In The News
A groundbreaking environmental justice bill is poised to become law
With slim majorities in Congress and an ally in the White House, the Democrats who drafted the Environmental Justice for All Act, a comprehensive piece of federal legislation that aims to address environmental disparities in vulnerable communities across the country, are "exceedingly optimistic" that their groundbreaking bill will become law. On Thursday, they officially reintroduced the bill on Capitol Hill. "With new leadership in Congress and the White House, we're in a window of … Continue Reading
March 19, 2021
Sen. Duckworth Introduces Bill Addressing Environmental Racism
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced a bill Thursday that aims to provide health equity and climate justice for underserved communities and communities of color that have historically been impacted by environmental injustices. The Environmental Justice for All Act acknowledges that communities of color face public health challenges that make them much more susceptible to illnesses as a result of inequities. It also strengthens and amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, funds studies … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Senator Duckworth Speaks At Judiciary Hearing Regarding Ongoing Discrimination And Violence Against Asian Communities
CHICAGO (CBS) - Congress is taking a closer look at the discrimination Asian Americans have faced in the last year. A judiciary committee heard testimony Thursday on the violence and hate speech that has recently increased against the Asian community during the pandemic. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, and the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, said the Asian community in the United States has been the target of racist vitriol; and said, understandably, the … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Illinois Sen. Duckworth Unveils Sweeping Environmental Justice Legislation
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation Thursday aimed at addressing environmental inequalities that low-income and nonwhite communities disproportionately face. The Environmental Justice for All Act would refine existing civil rights and environmental law and create new programs to establish outdoor parks and recreation areas in communities where they are lacking. Duckworth, D-Illinois, calls the bill a "multipronged" approach to environmental justice. "It basically is a framework … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
VA's Maternal Health Services Would Improve Under Proposed Legislation
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who was the first member of Congress to give birth while in office, has introduced legislation to improve maternal health care provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Protecting Moms Who Served bill, co-sponsored by Duckworth and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would provide $15 million to the VA to invest in maternity programs at facilities that coordinate care for expectant veterans. It would also provide support for the women … Continue Reading
March 12, 2021
Democrats turn to the environment as the next front in fighting inequality
There's a new arena congressional Democrats see as a way to help both combat the climate crisis and fight racial inequality: environmental justice. And two new bills aim to help combat what advocates say leads to higher household utility bills in poorer communities and neighborhoods with more pollution, among other consequences. "We have structural injustice when it comes to access to a clean environment," Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth told CBS News. "Communities of color, poorer … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Detail How $1.9T Stimulus Will Help Illinois, Chicago
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was approved by the House of Representatives Wednesday, paving the way for President Joe Biden to sign the legislation into law later this week. The bill had previously passed the Senate, and after a 220-211 vote on Wednesday, the bill will now head to Biden’s desk for his signature. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats from Illinois, hailed the legislation as key to helping the state and the nation heal from the impacts that the … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth says environmental racism caused flooding, sewage issues in Centreville
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, on Tuesday during a town hall pledged support for a newly proposed $22 million grant designed to alleviate persistent flooding and sewage issues in northern Centreville she said was caused by environmental racism. Duckworth said she and fellow senator Dick Durbin will send a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urging approval of the grant. Residents in northern Centreville say failed infrastructure and decades of neglect by public agencies have … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Tammy Duckworth on anti-Asian American hate crimes: We "are still viewed as an other"
Senator Tammy Duckworth partly blamed former President Trump's rhetoric for a rise in violence against Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Trump often referred to the virus as the "Chinese virus" and on several occasions even called it "Kung Flu." "It did not help the situation," the Illinois Democrat told "Red and Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano on Wednesday. "Frankly, it's appalling that it's been allowed to become this bad." More than 3,000 incidents against Asian … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Senator Tammy Duckworth Wants FDR Memorial to Be Accessible for People with All Disabilities
It's been 20 years since disability advocates won the fight to have the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. depict the former president in a wheelchair at the site. But they say there is more work to do to make the space fully accessible to all people with disabilities and serve as the "monument to freedom" that former President Bill Clinton said it would be upon the statue's dedication. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Tuesday will introduce a resolution with D.C. Delegate Eleanor … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Duckworth urges Biden admin to release intel on Russian bounties
Sen. Tammy Duckworth is urging President Joe Biden's administration to declassify and release intelligence regarding Russia's alleged offer of bounties to the Taliban to target U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The Illinois Democrat, in a letter sent Monday and obtained by POLITICO, asked Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to release a declassified public assessment on the intelligence community's review of the allegation. "While any intelligence assessment on this matter is … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Duckworth urges Biden admin to release intel on Russian bounties
Sen. Tammy Duckworth is urging President Joe Biden's administration to declassify and release intelligence regarding Russia's alleged offer of bounties to the Taliban to target U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The Illinois Democrat, in a letter sent Monday and obtained by POLITICO, asked Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to release a declassified public assessment on the intelligence community's review of the allegation. "While any intelligence assessment on this matter is … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
New federal COVID-19 vaccination site opens March 10 at United Center
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A new, federal COVID-19 mass vaccination site is coming to Chicago. The Biden Administration, Governor Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced Friday that the United Center will be home to the state's latest mass vaccination site. Beginning March 10, all eligible Illinoisans will be able to be vaccinated at the new site that prioritizes access for seniors and equity … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Group of Senate Democrats call on Biden to create Office of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing
(CNN) -- Seven Senate Democrats are asking President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to establish a White House office devoted to reproductive health that would create a federal policy home positioned to address the issue across the administration. In a letter sent Tuesday, Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Richard … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Senate Democrats call on GAO to review child care access barriers for disabled parents, kids
Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.) and Bob Casey (Pa.) on Thursday asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review obstacles to child care access for disabled parents and children. In the letter, the three lawmakers asked for currently available information about such barriers and how they intersect with race, ethnicity and income. They also requested information about current ways child care facilities are trying to address those barriers, including any … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Biden signs supply chain order after 'positive' meeting with lawmakers
President Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order directing a review of supply chains for critical products across numerous sectors, including health, defense and communications. The order directs a 100-day review across federal agencies to address vulnerabilities in supply chains of pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, semiconductors and large-capacity batteries like those used to power electric vehicles. It also requires sector-specific reviews in six areas over the next year to … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Illinois senator introduce bill to benefit veterans during pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC (WMBD)- U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce Veterans' healthcare costs and protect their access to healthcare during the pandemic. Duckworth, a veteran, said the bill, the No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act (NCCVA), ensures that veterans are not expected to pay out-of-pocket for qualifying coronavirus preventative services. "All Americans deserve access to the best healthcare possible- especially … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin ask feds to test air at relocated General Iron site
After meeting with several hunger strikers, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin are asking federal health officials to test the air for metals and harmful contaminants around the Southeast Side industrial site where the relocated General Iron car shredder is being built. Duckworth and Durbin, joined by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly who represents the area, said in a letter that there is "an urgent need" to determine whether the new facility, rebranded Southside Recycling, poses a public health … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Women in the Air Force are finally getting body armor that fits
Women have been serving in the Air Force Security Forces since 1976, but it's taken 45 years for the service to finally provide them with body armor that actually fits. At long last, female airmen with the 377th Security Forces Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico have become one of the first to get fitted with protective vests designed for them. Unlike the old armor, which was designed to fit the average male body, the new variant is lighter, has a curved chest plate, a shorter torso … Continue Reading
February 15, 2021
Tammy Duckworth Urges Joe Biden to Upend Entire USPS Board for 'Silence' Under Louis DeJoy
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) has urged President Joe Biden to replace the entire board of governors at the United States Postal Service. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was widely criticized for cuts at the service following his appointment last spring that were seen as political in the run-up to the November election. In a letter, dated February 12, Duckworth said it is important to show that the governors' "silence" in the face of the alleged sabotage will not be tolerated. "Since its … Continue Reading
