Press Releases
Crapo-Brown-Duckworth TRIP Act Passes Senate Unanimously
Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) lauded passage of the Transit Rail Inspection Practices Act, or "TRIP" Act, their bipartisan bill that ensures State safety programs are providing sufficient oversight of rail transit systems through inspections. Introduced in June, the legislation stems from the Committee's ongoing oversight work and recommendations from a Government Accountability … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Judge Brett Kavanaugh
In response to the latest allegation of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The behavior Judge Kavanaugh is accused of is absolutely horrifying. There must be an immediate FBI investigation into his conduct followed by a Senate hearing in which relevant witnesses like Mark Judge are asked to testify and subpoenaed if necessary. Julie Swetnick has submitted this testimony under penalty of perjury. She and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Accept Letter Signed By More Than 1,400 Women & Men Who Attended D.C.-Area Schools in Support of Dr. Blasey Ford
One day before Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accepted a letter signed by over 1,400 women and men who attended school in the greater Northwest D.C. / Maryland area - including Dr. Blasey Ford's and Judge Kavanaugh's alma maters - to show support for and solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. "Courage. That's the word that comes … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Duckworth, Young, Kildee 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 Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) today 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 2018 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 lead … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin & Foster Ask EPA & Sterigenics to Test Air Quality in Willowbrook for Cancer-Causing Chemicals
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to Willowbrook-based Sterigenics asking them both to immediately conduct testing for local air quality for emissions of ethylene oxide, which has been found to cause cancer and is classified by the EPA as a known carcinogen. Sterigenics uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical products and equipment. The Members of … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $100 Million to Improve Chicago’s Red and Purple Lines
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $100 million in continued federal funding to make safety and accessibility upgrades on the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) red and purple lines. The CTA's Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program will receive the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Core Capacity Program, which is part of the Capital Investment Grants Program (CIG). The CIG provides roughly $2.3 billion each … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $6 Million to Modernize Bloomington-Normal’s Bus Fleet
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Bloomington-Normal will receive $6,000,000 in federal funding to purchase electric battery powered buses. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. "Hardworking Illinoisans all across our state rely on our transit systems to commute to work, get to school and so much more," Duckworth said. "I'm … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $4.5 Million to Modernize Decatur’s Bus Fleet
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Decatur will receive $4,662,000 in federal funding to help the Decatur Public Transit System (DPTS) replace 18 aging buses and improve its current level of service. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. "Hardworking Illinoisans all across our state rely on our transit systems to commute to work, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2018
On One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Duckworth Urges Trump to Recognize Official Death Toll and Improve Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico
On One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Duckworth Urges Trump to Recognize Official Death Toll and Improve Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico [WASHINGTON, DC] - On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Maria's landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) denounced Donald Trump's recent statements denying the number of American citizens that were killed as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Duckworth joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
Duckworth, Casey, Hassan, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Strengthen the ADA & Help Small Businesses Become Accessible
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation today with the Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee Bob Casey (D-PA), U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to make it easier for small businesses to become accessible for people with disabilities and help those businesses comply with the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act bolsters the existing Disabled Access Credit … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Address Opioid Crisis
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation last night to address the opioid crisis, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement. The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 takes important steps to combat the opioid epidemic by establishing comprehensive opioid recovery centers, investing in community-based prevention efforts and giving law enforcement stronger tools to help confiscate illegal substances, such as fentanyl, that are being … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce over $40,000 for Rural Development in Stephenson County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $40,019 in federal funding today to help increase energy efficiency in Stephenson County. This funding comes from the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), which is within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) office of Rural Development. "Investments like these help communities in Stephenson County to reduce energy costs through advancements in renewable energy and energy efficiency," said … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
Senate Passes Bipartisan Duckworth-Hirono Bill to Honor Chinese-American WWII Veterans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation this week introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) to recognize the tremendous contributions made by more than 13,000 Chinese-American World War II Veterans. The Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act will authorize Congress to award the highest civilian honor - a Congressional Gold Medal - to these dedicated Veterans, including the approximately 50 … Continue Reading
September 13, 2018
Durbin & Duckworth: Appropriations Bill Provides Critical Funding for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced Illinois priorities included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Energy & Water; Military Construction & Veterans Affairs; and Legislative Branch Appropriations Bills. The legislation passed the Senate yesterday and will now head to the House of Representatives for final passage. "This bill supports Illinois is a variety of ways, like … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Duckworth & Cohen Introduce Legislation to Improve School Bus Safety As Students Go Back to School
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As students across Illinois return to school for the beginning of the new school year, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced the School Bus Safety Act to help keep students safe as they travel to and from school while also helping prevent accidents involving school buses. Their legislation would implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Duckworth Meets With Southeast Chicago Residents to Discuss Toxic Pollution Threatening Their Community
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined members of Chicago's Southeast Environmental Taskforce and a dozen neighborhood residents for a group discussion yesterday about the health and safety impacts of toxic pollution from industrial sites on the southeast side of Chicago. Members of the community then accompanied Duckworth on a tour of some of the area's contaminated and polluted industrial sites. The visit helped Duckworth gather information as she explores possible … Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
Duckworth Discusses Rail Safety Improvements at Metra Railcar Shop in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured Metra's 47th Street Railcar Shop today with Metra CEO Jim Derwinski and other Metra officials where federal Positive Train Control (PTC) funds are being utilized to upgrade trains and make them safer for commuters and workers. PTC utilizes enhanced communications technologies to help eliminate preventable rail accidents, such as over-speed derailments, train-to-train collisions and work zone intrusions. Metra is working to meet the … Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
On Anniversary of September 11th Attacks, Duckworth Volunteers at Jesse Brown VA Food Pantry and Announces Legislation to Expand National Service Opportunities
[CHICAGO, IL] - On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today participated in a day of service by volunteering at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center Food Pantry, where she packed groceries to distribute to Veterans in need. Duckworth also met with AmeriCorps members to discuss the importance of community service. During the roundtable, the Senator announced her plans to reintroduce the 21st Century American Service Act in the … Continue Reading
September 07, 2018
Duckworth & Durbin Request Federal Investigation into Rudy Giuliani’s Ongoing Work for Foreign Entities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), asked the Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Security Division to immediately review whether President Trump's personal attorney, Rudolph Giuliani, is violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by failing to register the political and public relations … Continue Reading
September 06, 2018
Tammy Duckworth: Confirming Judge Kavanaugh Would Threaten Reproductive Rights & Access to Health Care for Women
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined women from across the country to highlight how much is at stake for women's health with the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Speaking at the U.S. Capitol, Duckworth explained how overturning Roe v. Wade could prevent women like her from having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and how women of color with pre-existing … Continue Reading
