Press Releases
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
January 29, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Receive Update on Coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today received an update on the novel coronavirus outbreak from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat. On a call with Dr. Schuchat, the Senators asked about the agency's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, and asked for information on the steps being taken to keep Illinois families safe. This week, the CDC recommended … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Bicameral Congressional Leaders Call on Ninth Circuit to Uphold Protections for Migrant Children in Flores Amicus Brief
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12); U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); and U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), today led 113 of their colleagues in submitting an Amicus Brief in Flores v Barr. The Brief urges the Ninth Circuit to reject the Trump … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Duckworth & Durbin Meet With Amtrak CEO, Secure Accessibility Improvements for Customers with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Security, which has jurisdiction over Amtrak, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson after Amtrak mistakenly charged a group of wheelchair advocates $25,000 to travel from Chicago to Bloomington-Normal, IL, before ultimately backing down, admitting the charge was improper and apologizing. During the meeting, Anderson committed … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Press Health Department for Updates on Novel Coronavirus After a Case was Reported in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Patty Murray (D-WA), and 28 of their Democratic Senate colleagues to send a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar requesting updates on the Administration's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and information on the steps being taken to keep families safe. In the letter, the Senators asked the Department to keep them updated with the latest information regarding … Continue Reading
January 27, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin & García to Amtrak CEO: Commit to Making Amtrak Affordable, Accessible and Reliable for Customers with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Security, which has jurisdiction over Amtrak, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) wrote to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson today after Amtrak mistakenly charged a group of wheelchair advocates $25,000 to travel from Chicago to Bloomington-Normal, IL, before ultimately backing down and apologizing. In the … Continue Reading
January 25, 2020
Senator Duckworth: “I Would Think That the President’s Counsel Would Want to Call Witnesses in Order to Exonerate Him”
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, after the first day of hearing from the President's lawyers in the impeachment trial, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated her call for witnesses and documents so both sides can present their case to the American people. The House managers spent three days presenting a strong argument for the President's guilt and it is now the defense team's turn to bring new witnesses and documents that could exonerate him. In part, Duckworth said: "I would think that … Continue Reading
January 24, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Confirmation of Coronavirus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the second case of coronavirus in the United States is in Chicago: "We are monitoring the second confirmed U.S. case of novel coronavirus being treated at a Chicago hospital. First, we commend the Chicago hospital personnel for identifying this quickly. And we commend Mayor Lightfoot and others who chose … Continue Reading
