physician, I received a COVID-19 vaccination. I have confidence in its safety and efficacy, and I trust the scientists and researchers who have been working around the clock since the beginning of this pandemic to develop, test, and approve a vaccine. Thanks to their efforts, combined with decades of sustained federal investment in medical and scientific research, we have a weapon to defeat this virus. ""I am pleased to see that elected officials of both parties are stepping forward to get vaccinated. It is essential that our government maintains its ability to function. That is especially important as we prepare to convene a new Congress and transition to a new Administration. ""Even with a vaccine, I will continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow the science and advice of health officials to slow the spread of the virus as much as possible while vaccines are deployed throughout the country. ""I urge all Americans to get vaccinated as soon as it's available to them.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-votes-schneider-led-legislation-repeal-state-and-local-tax-salt-deduction,House Votes for Schneider-Led Legislation to Repeal State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction Cap,2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Brad Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5377, Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would provide relief to many Tenth District communities facing increased taxes as a result of the 2017 Republican tax law. Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) helped introduce the legislation as an original co-sponsor and has been a staunch advocate for repealing the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. The 2017 tax law capped the SALT deduction at $10,000 (including for married couples) which raised taxes on many Illinois families. H.R. 5377 would eliminate the marriage penalty for 2019 by doubling the deduction to $20,000 for married filers, and it would eliminate the cap entirely in 2020 and 2021. Passing legislation to eliminate the SALT cap has been a top priority for Schneider. He was an original co-sponsor helping to introduce the legislation at the Ways and Means Committee, participated in the Committee mark-up, and also testified for nearly an hour representing the bill on Monday as the House Rules Committee debated the legislation (video). During the floor debate on the legislation, Schneider spoke in support: VIDEO: Schneider speaks on House floor in support of eliminating SALT deduction Schneider's remarks on the House floor: I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act. This legislation that seeks to fix one of the most harmful provisions of the 2017 Republican tax law the $10,000 limit on the State and Local Tax Deduction. Raising this unfair, punishing cap is a top priority for the constituents I represent. Forcing Americans to pay federal tax on taxes they already paid to state and local governments is double taxation and it's wrong. In my Illinois district, approximately 42 percent of filers use the SALT deduction, and the average deduction is significantly higher nearly double - the new cap. Even worse the new $10,000 cap applies equally to married and single filers. This creates a marriage penalty and further punishes joint filers. This is not fair to America's middle class. It's wrong that the burden of a tax law that overwhelmingly benefits the most fortunate Americans 83 percent of the benefit to the top one percent by one estimate should lie with a narrow range of states like Illinois. H.R. 5377 would rectify these wrongs. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. VIDEO: Schneider speaks on House floor in support of eliminating SALT deduction",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-selected-serve-appropriations-committee,Underwood Selected to Serve on the Appropriations Committee,2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,underwood,https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that she has been selected by the full House Democratic Caucus to serve on the prestigious House Committee on Appropriations for the 117th Congress. The committee will be led by Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). ""I am delighted and honored to be selected to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee has a rich history of transformative and bipartisan policymaking, and I welcome the opportunity to carry forward this important work to create opportunities for Illinois families and ensure communities across the United States have the resources they need to thrive,"" Underwood said. The House Committee on Appropriations is responsible for funding the federal government's vital activities to keep the United States safe and invest in families and communities across the country. Through the 12 appropriations bills that the Committee considers each year, Committee members work on behalf of the American people by prioritizing good schools, robust job training, affordable higher education, quality health care, and better infrastructure.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-attempts-to-pass-legislation-to-protect-hong-kong-residents-from-persecution,Durbin Attempts to Pass Legislation to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution,2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.20 Durbin Attempts to Pass Legislation to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution Senator Ted Cruz objected to Durbin's request WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, today joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to request Senate passage of theHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, which would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Hong Kong residents currently in the U.S. and provide refugee protections to Hong Kong residents facing persecution. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) objected to the request. Thousands of protesters in Hong Kong have been persecuted fighting for the liberties that we Americans routinely say we enjoy: freedoms of assembly and speech, the right to vote, due process and the rule of law. The National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party in June has enabled the ruthless abuse of protestors, political leaders, journalists, and teachers. Despite its name, the National Security Law is not about security, it's about fear; fear of the voices in Hong Kong calling for reform of democracy and freedom. I believe my colleagues on both sides of the aisle share my feelings about the crisis in Hong Kong. But the question today is, what are we willing to do about it?Durbin asked. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. This week, Durbin participated in a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the United States' Hong Kong refugee policy and urged the Senate to immediately pass the bipartisan House-passedHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Actand slammed Trump Administration policies that have put at risk Hong Kongers who are fleeing Chinese persecution, as well as thousands of other vulnerable refugees from around the world. At Wednesday's Judiciary Committee hearing, we received a clear message: Congress needs to pass theHong Kong Freedom of Choice Actin the Senate now. We can do it. In fact, we can do it today. Think about the message it would send from the United States to Hong Kong and to the world if we sent this bill to the President's desk to be signed into law. It's bipartisan. It was unanimous in the House. It's timely and it addresses a real problem,Durbin continued. Since the enactment of the Refugee Act of 1980, the United States has resettled an average of more than 80,000 refugees per year. However, in the midst of the worst refugee crisis in history, the Trump Administration has set record-low refugee admissions targets four years in a row, culminating in the lowest level in history this year 15,000. It has admitted zero refugees from Hong Kong in the last year. One country cannot take in all of the refugees from Hong Kong, nor should it be asked to. But surely the United States of America, the most powerful nation on Earth we hope a model for democracy in the world cannot protest what's happening to the innocent people of Hong Kong and the repressive regime of Beijing and then do nothing. Passing theHong Kong People's Freedom of Choice Actis urgently needed. The situation continues to deteriorate. We need to do it and do it quickly,Durbin concluded. Last week, the Trump Administration issued a new rule under which Hong Kongers could be denied asylum if they transit other countries on their way to the United States, if persecutors detained them for only brief periods, or if persecutors were not able to carry out their threats before the individual being persecuted fled to the United States. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-senate-dems-announce-significant-additions-to-the-economic-justice-act,"Durbin, Duckworth, Senate Dems Announce Significant Additions to the Economic Justice Act",2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.20 Durbin, Duckworth, Senate Dems Announce Significant Additions to the Economic Justice Act The historic proposal now provides more than $435 Billion to address systemic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats, today unveiled new additions to theEconomic Justice Act, a major legislative proposal that now provides more than $435 billion in immediate and long-term investments in communities of color to address systemic racism and reverse decades of historic underinvestment. The substantial additions to the Economic Justice Act make an even larger investment in Black and Brown communities across America that have been underfunded for generations,said Durbin.The bill not only provides funding to help child care providers, expand public health care and access to affordable housing, address maternal mortality rates, improve job training, support at-risk youth, and increase access to capital for minority-owned businesses, but it also helps build back the communities that have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. If we are serious about lifting up communities of color that have faced generations of inequalities, it starts by putting our money where our mouth is and passing this bill. This deadly pandemic has laid bare the overwhelming inequities in our healthcare, economic and environmental protection systems that have plagued communities of color for far too long,said Duckworth.I'm proud to join Leader Schumer in introducing the Economic Justice Act, a critical piece of legislation that would help address generations of injustice by increasing access to child care and community healthcare, confronting the maternal mortality crisis and investing in infrastructure in communities of color in Illinois and across our nation. Through eleven key initiatives, theEconomic Justice Actaims to immediately help communities of color respond to the pandemic by investing over $135 billion in underfunded critical priorities, including child care, mental health and primary care, growth of minority-owned businesses, and job creation. This legislation also seeks to build long lasting wealth and health in these communities over the next five years by investing over $300 billion for infrastructure, a homeowner down payment tax credit, Medicaid expansion, and more. Additionally, the bill makes key policy changes to better target federal assistance to high-poverty communities and to implement local hiring provisions to ensure more federal infrastructure spending translates into job opportunities for disadvantaged workers and underrepresented populations. TheEconomic Justice Actis not the conclusion of efforts in this space, but an initial down payment for communities of color and the first in many focused investments and policy initiatives to begin dismantlingsystemicracism. Significant additions have alsobeen made to Senate Democrats'Economic Justice Actto further invest in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession. The new additions to this legislation include increased infrastructure investment, robust labor standards and policies to improve pay, benefits and worker power, and a new $15 billion Community Justice Initiative to begin to right the wrongs of past federal policy that displaced, physically isolated, and stripped wealth from communities of color. Joining Durbin, Duckworth, and Schumer in introducing theEconomic Justice Actinclude Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senate Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Committee on Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE), Senate Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senate Committee on Budget Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate Committee on Rules Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Senator Udall (D-NM), Senate Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senate Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). Some key endorsements of theEconomic Justice Actinclude the National Urban League, Conference of National Black Churches, NWLC, National Black Worker Center, PolicyLink, US Hispanic Chamber, CDFI Coalition, UnidosUs and Prosperity Now. A comprehensive list of endorsements can be foundhere. A summary of Senate Democrats'Economic Justice Actcan be foundhere.Asection by section summaryof the billcan be foundhere. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-davis-statement-hr-3250-julius-rosenwald-and-rosenwald-schools-act-2020,"Rep. Davis Statement on HR 3250, the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"December 17, 2020 Floor Remarks on HR 3250, the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020. (as prepared-bill passed the House) Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Julius Rosenwald Schools Act and thank leadership for placing it on the suspension calendar. This bill starts the process to establish a Julius Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park to focus on the incredible impact of Julius Rosenwald, a successful entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist who make lasting contributions to the advancement of African American Education and other cultural social, scientific and economic developments. Mr. Rosenwald was the President of Sears Roebuck & Company during its heyday. He used his fortune to enhance the lives of others, establishing museums, community centers and housing as well as helping Jews in Europe and new immigrants to the United States. Mr. Rosenwald was a friend and associate of Booker T. Washington. He served on the board of Tuskegee College and established the Julius Rosenwald Fund and partnered with local groups to create over 5,300 schools in the south for Africa Americans. During the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s it is reported that one-third of all Africa American children in the south were educated in the Rosenwald Schools. Although I did not attend a Rosenwald School I grew up in the rural south, Arkansas and attended a one room school where one teacher, Mrs. Beadie King taught 8 grades, plus what we called the little primer and the big primer all at the same time. Many of the small towns and rural areas where African Americans lived had no schools at all and if they did, they often only went to the 6th or 8th grades. As one who has lived, worked and represents the area where Sears Roebuck and Company has its international headquarters, I know and understand the importance of Mr. Rosenwald’s life and contributions. In addition to education, Rosenwald provided matching funds to communities for construction of YMCAs for African Americans during the Jim Crow era. The Rosenwald fund supported the early NAACP cases that eventually led to the Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, provided fellowships to Africa Americans in the arts and sciences, and supported several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Fisk, Dillard and Howard. Mr. Rosenwald improved the lives of those in Chicago as well, creating the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry, the Rosenwald building 421 unite if housing and commercial properties at 47th and King Drive in the heart of Bronzeville, a black community in Chicago and other local initiatives. Julius Rosenwald was very instrumental in bringing together and in cementing relationships between and among various cultures and ethnic communities, especially Black and Jewish. A great contributor, a great humanitarian, a great American; therefore, we need to do everything that we can to preserve his heritage, his contributions and his legacy. I urge passage of HR 3250, the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act and yield back the balance of my time.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402563,Kinzinger Fighting for Nuclear Energy Communities,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Adam Kinzinger,K000378,kinzinger.house.gov,,,legacy,"This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) introduced legislation that would establish an emissions avoidance program for certain nuclear reactors and authorize funding for nuclear closure communities.' share: f t Washington, DC This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) introduced legislation that would establish an emissions avoidance program for certain nuclear reactors and authorize funding for nuclear closure communities.' The Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act is the House companion to a bipartisan effort by the Senate (S. 4897), and is increasingly important to communities like those in Illinois' 16th Congressional District, where nuclear generating stations are at continued risk of closure. Following introduction of the H.R. 9015 legislation with his colleague Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Congressman Kinzinger released this statement: The greatest source of zero-emission bulk power in this country is slowly dying on the vine. In Illinois, 11 operating nuclear reactors including eight in the 16th District provide 88% of the state's emission-free electricity. But a combination of factors, including misguided fears about nuclear power, have hampered the political will to ensure this revolutionary technology continues to power our neighborhoods, schools, and communities. I believe in a State's right to determine its own energy portfolio. But what I'm seeing is massive public support across Illinois for nuclear being met with political gridlock in Springfield. So now, it's time for a federal solution. The Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act is designed to help save nuclear plants that are on the chopping block--including Byron and Dresden here in our backyard--by providing financial credits through an Emissions Avoidance Program. It also seeks to soften the blow to local communities who suffer the most near-term damage from the closure of these plants by providing resources to help shore up immediate budgetary impacts of local governments so that we can preserve essential municipal services and promote economic development. I want to thank Senators Barrasso and Whitehouse for leading the way on things in the Senate, and greatly appreciate my colleague Congressman Doyle for once again partnering with me in support of nuclear power. This bill is only a first step, and I look forward to continuing our conversations on nuclear so that we may act quickly and decisively in the 117th Congress. The full text of the bill, H.R. 9015 the Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act, can be found here and attached. The Senate companion bill, S. 4897 the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, can be found here. In addition to the bipartisan Congressional support, these provisions have received strong support from multiple organizations. RELATED: OP-ED: Peoria Journal Star Kinzinger: Saving our nuclear fleet starts in Springfield Kinzinger Statement on Byron, Dresden Plant Closures VIDEO: Kinzinger Addressing the Issues of Clean Energy, Now and for the Future The Ripon Advance Kinzinger praises federal nuclear rule change proposal",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-murphy-introduce-legislation-protect-presidential-records,"Quigley, Murphy Introduce Legislation to Protect Presidential Records",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Mike Quigley,Q000023,quigley.house.gov,quigley,https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced the Promoting Accountability and Security in Transition (PAST) Act after reports emerged that the outgoing Trump administration is destroying presidential records and ignoring the law when using non-official electronic devices to conduct official business. The PAST Act would clarify and enhance existing law with regards to presidential transition and presidential records. ""This bill ensures that all presidential records are documented, archived, and preserved for the historical record,"" said Quigley, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Transparency Caucus. ""It is imperative that we push for commonsense legislation like this to hold elected officials accountable for what they do and say, including on social media platforms. This is about building more government accountability and transparency not only for the outgoing administration but for every administration."" Quigley has championed transparency and oversight in the fact of the Trump administration's historic efforts to stonewall the public. In 2017, he introduced the COVFEFE Act to include social media material in the Presidential Records Act, and the MAR-A-LAGO Act to require White House and Trump property visitor logs be made public. ""It's been over a month since Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election, and President Trump still has yet to concede. Even more troubling are reports that his administration is destroying presidential records and refusing to share national security information with the transition,"" said Murphy. ""The American people see that the process is broken and that it is time for reform. Our legislation clarifies and enhances existing laws related to presidential transitions and presidential records by putting in safeguards and transparency to ensure the paper trail that documents the actions taken by this and future administrations cannot be swept under the rug with impunity. It also establishes real consequences for the destruction of Presidential Records for the