Press Releases
Duckworth Calls for a New Authorization for the Use of Military Force as Congress Approaches 18 years Since First Considering 2001 AUMF
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With tomorrow marking 18 years since Congress approved the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), which authorized our military actions in response to the attacks on 9/11, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is once again calling for Congress to debate a new AUMF. With tensions rising around the world, especially as the situation with Iran continues to escalate, it's clear that a new AUMF is desperately needed to provide our troops with … Continue Reading
September 16, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Recent Attack in Saudi Arabia and Rising Tensions in Yemen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after a drone attack struck Saudi oil installations over the weekend: "Escalating volatility in the Middle East after the weekend attack on Saudi's oil installations is extremely troubling. With his 'locked and loaded' language, Donald Trump seems to want to be viewed like some sort of John Wayne character, but in the same tweet proudly broadcasts that he's awaiting further instructions … Continue Reading
September 14, 2019
Duckworth Calls for Environmental Justice at Chicago’s Faith in Place Green Team Summit
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a founding member of the Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus, today spoke with faith leaders from across Illinois about how the faith community can best address environmental injustice and inequality across Illinois and the nation. Duckworth's remarks were delivered at the Faith in Place Green Team Summit 2019 during a session led by Reverend Scott Onque. Photos from today's event are available here. "In countless lines of scripture, the … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Duckworth, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from Commerce IG on Reports of Suppression and Retaliation at NOAA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, Senator Duckworth joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and 12 Senate Democrats in writing to U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General Peggy Gustafson demanding answers following recent reports of improper behavior at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), including one that Commerce Department officials threatened to fire NOAA employees for contradicting the President's false assertions about the projected path of Hurricane Dorian. In … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Duckworth & Klobuchar along with Durbin and Colleagues Send Letter Urging President to Help Rural Americans, and the Environment, by Upholding the Intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Dick Durbin (D-IL) and six other Democratic Senators, sent a letter to President Donald Trump strongly urging him to help rural Americans, and the environment, by rescinding the 31 recently approved small refinery exemptions (SRE) for biofuels. They also urged his Administration to uphold the intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The letter follows recent news reports indicating … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
On Senate Floor, Duckworth Calls Out Trump for Prioritizing Border Wall Vanity Project over National Security
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) criticized Donald Trump and his Administration's decision to endanger our national security by stealing taxpayer funds that had been allocated for important defense priorities, including Coast Guard programs, in order to begin construction on a wall he promised Mexico would pay for. Video of the Senator's speech is available here. Key quotes: "We must hold Donald Trump accountable for his vows and for his … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Duckworth & Durbin Call on Majority Leader McConnell to Act after House Judiciary Passes Gun Safety Bill to Limit High-Capacity Magazines
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and two dozen of their colleagues in calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to act on the Keep Americans Safe Act (S.447), which would prohibit the transfer, importation, or possession of magazines able to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Companion legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee last night. Both senators are original cosponsors … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Duckworth, Booker Introduce Bill to Make Solar Energy More Affordable for Low Income Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), leaders of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today introduced legislation that would bolster our nation's clean energy sector by helping low income Americans use solar energy. The Low Income Solar Energy Act expands the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create new financing programs, provides Section 8 homeowner's interest free loans and … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Senate Passes Bipartisan Duckworth-Young Bill to Improve the Efficiency of TSA PreCheck
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the TSA Credential and Endorsement Harmonization Act of 2019 (S. 2035) last evening. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced this bipartisan legislation to improve the efficiency of TSA's PreCheck program, while making air travel more convenient for transportation industry workers. Specifically, the bipartisan Duckworth-Young bill seeks to reduce wasteful duplicative screenings by expanding TSA PreCheck … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Duckworth on Trump Firing Bolton: “We Expect Our Troops to Do Their Jobs, But Don’t Have a President or National Security Advisor Willing to Do Theirs”
