Press Releases
Duckworth Statement on Bipartisan Effort to Ensure Public Debate on a New Authorization for the Use of Military Force
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After voting to continue debate on the need to provide our troops with clear guidance and legal authority for their operations with a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Since Congress passed the current Authorization for the Use of Military Force in 2001, the war on terror and the nature of conflict has changed. The leadership of our country and our … Continue Reading
September 11, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Advancement of House Bill That Would Undermine Key ADA Protections
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to the House Judiciary Committee's advancement of the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620), a bill that would undermine protections included in the Americans with Disabilities Act: "27 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act became the law of the land, the notion that businesses in this country need more time to provide people with disabilities access to their services … Continue Reading
September 07, 2017
Duckworth, Van Hollen, Beyer and Ellison Introduce Legislation to Support Civic Participation and Strengthen Voting Rights
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act today to expand voter registration efforts nationwide and increase American citizens' participation in their democratic process. The PROVE Act would enable citizens who are 16 and older to preregister to be added to voter rolls when they turn 18. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) also introduced companion … Continue Reading
September 06, 2017
Duckworth, Van Hollen, Beyer and Ellison Introduce Legislation to Support Civic Participation and Strengthen Voting Rights
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act today to expand voter registration efforts nationwide and increase American citizens' participation in their democratic process. The PROVE Act would enable citizens who are 16 and older to preregister to be added to voter rolls when they turn 18. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) also introduced companion … Continue Reading
September 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Trump DACA Announcement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to the Trump administration's announcement that they will rescind DACA, leaving nearly 800,000 DREAMers vulnerable to deportation, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Make no mistake-this decision is not about 'rule of law,' as Attorney General Sessions claims. This is a gut-wrenching betrayal of American values that leaves nearly 800,000 of our neighbors vulnerable to deportation and tears families and communities … Continue Reading
September 04, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Reports Trump Will Rescind DACA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to reports that President Trump will announce tomorrow that he is rescinding DACA, leaving nearly 800,000 DREAMers vulnerable to deportation, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "If the President makes the heartless and irresponsible decision to rescind DACA, it would be more than another broken promise from a President who is infamous for not keeping his word. The President would be betraying American values, leaving … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Duckworth Urges FBI to Investigate Former Trump Advisor Carl Icahn for Potential Violations of Federal Anti-Corruption Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is requesting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launch a criminal investigation into whether former Special Advisor to President Trump Carl Icahn violated federal anti-corruption law by attempting to use his government position to enrich himself by hundreds of millions of dollars. Icahn is a billionaire and longtime Trump supporter who was appointed to a White House position by President Trump but recently resigned under increasing … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
On Overdose Awareness Day, Duckworth Announces Funding to Help Illinoisans Fight Opioid Crisis
[CHICAGO, IL] - On International Overdose Awareness Day, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced funding to help enable Illinoisans in Chicago to serve their communities by fighting the opioid crisis facing our state. The funding, awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) which oversees civilian national service programs like AmeriCorps and others, will be used to support five AmeriCorps VISTA Members - a service program designed to alleviate poverty - to serve … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding for Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $981,573 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG program provides first-responder organizations with the ability to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles and training in an effort to strengthen the … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Illinois Attorney General's Lawsuit to Ensure Comprehensive Reform to Chicago Police Department
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In response to the Illinois Attorney General's lawsuit against the City of Chicago to ensure the City enacts comprehensive, lasting reform of the Chicago Police Department, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "With the President and Attorney General Sessions' seeming unwillingness to seriously address the culture of bias and mistrust at the Chicago Police Department, I'm pleased that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is taking action … Continue Reading
August 27, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Economic Development at Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit
[MARION, IL] - Friday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in the Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit where she highlighted the importance of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for hardworking families across Illinois through investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and small business development. "If we want to create new economic opportunities for working families, we are going to need to make it easier for local businesses to get off the ground," … Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Trump's Pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In response to President Trump's pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "A man who uses the tools of government to discriminate against innocents and deny civil rights does not deserve a presidential pardon. In the wake of Charlottesville, President Trump is continuing to send the wrong message and abandoning his responsibility to unite our divided … Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Reports Trump Administration Directing DOD to Discriminate Against Transgender Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following reports that the White House is sending guidance to the Pentagon directing the Department of Defense to implement President Trump's new discriminatory ban on transgender troops serving in the U.S. military, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Anti-Hunger Programs with Illinois Hunger Coalition
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined representatives of the Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC), a statewide organization dedicated to ending hunger, Tuesday to highlight the importance of anti-hunger initiatives like the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Duckworth also criticized the President's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides millions of children and families with critical support to curb domestic hunger. A photo of … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Priorities with Illinois Farm Bureau
[BLOOMINGTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Wednesday to discuss agricultural priorities and the important role Illinois farmers and ranchers play in both the state and national economies. Duckworth also highlighted the negative impact of President Trump's proposed budget cuts to rural development. A photo of the meeting is available here. "I was glad to meet with the Illinois Farm Bureau to hear directly from Illinois farmers about key … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Hears Priorities and Concerns at Latino Policy Forum Roundtable
[CHICAGO, IL] - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in a roundtable with community leaders hosted by the Latino Policy Forum, an organization dedicated to transforming public policy through the leadership of the Latino community. The discussion covered a diversity of issues including immigration reform, education, small business development and healthcare. A photo of the roundtable can be found here. "From Gage Park to Pilsen and from Little Village to Humboldt … Continue Reading
August 20, 2017
Duckworth Statement on President Trump’s Afghanistan Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After President Trump's address regarding Afghanistan, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "Tonight's speech was filled with bluster but devoid of details and raised far more questions than it answered. In failing to outline any serious definition of progress or success, the President is putting our troops and our NATO allies in danger without giving them the certainty they need and deserve from their … Continue Reading
August 20, 2017
Duckworth Hosts Small Business Development Workshop to Promote Regional Economic Growth
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a small business development workshop Tuesday in conjunction with the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) to provide tips, tools and best practices for nearly 75 small business owners. Duckworth also discussed how investments in infrastructure, education and small business development can help create jobs and expand economic opportunities for hardworking families in Illinois. A … Continue Reading
August 17, 2017
Duckworth Tours Union Station Ahead of Major Redevelopment Initiative
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured Union Station with representatives from Amtrak and Metra to learn about Union Station's Master Redevelopment Plan, which will revitalize Union Station by improving its accessibility to streets and Chicago Transit Authority systems, making the station fully ADA-compliant and increasing the station's capacity. A photo of the tour can be found here. "For nearly 100 years, Union Station has been a critical transportation center and … Continue Reading
August 16, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2 Million in Federal Funding for Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $2,211,612 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG program provides first-responder organizations with the ability to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles and training in an effort to strengthen … Continue Reading