first time. This should be a no-brainer for Republicans and Democrats who care about our country's national security and the peaceful transfer of power to support."" A list of endorsements can be found here. Specifically, Promoting Accountability and Security in Transition Act includes three parts: Presidential Records Act, which: Requires the President to receive written guidance from the Archivist before destroying any records and make this guidance publicly available; Requires the Archivist to inspect White House records management, training, and standard operating procedures on a biannual basis; Allows judicial review of access restrictions to Presidential Records and allows a Congressional Committee Ranking Members to request exemptions to access restrictions after a President's term in office; Requires the Archivist to provide regulations for documenting records created on non-official electronic messaging accounts (e.g. WhatsApp), preserving social media messaging (e.g. Twitter), and narrow exemptions for using applications with automatic deleting functionalities (e.g. Signal, Confide); and Requires the President to prohibit White House staff from using non-official electronic messaging accounts that cannot be easily copied or forwarded to official accounts and all messaging accounts with automatic deleting functionalities. Presidential Compensation and Libraries, which: Establishes consequences for former Presidents that destroy Presidential records, including restricting post-presidency salary and staff, prohibiting public funding for Presidential Library construction, and preventing presidential records from being entrusted to a Presidential Library or Museum regardless of whether public funds were used for construction; and Requires former Presidents to cover the entire cost of digitizing records for display in a Presidential Library. Presidential Transitions Act, which:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403946,House Passes Rep. Davis’ Bipartisan Legislation to Help State and Local Governments Prepare for Severe Weather and Catastrophic Events,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Rodney Davis,D000619,rodneydavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan disaster mitigation legislation - S. 3418, the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act - to help state and local governments prepare for or rebuild from severe weather or catastrophic events. S. 3418 is the Senate counterpart to legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) in the House - H.R. 3779, the Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act introduced in July of 2019. Severe weather and catastrophic events cause great strain on local economies and municipal budgets in cities and towns in Illinois like Grafton and many others across the country, said Rep. Davis. Our bipartisan bill will give state and local governments the tools they need to prepare for emergency disasters before they happen. This will protect local economies and taxpayers alike. I'd like to thank Rep. Craig for our partnership on this issue in the House and all of the advocates who helped get this critical legislation passed. I look forward to the president swiftly signing this legislation into law so we can be prepared before the next time disaster strikes. In recent years, cities and towns in the Second District have experienced some of the most devastating flood seasons in recent memory threatening Minnesotans' homes, doing severe damage to public property and costing our local communities millions of dollars in recovery efforts, said Rep. Craig. I am incredibly proud that our bill which will soon be signed into law by President Trump will allow cities like Red Wing, Jordan and Hastings to invest in resilient infrastructure that will not only protect their communities, but also save countless taxpayer dollars in the years to come. Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota and my Representative Rodney Davis of Illinois have championed our proposal for passage of the Resilience Revolving Loan Fund from the beginning and they continue to do so today. Protecting our communities from the increasing disasters we are facing is about leveraging the possible $12 we get back from every dollar spent on mitigation, and we're doing that along the entire Mississippi River, explainedMayor Rick Eberlin of Grafton, Illinois. We congratulate Rep. Angie Craig (MN), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL), Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA), Senator Ron Johnson (WI), and Senator Gary Peters (MI) for their championship of this cause. Mayors up and down the Mississippi River throughout the ten-state corridor led on this legislation at the local level. With our region sustaining the largest and longest floor in US history through 2019 followed by the pandemic, we urge the President to sign this new and innovative solution to our impacts as soon as possible,urged Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Co-Chair, Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor of Baton Rouge, LA. Today, the House of Representatives prioritized legislation that supports resilient infrastructure by passing the bipartisan Resilience Revolving Loan Fund bill, the STORM Act, said Tom Smith, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers. ASCE has been proud to partner with bill sponsors Congresswoman Angie Craig and Congressman Rodney Davis to support this legislation, which will help mitigate disasters and record-breaking floods that have occurred along the Mississippi River. The Resilience Revolving Loan Fund is an important step towards improving resilience and planning for communities across the country. We urge President Trump to quickly sign this critical legislation into law so communities can get the resources they need to prepare, adapt and mitigate, and to quickly recover from the next catastrophic storm. Congratulations to Reps. Craig and Davis for their leadership on House passage of the STORM Act, said Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president, environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Building smart, modern resilient infrastructure is among the top priorities for the business community. We join with our partners at MRCTI and ASCE in calling on the president to sign the bill in short order. The legislation would create a low-interest loan program for Illinois and other states to fund mitigation projects that reduce the risks and costs of natural disasters or catastrophic events. Loans would be available for projects that minimize the costs and risks associated with wildfires, earthquakes, floods, storm surges and other events deemed catastrophic by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program will not only reduce the financial burden of recovery on local governments but allow communities to invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand severe weather events and natural disasters. The bill is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-announce-more-than-9-million-to-support-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-in-illinois,"Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $9 Million To Support COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout In Illinois",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $9 Million To Support COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout In Illinois [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a total of $9.709 million in federal funding to Illinois to provide critical COVID-19 public health infrastructure support, such as data monitoring capabilities, for vaccination distribution and administration. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will receive $6,691,329 for vaccine distribution, laboratory support, and other activities, and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will receive $3,017,831 for these coronavirus response efforts. With Americans now getting the COVID-19 vaccineand approval of a second vaccine on the horizonour country and our state are inching toward the light at the end of this devastating COVID-19 tunnel, said Duckworth This federal investment will be used to help distribute vaccinesefficiently and equitablyacross Illinois. I'll keep working alongside Senator Durbin and state and local health officials to support Illinoisans, especially those from hard-hit communities, in getting vaccinated. Thankfully, vaccines are now on their way to Illinois, and we can see a path out of the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal funding will help ensure that Illinois will be able to successfully and equitably deliver the vaccine to people in every corner of our state,Durbin said.Senator Duckworth and I remain committed to providing our health departments and experts with the federal funding needed to get through this crisis. This federal funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. To date, Illinois has received $346.4 million and Chicago has received $218 million in federal funding secured by Senators Durbin and Duckworth from the CDC for the COVID-19 response. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-senate-dems-announce-significant-additions-to-the-economic-justice-act,"Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Dems Announce Significant Additions To The Economic Justice Act",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Dems Announce Significant Additions To The Economic Justice Act The historic proposal now provides more than $435 Billion to address systemic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats, today unveiled new additions to the Economic Justice Act, a major legislative proposal that now provides more than $435 billion in immediate and long-term investments in communities of color to address systemic racism and reverse decades of historic underinvestment. This deadly pandemic has laid bare the overwhelming inequities in our healthcare, economic and environmental protection systems that have plagued communities of color for far too long,said Duckworth.I'm proud to join Leader Schumer in introducing the Economic Justice Act, a critical piece of legislation that would help address generations of injustice by increasing access to child care and community healthcare, confronting the maternal mortality crisis and investing in infrastructure in communities of color in Illinois and across our nation. The substantial additions to the Economic Justice Act make an even larger investment in Black and Brown communities across America that have been underfunded for generations, said Durbin. The bill not only provides funding to help child care providers, expand public health care and access to affordable housing, address maternal mortality rates, improve job training, support at-risk youth, and increase access to capital for minority-owned businesses, but it also helps build back the communities that have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. If we are serious about lifting up communities of color that have faced generations of inequalities, it starts by putting our money where our mouth is and passing this bill. Through eleven key initiatives, the Economic Justice Act aims to immediately help communities of color respond to the pandemic by investing over $135 billion in underfunded critical priorities, including child care, mental health and primary care, growth of minority-owned businesses, and job creation. This legislation also seeks to build long lasting wealth and health in these communities over the next five years by investing over $300 billion for infrastructure, a homeowner down payment tax credit, Medicaid expansion, and more. Additionally, the bill makes key policy changes to better target federal assistance to high-poverty communities and to implement local hiring provisions to ensure more federal infrastructure spending translates into job opportunities for disadvantaged workers and underrepresented populations. The Economic Justice Act is not the conclusion of efforts in this space, but an initial down payment for communities of color and the first in many focused investments and policy initiatives to begin dismantling systemic racism. Significant additions have also been made to Senate Democrats' Economic Justice Act to further invest in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession. The new additions to this legislation include increased infrastructure investment, robust labor standards and policies to improve pay, benefits and worker power, and a new $15 billion Community Justice Initiative to begin to right the wrongs of past federal policy that displaced, physically isolated, and stripped wealth from communities of color. Joining Duckworth, Durbin and Schumer in introducing the Economic Justice Act include Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senate Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Committee on Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE), Senate Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senate Committee on Budget Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate Committee on Rules Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Senator Udall (D-NM), Senate Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senate Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). Some key endorsements of the Economic Justice Act include the National Urban League, Conference of National Black Churches, NWLC, National Black Worker Center, PolicyLink, US Hispanic Chamber, CDFI Coalition, UnidosUs and Prosperity Now. A comprehensive list of endorsements can be found here. A summary of Senate Democrats' Economic Justice Act can be found here. A section by section summary of the bill can be found here. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-langevin-urge-biden-and-harris-to-prioritize-millions-of-americans-with-disabilities-hire-and-appoint-people-with-disabilities-throughout-the-administration,"Duckworth, Langevin Urge Biden & Harris to Prioritize Millions of Americans with Disabilities, Hire and Appoint People with Disabilities Throughout the Administration",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2020 Duckworth, Langevin Urge Biden & Harris to Prioritize Millions of Americans with Disabilities, Hire and Appoint People with Disabilities Throughout the Administration [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI-02) today wrote a letter urging President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to hire and appoint people with disabilities across all agencies and departments and select appointees who will prioritize the rights of people with disabilities from Day One of the incoming administration. In their letter, Duckworth and Langevin noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the disability communitywhich approximately 61 million Americans belong to. Millions of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19, and people with intellectual and development disabilities are three times more likely to die from the disease compared to others. Further, many employees and students with disabilities have lost access to reasonable accommodations due to precautions taken because of the ongoing pandemic. It is therefore imperative that you expeditiously fill political appointments across the federal government with disability policy experts to address these challenges, including appointees with a diversity of lived experiences, Duckworth and Langevin wrote. To that end, we urge you and your administration to hire people with disabilities at all levels of the executive branchfrom the Cabinet downand across all departments and agencies. We also urge the swift appointment of highly qualified candidates in key positions, including at the National Council on Disability (NCD), Access Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living, HHS Office of Civil Rights, Division of Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Duckworth and Langevin continued. Additionally, we hope you will fulfill your campaign promise of appointing a Director of Disability Policy within the Domestic Policy Council on Day 1 and encourage you to appoint the chair of the NCD at the same time. Finally, it is crucial that the Biden-Harris administration involve people with disabilities at all stages of policy development. Since she was first elected to Congress, Duckworth has been a fierce advocate for disability rights. She led efforts to protect the ADA last Congress, gathering enough supportfrom her Senate colleagues to block a House bill that would have gutted enforcement of the landmark civil rights legislation and rewarded businesses that have failed to make their facilities accessible to people with disabilities. Duckworth passedlegislation to require airlines to disclose the number of lost bags and broken wheelchairs to ensure travelers are treated with dignity. Duckworth has also been a vocal opponent of recent GOP attacks on the disability community in the GOP COVID-19 relief proposals and has fought for increased funding for home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities. Langevin, co-founder of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Representatives, has been a fierce champion of disability rights since his election to Congress. Langevin has promoted disability rights across all sectors, including disaster planning and transportation. He is committed to furthering policy that expands the hiring of people with disabilities in the workforce and focuses on upholding the rights of all Americans to achieve social and economic independence. A full copy of the letter is available online here and below. Dear President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris: As Congressional leaders in disability policy, we commend you on your stated commitment to hiring a diverse workforce that reflects the American people. Our country is currently in the midst of a public health, racial justice, and economic crisis, and it will require all of us working together to recover. As you work to fill key positions in the executive branch, we urge you to hire and appoint people with disabilities throughout all agencies and departments and select appointees who will prioritize the rights of Americans with disabilities from Day 1 of your administration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 61 million Americans have a disability. Physical, mental, intellectual and developmental disabilities impact people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and geographic locations, and anyone can become disabled at any time. Major federal laws ensuring the rights of people with disabilitiesthe Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Air Carrier Access Act and morehave been in place for decades. However, people with disabilities continue to face discrimination and a lack of equal access in almost every aspect of daily life, including in employment, education, healthcare, housing, transportation and goods and services. On top of existing and longstanding barriers to equal access, the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to ravage communities across the Nation, has disproportionately impacted people with disabilities. In general, the millions of Americans with pre-existing medical conditions are at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are three times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to others diagnosed with the disease. Further, people with disabilities are more likely than the general public to live in congregate settings, rely on public transportation and depend on caregivers who come into their homes, all of which increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Moreover, many students and employees with disabilities have lost access to reasonable accommodations at school and in the workplace. It is therefore imperative that you expeditiously fill political appointments across the federal government with disability policy experts to address these challenges, including appointees with a diversity of lived experiences. To that end, we urge you and your administration to hire people with disabilities at all levels of the executive branchfrom the Cabinet downand across all departments and agencies. We also urge the swift appointment of highly qualified candidates in key positions, including at the National Council on Disability (NCD), Access Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living, HHS Office of Civil Rights, Division of Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Additionally, we hope you will fulfill your campaign promise of appointing a Director of Disability Policy within the Domestic Policy Council on Day 1 and encourage you to appoint the chair of the NCD at the same time. Finally, it is crucial that the Biden-Harris administration involve people with disabilities at all stages of policy development. Thank you for your commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and ensuring the rights of people with disabilities are at the forefront of all decision-making and executive actions throughout your administration. We look forward to supporting your efforts and working with you along the way. Sincerely, -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/gao-issues-report-evaluating-effectiveness-of-move-over-laws-to-protect-first-responders-in-response-to-push-from-duckworth-durbin-fischer-and-bustos,"GAO Issues Report Evaluating Effectiveness of “Move Over” Laws to Protect First Responders in Response to Push from Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer & Bustos",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 18, 2020 GAO Issues Report Evaluating Effectiveness of Move Over Laws to Protect First Responders in Response to Push from Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer & Bustos [WASHINGTON, DC] In response to a request from U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) yesterday announced findings from their review of the effectiveness of current Move Over laws, the challenges states face in implementing these laws and how the federal government can help states increase public awareness to avoid emergency responders being killed when they are stopped on the side of the road. As GAO's report makes clear, significant works remains to be done to reduce the number of preventable deadly roadside accidents that have killed far too many first responders over the years, said Duckworth, Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety. Moving forward, I am committed to working with my colleagues, NHTSA and state officials to support research initiatives, strengthen data collection and ultimately, promote improved policies that save the lives of law enforcement, motorists and other transportation workers. We've lost too many emergency responders on the side of the road because of a failure to move over. These laws can help prevent roadside tragedies and I'm pleased the GAO has given states like Illinois a roadmap in increasing awareness around Move Over' laws, Durbin said. As chairman of the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee, I was glad to join Ranking Member Duckworth in calling for this examination of move over laws, Fischer said.First responders are there when we need them the most,andwe should always be looking for ways to make their jobssafer. I look forward to examining this report andwill continue to work toincrease the safety ofour roads. Move Over' laws protect our emergency responders, police, fire and other workers who put their lives at risk when they stop on the side of the road to help others. However, dangerous and deadly accidents continue to happen when drivers fail to move over, said Congresswoman Bustos. I'm glad to see the GAO issue these findings on how states can take action to increase public awareness, and make sure these laws are followed and our first responders protected."" Key findings from the GAO report: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking steps to better identify crashes involving violations of Move Over laws and plans to convene an expert panel and initiate a pilot project to study areas where the data could be improved. State officials cited raising public awareness as the most serious challenge due to many motorists not knowing the law exists or its specific requirements. These state officials also reported that state variations in Move Over Laws may contribute to these public awareness challenges. NHTSA officials are planning several research efforts intended to enhance the safety of emergency responders, such as studies on motorist behaviors that contribute to roadside incidents as well as technologies that protect these individuals. Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer & Bustos requested this review in July of 2019 following the deaths of three Illinois State TroopersTroopers Gerald Ellis, Brooke Jones-Story and Christopher Lambertwho had been killed already that year after being struck by vehicles while they were stopped alongside the road. GAO announced they would be conducting this review later that month. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Edward Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) also joined as co-requesters of this GAO review. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation & Safety Subcommittee, Duckworth has been a strong advocate of transportation safety across the country. Last year, she introduced the School Bus Safety Act along with Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) to keep students safe and prevent accidents involving school buses. Earlier this year, Duckworth secured commitments from top transportation officials and stakeholders to address important train safety and performance issues. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-announce-more-than-9-million-to-support-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-in-illinois,"Durbin, Duckworth Announce More than $9 million to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in Illinois",2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Durbin, Duckworth Announce More than $9 million to Support COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in Illinois WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a total of $9.709 million in federal funding to Illinois to provide critical COVID-19 public health infrastructure support, such as data monitoring capabilities, for vaccination distribution and administration. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will receive $6,691,329 for vaccine distribution, laboratory support, and other activities, and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will receive $3,017,831 for these coronavirus response efforts. Thankfully, vaccines are now on their way to Illinois, and we can see a path out of the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal funding will help ensure that Illinois will be able to successfully and equitably deliver the vaccine to people in every corner of our state,Durbin said.Senator Duckworth and I remain committed to providing our health departments and experts with the federal funding needed to get through this crisis. With Americans now getting the COVID-19 vaccineand approval of a second vaccine on the horizonour country and our state are inching toward the light at the end of this devastating COVID-19 tunnel,said DuckworthThis federal investment will be used to help distribute vaccinesefficiently and equitablyacross Illinois. I'll keep working alongside Senator Durbin and state and local health officials to support Illinoisans, especially those from hard-hit communities, in getting vaccinated. This federal funding is provided through theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Actand thePaycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. To date, Illinois has received $346.4 million and Chicago has received $218 million in federal funding secured by Senators Durbin and Duckworth from the CDC for the COVID-19 response. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-i-dont-understand-the-white-houses-silence-in-the-face-of-russian-cyberattack,Durbin: I Don't Understand the White House's Silence in the Face of Russian Cyberattack,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Durbin: I Don't Understand the White House's Silence in the Face of Russian Cyberattack WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed President Trump for his silence in the aftermath of a government-wide cyberattack that was likely conducted by Russia one of a series of ongoing Russian attacks and threats including the placing of bounties on American servicemembers. Durbin called for the Administration to be firm and honest with the American people about the nature of this threat and for a full investigation into what went wrong. The White House has been virtually silent as all of these facts have unfolded by the day. I cannot understand why the Commander in Chief of the United States of America has not spoken out forcefully against the Russians for their involvement in this cybersecurity breach, why he has not likened this to a virtual invasion of the United States when it comes to our own national security,Durbin said.I'm hopeful that the new President, Joe Biden, when he takes office January 20th, will make it a priority to establish a new understanding and relationship with Vladimir Putin. The United States cannot be a victim of Putin over and over again without speaking out and more. I'm counting on Joe Biden to do that. I believe he will. He is a realist. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-receives-pfizer-covid-19-vaccination,Durbin Receives Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Durbin Receives Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: The Attending Physician of the Capitol notified all Members of Congress and staff that, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive, Congress and the Supreme Court along with Executive Branch agencies would be provided and encouraged administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to meet the requirements for continuity of government operations. Therefore, I received my first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination today. I trust our public health and medical experts and encourage everyone, in consultation with your personal physician, to do the same as the distribution process continues so we can collectively end this pandemic. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-we-must-pass-a-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-bill-before-the-holidays,Durbin: We Must Pass a Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill Before the Holidays,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Durbin: We Must Pass a Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill Before the Holidays WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Congress to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief package before leaving for the holidays. Congressional leadership is currently negotiating a package based off the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation that Durbin helped negotiate. The package includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more. At the end of the day we produced two documents. One of these documents was a $748 billion consensus document that we thought was essential as part of any COVID relief package. [It] extends unemployment benefits for 16 weeks, including[for] about 160,000 people in my state who claim the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 248,000 [who claim] Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Millions of Americans, 12 million Americans, [will lose] their unemployment compensation on the day after Christmas. Imagine that. Durbin also discussed his disappointment that funding for state and local governments was not included in the $748 billion package. We do not include direct relief for state and local governments. I hope we can return to that issue soon, very quickly, after the first of the year, and perhaps with a new president and find a way to provide this relief. The alternative is awful. I know what's going to happen to a lot of the local budgets. Police officers are going to be furloughed, firefighters, teachers, health care workers, just at a moment in time when we need them the most, many of these communities will be unable to continue providing those very fundamental services to keep us safe,Durbin said. Durbin also urged Congressional negotiators to come together on a deal to fund the government before the Continuing Resolution (CR) expires tonight at midnight. It would be a real tragedy if we saw this government come to a close for any reason at any time and certainly at this moment when our economy is so tenuous and our worries are so large over the health care of our nation, we shouldn't allow this to occur. I pray that the negotiators will be able to spend good time today and report to us soon that they have reached an agreement,Durbin concluded. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-bill-to-rename-galesburg-post-office-in-honor-of-senior-airman-daniel-miller,Senate Passes Bill to Rename Galesburg Post Office in Honor of Senior Airman Daniel Miller,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.18.20 Senate Passes Bill to Rename Galesburg Post Office in Honor of Senior Airman Daniel Miller WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Senate unanimously passed legislation introduced to rename the U.S. Post Office facility at 476 East Main Street in Galesburg, Illinois, as the Senior Airman Daniel Miller Post Office Building. Senior Airman Miller was killed in action protecting our nation on January 7, 2007, by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq. U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives, which passed last week. The legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Senior Airman Daniel Miller gave his life defending this great nation. I'm glad the Senate unanimously agreed to honor the extraordinary sacrifice and service of this native son of Galesburg by renaming the post office in his home town. I look forward to this bill being signed into law soon,said Durbin. Renaming the Galesburg Post Office as the Senior Airman Daniel Miller Post Office Building is an honor for a hometown hero who gave his life to protect and serve our nation,said Duckworth.By unanimously passing this legislation, we are recognizing Senior Airman Miller's sacrifice and I look forward to the day this bill is signed into law. We may never be able to repay Senior Airman Miller for his service, but it is our duty to remember his sacrifice,Bustos said.I'm proud to see this legislation is on its way to becoming law and I hope this commemoration will serve as a place for the Galesburg community to honor their hometown hero. Prior to joining the Air Force, Senior Airman Miller lived in Galesburg, Illinois,and attended the Rio, Oneida, Wataga, Victoria and Altona (ROWVA) High School in Oneida, Illinois, where he played football and graduated in 2001. Senior Airman Miller was the eldest of six children, including a younger brother who served a yearlong tour in Iraq with the National Guard. ROWVA High School's Principal described him as, always happy, always smiling it didn't matter who you were, Dan liked you. He was that kind of kid. He cared about everyone around him. Senior Airman Miller joined the United States Air Force in 2004 and went on to become an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airman. He was deployed from the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight in Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which is responsible for defusing military and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and working with chemical and biological weapons. At the age of 24, Senior Airman Miller was killed in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq on January 7, 2007,while attempting to defuse a car bomb. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-garc-introduces-five-health-equity-bills,Congressman García Introduces Five Health Equity Bills,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Today Congressman Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04) introduced a suite of five health equity bills aimed at reducing health disparities for communities of color. The bills are part of the larger Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 introduced in April by Congressman Garca and the Tri-Caucus. COVID-19 does not discriminate, and yet, Black and Latino community members continue to contract the virus and die at higher rates. The impact of cuts in services and food insecurity also fall disproportionately on working class neighborhoods. In Chicago, one's zip code determines exposure, access to care, the chances to live or die, and that must change, said Congressman Garca. People should not go hungry or face barriers to health care simply because they cannot afford it. I'm introducing these bills to create a more inclusive, equitable health care systemto ensure working people have access to life saving services. If we are serious about addressing this unprecedented public health emergency, we must urgently end disparities in health outcomes for Black, Latino, and marginalized communities and provide access to the affordable, quality health care we all need and deserve. Descriptions of the bills can be found below: Health Workforce Diversity Act Establishes grants to Hispanic-serving health professions schools, Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges, Regional community-based organizations and national minority medical associations, for counseling, mentoring and information on scholarships and financial assistance to recruit underrepresented minority individuals to enroll in and graduate from health professions schools. Health and Nutrition Access for All Act Removes eligibility restrictions based on immigration status for individuals who are lawfully present to access coverage and benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Removing Barriers to SNAP Act Reinstates food stamp benefits to individuals with drug-related convictions. Inclusive Clinical Trials Act Requires coverage of routine patient costs associated with participation in approved clinical trials, consistent with the benefits that would be provided under the State plan if the patient was not enrolled in an approved clinical trial. Inclusive Diabetes Research & Education Act Requires the HHS Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC to: (1) enhance the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to better understand the prevalence of diabetes in certain populations and to educate the public on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations; (2) direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to carry out demonstration projects for diabetes prevention, develop a strategic plan to reduce diabetes in minority populations, support the implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program in underserved areas highly impacted by diabetes; (3) educate the public on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority populations; and (4) carry out diabetes health promotion and prevention programs for minority populations. Congressman Garca previously introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 on behalf of the Congressional Tri-Caucus to reform our health system and ensure that historically marginalized communities and communities who face health disparities receive the health services they need to thrive. The legislation reforms policies and expands federal health care resources for racial and ethnic minorities, as well as other underserved populations who face discrimination and barriers to care due to their immigration status, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and English proficiency. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-garc-espaillat-and-vel-zquez-introduce-bill-create-local-accountability,"Reps. García, Espaillat, and Velázquez Introduce Bill to Create Local Accountability in the Puerto Rican Recovery Process",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC Today Representatives Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Nydia Velzquez (NY-07) introduced the Community Driven Recovery for Puerto Rico Act, a bill that strengthens transparency and oversight of federal recovery efforts in Puerto Rico by establishing a Civil Society Task Force to ensure Puerto Ricans have a seat at the table in the decisions about recovery efforts. The Community Driven Recovery for Puerto Rico Act: Strengthens transparency and local oversight of recovery efforts and facilitates local participation in contracting and decision making. Establishes a 13-member Civil Society Task Force elected from different sectors of Puerto Rican society including local government, communities, foundations, business, labor and higher education. Appoints a representative from the Civil Society Task Force within each recovery agencyincluding FEMA, HUD, the Puerto Rican Central Recovery and Reconstruction Office and the Puerto Rico Housing Departmentto oversee agency work and promote equity and inclusion. More than three years after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the island is still devastated, and Puerto Rican voices have been shut out of the federal recovery process. I'm introducing the Community Driven Recovery for Puerto Rico Act to enable the people of Puerto Rico to provide input into the recovery process and hold relief agencies accountable, said Congressman Jess Chuy Garca. Ingenuity, resourcefulness, and mutual aid already exist in Puerto Rico's communitiesit's past time for the federal government to include local people and help the island recover. This bill is a big step in the right direction. The Trump administration's failed response to Hurricanes Maria and Irma and their destructive impact on Puerto Rico illustrated how valuable local input would be to relief efforts following natural disasters. Programs rolled out by this administration have continuously faced shortcomings that remain evident, as thousands on the island are still without homes, stable electricity access, and jobs, said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. The Community Driven Recovery for Puerto Rico Act ensures that local communities have input, equity, and elevated transparency when it comes to the implementation of federal disaster relief programs. Ensuring local engagement at the decision-making table when addressing federal disaster relief ensures affected communities have a voice and are no longer excluded on the decisions that impact them directly. Without the full force of a robust federal recovery for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and recent earthquakes, local nonprofits and recovery groups on the Island have had to take matters into their own hands. I thank Representatives Garca and Espaillat for spearheading this legislation that would elevate and empower these organizations to better coordinate and complement the federal response, ensure a just recovery, and bring transparency to the process, said Congresswoman Nydia Velzquez. Local people must be included and empowered in the use of federal recovery funds. There is nothing more powerful or effective to secure transparency and ensure that federal dollars really meet people's needs than to give voice to community leaders. They know best what they need, and in Oxfam's experience around the world, they are by far the most effective and reliable voices pressing for good governance and accountability. We are grateful to Rep. Chuy Garca and Rep. Adriano Espaillat for listening to civil society in Puerto Rico and working with us to develop this extraordinary Bill. The ultimate objective is to put community leaders in the driver's seat as key players, fully engaged and empowered, to ensure the right federal recovery dollar decisions are made, and the people of Puerto Rico begin to really see and feel the effects of effective and equitable recovery investments. It is time! expressed Adi G. Martnez-Romn, Senior Policy Analyst for Puerto Rico in Oxfam America. This bill is about transparency and accountability but above all else it provides a mechanism by which those impacted have the ability to be involved in the decision-making process. Additionally, the bill calls on decentralizing federal recovery spending decisions as a means of ensuring efficiencies to a reconstruction process that has been excruciatingly slow. Rep. Garca's introduction of this bill demonstrates his commitment to an equitable recovery for the people of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) of Chicago has been honored to work alongside our representative on this bill"" expressed Melissa Mark Viverito, Chief Policy Officer, Puerto Rican Cultural Center ""This bill represents the first attempt in history by the US Congress to allow the Puerto Rican civil society a participation in federal funding. The Puerto Rican Agenda congratulates our