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke to MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell after the firing of National Security Advisor John Bolton: "Our troops are in harm's way right now and we expect them to do their jobs, yet we don't have a president or national security advisor willing to do their jobs. This Administration can't seem to come up with a cohesive approach to what we're doing in the Middle East, whether it's Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria-and that's a real … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Duckworth, García Discuss Impact of “Public Charge” Rule on Immigrant Families
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García hosted an informational session on the Trump Administration's mean-spirited public charge rule and what it means for immigrant families Friday at Esperanza Health Center in Brighton Park. This new rule would allow immigration officials to deny immigrants green cards based on their income or the wholly legal action of using of public benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program … Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Duckworth Statement on the Breakdown of Peace Negotiations with the Taliban
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump invited the Taliban to Camp David and then abruptly pulled out of peace negotiations, jeopardizing the stability of the region: "President Trump's failed effort to honor the Taliban with a personal invitation to Camp David was a slap in the face to all Americans, especially those personally affected by the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11. Working to negotiate … Continue Reading
September 06, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Sterigenics Reopening
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following joint statement today after a DuPage County Judge allowed the Willowbrook facility to reopen if it complies with state law and the consent order: "It's been more than a year since we learned Sterigenics was causing unacceptably high risks of cancer for the people of Willowbrook. Monitoring at this facility in the months that followed then revealed Sterigenics was emitting excessively high … Continue Reading
September 06, 2019
As School Year Begins, Duckworth Highlights Legislation to Improve School Bus Safety
[CHICAGO, IL] - With Chicago Public Schools and students across the country going back to school this month, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited Little Village Academy in Chicago today where she highlighted her recently re-introduced legislation to make school buses safer for children. Duckworth's School Bus Safety Act would implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and new … Continue Reading
September 04, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration Diverting Funding for National Defense Projects to Ineffective Border Wall
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that it will reprogram $3.6 billion in funding intended for military construction projects to build President Trump's border wall: "This inappropriate move makes it crystal clear that Donald Trump cares more about appearing to keep his ridiculous campaign promises than he does about keeping the nation's promises to our troops. Whether Trump … Continue Reading
September 03, 2019
Duckworth Tours Marquis Energy, Highlights Harm Caused by Trump’s RFS Waivers
[HENNEPIN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Marquis Energy, meeting with its leaders and touring the ethanol facility, highlighting the importance of ethanol production to our nation's economy and the damage being caused by the Trump Administration's inappropriate use of small refinery waivers for major producers. Waivers issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the small refinery exemptions (SRE) program are intended to help small refineries, but … Continue Reading
August 31, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Gov. Pritzker’s Pardon of Miguel Perez, Jr.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today regarding Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker granting clemency to combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr.: "Miguel Perez's own life demonstrates why our nation should never give up on our combat Veterans, even during tough times. During his time in prison, Mr. Perez finally received the mental health treatment he so desperately needed as a Veteran returning from war and took great strides to reform his life. I … Continue Reading
August 30, 2019
Duckworth Visits Vietnam & Thailand as Part of Armed Services Committee Congressional Delegation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) last week visited Vietnam and Thailand as part of a U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services delegation, where she met with top government officials, delivered an address on the importance of serving one's nation to a group of Thai military cadets as well as received an audience with the Princess of Thailand, Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to discuss bilateral relations between our two nations. Duckworth was … Continue Reading
August 30, 2019
Duckworth to Trump Administration: Stop Disrespecting U.S. Servicemembers and Diplomats Willing to Sacrifice for Our Nation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) demanding both agencies quickly rescind an offensive policy update that will harm members of the U.S. Armed Forces, military families and civil servants who serve our nation abroad. This update would make it harder for children of servicemembers and government employees serving overseas to acquire citizenship, forcing certain … Continue Reading
August 22, 2019
Duckworth’s Office to Host Mobile Office Hours at Du Quoin State Fair Sunday
[DU QUOIN, IL] – The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will host mobile office hours at the 2019 Du Quoin State Fair Veterans Benefit Expo this Sunday, August 25. Constituent service representatives will be onsite to assist Illinoisans with receiving the Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare and other federal benefits to which they may be entitled. Sunday’s mobile office hours will be held from 10 AM to 2 PM, with additional mobile office hours taking place in … Continue Reading
