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Durbin Statement On Failed Vote On The Emergency Supplemental To Provide Aid To Israel And Ukraine

2 years 9 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against President Biden’s national security supplemental funding request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises: “The scale and viciousness of the Hamas terrorist attack against the Israeli people are reprehensible, and today, along with my Democratic colleagues, I voted to support President Biden’s emergency aid request to help Israel defend itself and free any hostages. Violence against the innocent—both Israelis and Palestinians—is never the answer and we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of peace. “Likewise, more than 20 months after Putin began his brutal criminal invasion, Ukraine remains on the frontlines of democracy. It is imperative for the United States and the nations of the free world to provide the resources

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Belt Encourages Eligible Households To Apply For Utility Bill Assistance

2 years 9 months ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now open to all income-eligible households, and State Senator Christopher Belt is urging eligible families to apply to receive assistance with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. “Winter weather is now in full force, and all households deserve to stay warm and safe this year,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Assistance is now available for all income-eligible families across the state – so be sure to apply if your household qualifies.” LIHEAP provides one-time payments directly to energy service providers on behalf of recipients. While the amount of support varies based on the needs of individual families, last year over 311,000 households received LIHEAP, with an average of over $1,000 per household. All income-eligible households can now apply for assistance, and applications will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted. The energy bill assistance program

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Durbin Discusses Devastating Impacts Of House Republicans' Proposed Cuts To ATF Funding With Director Dettelbach

2 years 9 months ago
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Steve Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to discuss Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations and their impact on ATF’s overall mission and priorities, including implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) . “Director Dettelbach and the public servants at ATF are working tirelessly to help keep Americans safe, particularly by implementing our Bipartisan Safer Communities Act . We’ve already seen tremendous impact from implementation of this legislation, which has helped crack down on illegal firearms traffickers, catch violent criminals, recover untraceable ‘ghost guns,’ and enforce compliance with existing gun safety laws,” said Durbin. “My meeting with Director Dettelbach made it even more clear: Congress

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Duckworth Reaction To Senate Republicans Blocking President Biden's National Security Package To Keep America Safe, Strengthen Border Security

2 years 9 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block President Biden’s request to Congress for additional resources that would strengthen U.S. national security by investing in our domestic defense industry, countering China in the Indo-Pacific region, supporting Ukraine, helping innocent civilians in Gaza and countering Hamas, as well as bolstering security on our nation’s southern border: “Today, Senate Republicans once again showed the American people that they are more focused on politics than on strengthening our national security and supporting our allies and partners. I’m deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle refused to join us in passing President Biden’s national security and aid package to provide support to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific while helping

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Durbin, Graham Statement On First-Of-Its-Kind War Crimes Charges By DOJ Related To Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

2 years 9 months ago
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing first-of-its-kind war crimes charges against four Russian men in connection to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “Today’s announcement by the Justice Department is a welcome step. The four Russian military personnel charged allegedly interrogated, tortured, and threatened to kill an American civilian during the Ukraine war—even holding a mock execution. Those horrific actions cannot and will not go unanswered. “We applaud the Justice Department for using the important tools in the War Crimes Act to prosecute perpetrators of horrific atrocities in Ukraine. America must continue its multifaceted approach to holding Vladimir Putin accountable for his brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While today’s

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Durbin Issues Statement Following FDA, White House Delay In Implementation Of Menthol Cigarette Rule

2 years 9 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement expressing his frustration that the White House has announced the delay of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation to prohibit the production and retail sale of menthol cigarettes until spring 2024: “With each additional day that menthol cigarettes remain on the market, Big Tobacco profits off the addiction and suffering in America. For too long, communities of color have been aggressively targeted by Big Tobacco’s lies and deadly products. “Lives are at stake. I urge the Biden Administration, in keeping with its stated commitment to end cancer as we know it, to revisit this unacceptable delay and to do what is right for the health of Americans.” Earlier today, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on the FDA and Biden Administration to swiftly implement a proposed public health regulation to prohibit the production and sale o

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Compensation for St. Louis victims of nuclear waste stripped from federal defense bill

2 years 9 months ago

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said Thursday he would do everything he could to stop a federal defense spending bill after a provision offering compensation to Americans exposed to decades-old radioactive waste was removed.  Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the Missouri Republican called the decision to remove compensation for Americans who have suffered rare […]

The post Compensation for St. Louis victims of nuclear waste stripped from federal defense bill appeared first on Missouri Independent.

Allison Kite

Harris-Stowe education department faces crisis

2 years 9 months ago
In 1993, Harris-Stowe State College expanded beyond offering educational majors, which were its standard since the 19th Century, and was awarded status as a state university. The institution officially became Harris Stowe State University in 2005.
Sylvester Brown Jr. | The St. Louis American

Mazaj Will Bring Palestinian Food to City Foundry

2 years 9 months ago
There were no Palestinian restaurants in St. Louis when Amjed Abdeljabbar returned to the area at age 11. The Hazelwood native, who’d moved overseas as a child, is not talking about Middle Eastern food in general but about the specific spices and variations that are unique to Palestinian fare — and he missed it.
Jessica Rogen

Godfrey Mayor McCormick Provides Information About Door-To-Door Solicitors

2 years 9 months ago
GODFREY - Village of Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick provided information Thursday morning, Dec. 7, 2023, that the administration has received quite a few calls lately regarding door-to-door solicitors. These are some comments released by Mayor McCormick about the situation: "We take a serious approach to solicitation, requiring individuals to apply for a solicitation permit," he said. "We also require that they pay $50 for the permit and an additional $10 cash deposit for a photo I.D. badge provided by the Village, and also go through a vetting process with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Solicitation is allowed in Godfrey between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m." He continued: "If you have a solicitor at your door, do yourself and your neighbors a favor by first asking if they have a permit, and then asking to see their photo I.D. badge. If they’re unable to provide this information, or if they’re overly aggressive, or if they solicit during non-authorized

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