Congressman, Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia for taking the lead in this historic action."" said Jessie Fuentes, Co-Chair of the Puerto Rican Agenda ""Power 4 Puerto Rico is proud to support the Community Driven Recovery for Puerto Rico Act introduced by our friend, Congressman Jess 'Chuy' Garca (D-IL). This legislation provides a much-needed framework for communities affected by the deadliest hurricane and longest power blackout in U.S. history. Puerto Ricans must be the drivers of their own recovery process and this bill goes a long way in ensuring not only the participation of those directly affected but also in holding both the U.S. and Puerto Rico governments accountable for the reconstruction investments that should help the Island thrive again. Thanks to our partners at Oxfam America and others for designing a means for a just recovery. We look forward to working together to advance this critical piece of legislation,"" said Power 4 Puerto Rico Director Erica Gonzlez. This bill was endorsed by dozens of organizations including: Oxfam America; The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC); Red por los Derechos de la Niez y la Juventud; ESCAPE; Cooperativa Agroecolgica Montessori (CoopAM), Caguas, Puerto Rico; VAMOS Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT); Impacto Juventud Inc. GC; Unin de Trabajadores de la Industria Elctrica y Riego (UTIER); National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities; Firmes, Unidos y Resilientes con la Abogaca, Inc.; Consejo de Residentes Residencial Luis Llorens Torres, Sector Youth Center; Apoyo Legal al Emprendimiento Comunitario, Inc. (ALECI); Alianza for Progress; Sembrado Sentido; Boricuas Unidos en la Dispora (BUDPR); Resiliency Law Center, UPR Law School; Power 4 Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico por el Derecho a una Vivienda Digna (PRODEV); Organizacin Pro Ambiente Sustentable; Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC); Voz Activa, Inc.; Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crdito de Rincn; Surfrider Foundation Rincn; Nuestra Escuela, Inc.; Universities Space Research Association (USRA); Fundacin Comunitaria de Puerto Rico; Renacer Social Corp.; Puerto Rican Police Association in Chicago; and The National Puerto Rican Agenda. A copy of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/larson-davis-demand-social-security-administration-forgive-extra-benefits-paid,"Larson, Davis Demand Social Security Administration Forgive Extra Benefits Paid Due to COVID-19",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) sent a letter to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Andrew Saul demanding that SSA forgive repayment of extra benefits paid to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This fall, SSA began notifying beneficiaries about these extra benefit payments, which were paid through no fault of their own. SSA also set up a limited process for some beneficiaries to have repayment of their COVID-19 overpayments forgiven. However there have been widespread reports that many beneficiaries have been unable to access even this limited relief. “With the clock ticking, we urge SSA to immediately extend and expand the streamlined waiver process, providing all beneficiaries with immediate, automatic relief from COVID-19 overpayments. We also request that you provide us with detailed information on SSA’s actions and any relief that has been provided, to date,” wrote Larson and Davis. “It is unfair and unjust for SSA to allow any hurdles to prevent beneficiaries from accessing relief from these COVID-19 overpayments,” continued Larson and Davis. “We urge SSA to immediately provide automatic relief for all beneficiaries with a COVID-19 overpayment, regardless of whether or not they apply for relief.” The full letter can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-nomination-of-jennifer-granholm-for-secretary-of-energy,Foster Statement on Nomination of Jennifer Granholm for Secretary of Energy,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bill Foster,F000454,foster.house.gov,foster,https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on President-elect Biden's nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy: ""I congratulate Jennifer Granholm on being nominated to be the Secretary of Energy. As a former governor, she has the experience needed to oversee the Department's thousands of dedicated employees whose work is critical to our country's national security and technological capacity. She is a proven leader and advocate for renewable energy technology, like the research into advanced battery technology being done at Argonne National Laboratory, that will help transform our economy and is essential in our fight against climate change. ""The next Secretary has a lot of work to do to help return our government to competent, science-driven leadership on American energy policy, nuclear nonproliferation, and the support for our nation's national laboratories. The labs drive the research that will fuel the next generation of American innovation, as they have for decades. ""As a Member serving on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee who represents Argonne National Laboratory as part of my District - and who spent 24 years as a high-energy particle physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory - I have a deep commitment to the men and women who make our national labs the global leaders that they are, and I look forward to working with Secretary-designate Granholm to make sure they have the federal resources they need to do their jobs.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://lahood.house.gov/2020/12/rep-lahood-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winner-illinois-18th-0,Rep. LaHood Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner for Illinois’ 18th Congressional District,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Darin LaHood,L000585,lahood.house.gov,lahood,https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that Nehal Tangudu, a senior at Normal Community High School, has won the Congressional App Challenge for the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in 2020. Nehal's project, the ""Timeline of the Universe"" was completed while taking classes from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am pleased to announce that Nehal Tangudu from Normal Community High School has won this year’s Congressional App Challenge for the 18th District of Illinois,” stated Rep. LaHood. “Not only did Nehal display exceptional coding and technical skills in his application, but Nehal's innovative design in the Timeline of the Universe went above and beyond expectations."" “This year’s Challenge brought a variety of applicants from across central and west-central Illinois, and it was the most competitive competition we’ve had over the last four years. The Congressional App Challenge always presents an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their talent in the innovative technology field. Computer science and STEM education are critical to our nation’s long-term success, and I will continue to promote the importance of these programs through this Challenge and in Congress.” Timeline for the Universe App Name: Timeline for the Universe School: Normal Community High School Overview: The app gives an in depth timeline our earth's history, providing educational information about the world's evolution You can view his submission here",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403944,Davis Announces Service Academy Nominees for Class of 2025,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Rodney Davis,D000619,rodneydavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today announced that he has nominated 16 local students for admittance to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2025. The nominations for these students were made following an application and interview process. Final determination on admission is made by the individual academies. As a Member of Congress, I have the privilege of nominating these accomplished young men and women to our nation's service academies,said Davis.The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military upon graduation, so I applaud these students for their decision to serve and wish them the best of luck. Academy Nominations: Simon Beazly, Decatur, attends Mt. Zion High School and is the son of Randel Beazly and Simone Demirjian-Beazly. He was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point). Jackson Budwell, Glen Carbon, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Richard and Heather Budwell. He was nominated to the Military (West Point), Air Force, and Naval Academies. Michael Graham, Bloomington, attends the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (MAPS) and is the son of Kevin Graham and Nora Lembke. He was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point). Alexa Harris, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the daughter of Robert and Penny Harris. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy. Joshua Harris, Edwardsville, attended Edwardsville High School and is the son of Tony and Kelly Harris. He was nominated to the Naval Academy. Robert Hooten, Decatur, attends MacArthur High School and is the son of Aaron and Sierra Hooten. He was nominated to the Air Force and Naval Academies. Conner Husted, Clinton, attends Clinton High School and is the son of Donald and Jessica Husted. He was nominated to the Naval Academy. Grant Matarelli, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Kevin and Julie Matarelli. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy. Austin Payne, Glen Carbon, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Eric Payne and Casey Taylor. He was nominated to the Naval Academy. Jaclene Pranada, Savoy, attends Central High School and is the daughter of Raymond and Willie Pranada. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy. Andrew Rudolph, Monticello, attends Monticello High School and is the son of Thomas and Heather Rudolph. He was nominated to the Naval and Military (West Point) Academies. John Schmidt Jr., Girard, attends North Mac High School and is the son of John and Joyce Schmidt. He was nominated to the Naval Academy. Reagan Skaggs, Decatur, IL/Burke, VA, attends Lake Braddock Secondary School and is the son of Michael and Robin Skaggs. She was nominated to the Air Force and Naval Academies. Mitchell Steinkuehler, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Frederick and Jane Steinkuehler. He was nominated to the Naval Academy. Benjamin Thompson, Taylorville, attends Taylorville High School and is the son of Matthew Thompson and Jeana (Steven) Lomprez. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy. Keely West, Virden, attended Lincoln's Challenge Academy and is the daughter of Steven and Kimberly West. She was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point). Background: Members of Congress are asked to nominate candidates to the U.S. Service Academies each year, and the number of vacancies for each congressional district is determined by law. Candidates can be considered for openings at the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Co.), U.S. Merchant Marines Academy (Kings Point, N.Y.), U.S. Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.). Service academies offer fully funded four-year scholarships to young U.S. citizens who qualify by age and academics, who demonstrate desirable leadership qualities, and who have the wherewithal to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. A four-year education at one of the service academies has an estimated value of approximately $300,000. For more information or to obtain an application packet for next year's nominations, contact Congressman Davis' Normal office at (309) 252-8834 or visit his website.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-announces-600000-federal-grant-korean-cultural-center-chicago,"Schneider Announces $600,000 Federal Grant for the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bradley Scott Schneider,S001190,schneider.house.gov,schneider,https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"DEERFIELD, IL — Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL10) announced a $600,000 grant award to the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago. The grant was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to fund the Bisco Hall renovation at the Center. The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago was established to provide a physical facility where everyone in the Midwest can show their interest in and promote Korean heritage. ""Chicago's Korean Cultural Center is a hub for the Korean-American community throughout my district and around Chicago, a sister city to Korea's city of Busan. I'm thrilled that the National Endowment for the Humanities was able to make this investment in our area and in our Korean-American community. I will continue to do everything I can to support our Korean-American community and promote local artists,"" said Brad Schneider. ""At the Korean Cultural Center, we are committed to promoting and organizing Korean cultural, arts, educational activities, and strongly encourage cross-cultural understanding that can embrace and empower all people to coexist peacefully. Without this grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the support of Congressman Schneider, projects like Bisco Hall renovation project would be impossible. Now, Korean artists will have the support and space they need to create meaningful works and bring Korean heritage to life in the United States,"" said Yoon Tae Kim, President of the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago. About Federal Grants: Congressman Schneider's office is available to help Tenth District applicants seeking information or assistance applying for federal grants. Please contact the office in Lincolnshire at (847) 383-4870 to learn more.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-hearing-algonquin-resident-unfairly-impacted-department-education,"After Hearing from Algonquin Resident Unfairly Impacted by Department of Education Limiting Students' Rights, Underwood Leads New Legislation to Protect the Civil Rights of Students",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Lauren Underwood,U000040,underwood.house.gov,underwood,https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced new legislation to protect the civil rights of students. Underwood developed the legislation after being made aware of unfair practices at the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) when the family of Madison Paez, of Algonquin, contacted her office seeking assistance for an OCR complaint alleging a college discriminated against her on the basis of her disability. The Restoring Students' Right to Appeal Act (H.R. 8994) would remedy unfair practices by OCR under Secretary Betsy DeVos that impact students', like Madison, across the country. ""A fair appeals process at the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is critical to protecting the civil rights of students, workers, and their families, but under Secretary DeVos, those rights have been impacted. When I was made aware of this problem impacting people in my community, I immediately worked to ensure that OCR fulfills its responsibilities, improves fairness, and protects the rights of students,"" said Underwood. ""As a student with disabilities who was personally impacted by the lack of an opportunity to file a fair and timely appeal, I am grateful for Congresswoman Underwood's support and efforts. My pleas to Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights fell on deaf ears. I am hopeful that the Restoring Students' Right to Appeal Act put forth by Congresswoman Underwood will afford me, as well as other students, the opportunity to appeal and our due process rights,"" said Madison Paez from Algonquin. In March 2018, OCR revised longstanding procedures to remove the option to appeal for certain complainants. OCR reversed this change in November 2018 to permit appeals for new cases but continued to deny the right to appeal for complaints filed between March and November 2018. Ultimately, OCR entered into a settlement agreement in which it agreed to allow such appeals; however, many complainants, including the constituent of Underwood's, were not made aware of this opportunity before the deadline to appeal expired. Underwood's legislation would correct this unfair situation by restoring the right to appeal for affected complainants, and importantly, requiring OCR to notify them of this option. Additionally, to ensure fairness and transparency, the legislation would require OCR to provide a report to Congress on these activities. The Restoring Students' Right to Appeal Act is endorsed by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, the National Federation for the Blind, and the NAACP. ""We applaud Rep. Underwood for introducing a bill that seeks to fix a gap in the appeals process through the Office for Civil Rights. COPAA has long-advocated for a fair and timely appeals process and believes this bill would help create equity for students with disabilities and their families,"" said Denise Marshall, CEO, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. ""Despite mounting legal challenges, Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights continue to abdicate their duty to fully and fairly investigate all complaints. The NAACP supports the Restoring Students' Right to Appeal Act and are grateful for Congresswoman Underwood's leadership and efforts to ensure the Department of Education fulfills its responsibility to protect the civil rights of all students and employees,"" said Hilary O. Shelton, Director of NAACP Washington Bureau & SVP Advocacy & Policy. ""As America's civil rights organization of the blind, fighting for the rights of blind students is an integral part of who we are. As a blind person and father of two blind children, I know the importance of having a pathway to correct discriminatory practices in our schools,"" said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. ""We commend Representative Underwood for introducing this bill, which will meaningfully restore the right of blind, disabled, and minority students to have their discrimination complaints heard and investigated. We look forward to working with her and her colleagues in the Congress to see that this legislation is passed expeditiously."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-calls-on-national-guard-to-preserve-records-regarding-dangerous-low-flying-military-helicopter-flights-threatening-peaceful-protesters,"Duckworth Calls on National Guard to Preserve Records Regarding Dangerous, Low-Flying Military Helicopter Flights Threatening Peaceful Protesters",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 17, 2020 Duckworth Calls on National Guard to Preserve Records Regarding Dangerous, Low-Flying Military Helicopter Flights Threatening Peaceful Protesters [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and one of the first Army women to fly combat missions in her Blackhawk helicopter during Operation Iraqi Freedom, today called on the National Guard Bureau to preserve all records regarding planning and operations related to the National Guard's response to civil unrest in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. The June 1st response included low-flying military aircraft intimidating large groups of Americans exercising their first amendment rights, and it followed Donald Trump's threats of military action against those protesting the killing of George Floyd. In a letter to General Daniel Hokanson, National Guard Bureau Chief, Duckworth wrote: Document preservation is critical to enable Congress to conduct, at the appropriate time, oversight regarding what happened and to facilitate lessons learned to ensure similar situations do not arise again. Since these incidents occurred, Duckworth has repeatedly and consistently pushed for additional oversight and investigations. She held separate calls with Army Secretary McCarthy and General Hokanson to relay her concerns and repeat her requests for investigations and information related to this incident. She sent multiple letters to DoD as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demanding information and she pushed FAA Administrator Stephen Dickinson about the dangers associated with flying helicopters at low altitudes over civilians. Duckworth also raised additional concerns and has asked Secretary McCarthy to send materials related to mission briefing sheets, risk assessments, post-flight action reports and aircrew training records. Senator Duckworth's letter to General Hokanson follows and is available here: General Daniel Hokanson Chief of the National Guard Bureau 1636 Defense Pentagon (1E169) Washington, DC 20301 Dear General Hokanson: Thank you for your response to my letter requesting documents regarding the use of low-flying military helicopters over large groups of people in Washington, D.C. on June 1, 2020. I write to request that the National Guard Bureau (NGB) initiate a document preservation order for all NGB documents pertaining to planning and operations related to the National Guard response to civil unrest in Washington D.C. in June. Document preservation is critical to enable Congress to conduct, at the appropriate time, oversight regarding what happened and to facilitate lessons learned to ensure similar situations do not arise again. As we discussed on our most recent call, I am requesting NGB preserve the following documentation: The mission briefing sheets for all National Guard aircraft flown in the D.C. Metropolitan Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ) on June 1, 2020. The risk assessment forms for all National Guard flights flown in the DC FRZ on June 1, 2020. The post-flight after actions reports (AAR) for all National Guard flights flown in the DC FRZ on June 1, 2020. The aircrew training records showing pilots and aircrew were properly trained and signed off by a military flight instructor to fly the tactical persistent pressure maneuver reported in the media. A copy of the parent unit's flight training program to verify unit training and proficiency of the persistent pressure maneuver. The military flight manual detailing the procedures to execute the persistent pressure maneuver as well as guidance for its tactical usage. Any information included in questions 4-6 for additional military aerial tactics used to support military flight operations flown in the DC FRZ on June 1, 2020. I appreciate the National Guard Bureau's support in appropriately addressing this deeply concerning incident and look forward to reviewing these documents when the investigation is complete. Thank you in advance for your attention to this request. Sincerely, -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-discusses-covid-19-relief-with-central-illinois-mayors,Duckworth Discusses COVID-19 Relief with Central Illinois Mayors,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 17, 2020 Duckworth Discusses COVID-19 Relief with Central Illinois Mayors [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual meeting with seven mayors from across Central Illinois to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and the status of further relief legislation for state and local governments. Duckworth heard from local leaders about the importance of more and flexible spending for local municipalities to continue to fund important social services, as well as vaccine distribution plans across Central Illinois. Illinois communities have gone far too long without a much-needed COVID-19 stimulus package that would bring meaningful relief and resources into the hands of working families, frontline workers and local governments that desperately need help right now, Duckworth said. I know our working families, small businesses and local communities that are carrying the weight of this pandemic have been left behind, but I'm going to keep working hard to make sure this doesn't keep happening and they have assistance they need and deserve. Duckworth was joined virtually by Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and Normal Mayor Chris Koos. Duckworth has been a strong supporter of providing more funding to state and local governments to help with budget shortfalls as a result of COVID-19. Earlier this year, Duckworthcalled for fundingto local governments serving small communities in a future relief package, andcalled for flexibility and clarityin the distribution of relief funds to state, county and local governments. