Press Releases
Duckworth: Congress Should Do Its Job Before Leaving Town for the Holidays
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today announcing her opposition to Congress heading home for the holidays without addressing a number of vital priorities, including adequately funding the Children's Health Insurance Program and protecting Dreamers: "Enough is enough, this sort of governing-by-crisis that harms our national security and hurts Veterans has to stop. I didn't spend 23 years in the military, going through multiple deployments, … Continue Reading
December 20, 2017
From the Senate Floor, Duckworth Brings Attention to Human Rights Abuses in Libya and Calls for U.S. Support
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged her colleagues and the Trump Administration to acknowledge the horrible human rights abuses in Libya and provide international support. Duckworth reiterated the devastating conditions of the modern-day slave trade and called upon the U.S. to fully support the International Organization for Migration to help accelerate the closure of Libya's migrant detention facilities. Video of Duckworth's speech is available here. "Every … Continue Reading
December 20, 2017
Duckworth Calls for Investments in Infrastructure, Not Giveaways for Millionaires
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today at a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned several key officials from the transportation industry about the critical need to upgrade America's rapidly aging infrastructure systems. She also called into question President Trump and Congressional Republicans' push for a tax reform bill that provides wealthy Americans and large corporations with tax cuts at the expense of the middle class instead of … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Duckworth Statement on GOP Tax Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Ahead of a vote tonight on the Republican tax bill, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "I've long said we need to reform our tax system, but it can't just help mega-corporations and Donald Trump's friends and family-it needs to focus on the small businesses that drive our state's economy and hardworking families as well. This shoddy legislation does neither. It's an absolutely shameful display of Republicans' priorities that gives … Continue Reading
December 18, 2017
Duckworth, Hirono Announce Legislation to Ensure National Embarrassments Like Japanese American Internment Are Never Repeated
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the anniversary of the widely-condemned Korematsu Supreme Court decision that led to the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) intend to introduce the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2017 (S. 2250) to prevent similar civil and human rights travesties from happening on U.S. soil ever again. Their legislation is named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman Mark Takai … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Duckworth Concerned over VA Proposal to Reduce Assistance to Homeless Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), wrote to VA Secretary David Shulkin today expressing concern over a VA proposal to cut critical funding from programs that help reduce Veterans homelessness. While our country has made progress reducing Veteran homelessness by nearly 50% since 2009, last year Veteran homelessness increased for the first time since 2010. "There are close to 40,000 … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
After Hearing Concerns, Duckworth Conducts Oversight Visit at ICE Detention Center in Kankakee
[KANKAKEE, IL] - After hearing concerns from immigration stakeholders, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today conducted an oversight visit of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities at the Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee, Illinois. This visit is a direct result of numerous complaints that the facility is not in compliance with National Detention Standards (NDS), which ensures the humane treatment of detainees. In September, Duckworth wrote a letter to ICE … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
Duckworth, Harris, Senate Democrats Urge Appropriators to Ensure Immigration Detention Centers Meet National Standards
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) led a group of Senate Democrats in urging the House and Senate Appropriators to ensure that all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities meet the current national standards as a condition of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations. "Poor conditions and inhumane treatment of immigrants within ICE detention facilities continue to fuel tragic and unjust consequences," … Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
While Touring the University of Illinois RailTEC Program, Duckworth Underscores the Importance of Infrastructure Investments
[CHAMPAIGN, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured the University of Illinois RailTEC Program, which conducts research and trains some of our nation's next generation of leaders in railroad engineering. During the visit, Duckworth also discussed her efforts to support transportation infrastructure projects and create jobs across Illinois. A photo of the tour can be found here. "Improving our state's infrastructure is really just common sense, and it's one of my top priorities … Continue Reading
December 14, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Withdrawal of Trump Nominee Michael Dourson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today after reports surfaced that Dr. Michael Dourson, President Trump's nominee to lead the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, is withdrawing his nomination. Last night, the New York Times published 400 pages of emails revealing he was working on behalf of the chemical industry while being considered for the EPA position. Duckworth has been an outspoken critic of Dourson's … Continue Reading
