Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Cosponsored Anti-Lynching Legislation Passes Senate Unanimously
[Washington, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in cosponsoring the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. Previously, Senators Harris, Booker and Scott introduced similar legislation in the 115th Congress that passed the Senate unanimously but was not considered by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives at the time. "Those who forget their history are … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Duckworth Highlights National Security Value of Diplomacy, American Alliances in Asia at Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of alliances in the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) region with INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson. Duckworth questioned the admiral on the recent Asia Reassurance Initiative Act and how it will affect U.S. relations in the region, particularly with the Republic of Korea and Japan. Duckworth also discussed the … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin, Foster, Lipinski, Schneider & Casten Ask EPA to Take Immediate Actions to Protect Illinoisans from Sterigenics’ Cancer-Causing Emissions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and Sean Casten (D-IL-06), asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate steps to protect the community surrounding Sterigenics in Willowbrook, Illinois from the public health threat posed by its cancer-causing ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions. In a letter to Acting EPA Administrator … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Duckworth Receives Waterways Council’s 18th Annual Leadership Service Award for Her Efforts to Modernize America’s Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Last night, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) received the 18th Annual Waterways Council Leadership Service Award for her work advancing bipartisan infrastructure projects and championing America's waterways. Upon accepting the award, Duckworth spoke on the vital role our inland waterways play bolstering our nation's security and economy. Photos of the event can be found here. "We're in a race for economic dominance in the world. And the Council's work-our … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Duckworth, Ruiz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Supporting Families of Fallen First Responders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz (CA-36), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced bipartisan legislation today to increase the death benefits for families of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The First Responders Survivors Support Act will increase the Public Safety Officers' Benefit … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider, Foster, Lipinski, Casten Introduce Bills to Hold EPA Accountable For Poor Oversight of Ethylene Oxide Emissions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06), today introduced a pair of bicameral bills that would hold the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable for its poor oversight of ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions, which have been the source of harmful emissions in Illinois. Durbin and Schneider led the introduction of a … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Senate Passes Duckworth & Durbin Bill to Expand the Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation today that was introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) to honor the legacy of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, by expanding the Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois to include Livingston County, the city of Jonesboro in Union County and the city of Freeport in Stephenson County. The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Amendment Act, which passed the Senate as … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Reintroduce Paid Family & Medical Leave Legislation
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 32 of their colleagues today in reintroducing the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. The legislation would establish a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that will provide 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who need time to care for a newborn or adopted child, a seriously ill family member, or their own serious health condition. "Far … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $5 Million to Improve Rail Speed, Reliability in Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will receive $5,083,719 in federal funding to support the Lenox Interlocking Reconfiguration Project in Madison County, which aims to increase speeds and operational flexibility for both passenger and freight services. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Trump Tax Attack on Middle Class Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in helping introduce bipartisan legislation to fully restore the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. The Trump Tax Law of 2017 capped this deduction at $10,000, leading to millions of middle-class Americans being double-taxed. With the beginning of tax-filing season underway, many taxpayers-especially in states like Illinois-are now realizing that they owe significantly … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Legislation to Require Supreme Court Justices to Adopt Ethics Code
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in introducing the Supreme Court Ethics Act, which would require the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices. Currently, Supreme Court justices are exempt from the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, which all other federal judges are required to follow. The Code of Conduct is a binding code of ethics that ensures neutrality and transparency in … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Duckworth Joins Tester, Murkowski & Pingree in Re-Introducing Legislation to Support Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) this week in re-introducing bipartisan legislation to improve resources and care for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST). The Servicemember and Veterans' Empowerment and Support Act expands the definition of MST to ensure servicemembers and Veterans who experience online sexual harassment can access VA … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Antiquities Act to Protect America’s National Monuments
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) to introduce the America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States (ANTIQUITIES) Act of 2019. This legislation will protect America's national monuments against the Trump administration's relentless attacks on public lands and reinforces Congress' clear intent in the Antiquities Act of 1906: only Congress has the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
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