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-introduce-bill-to-allow-illinois-senior-living-facility-residents-to-continue-receiving-nutritious-meals,"Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Allow Illinois Senior Living Facility Residents to Continue Receiving Nutritious Meals",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 17, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Allow Illinois Senior Living Facility Residents to Continue Receiving Nutritious Meals [WASHINGTON, D.C.] In response to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ongoing efforts to end Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for a group of supportive living facilities (SLFs) in Illinois as early as January 1st, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation that would allow SLFs to continue providing nutritious meals to its residents as required by state law and allow residents at these facilities to continue receiving SNAP benefits. The Supportive Living Food Access Protection Act would amend federal law to address USDA's archaic interpretation of federal regulations by adding Supportive Living Facilities' innovative residential living framework to the list of facility types protected by federal law. Illinois SLFs serve 8,000 low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities across the state. It's outrageous that USDA is choosing to jeopardize access to nutritious meals for thousands of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in Illinois during a deadly global public health crisis, Duckworth said. I'm introducing this legislation with Senator Durbin to prevent these harmful efforts from being implemented and support effective community-based services, and I'll continue working to help ensure that these individuals don't go hungry this holiday season. For decades, seniors and individuals with disabilities in Illinois have depended on the SNAP program and this community living arrangement, Durbin said. It has served them well. This senseless overreach from USDA is a mistake, and is especially harmful during the pandemic. I'm proud to have worked with Senator Duckworth to protect these Illinoisans from losing access to their meals, and our legislation will continue this important effort. The SNAP program is vital to protect the livelihood and wellbeing of our most vulnerable residents across Illinois, especially our seniors and those with disabilities, said Governor JB Pritzker. I thank Senator Duckworth and Senator Durbin for their work to protect these benefits and ensure that Senior Living Facilities are able to continue providing meals and other services for older Illinoisans. As always, I remain committed to working alongside Senator Duckworth and Senator Durbin to champion legislation that will improve the lives of residents in our great state. There are SLFs in every Illinois Congressional District and in 71 Illinois counties. A complete list of SLFs in Illinois is available here. In November, Duckworth and Durbin, along with U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) led a letter of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue opposing the Department's administrative overreach and ongoing efforts to end SNAP benefits for a group of SLFs in Illinois. The members, in their letter, cite recent efforts by USDA to deny and revoke SNAP participation from these Illinois facilities, despite provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and Fiscal year 2020 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill that protect these vulnerable residents and SNAP participation of SLFs. Illinois's SLF program was created in 1997 through a state law designed to promote alternatives to institutional nursing settings for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities under Medicaid. For more than twenty years, the Illinois's SLF program has been a nationally leading model in promoting affordable, independent-living options and has relied upon a federal Medicaid waiver to serve this population. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-speaks-with-harvard-national-security-fellows-about-national-security-and-leadership,Duckworth Speaks With Harvard National Security Fellows About National Security and Leadership,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 17, 2020 Duckworth Speaks With Harvard National Security Fellows About National Security and Leadership [WASHINGTON, D.C.] Combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke with Belfer Center Military Affairs Lecturer Bill Rapp and a group of fellows in the National Security Fellows Program at Harvard Kennedy School. They discussed national security policies, public service and leadership as well as how we can help ensure our servicemembers are supported and our armed forces are the strongest they can be. It was a pleasure to speak with these national security fellows about so many important issues that our military and our nation face today, said Duckworth. From working on the health of the all-volunteer force to encouraging public service to shoring up democratic principles at home, there is so much more we must do to support our troops and strengthen our country. The passion and commitment I saw from these fellows today gives me hope for what we can accomplish, and I won't stop working to better the lives of those who serve. The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is Harvard Kennedy School's center for research, teaching and training covering issues including international security and diplomacy, environmental and resource issues and science and technology policy. Fellowships at the Belfer Center include the National Security Fellows Program, a 10-month postgraduate research fellowship for U.S. military officers (lieutenant colonel/colonel or equivalent) and civilian officials from the Intelligence Community who show promise of rising to the most challenging leadership positions in their organizations. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-for-senate-action-to-protect-hong-kong-residents-from-persecution,Durbin Calls for Senate Action to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 Durbin Calls for Senate Action to Protect Hong Kong Residents from Persecution WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, today participated in a hearing on the United States' Hong Kong refugee policy. During the hearing, Durbin urged the Senate to immediately pass the bipartisan House-passedHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, which would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Hong Kong residents currently in the U.S. and provide refugee protections to Hong Kong residents facing persecution. Durbin is a cosponsor of related Senate legislation, the bipartisanHong Kong Safe Harbor Act, which would grant refugee status to Hong Kong residents at risk of persecution under the new China-imposed National Security Law. I believe that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle share my feelings about the crisis in Hong Kong. The question is what are we going to do about it? As I have said many times, the Judiciary Committee should be about legislation, not lamentation,Durbin said. Durbin also slammed Trump Administration policies that have put at risk Hong Kongers who are fleeing Chinese persecution, as well as thousands of other vulnerable refugees from around the world. How many refugees has the United States admitted from Hong Kong in the last year? Zero. The Trump Administration also has decimated legal protections for Hong Kongers and other innocent victims of persecution who flee to our borders seeking asylum,Durbin continued. Since the enactment of the Refugee Act of 1980, the United States has resettled an average of more than 80,000 refugees per year. However, in the midst of the worst refugee crisis in history, the Trump Administration has set record-low refugee admissions targets four years in a row, culminating in the lowest level in history this year 15,000. Last week, the Trump Administration issued a new rule under which Hong Kongers could be denied asylum if they transit other countries on their way to the United States, if persecutors detained them for only brief periods, or if persecutors were not able to carry out their threats before the individual being persecuted fled to the United States. Video of Durbin's remarks in Committee is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks in Committee is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks in Committee is availableherefor TV Stations. In September, Durbin held a virtual meeting with Chicago area Hong Kong democracy activists to discuss the undermining of democracy, media freedom, and rule of law in Hong Kong. Durbin is a cosponsor of the bipartisanHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent last year. TheHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. The legislation requires the Secretary of State to certify at least once a year that Hong Kong still retains enough autonomy to warrant the special U.S. trading consideration that bolsters its status as a world financial center. It also provides sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-discusses-covid-19-health-disparities-medical-research-with-xavier-becerra-secretary-of-health-and-human-services-nominee-,"Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities, Medical Research with Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nominee",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities, Medical Research with Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services Nominee WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with Xavier Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Becerra presently serves as California's Attorney General and previously served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2017 representing downtown Los Angeles. If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino HHS Secretary. Durbin and Becerra spoke about shared priorities for suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of biomedical research, and addressing health disparities in Black and Latinx communities, including Durbin's Chicago HEAL Initiative. I'm pleased that President-elect Biden has chosen a groundbreaking, qualified, and dedicated nominee like Xavier Becerra. Today we spoke about health care priorities as we head into next year, first and foremost getting out of this pandemic and saving as many lives as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified the broken parts of the American health care system, particularly the disproportionate burden on Black and Latinx communities. I look forward to working with Mr. Becerra as Secretary of HHS to restore the scientific integrity of our health agencies and to improve the health of Americans,Durbin said. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-meets-with-general-lloyd-austin-president-elect-bidens-nominee-for-defense-secretary,"Durbin Meets with General Lloyd Austin, President-Elect Biden's Nominee for Defense Secretary",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 Durbin Meets with General Lloyd Austin, President-Elect Biden's Nominee for Defense Secretary WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today released the following statement after a call with General Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be Secretary of Defense. On the call, Durbin asked General Austinhow he would approach leading the Pentagon as a civilian; how the U.S. can compete with adversaries like China; and about necessary reforms to address a variety of issues like procurement delays and sexual assault and harassment in the military. If confirmed, General Austin would be the first African American Defense Secretary. General Austin is a patriot, statesman, and has served our country with honor and dignity. During our call today, we discussed many important issues including countering China, the significant problem of sexual assault and harassment across the military, and developing new technologies such as AI and cyber. General Austin has the experience we need to lead our national defense effort. On the call, Durbin also encouraged General Austin to visit Illinois' military sites, including Naval Station Great Lakes, Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal, 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, and the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-receives-briefing-from-operation-warp-speed-about-covid-19-vaccine-distribution,Durbin Receives Briefing from Operation Warp Speed About COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.20 Durbin Receives Briefing from Operation Warp Speed About COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was briefed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and officials from Operation Warp Speed and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort. Durbin received an update from health officials on how they plan to improve transparency, predictability, and accountability on the allocations and shipments of vaccine doses to Illinois, following inconsistent reports from the federal government about expected amounts of vaccines that would be available. The briefing occurred as an Advisory Committee for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a public meeting to evaluate the second COVID-19 vaccine candidate, produced by Moderna. Americans are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the Pfizer vaccine is making its way across the country. This is welcome news and a testament to the hard work of America's trusted researchers and scientific experts to establish the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. As the federal government moves forward in making decisions on purchasing doses, distribution strategy, and timelines, it is imperative that we be as transparent as possible in order to maintain public confidence in the process. I will continue working with Illinois officials to hold Operation Warp Speed accountable and ensure our state can smoothly and equitably implement this public health campaign,Durbin said. As part of the ongoing effort to negotiate a new bipartisan, emergency COVID-19 relief package, Durbin has supported additional funding for vaccine distribution and development, support for testing and public health monitoring, and more personal protective equipment (PPE). The Pfizer vaccine received an emergency use authorization (EUA) last Friday, and 2.9 million vaccine doses were shipped nationwide on Sunday, with Chicago receiving 23,000 doses and the rest of Illinois receiving 86,000 doses (Chicago is treated as its own jurisdiction by CDC). -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/house-approves-bost-veterans-provisions,HOUSE APPROVES BOST VETERANS PROVISIONS,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Mike Bost,B001295,bost.house.gov,bost,https://bost.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvements Act. The legislation includes several bills that Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), the incoming lead Republican on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced to improve benefits and services for veterans and their families. “Our nation’s military members have risked all in defense of our nation and our freedoms,” said Bost. “They should not be met with bureaucratic red tape when they return home. I’m proud to have introduced several provisions that were included in this package that will help ensure that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits they have earned.” [[{""fid"":""65993"",""view_mode"":""full"",""fields"":{""format"":""full"",""field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]"":""Bost VA Bill 12.16.20""},""link_text"":null,""type"":""media"",""field_deltas"":{""1"":{""format"":""full"",""field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]"":""Bost VA Bill 12.16.20""}},""attributes"":{""alt"":""Bost VA Bill 12.16.20"",""class"":""media-element file-full"",""data-delta"":""1""}}]] Bost speaks on the House Floor in support of the legislative package. Click here to watch. Bost Provisions Included H.R. 7287 – Allows specialty care providers to conduct disability exams across state lines H.R. 6013 – Reforms the Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) program to ensure that veterans can receive life insurance coverage through the VA, even if they had been previously denied coverage by private insurance providers H.R. 5245 – Includes a provision that Bost introduced to allow veterans to remove a dependent via the eBenefits website H.R. 7445 – Expands eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program to members of the National Guard and Reserve who have been activated by governors in response to COVID-19, recent civil disturbances, and natural disasters H.R. 7105 – Expands VA services for homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-jes-s-chuy-garc-urges-congress-provide-survival-checks-all-families,Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García Urges Congress to Provide Survival Checks to All Families Including Immigrant & Mixed Status Families,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC- In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04) today called on negotiators to include direct assistance, in the form of stimulus checks, for immigrant and mixed-status families in any COVID-19 emergency relief package. These are his remarks as delivered: The video of the speech can be found here. We are close to finalizing a relief package, but I ask my colleagues: Relief for whom? A relief package without survival checks is not a relief package at all! Nor is a relief package that leaves out millions of immigrants and their families. Any deal we strike must include survival checks to families -- and -- immigrants and mixed-status families. Earlier this year, countless families I represent were denied stimulus checks, including U.S. Citizens, whose spouses are immigrants. We even excluded children who may have an immigrant parent. How in the world did we exclude U.S citizen children? In this season of sacred holidays, I implore all of us to be compassionate and not punish kids for their parents' status. Families are struggling to put food on the table and to keep a roof over their heads. Circumstances are dire. We need to put money directly into working families' pockets. I urge my colleagues that any relief package must include survival checks for everyone, including immigrant children. ### El Congresista Jess Chuy Garca Insta a Que Todas las Familias Reciban Cheques De Supervivencia, Incluidas Familias Inmigrantes y de Estatus Mixto Washington, DC- En un discurso en el pleno de la Cmara de Representantes de Estados Unidos, el congresista Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04) pidi hoy a los negociadores que incluyan asistencia directa, en forma de cheques de estmulo, para inmigrantes y familias de estatus mixto en cualquier paquete de ayuda de emergencia por COVID-19. El video del discurso en ingls puede encontrarse aqu. Esta es la traduccin del discurso: Estamos cerca de finalizar un paquete de ayuda, pero les pregunto a mis colegas: Alivio para quin? Un paquete de ayuda sin cheques de supervivencia no es un paquete de ayuda en absoluto! Tampoco es un paquete de ayuda si deja fuera a millones de inmigrantes y sus familias. Cualquier acuerdo que logremos debe incluir cheques de supervivencia para las familias inmigrantes y familias de estatus mixto. A principios de este ao, a innumerables familias que yo represento se les negaron los cheques de estmulo, incluyendo muchos ciudadanos estadounidenses, cuyos cnyuges son inmigrantes. Incluso excluimos a los nios por tener un padre inmigrante. Cmo es posible que hayamos excluido a nios que son ciudadanos estadounidenses? En esta temporada de fiestas, les imploro a todos que seamos compasivos y no castiguemos a los nios por el estatus de sus padres. Las familias estn luchando por poner comida en la mesa y mantener un techo sobre sus cabezas. Las circunstancias son espantosas. Necesitamos poner dinero directamente en los bolsillos de las familias trabajadoras. Insto a mis colegas a que cualquier paquete de ayuda debe incluir controles de supervivencia para todos, incluidos los nios inmigrantes. