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Richard Durbin, commonly known as Dick Durbin, is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Illinois since 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held various leadership roles, including Senate Majority Whip. Durbin has been a prominent advocate for issues such as healthcare reform, immigration policy, and gun control. He has also played a significant role in negotiations on budget and appropriations matters in the Senate.
reflect for a moment on what America went through with Hurricane Katrina, reflect on what it has meant to our country and what it has meant to our Government. That was the greatest natural disaster of modern time. Americans were shaken to…
on behalf of Senator Kennedy, I ask unanimous consent that Douglas Thompson, a Navy fellow in his office, be granted floor privileges during the consideration of H.R. 2863, the fiscal year 2006 Defense appropriations bill. The PRESIDING…
I would like to comment, through the Chair, and say to the Senator from Florida that because of the hurricanes we have lost 22 percent of our refining capacity in America. So if you wonder why the price of gasoline is high, higher than it…
I understand that this is a bipartisan bill that Senator Grassley, Republican of Iowa, Senator Baucus, a Democrat of Montana, have written to make sure that the millions of people who have been displaced will have basic health care. Is…
I will be glad to take 5 minutes and yield to my colleague 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
the USA PATRIOT Act greatly expanded the Government's authority to use national security letters, documents issued by FBI agents without judicial or grand jury approval that allow the Government to obtain sensitive information about…
May I inquire of the Chair, it is my understanding that the remaining 60 minutes in executive session on Judge Roberts is allocated to the minority? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
Until 6:45, if no other Senators are seeking recognition, may I speak in morning business? The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Could the Chair tell me when that 60-minute period begins? The PRESIDING OFFICER. It begins at 6:45 p.m.
this week, just days before the end of the fiscal year, we are going to consider the Defense appropriations bill. This is an important bill for America's national security. The chairman, ranking member, and their staffs worked long and…
today a report was released showing the median difference between the lowest Medicare discount card price and the best available price for the Veterans' Administration. The difference was 58 percent. Most people realize we are about to…
may I inquire, are we in a quorum call? The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are in morning business.
I will tell you, when we hear about the contracts that are being let for Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, it raises similar questions. Just last week, the head of procurement in the White House, Mr. Safavian, was arrested. He…
it is very clear from Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina that America is now learning how to be prepared for disasters. Many more positive things happened as a result of the threat of Hurricane Rita than happened just a few weeks before…
we have considered many important issues on Capitol Hill this week. Here on the floor of the Senate, two major appropriations bills have passed, and in the Judiciary Committee, on which I serve, we considered the historic nomination of…
I am pleased to offer with Senator Obama this amendment to the Veterans appropriation bill. Our amendment will inform America's most under-compensated disabled veterans about how they may have their claims reviewed. Americans have a…
yesterday morning I made a trip to meet with the head of the American Red Cross. ADM Marty Evans is an extraordinary person. She was born in Springfield, IL, and served in the U.S. Navy for 29 years. She rose to the rank of rear admiral…
I certainly understand the chairman's sentiments, but I ask the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee what the impact of this schedule will be on our hearing tomorrow.
with this colloquy, however, I feel confident we can work together to resolve this problem in a reasonable way and, as a consequence, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment No. 1760. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the…
I believe this has been cleared on the other side. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk on behalf of Senator Reid and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the pending amendments will be…
the Scientific Advisory Committee system at the Food and Drug Administration is meant to provide the Agency with unbiased, independent, professional advice on the safety and efficacy of drugs, devices, biologics, food, and veterinary…
I ask to be given 10 minutes from the Democratic morning business and that I be notified when I have consumed 9 minutes of the 10. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator will be notified. ____________________
last Friday, I joined 13 of my colleagues and went to view the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, LA, and Mississippi, It was a sight which I will never forget. This great bustling city of New Orleans is now a ghost town with…
on behalf of Senator Inouye, Senator Feinstein, and others, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: The Senator…
last week, we marked National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. Today, I rise to join Senators Johnson, Murkowski, Murray and Dodd as we introduce legislation to address the prevention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders…
Politicians like Dick Durbin
