Senator Dick Durbin's Legislative Agenda

In the aftermath of September 11, we must continue to protect, defend, and strengthen the United States in those areas where we may be vulnerable to terrorist attack. Now is the time to invest in our country to make it strong. That means a commitment to keep our local police and fire teams well-funded to meet today's needs. It means smart investments in health care and Social Security to keep our economy strong. And it means rethinking our national energy policy to take advantage of new technology and reduce our dependance on foreign oil.

I supported Congress'successful efforts last year to pass legislation to strengthen airport security and fight terrorism. I will continue to work to protect the people of Illinois and the nation from terrorist attacks, by improving the safety of our food supply, implementing the aviation security bill, protecting critical infrastructure and improving the integrity of drivers licenses as accurate identification.

We need to work to strengthen the economy and create jobs without jeopardizing our nation's long-term budget discipline by passing tax cuts that address the real needs of families as they struggle with college tuition, health insurance and child care. Transportation is a crucial component of local and national economic development, and I will continue to work to expand and make safer our Chicago-area aviation capacity and make other improvements to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

For 20 years, I've worked hard to advocate the state's views on national issues while lobbying for federal support for local initiatives. Through my position on the Appropriations Committee, I've helped to bring federal dollars back to Illinois to fund projects ranging from the Greater Rockford Airport to the Rock Island Arsenal. I take seriously my role in helping develop partnerships between local, state and federal governments and have worked to coordinate many jointly funded projects, including a new U.S. Coast Guard station to patrol Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline.

We also must not forget other important domestic priorities. I will continue to work for stronger public education to prepare students for 21st century jobs, higher quality Medicare with prescription drug coverage for seniors, expanded medical research, new programs to fight childhood asthma and other public health concerns, better environmental protections, a more rational energy policy that will put an end to today's wild swings in energy prices and markets and sound pension protections with rational oversight of corporate accounting.

SENATOR DICK DURBIN'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

NATIONAL DEFENSE:
Airport Security
Cuba Relations
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Homeland Security
Iraq Relations
Middle East Policy
War on Terrorism

ECONOMY:
Energy Policy
Federal Income Taxes
Internet Sales Tax
Minimum Wage
O'Hare Modernization
Trade
Transportation

DOMESTIC ISSUES:
Campaign Finance Reform
Death Penalty
Education
Farm Subsidies
Gay/Lesbian Rights
Gun Control
Health Care
HIV/AIDS
Labor
Patient's Bill of Rights
Right to Choose
Social Security
Stem Cell Research
Veterans
Welfare Reform
Women's Issues