Press Releases
Duckworth Chairs Climate Crisis Committee Hearing on the National Security Risks of Climate Change
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a hearing of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis-which is chaired by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and is affiliated with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee-on understanding and addressing the national security risks of climate change. Duckworth discussed the unique ways climate change threatens our country's national security with Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips (United States Navy, Ret.), … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Slam Trump Administration for Stonewalling Veterans Suffering from Agent Orange
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), joined 39 other Democratic Senators in condemning the Trump Administration for stonewalling critical benefits to Veterans suffering from health conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In their letter, the Senators specifically called on the Administration to stop denying scientific evidence, and end the … Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Senate Confirms John Kness To Serve As U.S. District Judge For The Northern District Of Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed John Kness to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago. The Kness nomination accompanies the previous nominations of Mary Rowland, Martha Pacold, and Steven Seeger to serve on the Northern District of Illinois bench: "We are pleased that the Senate confirmed Mr. Kness to be a District … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Community College Trustees from Across Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with members of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association about her personal experience with student loan debt and her work to make higher education more affordable, accessible and effective. The trustees were in Washington, D.C., to attend the Association of Community College Trustees' (ACCT) national legislative summit. A photo of the meeting is available here. "As someone who wasn't always sure I'd be able to go … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Duckworth Meets with John A. Logan College Trustees to Discuss Higher Education Issues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with two members of the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees-Mandy Little and Aaron Smith-to discuss the importance of making higher education more affordable and investing in Veteran and servicemember education. Little and Smith are in Washington, D.C., attending the Association of Community College Trustees' (ACCT) national legislative summit. A photo of the meeting is available here. "Those of us who weren't always … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Legislation To Achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions By No Later Than 2050
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and 30 other Senators in introducing The Clean Economy Act, legislation that would put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050. The bill heeds the call for bold climate action and at the same time boosts American competitiveness, promotes healthier frontline communities, and fosters a growing economy that works for … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
In Hearing, Duckworth Pushes to Reassert Congressional Role in Matters of War and Peace in Afghanistan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on our nation's strategy in Afghanistan, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned experts about the outdated 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), highlighting that Congress should vote on a new AUMF that would accurately reflect what troops are doing on the ground and authorize operations in Afghanistan. Video of Duckworth's questions at the hearing is available here. "The … Continue Reading
February 09, 2020
Duckworth Responds to the Mass Shooting in Thailand
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the mass shooting in Korat, Thailand: "Such sad news out of Thailand this weekend," said Senator Duckworth. "My heart goes out to the victims' loved ones and all those affected by the mass shooting in Korat. This sort of tragedy should never happen … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Duckworth Responds to the Retaliatory Firing of Lt. Col. Vindman
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Purple Heart recipient and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), issued the following statement after Lt. Col. Vindman, a top Ukraine expert at the National Security Council (NSC) who testified during the U.S. House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, was escorted out of the White House earlier today. Vindman testified before the House in November under subpoena and told members he had … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Duckworth, Bustos Lead 19 Colleagues in Sending a Letter to PJM Advocating for Affordable Clean Energy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and 19 of their Democratic colleagues sent a letter to Manu Asthana, President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, to urge a delay in PJM's annual capacity auctions so states can mitigate the expansion of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)'s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) and understand how this decision will impact consumers. FERC's recent decision directs PJM, which … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Duckworth Awarded Jane Addams Medal for Distinguished Service
[ROCKFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was awarded the Rockford University's Jane Addams Medal for Distinguished Service today in recognition of her dedication to public service and advocacy for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. The Senator is the 38th recipient of Rockford University's highest public recognition, which honors women who are pioneers in their professions, outstanding in character and recognized for their contributions to the arts, sciences and society. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Senator Duckworth Statement on Conclusion of Donald Trump’s Impeachment Trial
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after voting to convict Donald J. Trump of both articles of impeachment and remove him from office. Earlier today, Duckworth spoke on the Senate floor about her decision. "Ever since I enlisted in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, I've sworn oaths to defend the Constitution-first as a Soldier and now as a Senator. These oaths mean … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Duckworth Reaction to Trump’s 2020 State of the Union Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement reacting to Donald Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address: "Rather than attempting to unite our divided nation and present solutions to the serious challenges we face, Donald Trump yet again chose to mislead the American people, claim credit for the work of others and embellish his Administration's disastrous record. Rather than strengthening our national security, his reckless decisions in recent months … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Duckworth Meets with UAW Members from Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders from the UAW (International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America) to discuss the importance of quality healthcare, better wages and collective bargaining rights for workers in Illinois and throughout the nation. Last week, automakers Ford and Rivian announced they would partner to manufacture an all-electric Lincoln vehicle. This announcement is expected to create nearly … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Duckworth Meets with Rockford University & Blackburn College Presidents to Discuss College Affordability
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Blackburn College Interim President Dr. John McClusky and Rockford University President Dr. Eric Fulcomer to discuss her work to make higher education more accessible, increase federal support for higher education institutions and improve Veteran and servicemember education. Duckworth, McClusky and Fulcomer also discussed the importance of investing in career and technical training programs that help quickly connect … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $80,000 for Rural Development in Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $84,000 in federal funding today to help the City of Grayville address health and sanitation concerns after record rainfall last summer led to flooded water wells, contaminating the city's water supply. This funding comes from the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Rural Development. "Investments like these help rural … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Senator Duckworth to Spotlight Environmental Justice with State of the Union Guest
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator and co-founder of the Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), announced that she will bring Illinois-based environmental justice advocate Celeste Flores as her guest to State of the Union address tomorrow. Celeste is the Lake County Outreach Director for Faith in Place, an Illinois-based educational and advocacy organization that helps diverse religious and faith communities implement environmental programs, and Co-Chair of Clean … Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Duckworth Statement on Senate’s Failure to Call Witnesses for Impeachment Trial
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Republican-led Senate voted to block witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump: “28 years ago, I stood in camouflage, faced my superior officer and took the Army’s oath of enlistment, solemnly swearing that I would support and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God. Three years ago, I took a similar oath, raising both my hand and my … Continue Reading
January 30, 2020
Response to Duckworth’s Question in Impeachment Trial: “We Have No Evidence” Trump Engaged in Legitimate Process for Withholding Foreign Aid
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today asked House impeachment managers whether there is any documentary evidence of President Trump gathering information to justify withholding aid to Ukraine. Specifically, Duckworth asked if there was evidence of Trump being briefed by the NSC, DOD or State Department on Ukraine corruption and European cost-sharing or that he requested information on anti-corruption reform measures in Ukraine. The non-partisan U.S. Government … Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Three Years After Trump’s Travel Ban, Duckworth and Durbin Join Colleagues to Call for a National Commitment to Refugee Resettlement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Three years after President Trump announced a travel ban for immigrants from majority-Muslim countries, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and fourteen Democratic colleagues to introduce a resolution that calls on Congress to reaffirm the United States' commitment to providing a safe haven for refugees fleeing oppression. On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued the first of three executive orders banning … Continue Reading
