Political Quotes

On the recordMay 12, 2020
there was a meeting last week--a telephone conference call--of the leaders of a dozen major nations around the world. It was a meeting to discuss something we are all thinking about, the answer to the question everyone in America asks every day: How will this end? When will this end? In this telephone conference, leaders from other nations talked about the ending that most of us envision--the discovery of a safe and effective vaccine that can protect people around the world from the scourge of this coronavirus. I am not sure when that vaccine will be discovered--the sooner the better--but the big question we need to ask ourselves at this point is, Where will it be discovered, and what benefit will it provide for the United States? You see, there was one major nation that boycotted this international telephone conference about discovering a vaccine. It was the United States. President Trump decided not to participate with the leaders of nations from around the world in this global conversation about finding a safe and effective vaccine to fight coronavirus. I am not sure what his motive was. But we know that at least 94 other vaccines are being explored and worked on in nations around the world--in England, for example, and in Germany and so many other countries. They are looking for the same safe and effective vaccine as we in the United States are looking for.…
Said by
Dick Durbin
Democratic · Illinois
Source
govinfo.gov
May 12, 2020

Share

More from Dick Durbin

Aug 21, 2026

Today’s news is devastating for the 2,500 skilled union workers impacted by the closure of the Tyson plant in Joslin, especially at a time when American families are struggling with the rising cost of living.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 26, 2026

I secured $1 million in federal funding for Lurie Children’s to help create this community health clinic in Austin and now, that investment comes to life.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 21, 2026

In the coming weeks, we remain committed to supporting our union members during this transition and working with Tyson to ensure that they have access to resources that support their return to work.

durbin.senate.gov
Aug 18, 2026

The Trump administration has not provided transparency into the use of federal funds for the East Wing project, and they have limited congressional oversight, meaningful public input, and adherence to established federal processes.

durbin.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation