Veterans
As an Iraq War combat Veteran who went on to serve at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and who still receives her medical care there, Senator Duckworth understands the unique needs our Veterans face. She believes in the VA’s integrated system of care and remains committed to improving it for Veterans in Illinois and across the country. She also knows our country has an obligation to support our Veterans by making sure they have timely access to the health, retirement, disability and educational benefits they earned through their service and sacrifice.
After serving 23 years in the Reserve Forces, Senator Duckworth remains committed to the brave men and women who serve our nation from the moment they put on the uniform to long after they transition into civilian life. As our military and Veteran population grows and changes, she is committed to updating and refining policies to meet the needs of current and future Veterans and their families.
Latest
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September 27, 2023
Duckworth Urges Veterans to Apply for New PACT Act Benefits Before VA Open Enrollment Deadline
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September 20, 2023
Duckworth Awarded For Commitment to Advocating For Military Families
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September 15, 2023
Duckworth, Murray, Larsen, Jacobs Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Fertility Treatments, Help Veterans Start Families
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September 09, 2023
Duckworth Discusses Her Life as a Helicopter Pilot and Senator with Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy
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April 20, 2023
Duckworth Hosts First Veteran-Owned Small Business Surplus Summit
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April 19, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Leader Schumer, Colleagues in Opposing Republican Attempt to Take Away Reproductive Freedom From Our Veterans
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April 19, 2023
Duckworth Discusses TRANSCOM Priorities, Scott Air Force Base with General Van Ovost
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March 30, 2023
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Help Invest in Tech Talent in Our Armed Forces
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March 29, 2023
Duckworth Applauds Senate Repeal of Decades-Old Authorizations for the Use of Military Force That Would Formally End Gulf and Iraq Wars if Signed Into Law
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March 28, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Shaheen, Senate Colleagues in Letter to Pentagon Underscoring National Security Imperative to Provide Abortion Leave for Servicemembers
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March 22, 2023
Duckworth Secures Support from Military Leadership for Her Efforts to Expand and Bolster DoD Recruitment, Addresses Additional Recruiting Challenges Facing Military
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March 18, 2023
Duckworth Meets with Scott Air Force Base Leadership
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March 10, 2023
Duckworth Joins Budd, Kelly, Tillis to Introduce Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act
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March 09, 2023
Duckworth Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2028 Service Academy Nominations
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March 08, 2023
Ahead of the 20th Anniversary of Iraq War, Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Committee Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, Formally Ending Gulf and Iraq Wars
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March 08, 2023
Duckworth Discusses How We Can Better Support Our Servicemembers During Fireside Chat at the Association of Defense Communities National Summit
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March 07, 2023
Duckworth, Cassidy Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Charitable Deduction Rules for Veteran Service Organizations
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February 28, 2023
Tammy Duckworth Moves (Again) to Prevent a Repeat of Racist World War II-Era Imprisonment
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February 16, 2023
Duckworth, Murkowski Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Military Hunger
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January 24, 2023
Duckworth Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Small Business Education Training for Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Spouses
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November 16, 2022
Duckworth, Houlahan, Speier Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging DoD to Follow Congressional Intent and Provide Equal Access to Parental Leave
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November 11, 2022
Duckworth: Veterans Deserve More Than Just an Ovation on Veterans Day
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September 28, 2022
Duckworth, Murray, Blumenthal, Hirono, Escobar Rally with Servicemembers and Veterans to Defend Their Access to Reproductive Care as Republicans Continue Attacks
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August 02, 2022
After Republicans Delayed Efforts to Get Life-Saving Care to Veterans, Duckworth Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Expand Healthcare for Toxic-Exposed Veterans
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July 08, 2022
Duckworth Applauds Biden Administration’s Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities
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July 07, 2022
Following a Duckworth Request, President Biden Honors Trailblazing Brigadier General Vaught with Medal of Freedom
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July 05, 2022
Duckworth Joins Hirono and Colleagues to Urge DoD to Support and Protect Female Servicemembers Seeking Abortion Services
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July 01, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bipartisan Effort led by Casey to Demand Answers from Department of Justice on Lack of Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities
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May 28, 2022
Duckworth Pays Tribute to Fallen Servicemembers at Chicago Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony
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April 27, 2022
Duckworth Secures Support from Coast Guard Commandant Nominee for Her Efforts to Prevent Military Hunger
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March 25, 2022
Duckworth Urges Swift Consideration of Her Bipartisan Bill Honoring Women on the Home Front During WWII
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March 10, 2022
Duckworth Meets with the Illinois Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and Emphasizes Her Commitment to our Nation’s Heroes
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March 01, 2022
Duckworth Meets with the Illinois Chapter of Disabled American Veterans and Emphasizes her Commitment to our Nation’s Heroes
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February 11, 2022
Duckworth Highlights How Her Bipartisan Law is Helping Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Grow & Create Jobs in Visit to Federal Surplus Property Warehouse
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December 13, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Urge VA Medical Centers in Illinois to Adhere to COVID-19 Protocols Following Outbreak at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
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November 30, 2021
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act Signed Into Law
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November 19, 2021
As Senate Debates National Defense Authorization Act, Duckworth Outlines Her Proposals to Support Military Families, Scott Air Base and Military Readiness in St. Clair County
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November 17, 2021
Duckworth, Wyden Re-Introduce Bill to Help Deported Veterans Gain Citizenship
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October 08, 2021
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act Passes Senate
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September 29, 2021
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Supporting Veterans’ Mental Health During Operation Enduring Service Panel Discussion
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September 21, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Working Families Policy, Path to Politics at Chicago Humanities Festival
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September 17, 2021
In Quad Cities, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Welcoming Afghan Allies and Partners Who Assisted US Mission
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September 16, 2021
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Commander
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August 12, 2021
Senator looks to battle military hunger
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July 13, 2021
Duckworth, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Voting Access for Military Voters
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July 03, 2021
Duckworth Honors Peoria Veterans at War Memorial Dedication Ceremony
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July 02, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Biden Admin’s New Initiative to Support Noncitizen Servicemembers & Veterans
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June 25, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Support for Servicemembers with Air Force Sergeants Association
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June 24, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Comprehensive Bill Package to Help Protect Servicemembers and Veterans from Deportation
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June 24, 2021
Tammy Duckworth Calls On Congress To Better Protect Immigrant Veterans
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June 24, 2021
A Senator Seeks To Reverse Trump-Era Policies For Deported Military Veterans
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June 23, 2021
Duckworth Testifies at Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Hearing on Deported Veterans
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June 23, 2021
Duckworth Chairs SASC Airland Subcommittee Hearing on Air Force Modernization
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June 22, 2021
DoD should reinstate programs granting citizenship through service, Army veteran senator says
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June 17, 2021
Duckworth Announces Class of 2025 Service Academy Appointments
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June 17, 2021
At SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitments from General Brown on Air Force Logistics and Capacity Issues
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May 20, 2021
During SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitment from DoD Official to Pursue Safe Return of Illinoisan Kidnapped in Afghanistan
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May 20, 2021
Duckworth, Collins, Underwood Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Preventive Healthcare More Affordable for Veterans
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May 12, 2021
Bill Would Expand Paid Parental Leave for All New Military Parents
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May 11, 2021
Duckworth, Speier Introduce Legislation to Support Military Families by Enhancing Military Childcare Services and Expanding Parental Leave for Servicemembers
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May 11, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Nominee to be Secretary of the Army
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May 07, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Discuss COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccination Measures with IDVA
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April 29, 2021
Duckworth, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Military Families Struggling with Hunger
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April 29, 2021
Duckworth, Murray Introduce Bill to Help Wounded Veterans Start a Family
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April 16, 2021
Duckworth, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Reserve Servicemembers and Small Businesses
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April 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $2.9 Million for Illinois Veterans’ Homes to Protect Against COVID-19
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March 25, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $5.5 Million for Illinois Veterans’ Homes to Protect Against COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases
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March 18, 2021
Duckworth, Cornyn Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Servicemembers Time to Grieve Deceased Children
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March 17, 2021
Duckworth, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Maternal Mortality Crisis Among Women Veterans
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March 11, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Service Opportunities for Military Families during SASC Hearing
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March 10, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Protecting Veterans from Deportation at USC Gould School of Law Symposium
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March 02, 2021
Duckworth Presses Former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Combatting Extremism, Misinformation in Military Ranks
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February 24, 2021
Duckworth, USMC Commandant Berger Discuss Combatting Sexual Assault & Rise of Extremism in Marines
