Press Releases
Duckworth, Murray, Schumer, Baldwin, Klobuchar Call on Senate Republicans to Help Pass Bill to Protect IVF Access Nationwide
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today called on Senate Republicans to get out of the way of Senate Democrats’ efforts to protect access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) nationwide in the wake of Alabama’s State Supreme Court … Continue Reading
February 27, 2024
Duckworth Meets with AFGE Local 4070 President to Discuss Staffing at Thomson Prison
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with AFGE Local 4070 President Jonathan Zumkehr to discuss staffing, hiring and retention efforts at Federal Correctional Institution Thomson. FCI Thomson is a low-security federal prison located in Thomson, Illinois. “It is critical that FCI Thomson has the resources it needs to fulfill its mission, and that includes being able to support a strong and stable workforce,” said Duckworth. “Jon and I had a productive conversation … Continue Reading
February 26, 2024
In Europe, Duckworth Gets First-Hand Look at Innovative Solutions that Could Help Address Climate Change and Bring American Energy Costs Down
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During an official visit to Sweden and the Netherlands, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee as well as co-chair of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus—toured sites and met with leaders in the circular economy and energy sectors to learn more about the technologies and practices they are developing that could help tackle the climate crisis, which disproportionately impacts environmental justice communities and … Continue Reading
February 26, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Casten Announce $100 Million to Modernize Metra Railcars and Improve Accessibility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), author of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act, and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today announced that Metra is expected to receive $100,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY24 Rail Vehicle Replacement Program for Metra’s Modern Railcars Project. This funding will support Metra in purchasing 50 modern, ADA-accessible, multilevel railcars to replace railcars that have … Continue Reading
February 23, 2024
In Europe, Duckworth Continues Successful Campaign to Strengthen Economic Ties and Secure Major Investments for Illinois
[THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in her role as a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week led an official visit to Sweden and the Netherlands to meet with business leaders in the energy, manufacturing and technology sector to discuss their innovative work and highlight for them how well-positioned Illinois is for future investments that would bring more jobs and economic growth to our state. During her official visit, Duckworth met both … Continue Reading
February 23, 2024
In Sweden and Netherlands, Duckworth Reiterates Bipartisan U.S. Commitment to NATO & Helping Ukraine End Russia’s Unjust War
[WASHINGTON, DC] - During her official visit to Sweden and the Netherlands on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—reaffirmed our nation’s steadfast commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and all its members after Donald Trump’s latest swipe at the alliance. After the U.S. Senate recently passed strong bipartisan … Continue Reading
February 22, 2024
Duckworth Applauds Biden Administration Decision to Sell E15 Gasoline Year-Round, Helping Cut Costs of Gas for Working Families and Support Illinois Farmers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement that the U.S. will allow year-round sales of E15 gasoline in Illinois and seven other Midwestern states starting in April 2025: “I’m glad President Biden heeded our call to support our farmers and help lower prices at the pump for working families by allowing for the sale of E15 fuel year-round. This is an important start, … Continue Reading
February 21, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $206 Million for Illinois Drinking Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced over $206 million in support for Illinois to help clean up drinking water and upgrade water infrastructure throughout the state. The funding is part of the more than $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades thanks to Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA), which she … Continue Reading
February 21, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Nominations of Judge Nancy Maldonado to the Seventh Circuit, Georgia Alexakis to Serve as United States District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the White House announced its intent to nominate Judge Nancy L. Maldonado to be United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit, and Georgia Alexakis to be United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. “We are pleased that President Biden is nominating Judge Nancy … Continue Reading
February 20, 2024
Duckworth Reacts to Alabama Court IVF Ruling, Urges Colleagues to Help Pass Her Legislation to Protect Access to IVF
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—lead sponsor of the Access to Family Building Act, which would protect every American’s right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services—issued the following statement after Alabama’s State Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during the IVF process are “children” under state law, threatening access to IVF for those who need it to start or grow their family: “Since the … Continue Reading
February 16, 2024
Duckworth Reacts to Death of Alexei Navalny
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—issued the following statement after learning that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died while imprisoned by Vladimir Putin: “Alexei Navalny stood for freedom, democracy and human dignity in the face of Vladimir Putin’s tyranny, corruption and cruelty—and he was poisoned, imprisoned and killed because of it. While his death … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Duckworth Emphasizes Her Support for Early Childhood Education, Working Families with Illinois Parents & Head Start Leaders
[BENSENVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage Head Start providers and families to reiterate her support to early childhood education and hear from working families on the struggles they face in accessing childcare services. As Congress once again approaches a government funding deadline that could threaten these critical services at the beginning of next month, Duckworth highlighted the importance of continuing full funding for … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
After Senate Passes Critical Ukraine Aid, Duckworth Helps Prepare Emergency Equipment Shipment for Ukraine
[SCHILLER PARK, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine and its nonprofit partner, UA Resistance Foundation, both of which are dedicated to delivering ambulances, fire engines, medical supplies and firefighting equipment to Ukraine, and helped volunteers prepare the next shipment of eight donated emergency vehicles to help the Ukrainian people amid Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked war of choice. This shipment comes as the Senate this week passed a … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Urge Department of Education to Address FAFSA Rollout Issues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the traditional May 1st “college decision day” approaches, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with more than 100 of their congressional colleagues, in writing to Secretary Miguel Cardona of the U.S. Department of Education (Department) to call on the Department to urgently address the operational issues with the new Free Application for Federal … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Secure Over $44 Million for Chicago O'Hare, Crawford County and St. Louis Airport Renovations
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a combined $44,250,000 million in federal funding for Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Crawford County Airport and St. Louis Downtown Airport from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program (ATP). “Thanks to the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Illinois is on a path to rebuild our aviation infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs for … Continue Reading
February 14, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Ossoff, Colleagues in Support of Ongoing U.S. Diplomacy to Free Hostages, Restore Mutual Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and 24 of their Senate colleagues in expressing urgent support for the Administration’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages in tandem with the restoration of a mutual ceasefire agreement in Gaza. “Since the … Continue Reading
February 14, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Booker, Colleagues in Calling for Swift Action to Aid American Citizens and Families Trapped in Gaza
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in leading 13 colleagues in calling on Secretary Antony Blinken and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to expand assistance for relatives of U.S. citizens stranded in Gaza. The Senators expressed concerns about the current limited eligibility criteria for State Department assistance, and advocated for the State Department to press all conflicting parties … Continue Reading
February 13, 2024
Duckworth, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Emergency Communication Technology That Could Help Saves Lives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today introduced legislation to improve emergency communication technology that could help save lives. The ITS Codification Act would codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), which currently serves as the research and engineering laboratory at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) … Continue Reading
February 13, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Urge Federal Approval of Illinois Application for Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Chiquita Brooks-LaSure expressing their support for Illinois’ application for a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. If accepted, the waiver would accelerate efforts in Illinois to use the Medicaid program to address the opioid epidemic, maternal mortality, violence prevention, mental health challenges, … Continue Reading
February 13, 2024
Duckworth Reacts to Senate Passing National Security Supplemental
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—issued the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to bolster U.S. national security and provide additional support for our partners and allies by a bipartisan vote of 70-29: “After months of delays demanding policy changes they apparently didn’t even want, I’m relieved that Senate Republicans have finally joined Democrats … Continue Reading