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/los-representantes-garc-y-espaillat-presentan-un-proyecto-de-ley-para-generar,Los Representantes García y Espaillat Presentan un Proyecto de Ley para Generar Responsabilidad Local en el Proceso de Recuperación de Puerto Rico,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Hoy el Congresista Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04) y el Congresista Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) presentaron la Ley de Recuperacin Impulsada por la Comunidad para Puerto Rico, un proyecto de ley que fortalece la transparencia y supervisin de los esfuerzos de recuperacin federal en Puerto Rico al establecer un Grupo de Trabajo de la Sociedad Civil para asegurar que los puertorriqueos tengan un lugar en la mesa en las decisiones sobre los esfuerzos de recuperacin. La Ley de Recuperacin Impulsada por la Comunidad para Puerto Rico: Fortalece la transparencia y la supervisin local de los esfuerzos de recuperacin y facilita la participacin local en la contratacin y la toma de decisiones. Establece un Grupo de Trabajo de la Sociedad Civil de 13 miembros elegidos de diferentes sectores de la sociedad puertorriquea, incluidos el gobierno local, las comunidades, las fundaciones, los negocios, el trabajo y la educacin superior. Designa a un representante del Grupo de Trabajo de la Sociedad Civil dentro de cada agencia de recuperacin incluyendo FEMA, HUD, la Oficina Central de Recuperacin y Reconstruccin de Puerto Rico y el Departamento de Vivienda de Puerto Rico para supervisar el trabajo de la agencia y promover la equidad y la inclusin. Ms de tres aos despus de que el huracn Mara azotara a Puerto Rico, la isla an est devastada y las voces puertorriqueas han sido excluidas del proceso de recuperacin federal. Estoy presentando la Ley de Recuperacin Impulsada por la Comunidad para Puerto Rico para permitir que el pueblo de Puerto Rico contribuya al proceso de recuperacin y responsabilice a las agencias de ayuda, dijo el congresista Garca. El ingenio, la iniciativa y la ayuda mutua ya existen en las comunidades de Puerto Rico; ya es hora de que el gobierno federal incluya a la poblacin local y ayude a la isla a recuperarse. Este proyecto de ley es un gran paso en la direccin correcta."" La respuesta fallida de la administracin Trump a los huracanes Mara e Irma y su impacto destructivo en Puerto Rico ilustr cun valiosa sera la contribucin local a los esfuerzos de ayuda luego de desastres naturales. Los programas implementados por esta administracin han enfrentado continuamente deficiencias que siguen siendo evidentes, ya que miles de personas en la isla an se encuentran sin hogar, acceso estable a la electricidad y trabajos, dijo el congresista Espaillat. La Ley de Recuperacin Impulsada por la Comunidad para Puerto Rico asegura que las comunidades locales tengan aportes, equidad y mayor transparencia en la implementacin de programas federales de ayuda en casos de desastre. Asegurar la participacin local en la toma de decisiones al abordar la ayuda federal en casos de desastre garantiza que las comunidades afectadas tengan voz y ya no sean excluidas de las decisiones que las afectan directamente. La poblacin local debe ser incluida y empoderada en el uso de los fondos federales de recuperacin. No hay nada ms poderoso o efectivo para asegurar la transparencia y asegurar que los dlares federales realmente satisfagan las necesidades de las personas, que dar voz a los lderes comunitarios. Ellos son quienes mejor saben lo que necesitan y, segn la experiencia de Oxfam en todo el mundo, son, con mucho, las voces ms efectivas y confiables que presionan por la buena gobernancia y la rendicin de cuentas. Agradecemos al Representante Chuy Garca y al Representante Adriano Espaillat por escuchar a la sociedad civil en Puerto Rico y trabajar con nosotros para desarrollar este extraordinario proyecto de ley. El objetivo final es que los lderes de la comunidad sean actores clave, plenamente comprometidos y empoderados, para garantizar que se tomen las decisiones correctas sobre los fondos de recuperacin federal, y que el pueblo de Puerto Rico comience a ver y sentir realmente los efectos de una operacin eficaz y equitativa de inversiones para la recuperacin. Es hora!"" expres Adi G. Martnez-Romn, analista senior de polticas para Puerto Rico en Oxfam America. Este proyecto de ley trata sobre la transparencia y la rendicin de cuentas, pero sobre todo proporciona un mecanismo mediante el cual los afectados tienen la capacidad de participar en el proceso de toma de decisiones. Adems, el proyecto de ley insta a descentralizar las decisiones de gastos de recuperacin federales como un medio para garantizar la eficiencia de un proceso de reconstruccin que ha sido terriblemente lento. La introduccin de este proyecto de ley por parte del representante Garca demuestra su compromiso con una recuperacin equitativa para el pueblo de Puerto Rico y el Centro Cultural Puertorriqueo (PRCC) de Chicago ha tenido el honor de trabajar junto a nuestro representante en este proyecto de ley, ""expres Melissa Mark Viverito, Jefa de Polticas Pblicas del Centro Cultural Puertorriqueo. ""Este proyecto de ley representa el primer intento en la historia del Congreso de los Estados Unidos de permitir que la sociedad civil puertorriquea participe en el financiamiento federal. La Agenda Puertorriquea felicita a nuestro Congresista Jess 'Chuy' Garca por liderar esta accin histrica,""dijo Jessie Fuentes, Copresidente de la Agenda Puertorriquea. ""Power 4 Puerto Rico se enorgullece de apoyar la 'Ley de Recuperacin Impulsada por la Comunidad para Puerto Rico' presentada por nuestro amigo, el Congresista Jess 'Chuy' Garca (D-IL). Esta legislacin proporciona un marco muy necesario para las comunidades afectadas por la el huracn ms mortfero y el apagn elctrico ms largo en la historia de EE.UU. Los puertorriqueos deben ser los impulsores de su propio proceso de recuperacin y este proyecto de ley contribuye en gran medida a garantizar no solo la participacin de los directamente afectados, sino tambin a responsabilizar a los gobiernos de Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico de las inversiones en reconstruccin que deberan ayudar a la isla a prosperar otra vez. Gracias a nuestros socios de Oxfam Amrica y otros por disear un medio para una recuperacin justa. Esperamos trabajar juntos para promover esta importante legislacin,""dijo la directora de Power 4 Puerto Rico, Erica Gonzlez. Este proyecto de ley tiene el apoyo de docenas de organizaciones, incluyendo: Oxfam America; The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC); Red por los Derechos de la Niez y la Juventud; ESCAPE; Cooperativa Agroecolgica Montessori (CoopAM), Caguas, Puerto Rico; VAMOS Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT); Impacto Juventud Inc. GC; Unin de Trabajadores de la Industria Elctrica y Riego (UTIER); National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities; Firmes, Unidos y Resilientes con la Abogaca, Inc.; Consejo de Residentes Residencial Luis Llorens Torres, Sector Youth Center; Apoyo Legal al Emprendimiento Comunitario, Inc. (ALECI); Alianza for Progress; Sembrado Sentido; Boricuas Unidos en la Dispora (BUDPR); Resiliency Law Center, UPR Law School; Power 4 Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico por el Derecho a una Vivienda Digna (PRODEV); Organizacin Pro Ambiente Sustentable; Hispanic Housing Development Corporation (HHDC); Voz Activa, Inc.; Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crdito de Rincn; Surfrider Foundation Rincn; Nuestra Escuela, Inc.; Universities Space Research Association (USRA); Fundacin Comunitaria de Puerto Rico; Renacer Social Corp.; Puerto Rican Police Association in Chicago; and The National Puerto Rican Agenda. El texto del proyecto de ley se encuentra aqu. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/democrats-press-trump-administration-on-decision-not-to-pre-order-more-doses-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-need-for-transparent-plan-going-forward,"Democrats Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 16, 2020 Democrats Press Trump Administration On Decision Not to Pre-Order More Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, Need for Transparent Plan Going Forward [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in asking Dr. Moncef Slaoui, Chief Advisor of Operation Warp Speed, and General Gustave Perna, Chief Operating Officer of Operation Warp Speed, about recent reports that the Trump Administration declined to purchase additional doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. The decision could hinder efforts to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign, as the U.S. will reportedly be unable to purchase additional doses of the vaccine from Pfizer until pre-orders from other countries are filled. In their letter, the Senators express concern about the Trump Administration's lack of planning and transparency, and press for more information about the Administration's preparations to purchase vaccines. We write to you about reports the United States Government declined to exercise its option to purchase additional doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, causing further loss of life and economic devastation. We fear this is yet another instance in which the Trump Administration's failure to develop a comprehensive national vaccines plan in a timely manner could jeopardize efforts to get people vaccinated and ultimately end this pandemic, wrote the Senators. To earn public confidence, demonstrate accountability, and ensure the incoming Biden Administration has the information it needs to hit the ground running in getting our COVID-19 response on track, the Administration must be more transparent about its preparations, as well as how much funding is available, and is needed, to purchase, distribute, and administer sufficient vaccine to end this pandemic, the Senators continued. Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Murray and Wyden, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). A full copy of the letter can be found here and below: December 14, 2020 Dr. Moncef Slaoui Chief Advisor, Operation Warp Speed 1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301 General Gustave Perna Chief Operating Officer, Operation Warp Speed 1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301 Dear Dr. Slaoui and General Perna: We write to you about reports the United States Government declined to exercise its option to purchase additional doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. We are concerned the failure to secure an adequate supply of vaccines will needlessly prolong the COVID-19 pandemic in this country, causing further loss of life and economic devastation. We fear this is yet another instance in which the Trump Administration's failure to develop a comprehensive national vaccines plan in a timely manner could jeopardize efforts to get people vaccinated and ultimately end this pandemic. While we are encouraged by the Food and Drug Administration's decision to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine candidate, we are concerned that the Trump Administration's decision not to purchase more doses when given the opportunity will mean this development will not have the impact it could have to protect families from COVID-19. According to news reports, Pfizer offered the United States Government the chance to pre-purchase doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in excess of the initial order for 100 million doses.[1] When doing so, Pfizer reportedly warned that demand for its vaccine would likely outpace supply. However, the Trump Administration declined that offer; in consequence, the United States Government will not be able to purchase additional supply from Pfizer until pre-orders from other countries are filled. The European Union has finalized a deal with Pfizer for up to 300 million doses, and Canada has agreements to purchase up to 76 million doses.[2] There have been over 16 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States and over 299,000 associated deaths. Hospitals across the country are at capacity and facing increasing numbers of infections in the coming weeks. The number of daily COVID-19 deaths soared to a new high of over 3,200 last week.[3] Our government must widely distribute safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that can be administered to patients at no cost as soon as possible to help stop transmission of this deadly virus in our communities. Yet, if we do not have sufficient vaccines purchased, there will soon be nothing to distribute. Reports last week indicate the U.S. may face a vaccine cliff this spring, due to the Trump Administration's failure to purchase sufficient doses of vaccine.[4] Operation Warp Speed anticipates distributing vaccines for 20 million people this month and 50 million people by the end of January. Limited supplies of vaccines, however, will force experts to make hard decisions about who should receive the first doses of the vaccine. Indeed, millions of Americans may not receive the vaccine for months or nearly a year. The longer it takes to vaccinate people, the longer it will be until we can have a meaningful recovery from this pandemic. Given these reports, we are very concerned the Trump Administration has not adequately planned for vaccine demand in the coming months, potentially imperiling the public health. To earn public confidence, demonstrate accountability, and ensure the incoming Biden Administration has the information it needs to hit the ground running in getting our COVID-19 response on track, the Administration must be more transparent about its preparations, as well as how much funding is available, and is needed, to purchase, distribute, and administer sufficient vaccine to end this pandemic. To provide this transparency, we respectfully request a briefing to respond to the following questions by December 28, 2020. What is your current projection of how many vaccine doses are necessary to vaccinate the entire population? How much vaccine has the United States Government contracted, and paid, for? How many doses of the Pfizer vaccine are contracted for delivery between now and April 1, 2021? How many are contracted for delivery between April 1 and July 1, 2021? How many are contracted for delivery after July 1, 2021? Did the United States Government have the opportunity to purchase additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine? If so: i. How many doses did Pfizer offer, and under what terms and conditions? ii. Why did the United States Government not accept this offer? How much vaccine does the United States Government have a contract option to purchase, and with which manufacturers? How much funding is available to make these purchases? How much more funding, above the amount described in 3(a), is needed to exercise all contract options in full? How much more funding, above the amount described in 3(a), is needed to purchase the number of doses described in 1? Sincerely, - 30 - [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/us/trump-covid-vaccine-pfizer.html [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/us/trump-covid-vaccine-pfizer.html; https://www.wsj.com/articles/canada-authorizes-covid-19-vaccine-from-pfizer-and-biontech-11607531030 [3] https://covidtracking.com/data/charts/us-daily-deaths [4] https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/08/coronavirus-vaccine-shortage-443839",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-discusses-equitable-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-in-virtual-roundtable-with-latinx-community-leaders,Duckworth Discusses Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Virtual Roundtable with Latinx Community Leaders,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 16, 2020 Duckworth Discusses Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Virtual Roundtable with Latinx Community Leaders [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual roundtable today with Chicago and Illinois leaders and public health experts to discuss the disproportionate public health impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx community. The group discussed plans to equitably distribute a safe vaccine to Latinx communities in Chicago and across Illinois, while also addressing the language and information barriers public health leaders must address to ensure full access. The Latinx community in Chicago and throughout Illinois has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes outreach, education and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine all the more important, Duckworth said. I'll keep working with organizations and leaders across the city and state to make sure we can earn trust and increase awareness to keep the Latinx community and all Chicagoans safe. Duckworth was joined by Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady and Medical Director Dr. Geraldine Luna, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Congressman Jess Chuy Garca (D-IL-04), Illinois Deputy Governor Sol Flores, Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino (IL-SD-02) Illinois State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (IL-HD-21), Chicago Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza and representatives from Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) and Latino Policy Forum. Duckworth has been working to ensure states and municipalities are prepared to distribute the COVID-19 vaccines, includingcalling for fundingin any upcoming relief legislation to help with the swift distribution of the vaccine. Duckworth alsocalled forthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help provide more support to localparticularly rural and underservedcommunities with the cold storage needed to store vaccine supplies. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-discusses-legislative-priorities-with-newly-elected-illinois-black-caucus-chairs,Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities with Newly-Elected Illinois Black Caucus Chairs,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 16, 2020 Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities with Newly-Elected Illinois Black Caucus Chairs Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities with Newly-Elected Illinois Black Caucus Chairs [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Illinois State Rep. Sonya Harper (IL-HD-06), newly-elected chair of the Joint Black Caucus, as well as Illinois State Senator Robert Peters (IL-SD-13), newly elected chair of the Senate Black Caucus. In separate calls, Duckworth discussed with Harper and Peters their legislative priorities for their caucuses in the next year, and how she can provide support from the federal level. I enjoyed my productive conversations today with Representative Harper and Senator Peters about their plans in their upcoming terms, Duckworth said. I look forward to continuing our work together to support and uplift Black communities across Illinois. -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-bustos-demand-testing-at-fci-pekin-following-significant-covid-19-outbreak,"Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Demand Testing At FCI Pekin Following Significant COVID-19 Outbreak",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 16, 2020 Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Demand Testing At FCI Pekin Following Significant COVID-19 Outbreak [PEORIA, IL] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) have issued a second urgent call for all staff and inmates to immediatelybe tested for COVID-19 at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Pekin following another significant outbreak at the prison, this time with nearly 330 confirmed cases. As case numbers continue to skyrocket throughout the nation, outbreaks at federal prisons can put inmates, staff and the larger community at risk. As of December 14th, 16 staff and 313 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 at FCI Pekin. As of December 15th, the number of positive cases had jumped to 353 inmates. In a letter to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal and Warden Dan Sproul, the lawmakers urged FCI Pekin to test all staff and inmates in order to prevent further spread of the virus. It is unacceptable that staff and inmates are experiencing yet another significant outbreak at FCI Pekin. Clearly, heightened testing and mitigation strategies must be taken to protect staff, inmates and surrounding communities,the lawmakers wrote. This letter follows an earlier call for testing in October, after three staff members and 74 inmates were found positive. A month after receiving the initial letter, BOP informed the lawmakers it would refuse their request to provide full testing. Dense living and working conditions within correctional facilities can lead to rapid and widespread transmission of COVID-19.Senators Duckworth and Durbin andCongresswoman Bustos have previously raised concerns abouttestingand understaffing at USP Thomson. Text of the letter is below and can be found here. December 14, 2020 Dear Director Carvajal and Warden Sproul: We write once again to insist that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) immediately provide on-site COVID-19 testing for all staff and inmates at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Pekin. As you know, our offices wrote BOP and FCI Pekin leadership on October 19, 2020 calling for immediate on-site COVID-19 testing for all staff and inmates at FCI Pekin. This request followed an outbreak of at least three staff and 74 inmates. On November 20, 2020 one month after our initial letter BOP finally responded and declined this request. As of December 14, 2020, 16 staff and 313 inmates are currently positive for COVID-19 at the facility. It is unacceptable that staff and inmates are experiencing yet another significant outbreak at FCI Pekin. Clearly, heightened testing and mitigation strategies must be taken to protect staff, inmates and surrounding communities. Furtherto get to the bottom of the ongoing COVID-19 issues at the facilitywe request answers to the following questions: 1. How many staff have been tested for COVID-19 within the last two weeks? Within the last week? 2. How many inmates have been tested for COVID-19 in the last two weeks? Within the last week? 3. As of today, which units have cases of COVID 19? 4. Have all inmates in these units been tested in the last two weeks? In the last week? 5. Is FCI Pekin doing contact tracing to find close contacts of COVID-19 positive staff and inmates? 