Press Releases
Defense Secretary Nominee Mark Esper Agrees with Tammy Duckworth: Existing AUMFs Do Not Give Donald Trump Authority to Start War with Iran
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Under questioning from combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate Armed Services Committee today, Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper agreed with Senator Duckworth that the existing Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs) do not give the Trump Administration the legal authority to start a war with Iran. With the Trump Administration recklessly escalating tensions with Iran, Duckworth repeatedly and vocally reiterated in recent … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Duckworth Meets with DOD Secretary Nominee Mark Esper
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper in her office on Capitol Hill. Duckworth and Esper discussed the national security threats facing our nation and the need for the Trump Administration to prioritize investments in logistics infrastructure - and she urged Esper to support congressional efforts to replace our outdated Authorizations for the Use of … Continue Reading
July 13, 2019
Duckworth Meets with Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson to Discuss Ongoing Issues in Alexander County
[CAIRO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson to discuss how the two can work together to help the families of Cairo. Duckworth also toured the demolition sites of the Elmwood and McBride housing complexes. Photos from today's meeting are available here. "The best way to move Cairo forward is through a coordinated effort between federal, state and local officials focused on finding every possible way to help," Duckworth said. "The hardworking people of … Continue Reading
July 13, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Roundtable on Impacts of Extreme Flooding with Southern Illinois Leaders
[ULLIN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable discussion with officials from Alexander, Union, Randolph and Jackson counties to discuss the extreme flooding impacting communities in the area. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Southern Five Regional Planning District Executive Director Tiffany George, McClure Mayor Cheryle Dillon, Prairie du Rocher Mayor Raymond Cole, East Cape Girardeau City Clerk Becky Glodo, Jackson County Sheriff … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Town Hall in Carbondale
[CARBONDALE, IL] - In partnership with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a town hall meeting today at Southern Illinois University to meet with constituents, answer questions and discuss her work serving Illinois families in the Senate. Photos from today's town hall are available here. "I understand that many people feel like leaders in Washington aren't listening to them, but I want them to know that I'm here and I'm listening," Duckworth … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Duckworth Tours Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute and Highlights Importance of Expanding Rural Healthcare Access
[CARTERVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today toured Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) System's Cancer Institute with SIH President and CEO Rex Buddle as well as other SIH leaders. Duckworth and the SIH leaders also discussed her legislative priorities, including expanding healthcare access in rural communities, during her visit. Photos from today's meeting and tour are available here. "Every Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, deserves the same access to quality health services," … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth Questions Nominee to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Over Trump Proposal to Deport Families of Servicemembers Deployed Oversees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today questioned General Mark A. Milley, Donald Trump's nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today over the Administration's proposal to end protections preventing family members of servicemembers currently deployed overseas from being deported. Duckworth and Milley also discussed how Milley plans for adjusting military exercises in the Indo-Pacific and … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Congratulating U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team on Historic Victory & Urging Equal Pay
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and other colleagues in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution congratulating the team for winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The resolution also highlights the Senate's solidarity with the team as they fight for equal pay. Duckworth also joined U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and 23 of her colleagues in inviting the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Young, Kildee Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families from Lead in Federally Assisted Housing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation to protect families living in assisted housing from lead found in drinking water. The Get the Lead out of Assisted Housing Act of 2019 would help protect families from lead exposure by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inspect for lead service lines, create a grant program to address … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Senate Democrats to Trump: Don’t Deport Military Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following reports that the Trump Administration is ending protections against the deportation of military families whose loved ones are deployed, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led 21 Senate Democrats in demanding the Trump Administration reverse course immediately. The Trump Administration is reportedly planning on ending the "Parole in Place" (PIP) program, which prevents immigrants who are spouses, parents and children of active-duty servicemembers and Veterans … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Need to Protect Veterans and Military Families from Trump Administration Deportation Policies
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke about the need to protect Veterans and military families from deportation by the Trump Administration at a panel discussion hosted by HillVets in the United States Capitol. Earlier this year, Duckworth reintroduced a package of legislation to prevent the deportation on Veterans who are not violent offenders, allow deported Veterans to return to America and access the VA benefits they earned, and make it … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Duckworth, Kildee Re-Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Families from Lead-Contaminated Water
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) today announced the re-introduction of the National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence (NO LEAD) Act to help ensure drinking water across our nation is safe from lead and copper contamination. The NO LEAD Act would update the Lead and Copper Rule, lowering the lead action level from 15 parts per billion (ppb) currently, to 10 ppb by 2020 and 5 ppb by 2026. The … Continue Reading
July 09, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce Over $11 Million for Chicago Rockford International Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $11,296,026 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding to help improve the Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. The funding will help Chicago Rockford International Airport rehabilitate runways and taxiways. "Investing in our airport infrastructure is vital to the strength of our state's transportation systems and our local … Continue Reading
July 03, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer & Bustos Call for GAO Review of “Move Over” Laws to Better Protect First Responders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17), today called on the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of our country's "Move Over" laws, which are designed to prevent motor accidents involving first responders stopped alongside busy roads. Three Illinois State Police troopers have been killed already after being struck by vehicles this year: Troopers Gerald … Continue Reading
July 01, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Immigrant & Refugee Rights Roundtable with Congressman García in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable with immigration rights advocates in Chicago to identify areas where additional federal support is needed. Duckworth was joined by U.S. Representative Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-4), Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino (IL-SD-2), Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy (IL-HD-14), Cook County Board Commissioner Alma Anaya and leaders from local organizations working to help immigrants and refugees. … Continue Reading
June 29, 2019
Duckworth Stresses Importance of Diversity in Leadership at National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women Conference in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in a fireside chat today at the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women's annual legislative conference and discussed the importance of diversity in government, legislation to help working families and last year's rule change in the United States Senate that allowed parents, like Duckworth, to bring children under age 1 onto the Senate floor. The fireside chat was moderated by Tennessee State … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill Expanding Access to Clean, Private Lactation Rooms in Federal Buildings
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act this week, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to help ensure new parents have access to clean and private lactation rooms when visiting federal buildings around the nation. The bill builds on the success of Duckworth's FAM Act, which was signed into law last year and ensures all large- and medium-sized airports … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce First Ever Bipartisan Senate Resolution to Honor the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing the first ever bipartisan U.S. Senate resolution to recognize and honor Stonewall's significance. Stonewall is an important moment in American history that helped spark the modern LGBTQ movement for equal rights … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Senate Passes Duckworth’s Defense Bill Provisions to Protect Servicemembers & Support Illinois Jobs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Purple Heart recipient and one of the first handful of Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, highlighted several key priorities she authored and successfully included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the U.S. Senate today. This year's NDAA, which also includes a well-deserved 3.1% pay raise for our troops, authorizes funding for the U.S. … Continue Reading
June 27, 2019
Ahead of 50th Anniversary of Stonewall Riots, Duckworth & Pappas Introduce Bill to Improve VA Services for LGBT Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced legislation today to support LGBT Veterans by amending the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) definition of "minority group member" to explicitly include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Veterans. The LGBT VA Advocacy Inclusion Act would authorize the VA's Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), an office in VA's Central Office, to include these Veterans in their mission. … Continue Reading
