Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Introduce New Bill To Protect Roadside First Responders
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), and along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today introduced new legislation designed to reduce first responder roadside deaths. The bill would establish a new national safety priority within an existing federal grant program to increase public awareness of "Move Over" laws and encourage implementation of life-saving vehicle technology. "The troubling pattern of first responder roadside deaths … Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Senators Duckworth and Gillibrand Call For Repeal of 2002 AUMF
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), sent a letter to SASC Chairman James M. Inhofe (R-OK) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) calling for a repeal of the outdated 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). The 2002 AUMF authorized U.S. military operations against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and in the years since, expansive interpretations have been used to … Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $39 Million to Support Illinois Housing and Community Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today $39,228,631 in federal funding to Illinois communities through programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding was allocated through HUD's Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) programs, which help state and local governments expand economic opportunities and provide suitable … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Duckworth Advocates for Increased Federal Inland Waterways Cost Share to Help Expand the Quad Cities Economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the need to improve federal cost-sharing for major inland waterways projects with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ryan Fisher at a U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) hearing today focused on improving American economic competitiveness through water infrastructure. Increasing the federal cost-share for inland projects, which currently receive a smaller portion of federal … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Duckworth, Isakson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fix Immigration Policy for Children of U.S. Servicemembers and Civil Servants
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today introduced the Citizenship for Children of Military Members & Civil Servants Act, bipartisan legislation that would fix a problem in current law that disadvantages certain children whose parents are serving our nation abroad in uniform or in the civil service. The bipartisan bill would modernize Section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to cut burdensome red tape that harms those willing … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Duckworth Votes to Eliminate the Trump Administration’s Burdensome Regulations that Double-Tax Middle Class Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after voting to eliminate the Trump Administration's burdensome regulations that force Illinoisans and Americans across the country to be double-taxed on their state and local taxes, even if states have enacted laws to prevent it. "One of the primary reasons I voted against the Republican tax law was that it harmed middle class families in Illinois by weakening the state and local tax deduction that … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Duckworth, Peters Re-Introduce Good Government Legislation to Require Public Disclosure of Trump Administration’s Travel Spending
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Gary Peters (D-MI) re-introduced legislation today to help ensure the Trump Administration-and any future administration-spends taxpayer dollars more responsibly. The Federal Travel Transparency Act would increase transparency and oversight by making the air travel activities of cabinet secretaries and agency leaders available to the public online and requiring that the data be in an open, easily accessible format. Peters serves as … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Commander
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Commander Colonel Steven M. Sattinger to discuss the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP), a long-term ecological restoration and navigation program for the Upper Mississippi River System, as well as the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project as priorities for the upcoming Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Reauthorization that will be considered by the … Continue Reading
October 18, 2019
Duckworth Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Impose Strong Sanctions on Turkey
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following Turkey's invasion of northern Syria, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in introducing the Countering Turkish Aggression Act. The legislation would immediately impose serious sanctions against Turkey, senior Turkish officials, including President Erdogan, key Turkish banks, military transactions and their energy sector activities. "In the days since President Trump's reckless decision to … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Duckworth, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers Improvement Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Improvement Act, which ensures small airports support nursing moms and promote breastfeeding-friendly environments by providing accessible, clean and convenient lactation rooms for travelers. The bill builds on Duckworth's success in enacting legislation that ensures all large and medium airports provide a clean, private space where moms can … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings: "Elijah Cummings loved his community and his country so much that he devoted his life to public service, championing justice, unity, accountability and, most importantly, human decency. When I was first elected, I was honored with the opportunity to work with him on the House Oversight Committee, where I witnessed firsthand what a generous and … Continue Reading
October 15, 2019
Duckworth, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Drinking Water Infrastructure in Distressed Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help improve the quality of drinking water for millions of Americans living in distressed communities. The bipartisan Voluntary Water Partnerships for Distressed Communities Act would make it easier for community water systems to engage in voluntary partnerships that drive efficiency and improve water treatment and infrastructure. “Every American has a right to drink … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Duckworth Tours Illinois Fire Service Institute, Highlighting Support for First-Responders
[CHAMPAIGN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), touring its facility and meeting with IFSI leadership. During her visit, Duckworth met with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones, IFSI Director Royal Mortenson and IFSI Deputy Director Jim Keiken, to discuss the work IFSI does training more than 60,000 to-be first-responders per year across Illinois. Photos from today's tour are available here. "Firefighters … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Duckworth Tours University of Illinois Chez Veterans Center, Highlights Veterans Legislation
[URBANA, IL] - Combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today toured the University of Illinois's Chez Veterans Center, which provides support services for military-connected students. Duckworth met with College for Applied Health Services Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell and Chez Veterans Center Interim Director and College of Applied Health Science Associate Dean Reggie Alston, as well as other Chez Center officials and students. Photos from today's event are available here. "Having a … Continue Reading
October 08, 2019
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Recovery Products
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Second Act Boutique, a provider of breast cancer recovery products such as breast prostheses, wigs, hats and more. While there, Duckworth highlighted her Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act, which would help ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. Photos from today's event are available here. "Cancer doesn't discriminate based on … Continue Reading
October 08, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Maternal Mortality Rate at Panel with March of Dimes, Medela
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a panel today on rising maternal and infant mortality rates with Medela and March of Dimes. Earlier this year, Duckworth introduced the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) to help reduce America's rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially among mothers and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die … Continue Reading
October 07, 2019
Duckworth Responds to Trump Decision to Abandon U.S. Allies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, thus abandoning allies in the region: “The Syrian Kurds have fought shoulder to shoulder with our troops to defeat ISIS and with one tweet, Donald Trump has abandoned them. Once again, he’s operating as a one-man show, making huge policy changes on a whim and ignoring the advice of … Continue Reading
October 04, 2019
Duckworth Congratulates U.S. Army Combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., on Becoming a Citizen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today to congratulate combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., on becoming a citizen of the United States. Senator Duckworth met with Perez in her DC office last week. "I am so proud to finally be able to call Miguel Perez a fellow American. He sacrificed for our nation by serving overseas and, while this is long overdue, I'm glad Miguel can now breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate becoming a citizen of the … Continue Reading
October 03, 2019
Duckworth Attends Inaugural Run of Metra Trains at New Fox River Bridge After Helping Secure Project’s Federal Funding
[ELGIN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Metra officials for the inaugural run of trains over the new Z-100 Fox River Bridge in Elgin, Illinois. Duckworth has been a long-time supporter of the project, helping Metra secure $14 million in federal funding through the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program, now BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant program, for the new double-track bridge that will eliminate … Continue Reading
October 03, 2019
Duckworth Convenes Senate Field Hearing in Chicago on the Barriers Minority Entrepreneurs Face Entering the Tech Industry
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) convened a U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Field Hearing in Chicago today to highlight the barriers faced by small business owners of color and women entrepreneurs. Duckworth highlighted issues such as access to capital, lack of culturally-competent leaders and disparities in venture funding with two panels, as well as policy solutions to help eliminate these barriers. Photos from today's hearing are available … Continue Reading