6. How many inmates have had close contact with a COVID-19 patient at FCI Pekin in the last two weeks? In the last week? 7. How many staff members have had close contact with a COVID-19 patient at FCI Pekin in the last two weeks? In the last week? 8. Have all close contacts with COVID-19 patients been notified of their exposure? Have all these close contacts received a COVID-19 test? 9. Is the prison on lockdown? What internal inmate movement has happened within the prison in the last two weeks? 10. Are staff who are working in units with outbreaks also working in other units of the prison? 11. Have inmates in units that have COVID-19 cases interacted with inmates in other units within the last two weeks? 12. Is BOP staff training happening in a socially distanced manner? What group trainings are ongoing at Pekin? Thank you for your timely response. The answers to these questions will help our offices support FCI Pekin, your staff and local communities. Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-discusses-daca-and-immigration-reform-with-fwdus,Durbin Discusses DACA and Immigration Reform with FWD.us,2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.20 Durbin Discusses DACA and Immigration Reform with FWD.us WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today spoke with leaders at FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization focused on immigration and criminal justice reform. Durbin discussed his hopes for comprehensive immigration reform under the Biden-Harris Administration next year. Durbin expressed his gratitude towards millions of immigrants who are essential workers many working in hospitals and other health care settings across the country risking their lives every day as America confronts COVID-19. Where would America be in this crisis without millions of immigrants who are essential workers on the frontlines of this pandemic? Despite being under constant attack from the outgoing President, immigrants have stepped up in our time of need. I am looking forward to working with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris to finally fix our broken immigration system. It's time to bring millions of hardworking immigrants out of the shadows,Durbin said. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-announce-nearly-15-million-for-illinois-community-health-centers,"Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $15 Million for Illinois Community Health Centers",2020-12-16,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.20 Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $15 Million for Illinois Community Health Centers WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $14.9 million in federal funding awarded to three Community Health Centers (CHC) throughout Illinois. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' health center cluster grant program. Every year, Illinois CHCs serve more than 1.4 million Illinoisans, regardless of their ability to pay. Community Health Centers are a vital resource for so many Illinoisans and especially in medically underserved communities that have been hit hard by COVID-19,said Durbin.Senator Duckworth and I will continue to advocate for additional funding to support our health care infrastructure and promote health equity throughout this pandemic and beyond. Throughout this pandemic, underserved communitiesparticularly communities of colorare depending on Community Health Centers for affordable, accessible care,said Duckworth.Even after COVID-19, more than a million Illinoisans will continue to rely on these health centers, and I'm proud to work with Senator Durbin to ensure they have the federal funding and support they need to help those who need it most. The following Illinois health centers will receive funding: Crusader Central Clinic (Rockford): $3,245,256 Erie Family Health Center (Chicago): $3,879,854 SIHF Healthcare (Sauget): $7,829,334 -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-durbin-and-duckworth-ask-state-department-ensure-fair-trial-killing,"Casten, Durbin, and Duckworth Ask State Department to Ensure Fair Trial in Killing of Illinoisan Charged with Blasphemy Abroad",2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Sean Casten,C001117,casten.house.gov,casten,https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington D.C. - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo regarding Pakistan's ongoing trial for the murder of Tahir Ahmad Naseem, an American citizen who had lived in Illinois. Mr. Naseem, a former Ahmadi Muslim, was killed in a Pakistani courtroom in July while facing questionable charges for religious blasphemy. The Congressman and Senators asked the State Department to ensure his alleged killer is brought to trial in a timely fashion and to increase its efforts to bring Pakistan's religious freedom-crushing blasphemy laws to an end. The letter stated, in part: ""We are concerned by a recent increase in violence against members of the Ahmadi community in Pakistan, and the silence on these killings by Pakistani leaders. According to press reports from November, there were at least five killings of Ahmadis since July. In addition, we remain concerned about the abuse of Pakistan's colonial-era blasphemy laws to persecute and intimidate religious minorities and others, as well as to settle personal feuds. ""We strongly urge the Department to continue to press Pakistani authorities for an expeditious and transparent trial so that justice can be served in the killing of Mr. Naseem. We also hope the Department will continue to encourage Pakistan to reform or repeal its blasphemy laws.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-covid-19-death-toll-passing-300000,"Foster Statement on COVID-19 Death Toll Passing 300,000",2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Bill Foster,F000454,foster.house.gov,foster,https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the U.S. COVID-19 death toll passing 300,000 people: ""At the same time that we applaud the arrival of the first vaccines for our health care workers, we're reminded of just how deadly this pandemic has been. More Americans have died from COVID-19 than were killed in combat in World War II. The scale of this loss of life and the grief felt by so many families is immense and our thoughts are with everyone who has lost friends or loved ones to this virus. ""Thanks to the tireless work of scientists and researchers, vaccines are now being deployed and there is a light at the end of this long tunnel. As we wait for the vaccine to be widely available, we need to remain vigilant about following the advice of doctors and public health experts to save as many lives as possible and help our health care workers. Wear a mask in public, practice social distancing as much as possible, and stay home and call your doctor if you're feeling sick. Let's show our local health care workers that we have their backs.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402561,Kinzinger Statement on Attack By Russian Hackers,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Adam Kinzinger,K000378,kinzinger.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement in response to reports of a highly sophisticated attack by Russian hackers on several U.S. government agencies and many U.S. companies. share: f t Washington, DC Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement in response to reports of a highly sophisticated attack by Russian hackers on several U.S. government agencies and many U.S. companies: I was shocked and dismayed that initial reports already seem to indicate this Russian offensive operation may be one of the most damaging in the history of our Republic. The compromised technology at issue is used by our military, our civilian agencies, our intelligence community, and most of the Fortune 500. In the wake of this devastating attack, where do we go from here? First and foremost, the company at the center of this disaster must produce an effective and reliable software patch to neutralize the ongoing threats. Thankfully, they have indicated they will have one today. The President must also relinquish his dangerous and foolish veto threat relating to the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill which provides enhanced cyber protections and capabilities to secure our nation. Further, the Speaker and President-Elect must commit to working hand-in-hand with Congressional Republicans to mitigate threats to technology supply chains; and we can start by taking up any of the hundreds of recommendations included in the Report produced by the House China Task Force, on which I served. Beyond that, we must conduct a nation-wide assessment of the public and private sector systems which were compromised, as we cannot repair our networks and our national security posture without one. And finally, we must resolve to exact justice and retribution upon the Russians for these crimes, as well as any others engaging in these attacks against the United States. When it comes to the pervasive threats posed by Russia, China, Iran, and others, we truly have no other choice than to come together as one nation again. The division and bickering in America has become a clear and present danger to our collective security. While we point fingers and cast blame, our enemies are taking advantage. The most powerful weapon, the largest measure of security we could produce right now, is some semblance of unity and recognition in one another that we are Americans above all else. I pray that we find our path forward soon so that we may stop moving backward. RELATED: OP-ED: Washington Examiner The 5th Domain: Cyber defense needed in the 21st Century WCSJ News Kinzinger Network Security Bill Signed Into Law Kinzinger Leads Provisions in China Task Force Report",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-discusses-covid-19-health-disparities-with-vivek-murthy-us-surgeon-general-nominee,"Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities with Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General Nominee",2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.20 Durbin Discusses COVID-19, Health Disparities with Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General Nominee WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Vivek Murthy, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee to be the next U.S. Surgeon General. Murthy previously held the position of Surgeon General during President Barack Obama's second term, and he is expected to take a leading role in Biden's COVID-19 response. Durbin and Murthy spoke about shared priorities for increasing uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, addressing health disparities, including Durbin's Chicago HEAL Initiative and MOMMA Act, and tackling addiction and mental health challenges, including the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use. Our top priority must be stopping COVID-19, which requires broad vaccine distribution, a focus on equity, and elevating trusted leaders for public health guidance. The Surgeon General will play a critical role in supporting the next Administration's efforts to keep Americans healthy, and I'm pleased that President-elect Biden has chosen an experienced nominee like Dr. Murthy,Durbin said. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-time-to-move-past-election-and-help-president-elect-biden-lead,Durbin: Time to Move Past Election and Help President-Elect Biden Lead,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.20 Durbin: Time to Move Past Election and Help President-Elect Biden Lead WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Republican elected officials to honor their oaths of office and uphold our democracy by recognizing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President-elect and Vice President-elect. Durbin slammed the last-ditch effort by 17 Republican attorneys general and more than half of the House Republican Caucus joining in a lawsuit and accompanying amicus brief before the Supreme Court, which incredibly argued that the courts should nullify the votes of more than 20 million Americans. Durbin also thanked local election officials who stepped up, spoke truth to power, and carried out their jobs successfully amid efforts from President Trump to overturn the election results in multiple states. The fact that it took six weeks for my colleagues to recognize reality and stop undermining our democratic process is sad and disappointing. When we were sworn in as Members of Congress, we took a simple oath: Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic It's not an oath to one person, nor one president. It's not conditional if one receives enough angry phone calls. It's not dependent on whether the responsibilities are difficult, and it's certainly not optional if one has to face a more challenging electorate. And yet with the exception of only a few in this Senate chamber, the silence in upholding this oath in the face of President Trump's blatant attempts to undermine our democracy has been overwhelming,Durbin said.I believe we have such a moment here that demands leaders of both parties to carry out their oaths of office and defend our treasured democracy. Quite simply, silence is unacceptable. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-to-mcconnell-bring-the-bipartisan-emergency-covid-relief-legislation-to-the-floor-for-a-vote-this-week,Durbin to McConnell: Bring the Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Legislation to the Floor for a Vote this Week,2020-12-15,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Richard Durbin,D000563,www.durbin.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.20 Durbin to McConnell: Bring the Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Legislation to the Floor for a Vote this Week WASHINGTON In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to bring the $748 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation to the floor for a vote this week. Durbin was part of the bipartisan group that unveiled the emergency relief package yesterday, which includes funding for unemployment insurance, small businesses, vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, health care providers, housing and education assistance, and more. Ten of usfive Democrats, five Republicansas well as House members decided three weeks ago that enough was enough. We need to show some leadership and try to work out a compromise between us for another COVID relief package,Durbin said.It has been nine months since we passed what is known at theCARES Acton the floor of the Senate96-0. Overwhelmingly, unanimous, bipartisan decision to spend about $3 trillion not only to fight the pandemic, but to restore our economy we thought that the threat of the pandemic would soon ebb away, but it did not. It wasn't gone in six months. It isn't gone today. In fact, in some places in America, it's worse now than ever so this group of ten have been meeting for three weeks we did produce a work product and one that I think is worthy of consideration immediately on the floor of the Senate. Durbin also discussed the two measures that were not included in the $748 billion packagefunding for state and local governments and Republicans' priority of corporate liability immunity. There were two items that were not included in the base consensus bill because we couldn't reach a consensus on them. State and local government assistance I support completely. I know what the cities, my counties, and what my state have gone through. They need our help. Durbin continued,And finally, the issue of liability and immunity from liability. This is one raised by Senator McConnell for months. He basically said that nothing is moving until he gets a provision, which I find objectionable, originally offered by Senator Cornyn. Here's what it comes down to: should people be able to go to court if they believe they have been harmed or members of their family have died as a result of the wrongdoing by people during this COVID-19 pandemic we should leave the possibility open that those responsible for their actions need to be held accountable in court. Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availablehere. Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is availableherefor TV Stations. If enacted, the $748 billion bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief legislation would include the following priorities for Illinois: Extend unemployment benefits for 16 weeks, including for about 145,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and 231,000 Illinoisans claiming Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation; Provide assistance for small businesses, including a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for hardest-hit businesses; Extend the eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021, and provide emergency rental assistance to help keep families in their homes, at a time when one-fifth of Illinois renters report being behind on rent payments; Provide funding for hospitals and clinics for testing and to quickly and fairly distribute vaccines, including approximately $500 million to Illinois for testing and vaccine distribution and $1.5 billion for Illinois hospitals and health providers; Provides $82 billion nationwide for education, including $54 billion for K-12 and $20 billion for higher education; Extends federal student loan forbearance from the current expiration date of January 31, 2021, through April 30, 2021; Provides $10 billion nationwide in much needed support to the struggling child care sector; Address hunger by increasing SNAP benefits for nearly two million individuals in Illinois, and by providing funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs, which serve more than 1.5 million people in Illinois. Provide hundreds of millions in funding for Illinois transit agencies; Provide millions in funding for Illinois airports; Provide more than $1 billion in funding for Amtrak to prevent further furloughs and service reductions; Provide millions in payroll support to protect the jobs of thousands of Illinois airline workers; and, Provide funding to help struggling Illinois bus companies keep their workers on the job. The package also includes $300 million in funding for the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps to implement Durbin's bipartisan legislationStrengthening America's Healthcare Workforce Actwhich addresses health workforce shortages and racial and ethnic health disparities by increasing the number of doctors and nurses, including from underrepresented populations, providing care in underserved urban and rural communities. -30- Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-garc-jayapal-escobar-ocasio-cortez-chu-and-clarke-join-firm-action,"Reps. García, Jayapal, Escobar, Ocasio-Cortez, Chu and Clarke Join FIRM Action in Announcing Roadmap to Freedom Resolution that Achieves a Progressive Vision of a Humane Immigration System Focused on Respect, Dignity, and Family Unity",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Jesús García,G000586,chuygarcia.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Representatives Jess Chuy Garca (IL-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Judy Chu (CA-27) and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) joined FIRM Actionthe nation's largest immigrant rights networktoday in announcing the Roadmap to Freedom Resolution as a progressive vision to transform the immigration system to one that is focused on dignity and rooted in the needs and lives of impacted people. This immigration reform proposal develops and implements a Roadmap to Freedom by promoting citizenship, protecting and strengthening a fair process centered on family unity, promoting and preserving diversity and establishing a just, humane immigration system. Additionally, it ensures federal immigration agencies are fair and accountable, establishes a humane and effective border policy, recognizes the value of all work and promotes healthy communities. The resolution also promotes social, civil and economic integration while modernizing and strengthening humanitarian pathways to the United States. The resolution addresses root causes of migration as well. U.S. immigration policies are profoundly broken and the Roadmap to Freedom lays out a clear vision for a more fair and humane immigration system, said Congressman Jess ""Chuy"" Garca. We must reckon with our nation's darkest chapter of separating families and caging children, and instead return to our roots as a country that welcomes and embraces immigrants. I've watched too many families to count, ripped and torn apart in my very own neighborhood and throughout the streets of Chicago. At this moment in history, we are called to restore compassion and dignity in our immigration system and this resolution serves as a roadmap to that brighter, more just future for all. ""As a lifelong immigrant rights organizer and one of only 14 naturalized citizens serving in Congress, I know that we must do far more than simply reverse the harmful, xenophobic policies of the Trump Administration that inflicted maximum cruelty on immigrants and families. Our immigration system has been broken for decades, and we must finally reform it in a humane way that focuses on respect, dignity, family unity and real opportunity for all immigrants,"" said Congresswoman Jayapal. ""I'm proud to work alongside FIRM Action and my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to put forth the Roadmap to Freedom as a bold, progressive vision for immigration reform that is fair, equitable, centers family unity and humanitarian protections, combats systemic injustices and works for everyone."" Voters delivered a clear political and moral mandate this election season for the incoming administration to act boldly and quickly on immigration and racial justice. Immigrants have endured four painful years of attacks on our communities, and the ongoing pandemic has further heightened the urgency to protect them. The Roadmap to Freedom Resolution is the North Star for the FIRM Action Network following its recent launch of a campaign for executive and legislative action on immigration. FIRM Action worked for years to reimagine what immigration in our country should and shouldn't be, especially after watching the callousness and disregard for human life of the Trump administration, said Lawrence Benito, FIRM Action co-chair and executive director of ICIRR Action. Congresswoman Jayapal has been a champion of immigrant families and progressive values since before taking office and we are honored to have worked with her on the Roadmap to Freedom Resolution. Immigrant families can't wait any longer and solutions need to be rooted in our lived experience. The introduction of the Resolution takes us one step closer to our vision of an immigration system that respects immigrant families and embodies our best values as a country, added Lorella Praeli, president of Community Change Action. Beyond undoing the harm of the Trump era, the incoming Biden-Harris administration must take aggressive action to reverse the brutality of the enforcement system and work with Congress to pass legislation that creates a path to citizenship for the 11 million. The Resolution will remain our north star as we fight for our communities alongside our champions on the Hill. Communities like El Paso have been on the receiving end of inconceivable cruelty and inhumanity, said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar. As the Trump era finally comes to an end, we have an obligation to work together to right the wrongs of the past and create solutions that reflect our shared commitment to dignity and justice. Our immigration system is broken. Dreamers who have known no other home are at risk of deportation. Hundreds of migrant children are now permanently separated from their parents. Asylum seekers are being revictimized in refugee camps at the border, said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Roadmap to Freedom outlines a set of principles for creating an immigration system that is just, empathetic, effective and fair. It's time for an immigration system that works for our country, one which rewards those who come and contribute instead of punishing them for trying. