Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce MOMMA Act To Reduce Maternal And Infant Mortality Rates
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the bicameral Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act. The legislation seeks to reduce America's rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially for moms and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy. On average, maternal mortality claims the lives of about 700 American moms each year-an additional 70,000 women suffer … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Priorities with Illinois Soybean Association Board
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual call with members of the Illinois Soybean Association Board to discuss her Illinois and legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Duckworth discussed the importance of biofuels, addressing climate change, and improving transportation, infrastructure and trade. "The strength of America's farmers is a reflection of our strength as a nation," Duckworth said. "I enjoyed meeting with the Illinois Soy Board today to … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Duckworth Joins Warren and Colleagues in Urging the Biden Administration to Establish an Office of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing within the Domestic Policy Council
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and five of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris supporting the establishment of an Office of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing (OSRHW) within the Domestic Policy Council at the White House that would develop, establish and coordinate a federal government effort to secure reproductive justice for all. "We are deeply … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Biden Administration’s New USPS Board Appointments, Reiterates Call for Accountability for All Board Members Who Permitted DeJoy’s Disastrous Decisions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it would appoint three new members to fill the vacancies on the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors: "I commend President Biden for selecting three qualified, independent individuals to serve on the USPS Board of Governors. This is a positive first step toward restoring some balance and integrity at the Board of Governors. Yet, in order to … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Duckworth, USMC Commandant Berger Discuss Combatting Sexual Assault & Rise of Extremism in Marines
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, virtually met yesterday with General David Berger, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), to discuss actions that can be taken to reinforce USMC values across the Corps, prevent sexual assault and combat the rise of white supremacy and other extremist ideologies among servicemembers. "General … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Duckworth Joins Markey, Senate Colleagues in Supporting President Biden’s Return to Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and of nine their colleagues in the reintroduction of the Iran Diplomacy Act. The legislation supports President Biden's diplomatic effort to return all sides to full-compliance with their commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Last week, the Biden administration formally … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Duckworth & Collins Re-introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Veterans’ Health Care Costs and Protect Their Access to Health Care During COVID19 Pandemic
Bill would eliminate copays and cost sharing for Veterans receiving qualifying COVID19 preventive services [WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce health care costs and ensure parity for Veterans impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. The No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act would make sure that Veterans who receive health care from the Veterans Health Administration … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Justice Department Decision to Retain U.S. Attorney John Lausch
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after it was reported that the Biden Justice Department will retain John Lausch as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois until his successor is confirmed. Duckworth and Durbin first voiced their desire to retain Mr. Lausch until his successor is confirmed in November 2020. On February 9, they wrote a letter to the President renewing this request. "We … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Thomas Vilsack as Agriculture Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to confirm Thomas Vilsack as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary. Vilsack was confirmed by a 92-7 vote to serve as USDA Secretary under President Biden. "Tom Vilsack's proven leadership and important experience in supporting America's farmers, investing in rural communities and championing food assistance will help him lead our Department of Agriculture once again. With the … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Illinois Native Merrick Garland at His Senate Confirmation Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this morning introduced Illinois native Merrick Garland at his U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary confirmation hearing to be the next Attorney General of the United States. In her introduction, Duckworth highlighted Garland's ties to Illinois and expressed why she has full confidence in Garland's capability to lead the Department of Justice and defend the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. Video of the Senator's speech … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Biden Administration’s Renewable Fuel Standard Decision Supporting Farmers and Rural Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it would drop the previous administration's opposition to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) small refinery provisions. The Biden Administration's decision supports farmers and rural communities by effectively ending Trump Administration efforts to undermine RFS provisions in a manner that helped big oil companies … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Duckworth Joins Van Hollen to Urge Biden Administration in Prioritizing ATF Leadership and Gun Violence Prevention
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 10 colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to quickly nominate a permanent Director to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) who is committed to increasing public safety and addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. In their letter to President Biden, the Senators highlighted a number of priorities that the new ATF Director must work to … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin and Kelly Request Independent Review of Southeast Side Metal Recycling Plant’s Health Risks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) are calling for a review of the health risks associated with emissions from the Reserve Marine Terminals and the South Shore Recycling facilities located on Chicago's Southeast Side. In a letter to Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Administrator Rochelle Walensky, the Members requested a health consultation to review and analyze particulate matter and … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Congressional Democrats to Introduce U.S. Citizenship Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] -- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38) to introduce the bicameral U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, President Biden’s bold, inclusive, and humane framework for the future of the United States immigration system. The legislation would provide millions of hardworking, undocumented immigrants with a … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Baldwin to Call on Biden Administration to Fully Fund Community Development Block Grant Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 13 colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to prioritize funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds local community development initiatives that support jobs, housing, infrastructure and public services for millions of Americans, in his upcoming budget proposal. In part, the Senators wrote: “The CDBG program, … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities and Power of Democracy at Northern Illinois University Fireside Chat
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Brinkmann for a virtual fireside chat as part of NIU's Rebuilding Democracy speaker series. During the event, Duckworth discussed her legislative priorities for the 117th Congress, including helping Illinoisans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing environmental injustice, supporting working families and helping Veterans, as well as how to … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nine Illinois Community Health Centers Included In Federal Vaccination Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that nine Illinois Community Health Centers (CHCs) will be eligible to directly receive vaccines through the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Federally Qualified Health Center Program for COVID-19 Vaccination. After Illinois CHCs missed out on the first phase of this program, Durbin and Duckworth wrote the Biden Administration urging that Illinois CHCs be prioritized immediately, in … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Upcoming Legislative Priorities with Chicago Executives’ Club
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the Executives' Club of Chicago for a virtual panel to discuss her legislative priorities for the upcoming year. In a virtual Q&A with representatives from Chicago Executives' Club and Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Duckworth discussed the need for more COVID relief funding for Chicagoland businesses, local governments throughout the state and working families, as well as the … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth Hosts Q&A; Session to Help Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Concerns with Healthcare Providers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable with Illinois healthcare organizations and providers to address and mitigate hesitancy among those eligible for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, especially among healthcare workers. Duckworth was joined by leaders from the Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois State Medical Society and the Chicago Department of Public Health to discuss how federal and local entities can better support each other in addressing … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution & Vaccine Hesitancy in Virtual Roundtable with Metro East Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual roundtable today with Metro East leaders to discuss the disproportionate public health impact of COVID-19 on Black and Brown communities and the need to mitigate vaccine hesitancy. The group also discussed how Illinois can continue to equitably distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the region, while also addressing medical racism, educational outreach and cultural sensitivities. "As we continue working to increase … Continue Reading