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February 18, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities and Power of Democracy at Northern Illinois University Fireside Chat
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February 16, 2021
Duckworth to Chair U.S. Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee
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February 08, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Denis McDonough as Veterans Affairs Secretary
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January 28, 2021
Duckworth, Underwood, Brownley, Zeldin, Fitzpatrick Announce Introduction the No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act
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January 26, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Veterans Affairs Secretary Nominee Denis McDonough
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January 20, 2021
Duckworth Asks President Biden to Prohibit Deportation of Veterans and Strengthen Naturalization Process for Servicemembers
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January 12, 2021
Duckworth Praises Gen. Austin While Highlighting Importance of Civilian Leadership of our Military
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November 11, 2020
Duckworth Commemorates Veterans Day at Ribbon Cutting of New Chicago Veterans Home She Helped Secure Funding For
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September 29, 2020
Duckworth Speaks To Illinois VFW On Its 121st Anniversary
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March 12, 2020
Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Establish Memorial Commemorating Efforts of Women on the Home Front During WWII
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March 04, 2020
Duckworth Meets with VFW Members to Discuss Veterans Issues
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February 26, 2020
Duckworth Joins Colleagues to Call for Investigation into VA’s Handling of Sexual Assault Report at DC VA Medical Center
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February 25, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Meet with Illinois Director of Veterans Affairs
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February 18, 2020
Duckworth to DHS: Allow Deported Veterans to Attend Citizenship Interviews
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February 13, 2020
Duckworth Introduces Legislation to Help Deported Veterans Gain Citizenship
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February 13, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Slam Trump Administration for Stonewalling Veterans Suffering from Agent Orange
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February 11, 2020
In Hearing, Duckworth Pushes to Reassert Congressional Role in Matters of War and Peace in Afghanistan
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December 10, 2019
Duckworth, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Support Small Businesses Owned by Spouses of Deceased Veterans
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November 22, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Chicago Roundtable on Deported Veterans and Supporting Immigrant Military Families
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November 19, 2019
Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Train Veterans for Careers in Innovative Sectors of the American Energy Industry
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November 14, 2019
Republicans Block Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Help Veterans Afford Health Care
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November 12, 2019
15 Years After Being Shot Down, Duckworth Reflects On the Sacrifices our Troops Make and the True Meaning of National Strength
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November 11, 2019
Duckworth Spends Veterans Day with Deported Veterans in Mexico
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November 11, 2019
On Veterans Day, Duckworth Visits Deported Veterans in Tijuana
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November 07, 2019
With Veterans Day Approaching, Duckworth Introduces Suite of Bills to Improve VA Services
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November 06, 2019
Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Military Families from Deportation
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October 23, 2019
Duckworth, Isakson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fix Immigration Policy for Children of U.S. Servicemembers and Civil Servants
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October 22, 2019
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District Commander
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October 09, 2019
Duckworth Tours University of Illinois Chez Veterans Center, Highlights Veterans Legislation
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September 27, 2019
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Combat Veteran that Donald Trump Cruelly Deported
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September 25, 2019
Duckworth Receives the 2019 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America
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July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Senate Democrats to Trump: Don’t Deport Military Families
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July 10, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Need to Protect Veterans and Military Families from Trump Administration Deportation Policies
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June 27, 2019
Ahead of 50th Anniversary of Stonewall Riots, Duckworth & Pappas Introduce Bill to Improve VA Services for LGBT Veterans
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June 20, 2019
Duckworth, Senate Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Prevent Police-Involved Deaths & Provide Justice to Families
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June 20, 2019
Duckworth, Young Introduce Bill to Provide TSA PreCheck to Disabled Veterans
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June 14, 2019
Duckworth Honors Veterans at VFW Department of Illinois 98th State Convention in Springfield
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May 23, 2019
Duckworth in NDAA Negotiations: Congress Should Prevent Administration from Weakening Military Readiness by Diverting Critical Funds for Unnecessary Border Wall
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May 23, 2019
Duckworth Provisions to Protect Servicemembers & Support Illinois Jobs Included in Committee-Passed 2020 Defense Bill
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May 22, 2019
Duckworth & Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Preventive Healthcare More Affordable for Veterans
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May 13, 2019
Senators Introduce Creig Sharp Funeral Honors for Veterans Act
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April 04, 2019
Duckworth Legislation Would Help Deported Veterans Return To The U.S.