December 13, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Military Transgender Ban Court Ruling
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a federal court ruling that will allow transgender recruits to enlist in the military beginning on January 1st, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released this statement: "Discrimination has no place in the greatest military on earth. If you are willing to risk your life for our country and can do the job, you should have the opportunity to serve-no matter your gender identity or sexual orientation. I know that our servicemembers, regardless of their … Continue Reading
December 06, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senator Al Franken
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement calling on Senator Al Franken to resign: "I am deeply disappointed by Senator Franken's behavior. He must step aside. To all those across America who have come forward to share their stories over the past few months: thank you. Your courage and strength in driving this long-overdue national conversation is awe-inspiring. As national leaders, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard-and we must lead by … Continue Reading
December 06, 2017
Duckworth & Durbin Urge Commerce Department to Complete Investigation on Foreign Steel’s Impact on National Security
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross urging the Commerce Department to quickly complete its investigation on how foreign-made steel imports impact national security. In the eight months since the Commerce Department launched its investigation, foreign steel imports have surged by 21%, causing further damage to America's steel industry, which has been devastated by unfair trade practices like illegal steel … Continue Reading
December 06, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $1 Million to Help Protect Safe Drinking Water for Rural Communities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a total of $1,194,000 in federal grants today to help make critical water infrastructure improvements in Pana and Erie, Illinois. This funding comes through the Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's office of Rural Development, that allocates funding for projects to help ensure clean and reliable drinking water systems in rural communities. … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Duckworth Statement on former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s Guilty Plea
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to President Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn's guilty plea to "willfully and knowingly" making "false, fictitious and fraudulent statements" to the FBI about conversations with Russia's ambassador: "Today's guilty plea by President Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn admitting he willfully and knowingly lied to the FBI is extremely troubling-and … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Duckworth: GOP Tax Scam Gives Tax Breaks to Donald Trump's Friends and Family and Force Working Americans to Pay the Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged her colleagues to oppose the Senate Republican Tax Plan that will cut taxes for the ultrawealthy and large corporations while forcing the middle class and our nation's small businesses to foot the bill. Duckworth reiterated the devastating effects this legislation would have on small businesses and shared examples of the disastrous impact the bill's elimination of deductions like the state and local tax (SALT) deduction would … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Duckworth Warns Trump Administration Against Covering Up Report Documenting Illegal Implementation of First Muslim Ban
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Trump Administration seemingly poised to cover up its illegal and chaotic implementation of the January Muslim Ban executive order, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called on the Administration to release U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General's full report on his investigation into ban's implementation. Her call for the report's release comes just days after the Senator met with DHS Inspector General John Roth to discuss his findings that … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate GOP Tax Bill Vote
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After voting against the GOP tax "plan" written in secret last night with virtually no debate or time for Senators to read the legislative text, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released this statement: "I've long said we need to pass tax reform, but reforms need to focus on helping our nation's small businesses and middle-class families, not Donald Trump's well-connected, ultra-wealthy friends and family. Working Americans and small businesses-not … Continue Reading
November 30, 2017
Duckworth Statement on RFS Biofuels Announcement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to the EPA's announcement on the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "I'm relieved to see the EPA finally taking steps to walk back their earlier efforts to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard, but this is a missed opportunity to further strengthen the RFS program and promote biofuels. The RFS supports thousands of jobs in Illinois … Continue Reading
November 29, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate GOP Tax Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a Senate vote to begin debate on Senate Republicans' tax legislation, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "I've long said we need to pass tax reform, but we need to do it a way that's focused on helping Illinois's small businesses and middle-class families, not just Donald Trump's ultra-wealthy friends and family. This 'plan' pays for permanent tax cuts for those who don't need them by sticking working families and … Continue Reading
