Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth to Serve on Committees Handling Infrastructure, Transportation, Small Business, Energy & Manufacturing Policy
On Senate Committees, Duckworth will advance critical Illinois priorities that put Illinoisans back to work improving infrastructure, grow small businesses and continue her life's mission of advocating for Veterans
CHICAGO, IL - After being sworn into the U.S. Senate on January 3rd, 2017, U.S. Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will serve on several influential committees: Environment & Public Works; Energy & Natural Resources; Commerce, Science, & Transportation; and Small Business. These committee posts will give the Senator-elect an important platform to push for Illinois priorities like rebuilding our state's infrastructure, keeping the water system safe and lead-free, helping grow minority- and Veteran-owned small businesses, investing in advanced manufacturing and championing Illinois' crown jewels of scientific innovation: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab.
"I am eager to get to work in the Senate--with members on both sides of the aisle--to help Illinois families with common-sense policies that grow manufacturing jobs, invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and help make college more affordable for all Americans," said Duckworth regarding her priorities in the upcoming Congress. "I'm also going to work to continue my life's mission of supporting, protecting and keeping the promises we've made to our Veterans and ensuring we fully stand behind the troops we send into danger overseas."
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has jurisdiction over the nation's interstate highway system and other infrastructure projects like bridges and dams, giving Senator-elect Duckworth an important role in bolstering Illinois' status as a world-class air, road, rail and water transportation hub. EPW also handles important policies dealing with public construction projects, floods and natural disasters, economic development, nuclear power and the environment. Duckworth currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets.
"As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I look forward to advocating for policies that put Illinoisans back to work rebuilding our state's infrastructure to secure Illinois' role as the nation's transportation hub and supporting policies that grow our country's economy by promoting advanced clean energy and biofuels which reduce our reliance on foreign oil and strengthen our national security," said Duckworth regarding her appointment to the EPW Committee. "I am also committed to making access to clean, lead-free water a reality for all Americans--including my beautiful baby Abigail--because everyone deserves an opportunity to lead a healthy life."
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation oversees issues that Senator-elect Duckworth has focused on during her time in the House including aviation and federal highways, consumer protection, economic development and competitiveness, tourism and the internet.
"Whether increasing manufacturing to create good-paying jobs, protecting American consumers from unscrupulous corporations or helping rebuild our nation's roads, bridges, waterways and airports, I look forward to being the strong voice for hardworking people that Illinoisans deserve on the Senate Commerce Committee," Duckworth said regarding her appointment to the Commerce Committee.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversees the nation's energy policy, conservation, our strategic petroleum reserve, water resources and public lands.
"I risked my life and limb--as did countless other brave Americans--serving in Iraq and I saw firsthand the painful price this nation pays because of our reliance on foreign oil," said Duckworth regarding her appointment to the Energy Committee. "I'll bring that unique perspective to the Energy and Natural Resources panel in the Senate and I'll be a strong supporter of policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard that strengthen American-made energy. Not only because it's good for our economy--though it is--but also because it means importing less oil from unstable foreign adversaries like Russia, and that's good for our national security."
The Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship has jurisdiction over all legislation dealing with the U.S. Small Business Administration we well as many proposals affecting minority-owned, women-owned and Veteran-owned businesses, access to capital, broadband internet, business development, federal contracting, innovation, trade, taxes and disaster assistance. Senator-elect Duckworth has developed a strong record of helping small businesses during her time in the House.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy, spark the innovation that drives us forward and hire hardworking Illinoisans across the state," said Duckworth said regarding her appointment to the Small Business Committee. "They are critical to the strength and resilience of our country. Our government should do everything it can to cut red tape and open up innovative sources of capital that can help small businesses get off the ground--and those will be my goals on the Senate Small Business Committee."
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