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Rep. Jayapal's Roadmap to Freedom, said Congresswoman Judy Chu. One of the most important things we can do for our economy and the future of our country is to encourage more family immigration. Immigrants who come with family are far less likely to rely on government aid, have an easier time starting businesses, and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities. By ending family separation and improving the visa backlog which disproportionately impacts AAPIs we can also encourage more immigrants by no longer forcing them to choose between staying with their families or pursuing the American Dream. America has always depended on immigrants and we will continue to in the future. I'm glad to be supporting legislation that treats immigrants as an asset, not a political tool for stoking xenophobia. Reversing the policies of the last four years is not enough, said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. We must reimagine the immigration system in a manner that is humane, just and fair. The time has come for the values of our nation to be reflected in our immigration policies. The Roadmap to Freedom Resolution will be introduced at the beginning of the 117th Congress. This comprehensive proposal was developed in close consultation with grassroots groups, immigration organizers, labor advocates, civil rights leaders and racial justice activists. The Members of Congress who are co-leading the resolution represent the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus as the Roadmap works to address the diverse needs of every community while reflecting the diversity of America's immigrant community. Ultimately, it re-establishes the United States as a beacon of hope and humanitarian protection for those seeking safety on our shores and achieves a vision of an immigration system that works for all by: Ensuring a fair immigration process that establishes a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million people while centering family unity and promoting and preserves diversity Welcoming immigrants by supporting integration efforts and ensuring access to critical public services Creating a just, humane way to uphold immigration laws, including by investing in humane, community-based alternatives to detention and creating scalable consequences for enforcement. This is possible by modernizing the system, ensuring judges have the ability to exercise discretion, and having reasonable, more humane options on the table Investing in border policy that protects the rights of communities in the borderlands and ends the mass militarization of the region Understanding that we must uphold the rights of all workers and that increasing protections for immigrant workers will lift up all workersimmigrant and American-born alike The full Roadmap to Freedom Resolution is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://davis.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-kildee-davis-lead-75-members-congress-urging-trump-administration-extend,"Reps. Kildee, Davis Lead 75 Members of Congress Urging Trump Administration to Extend Unemployment Benefits",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,IL,Danny K. Davis,D000096,davis.house.gov,davis,https://davis.house.gov/media,scraper,"Millions of Unemployed Could Lose Benefits Without Action by End of Year WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, and Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Chairman of the Ways and Means’ Worker and Family Support Subcommittee, today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging his administration to extend federal unemployment insurance benefits, which are set to expire at the end of December without action by the White House and U.S. Senate. The letter was signed by 75 additional Members of Congress. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, a $600 per week supplemental federal unemployment benefit that proved to be a lifeline to millions of Americans throughout the pandemic, expired at the end of July. Without expeditious action, additional direct benefits to workers and supports for employers will expire at the end of the year, including: Up to 13 weeks of additional benefits for those who have exhausted state unemployment; Up to 39 weeks of benefits for workers who are not eligible for state unemployment insurance, including self-employed and gig workers; and Interest-free loans to states to keep their unemployment trust fund solvent and delay unemployment tax increases to employers. The U.S. House of Representatives passed two relief bills—The Heroes Act in May and an updated version of TheHeroes Act in October—to extend critical unemployment provisions. Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate has so far failed to act on these bills. “It is essential that we provide vital unemployment benefits to workers across the country, especially before the unemployment provisions in The FFCRA and The CARES Act expire at the end of December. Cutting off enhanced unemployment benefits while the economy is still in crisis would ignore the millions of Americans who are still suffering. We hope that you will support this measure as soon as possible,” the lawmakers wrote. The letter is endorsed by American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); Center for Disability Rights, Inc. (CDR); International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); National Education Association (NEA); National Leased Housing Association (NLHA); and Young Invincibles The full text of the letter can be found below: Dear Mr. President, We write to express our strong support for extending the unemployment supports established through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These benefits are critical to continuing to support hardworking American families and businesses impacted by the coronavirus. Throughout the pandemic so far, over 288,000 Americans have lost their lives and over 10 million Americans remain unemployed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country’s unemployment rate stands at 6.7 percent— far above 3.6 percent in January 2020, before the coronavirus spread within the United States. Furthermore, long-term unemployment continues to increase: over one third of those unemployed in November were jobless for at least six months. The coronavirus pandemic—and the subsequent health and economic crisis it created—is far from over. We are in the midst of a third wave of coronavirus cases, with the majority of states experiencing unchecked community spread. In November, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powellsaid that the recent rise in COVID-19 cases poses a great risk to our economic recovery. Unfortunately, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) expired at the end of July. FPUC was a $600 per week supplemental federal unemployment benefit that served as a lifeline to millions of Americans during the pandemic. However, the House of Representatives passed two relief bills—The Heroes Act in May and an updated version of The Heroes Act in October—to extend critical unemployment provisions. Now, we are staring down another unemployment benefit cliff. Many federal unemployment supports will expire at the end of the year, absent further action. Without expeditious action, the following direct benefits to workers and supports for employers will expire at the end of the year: Up to 13 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides additional benefits for those who have exhausted state unemployment; Up to 39 weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides workers who are not eligible for state unemployment insurance, including self-employed and gig workers, unemployment benefits; Full federal funding for up to 20 weeks Extended Benefits (EB), which states trigger onto at high unemployment rates; Interest-free loans to states to keep their unemployment trust fund solvent and delay unemployment tax increases to employers; Full federal funding for Short-Time Compensation or Workshare programs, which allow employers to temporarily reduce their employees’ hours without having to let them go; Full federal funding for the cost of waiving the “waiting week” for unemployment benefits; and 50 percent federal funding for the cost of unemployment insurance paid to employees of nonprofits and local governmental entities that enter into reimbursable arrangements with state unemployment programs, instead of paying per-worker unemployment taxes. The impending unemployment benefit cliff will negatively impact American workers, businesses and the economy at large. The Century Foundationestimates that more than half of the workers who are currently relying on unemployment insurance to survive will be cut off at the end of December. This means that millions of Americans will no longer be able to afford paying rent, putting food on the table and covering health care expenses. Because workers receiving unemployment insurance inject that money straight into their local economy, the businesses that rely on these customers will also suffer losses if these benefits expire. This will have a ripple effect throughout the economy at large, slowing consumer spending. Additionally, without federal support for unemployment insurance or interest-free loans to cover state unemployment trust funds, employers in many states will face increased unemployment taxes. According to the Tax Foundation, 27 states have a tax that automatically triggers when the unemployment trust fund falls below a certain level. Therefore, it is essential that we provide vital unemployment benefits to workers across the country, especially before the unemployment provisions in the FFCRA and the CARES Act expire at the end of December. Cutting off enhanced unemployment benefits while the economy is still in crisis would ignore the millions of Americans who are still suffering. We hope that you will support this measure as soon as possible. Sincerely, Representative Daniel T. Kildee, Chairman Danny K. Davis, Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Nanette Diaz Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Don Beyer, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Earl Blumenauer, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Suzanne Bonamici, Brendan F. Boyle, Anthony Brown, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Matthew Cartwright, Ed Case, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, David N. Cicilline, Wm. Lacy Clay, Emanuel Cleaver, II, Steve Cohen, Jim Cooper, Mark DeSaulnier, Debbie Dingell, Anna G. Eshoo, Dwight Evans, Bill Foster, Marcia L. Fudge, Jimmy Gomez, Al Green, Raul M. Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Ro Khanna, Derek Kilmer, Ann Kirkpatrick, James R. Langevin, John B. Larson, Brenda L. Lawrence, Barbara Lee, Susie Lee, Andy Levin, Mike Levin, Alan Lowenthal, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, Gregory W. Meeks, Grace Meng, Gwen S. Moore, Jerrold Nadler, Donald Norcross, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Frank Pallone, Jr., Jimmy Panetta, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Stacey E. Plaskett, Mark Pocan, Jamie Raskin, Tim Ryan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Linda T. Sánchez, John P. Sarbanes, Jan Schakowsky, José E. Serrano, Terri A. Sewell, Mikie Sherrill, Albio Sires, Elissa Slotkin, Darren Soto, Rashida Tlaib, Nydia M. Velázquez, Peter Welch and Susan Wild.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402555,"Kinzinger, Cárdenas, Eshoo, Burgess Introduce Legislation to Encourage Investment in Clean Aviation Technology",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Adam Kinzinger,K000378,kinzinger.house.gov,,,legacy,"This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and three of his House colleagues introduced the ATVM Modernization Act. share: f t WASHINGTON, DC This week, Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), Tony Crdenas (D-CA-29), Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18), and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX-26) introduced the ATVM Modernization Act. This legislation would incentivize clean, environmentally friendly aviation technology development by expanding eligibility under the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program to include American-made, energy-efficient aircraft. The United States leads the world in research, development, and innovation, but continues to be a net importer of advanced technology products,said Rep. Kinzinger. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program is designed to steer American innovation and ingenuity into real-world manufacturing capabilities, thereby creating jobs and benefiting the environment. While the program has shown success in the past by fueling the advanced automobile manufacturing sectors, it still has billions of dollars in loan authority. It's time to put that money to good use for the next wave of advanced transportation technologies, including those in aviationand that's what our bill aims to do. Climate change is a very real existential threat to our national security and economy, said Rep. Crdenas. We must curb our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and invest in cleaner, efficient technology so that we reduce our carbon footprint. As more and more people rely on air travel, the contribution of aircrafts to global gas emissions will increase at a commensurate rate which is why we must incentivize companies to invest in energy efficient technology. My commonsense bipartisan bill will encourage development of cleaner, fuel-efficient aircrafts. The federal government played a critical role in bringing electric vehicle manufacturing to the U.S., and the ATVM Modernization Act will build on this record of success by fostering innovation in clean aviation technology, Rep. Eshoo said. This legislation creates a win for our economy and our environment by supporting advanced manufacturing jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and continuing American leadership in clean energy innovation and the aviation sector. Americans are gravitating towards clean energy technologies. It is important that Congress provides sensible and thoughtful solutions to ensure continued innovation. This legislation will help foster electric vehicle startups, including electric airplanes, by providing them the resources they need to get off the ground. This same loan program can be attributed for the success of electric automobiles and will expand to other modes of transportation. I hope others will join in supporting this bipartisan cause. Ultimately it is the marketplace that will determine the value of new technologies, said Rep. Burgess, M.D. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aircrafts contribute 12 percent of U.S. transportation emissions, and account for three percent of the nation's total greenhouse gas production. Globally, aviation produced 2.4 percent of total CO2 emissions in 2018. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change. This bill has been endorsed by: Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, Kitty Hawk Corporation, Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group, Uber Technologies, Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403939,Central Illinois Leaders Applaud Davis’ Legislation to Commemorate Route 66’s Upcoming Centennial,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Rodney Davis,D000619,rodneydavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Tuesday, legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 passed the U.S. House. TheRoute66Centennial Commission Actwill establish a centennial commission in preparation for the 100thanniversary ofRoute66, which begins in Chicago and continues through six other states before ending on the Pacific Coast in California. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) were also sponsors of the legislation. Central Illinois leaders and Route 66 advocates applauded the passage of the legislation. ""Illinois leads the way on Route 66 and I am so pleased to have the Federal government on board with planning for the centennial of the greatest road in the world,"" said Illinois State Representative Tim Butler. ""2026, which will also be the 250th anniversary of our Nation, will bring tremendous interest from around the world to explore the Mother Road. We look forward to welcoming people as they begin--or maybe end--their Route 66 experience in Illinois."" Route 66 plays an important factor in Litchfield's economy. Due to Route 66, Litchfield has multiple national name brand hotels, an abundance of restaurants, prominent tourist attractions, and an international Route 66 reputation. Route 66 is the most famous road in the world and has become synonymous with the freedom associated with traveling the open road in the United States of America. It is important to develop a National Route 66 Centennial Commission to celebrate this historic road, generate continued income in Route 66 communities, and preserve Route 66 for future generations. - Steve Dougherty, Mayor of the City of Litchfield U.S. Route 66 or better known as the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago through Illinois across the country, ending in Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles. The road is recognized in popular culture throughout the world from past hit songs and television series. Today, travelers from around the globe explore the open road discovering new experiences through past and present life of today's small business owners. As we embark on the 100thanniversary of Route 66 the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau supports the creation of the Centennial Commission as a turning point for further preservation, community and tourism development efforts for future generations to learn of the road's history. - Cory Jobe, President & CEO Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau Our family restaurant sits along historic Route 66 in Springfield, and the tourism and economic activity along Route 66 is vital to supporting small businesses like ours. It's important that we celebrate this major milestone in the life of Route 66 because it will generate tourism and support the small towns and mom and pop shops along this historic highway. I'd like to thank Congressman Davis and our senators for leading on this issue in Congress and getting this done. Their work will help preserve the life and culture along Route 66. The commission created by theRoute66Centennial Commission Actwould be made up of representatives from each of the eightRoute66states and would recommend activities to commemorate the 100thanniversary in 2026. TheRoute66Ahead Partnership supports this legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403943,"Davis, LaHood Announce $125,000 Drug-Free Communities Grant to BN Parents",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,House,IL,Rodney Davis,D000619,rodneydavis.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) today announced that theBN Parentsorganization facilitated by Chestnut Health Systems, Inc. is the recipient of a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The continuing grant award is for the amount of $125,000. Substance abuse is a public health problem across the country, including right here in central Illinois, but fortunately the great staff and volunteers at groups like BN Parents are successfully working to change that, said Rep. Davis. It's great to see BN parents and similar groups receive these grant funds so they can continue their mission and promote healthier communities. BN Parents does great work in the community to deliver an anti-drug and anti-alcohol message to students in Bloomington-Normal, said Rep. LaHood. I am grateful to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for awarding these funds, which will enable BN Parents to continue providing important resources to students in central Illinois. Investment in prevention is an investment in our future and under the Trump Administration, that investment is at an all-time high, ONDCP Director Jim Carroll stated. The record support for the DFC program announced by the White House this year will help the people of Bloomington-Normal, promote the evidence-based messages that have been proven to lower illicit substance use among our Nation's youth. BN Parents is a community coalition with a mission of reducing substance use through parent-teen communication on the issue. Additional information can be found atwww.BNParents.org. The DFC Program was developed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to prevent youth substance use, based on the premise that local problems need local solutions. At a time when the addiction crisis continues to affect communities across the country, DFC-funded coalitions work to reduce the prevalence of past 30-day use for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z