Press Releases
In Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, Duckworth Discusses Instability in South America and Threats of Extremists in Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed transportation and security logistics, and a whole of government approach to responding to threats of extremism and instability with General Thomas Waldhauser (U.S. Marine Corps) and Admiral Craig Faller (U.S. Navy). Waldhauser is the Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Faller is the Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Request VA, CDC & EPA Assistance in Investigating Potential Legionella-Linked Death at Manteno Illinois Veterans Home
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today requesting the agencies deploy a multidisciplinary team of experts to help state officials as they address Legionnaires' disease at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois. After the tragic death of a Veteran at IVH Manteno in Kankakee County, the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Duckworth Joins Casey, Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Help People with Disabilities Find Employment
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey and four of their Senate colleagues in helping to introduce legislation to make it easier for employers to hire and retain individuals with disabilities and make workplaces more accessible. The Disability Employment Incentive Act (DEIA) will expand three existing tax credits: the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Disability Access Expenditures Tax Credit and the Architectural and Transportation Barrier Tax … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Need to Address Opioid Epidemic in Meeting with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with more than a dozen advocates and treatment professionals with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) yesterday to discuss substance abuse prevention and treatment, including their shared and continuing efforts to address the opioid crisis, in Illinois. Photos from yesterday's meeting are available here. "Resolving our nation's opioid crisis requires a comprehensive effort from officials at every level of … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Infrastructure Investments with St. Louis Regional Chamber
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with representatives of the St. Louis Regional Chamber today about a number of important investments that could help grow the region's economy. Duckworth, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, discussed proposals like the Hyperloop connecting St. Louis and Kansas City and she highlighted her efforts to enhance economic and workforce development and to support jobs in STEM fields. … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Legislation to Prevent Housing Discrimination
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and nine other Senators in helping to introduce legislation to protect potential home-buyers from racial discrimination by reinstating reporting requirements from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that were repealed last year. The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act would ensure loan quality criteria is made publically available by any … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Trump’s 2019 State of the Union Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump delivered his 2019 State of the Union Address: "Tonight, we saw the same reckless rhetoric that has been a signature of Donald Trump's presidency. Instead of attempting to unite the country and bring people together after the ridiculous and unnecessary government shutdown, the President played on America's internal divisions and employed his usual xenophobic attacks on immigrants. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Statement on EPA Air Quality Test Results Near Sterigenics
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to new data from EPA's ambient air quality monitoring surrounding Sterigenics in Willowbrook, Illinois, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "This new EPA data confirms what we have feared: Sterigenics continues to pose a threat to the health of its neighbors. While it cannot undo the damage that has already been done to families in the Willowbrook area, the EPA can act to prevent further harm to our children. EPA must … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Transportation Logistics Security in the Middle East with CENTCOM General
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of logistics supply chain security and safety with CENTCOM Commander General Joseph L. Votel. Duckworth, a former Army logistics officer, questioned the commander about the safety of the U.S. military's supply chain security should conflict with the Iranians escalate in the region. Duckworth also discussed the importance of U.S.-funded … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Votes Against EPA Nominee Andrew Wheeler
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after voting against Andrew Wheeler's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "As Acting Administrator of the EPA, Mr. Wheeler has continued his predecessor's agenda of undermining policies meant to move our country away from oil and towards renewable fuels. During his nomination hearing, Mr. Wheeler claimed to be implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) the way … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Announces Chicago Union Apprentice Lily Wu as State of the Union Guest
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that she is bringing Lily Wu, a Chicagoan and first-generation American, as her guest to the State of the Union address tonight. Lily is a third-year apprentice with IBEW Local 134 in Chicago and the daughter of Chinese immigrants who is trying to break into a male-dominated field and achieve the American Dream. To arrange an interview with Lily or Senator Duckworth, please contact Sean at sean_savett@duckworth.senate.gov. "I … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
In New Report, Duckworth Highlights Her Work for People of Illinois During Her First Congress as Senator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released her "115th Congress in Review" report highlighting her work and accomplishments for the people of Illinois since arriving in the Senate two years ago. The new report outlines Duckworth's efforts to help people get ahead, fight for our troops and Veterans, support job creation throughout Illinois, protect civil rights and hold Washington accountable. "I'm proud of the work we've done and what we've accomplished for the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Duckworth & Carper Lead EPW Democrats in Requesting Extension of EPA Public Comment Periods Due to Shutdown
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE), and 8 other EPW Democrats today urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to reopen public comment periods for all pending regulatory decisions, extend those that are currently open and reschedule all public hearings that were cancelled due to the shutdown. For parts of the 35-day government shutdown, many of the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
On First Day of Black History Month, Duckworth & Durbin Announce Introduction of Bill to Establish Springfield 1908 Race Riot Site As A National Monument
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the introduction of the Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act, which designates the 1908 Race Riot Sites in Springfield, Illinois as a national monument to be managed by the National Park Service. With less than a quarter of National Parks devoted to recognizing the histories of diverse peoples and cultures, designating the 1908 Race Riot Site a National Monument will guarantee that … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Infrastructure Investments with Quad Cities Leaders, Meets with Rock Island Arsenal Officials
[MOLINE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited the Quad Cities today to discuss important investments to the region's infrastructure. Duckworth met with Moline Mayor Stephanie Acri and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms to tour the I-74 Corridor Reconstruction Project, which will relieve congestion and increase capacity throughout the corridor by upgrading parts of the existing interstate and adding a new Mississippi River crossing. Photos from today's events are available here. "As the … Continue Reading
January 31, 2019
Duckworth and Blackburn Press Trump to Protect Kurdish Partners in Syria, Not Abandon Them
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) wrote to President Trump today pressing him to develop a comprehensive plan to protect our Kurdish partners serving in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and prevent armed conflict between Kurdish forces and the Republic of Turkey. With the U.S. preparing to withdraw its military forces from Syria, the Senators warned Trump about the dangers Kurdish forces - who fought alongside the U.S. against ISIS - now … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act to Close Gender Wage Gap
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped introduce legislation to close the gender wage gap and address paycheck discrimination. The Senators introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, along with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), on the 10th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, which lifted limitations preventing victims of gender discrimination in the workplace from … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
During First Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, Duckworth Discusses Military’s Readiness to Respond to Global Challenges
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned top national security experts at her first Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today on the challenges China and Russia pose to the United States as rising powers. Evaluating the most recent National Defense Strategy, Duckworth asked if the U.S. military's transportation and logistics systems are prepared to support great power competition as well as what investments the Department of Defense can make to … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Trump EPA Proposes Limiting Its Ability to Protect Public from Cancer-Causing Ethylene Oxide Emissions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11), called attention today to an apparent attempt by Trump political appointees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit the agency's ability to protect the public from cancer-causing ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. The Members of Congress expressed alarm that the EPA … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bipartisan Group of Senators in Urging Administration to Pay Federal Workers Affected by the Shutdown Immediately
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 26 of their Senate colleagues in urging the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide back pay for federal workers as soon as possible. More than 8,000 federal workers in Illinois were either furloughed or worked without pay during the government shutdown. "More than 800,000 federal workers have gone without pay because the government shutdown locked … Continue Reading
