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Where Richard J. Durbin stands on Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone and Marine Life

Statements, legislative actions, and public records—shown with the sources behind them.

Richard J. Durbin

IL · U.S. Senate

Where they stand

In August 2024, Richard J. Durbin supported allocating a larger share of nationwide USDA conservation funding to Illinois and expanding participation in voluntary farm conservation programs to reduce runoff associated with the Gulf dead zone.

Position details

  • Pay farmers to voluntarily reduce Gulf dead-zone pollution

    Supports

    In August 2024, Richard J. Durbin supported expanding voluntary farmer conservation incentives, including programs for cover crops, conservation tillage, and improved fertilizer practices.

    This dated position does not establish support for enforceable nutrient limits or other policy approaches beyond voluntary conservation incentives.

    Source for this position

  • Expand efforts to shrink the Gulf dead zone

    Supports

    In August 2024, Richard J. Durbin supported allocating a substantially larger share of nationwide USDA conservation funding to Illinois and expanding conservation participation to reduce runoff connected to the Gulf dead zone.

    The evidence concerns Illinois’s share of nationwide conservation funding, not an increase in the nationwide funding total. This dated position does not by itself establish a current position or a broader stance on other Gulf dead-zone policies.

    Source for this position

How we reached this answer

This answer uses the specific statements and actions below. We consider what each bill or vote actually did; a bill number by itself is not treated as a position.

What they said

Full record

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Open the timeline for dated statements, speeches, votes, sponsorships, petition signatures, and source links.

Evidence timeline3 timeline entries3 statement sources6 verified passagesOpen

Newest records with confirmed dates appear first.

  1. What they’ve said· Official statement

    Official statement about a letter

    “We request that USDA double, even triple, the percentage of nationwide conservation funding allocated to Illinois.”
    “We also urge USDA to revise its program rules to better recognize the conditions specific to Illinois agriculture so that participation in these critical farm conservation programs can be rapidly expanded in our state.”
    View source (opens in a new tab)
  2. What they’ve said· Official statement

    Official statement about a letter

    “In addition, EPA must work with state authorities to set more restrictive standards for processing plants that discharge into sensitive waterways, like the Illinois River, by setting total maximum daily load limits and better enforcing standards by requiring penalties and reclamation when violations occur.”
    “EPA should revise its outdated 2004 discharge standards to set more stringent water pollution limits”
    “I urge EPA to use its full authority to protect public and environmental health by requiring meat-processing plantings, including the JBS plant in Beardstown, Illinois, to use every available method to reduce the pollution they emit in the rivers, lakes, and streams we use for recreation and drinking water.”

    Context only — this record does not establish the official’s broader position or motive.

    View source (opens in a new tab)
  3. What they’ve said· Press release

    Durbin statement on jbs pork processing plant pollution in beardstown

    “Tougher national standards on water pollution from meat-processing are long overdue and are necessary to protect the health of our waterways.”

    Context only — this record does not establish the official’s broader position or motive.

    View source (opens in a new tab)
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  • Verified social posts

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  • Letters

    Some records available · 4 records

    Signed letters found

  • Public statements, verified social and news · search completed · 6 verified

  • Votes, bills and petitions · search completed

  • Other public records · no public record found

Updated Aug 26, 2026
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