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April 04, 2019
One Year After Trump Administration Deported Illinois Veteran, Duckworth Re-introduces Comprehensive Bill Package to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Unfair Treatment
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April 04, 2019
Duckworth Announces Legislation to Help Small Businesses Get Financing They Need to Succeed
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March 28, 2019
Duckworth Urges VA Office of Inspector General To Investigate Irregularities in VA MISSION Act Public Comment Submission Process
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March 26, 2019
Duckworth, Graham, Bennet, Gardner Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Train Veterans for Careers in Innovative Sectors of the American Energy Industry
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March 15, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Military Readiness and Logistics on the Korean Peninsula
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March 13, 2019
In Major Address Ahead of 16th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion, Duckworth Puts Forth New National Security Platform
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March 08, 2019
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Eliminate the Military “Widow’s Tax”
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March 06, 2019
Duckworth, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Level Playing Field for Women & Veteran Small Business Owners in Small Business Contracting
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February 25, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Death of Colonel Jill Morgenthaler
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February 22, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Public Service and Global Conflict at University of Chicago Institute of Politics Event
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February 19, 2019
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve VA Care for Women Veterans
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February 13, 2019
Duckworth Advocates for Veteran Small Business Owners for Access to Federal Surplus Equipment
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February 08, 2019
Need supplies for your new business? This new law can help
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February 08, 2019
Duckworth Joins Tester, Murkowski & Pingree in Re-Introducing Legislation to Support Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
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February 07, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Request VA, CDC & EPA Assistance in Investigating Potential Legionella-Linked Death at Manteno Illinois Veterans Home
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February 04, 2019
In New Report, Duckworth Highlights Her Work for People of Illinois During Her First Congress as Senator
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February 01, 2019
This new law gives vet small business owners surplus federal equipment -- for free
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January 22, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Supreme Court Order on Military Transgender Ban
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January 21, 2019
Duckworth Honors Dr. King’s Legacy of Service by Volunteering at Rockford Rescue Mission
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December 20, 2018
Houses Passes Bipartisan Duckworth-Kennedy-Durbin Legislation to Help Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Succeed
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December 20, 2018
Duckworth Pens Op-Ed For the Washington Post: I’m a Combat Veteran. We Cannot Allow Our Country to Be Turned into a War Zone
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December 19, 2018
Duckworth Urges Senate to Finally Give “Blue Water” Vietnam Veterans the Health Care They’ve Earned
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December 19, 2018
Sen. Duckworth Urges Senate to Give "Blue Water" Vietnam Veterans the Health Care They've Earned
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December 13, 2018
Bipartisan Duckworth-Hirono-Royce-Lieu Bill to Honor Chinese American WWII Veterans Passes House, Heads to President’s Desk
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December 06, 2018
Duckworth Urges VA to Fully Repay Every Veteran Impacted By GI Benefits Backlog, Ensure They Do Not Suffer Lasting Financial Harm As A Result of VA’s Failures
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December 06, 2018
Duckworth Urges VA to Fully Repay Every Veteran Impacted by GI Benefits Backlog, Ensure They Do Not Suffer Lasting Financial Harm As A Result of VA’s Failures
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December 06, 2018
Senate Passes Bipartisan Duckworth-Kennedy-Durbin Legislation to Strengthen Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
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November 29, 2018
Sen Energy & Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Duckworth Bills
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November 28, 2018
Duckworth, Inhofe, Reed, Rounds, Heller and Peters Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation to Commemorate End of WWII
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November 27, 2018
Duckworth & Hassan: VA Inspector General Must Investigate Potential Legal & Ethics Violations at Trump’s VA
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November 16, 2018
Sen. Duckworth on Anderson Cooper 360
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November 15, 2018
Sen. Duckworth joins All in With Chris Hayes
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November 11, 2018
Duckworth Honors Our Nation’s Veterans at City of Chicago Veterans Day Ceremony
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November 07, 2018
Duckworth Delivers Keynote Address at Commercial Club of Chicago’s Annual Veterans Recognition Program