Fellow Illinoisan,

Last night, I had the privilege of joining my good friend and colleague, Senator Tammy Duckworth, for a Facebook Live Q&A on COVID-19 and our priorities for the next federal relief package.

In case you were unable to join us live on Facebook, you can watch the full Q&A here:

FACEBOOK LIVE Q&A WITH SENATORS DURBIN AND DUCKWORTH

As you are reading this, the Senate is in the midst of negotiations on what the next round of federal coronavirus relief legislation will look like.  Sadly, some of the most important federal benefits included in the bipartisan CARES Act are set to expire this month -- including the enhanced unemployment benefits that have helped so many Americans get through the difficult last few months.

Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to make sure our state -- and the nation -- have everything we need to combat the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.  But we need our Republican colleagues to join us.  It has been nine weeks since the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act.  But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to bring it to the Senate floor for debate or a vote. 

I hope our Republican colleagues will join us in understanding the importance of working quickly to provide relief to the American people.  We can hardly afford to wait any longer.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)