Press Releases
Duckworth Addresses Cadets at Northern Illinois University’s ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
DEKALB, IL - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed Northern Illinois University's (NIU) ROTC Battalion Commissioning Ceremony today as eight cadets took the oath to become U.S. Army officers. Duckworth, an alumna of NIU's ROTC program, highlighted the need to improve care and support for American servicemembers and Veterans. Audio of her speech is available here, a video clip is available here and a photo of the event is available here. "It's an honor to be a part … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Duckworth Delivers Remarks at Abuelitas Welcoming Ceremony
WAUKEGAN, IL - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed Mexican-American families at the welcoming ceremony of the Abuelitas Program, which helps reunite elderly people living in Mexico with family members legally residing in the United States that they often haven't been able to see in many years. The program assists these elderly people in their efforts to obtain temporary, 30-day visas to visit their families in the United States. During her remarks, Duckworth highlighted the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Legislation to Boost Trauma Care in Civilian Hospitals by Hiring Active Duty Military
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) in introducing bipartisan legislation to improve trauma responses at hospitals across the nation and address variations in the quality of care by hiring additional experienced military surgeons. Their Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act, or MISSION ZERO Act, would provide grants to civilian hospitals to … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Illinois Jobs Becomes Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Just over 4 months after she was sworn in as a U.S. Senator, Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) first bill became law today in record time. The bipartisan legislation, which was signed by the President today, passed the Senate unanimously just 64 days into Duckworth's first term and passed the House of Representatives late last month. The bill's signing today marks the fastest time any current Senator has passed a bill after being sworn in. Duckworth's new law supports Illinois jobs and … Continue Reading
May 11, 2017
Ahead of Mother’s Day, Duckworth, Fischer, McCaskill & Knight Re-Introduce Bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ahead of Mother's Day, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act today, which would ensure breastfeeding mothers traveling through large- and medium-sized airports have accessible, clean and convenient lactation rooms to use. A bipartisan companion bill was re-introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Steve Knight (R-CA). "Even … Continue Reading
May 11, 2017
Duckworth, EPW Democrats to Pruitt: Don’t Close Chicago EPA Region 5 Office
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the top Democrat on the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee, and U.S. Tom Carper (D-DE), the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led their EPW colleagues in urging Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to commit that none of the agency's regional or program offices will be closed or consolidated. Citing lessons learned from the Flint water crisis, the senators highlighted the … Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Duckworth Statement on the Firing of FBI Director Comey
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the President's firing of FBI Director James Comey, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement and reiterated her call for an independent investigation into the Trump administration's ties to Russia: "The President's actions transcend any one individual and raise significant concerns over the basic rule of law, especially if they are intended to dissuade criminal investigators from digging too deep into Trump Administration officials … Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Duckworth, Tester, Nelson & Blumenthal Highlight Trumpcare’s Devastating Tax Hikes on Millions of Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) organized a press conference with Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to urge Senate Republicans to oppose a provision in Trumpcare that would raise taxes on millions of Veterans and make it harder for them to afford healthcare. Despite the President's campaign pledge to "ensure our Veterans get the care they need … Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Duckworth, Cochran, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Recognize Service and Sacrifice of Chinese-American Veterans During WWII
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today announced a bipartisan effort to recognize the significant contributions and sacrifices of the more than 13,000 Chinese-American Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. The Senators introduced legislation (S.1050) to authorize the award of the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow-a Congressional Gold Medal-to the dedicated Chinese-American Veterans of World … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Army Secretary Nominee Mark Green
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement today following President Trump's announcement that he will nominate Dr. Mark Green to be the Secretary of the U.S. Army: "At a time when our Military and our nation face growing threats from foreign enemies, our Armed Forces cannot afford to turn away any capable and qualified servicemember. Confirming someone with Dr. Green's attitudes towards Muslim, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Americans … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate Approval of Budget Resolution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the Senate's passage of an omnibus appropriations act that will fund the federal government through September, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "I'm glad Congress was able to reach a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded, averting the prospect of a government shutdown. It's notable that this bill does not gut the EPA, defund Planned Parenthood or spend a cent on the Trump Administration's border wall. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth and Durbin Announce Grant Funding to Support Quality Care for Medicare & Medicaid Beneficiaries in the Chicagoland Region
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a $472,840 federal grant to help a Chicagoland hospital network, AMITA Health, connect Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with appropriate health and social services that can both lower healthcare costs and improve beneficiaries' lives. "Too many Illinoisans on Medicare and Medicaid aren't able to access the right health and community service providers that fit their needs, which can lead to … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes Republican Effort to Make it Harder to Save for Retirement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing legislation the Senate is considering that would make it harder for people to save for retirement while increasing regulatory burdens on employers. Specifically, the legislation would make it more difficult for states to help the 55 million Americans whose employers don't offer retirement plans save for their own retirements. Illinois's recently-created Secure Choice program would … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Comptroller Mendoza
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza to discuss how they can work together to advance Illinois priorities and expand economic opportunity for working families. B-roll of their meeting is available … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Calls on Airline Industry to Expand Consumer Protections for Air Travelers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the violent and reprehensible removal of a ticketed passenger on a United Airlines flight and a series of unacceptable incidents involving American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called for expanded consumer protections for air travelers during a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. Video of the Senator's remarks is available here and audio is available here. "Regardless of how a passenger is … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Army Secretary Nominee Mark Green
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement today following President Trump's announcement that he will nominate Dr. Mark Green to be the Secretary of the U.S. Army: "At a time when our Military and our nation face growing threats from foreign enemies, our Armed Forces cannot afford to turn away any capable and qualified servicemember. Confirming someone with Dr. Green's attitudes towards Muslim, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Americans … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Calls on Colleagues to Support Women and Families Legislative Agenda
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined President of the National Partnership for Women & Families Debra Ness at the U.S. Capitol this week to discuss efforts to support women and families at home and in the workplace. As part of her efforts to protect and strengthen women's rights, Duckworth highlighted her work to expand paid family leave, defend women's access to affordable health care and support new mothers. A photo of the event is available here. "This is … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes GOP Healthcare Plan’s Devastating Tax Hike on Millions of Veterans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the vote by Republican Congressmen to advance a healthcare plan that would raise taxes on as many as 8 million Veterans, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "It's disgraceful that Republicans in Congress just passed a bill that would kick tens of millions of Americans off of their health insurance and force many more to pay higher out-of-pocket costs," said Senator Duckworth. "What's stunning is that … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth to Trump: Selective Service Director Makes Life & Death Decisions for Our Children, Appointment Shouldn’t Be Given to Unqualified Political Patrons
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to President Trump today expressing concern that patronage played a role in his recent appointment of Mr. Donald Benton to be the Director of the Selective Service System. Duckworth highlighted Mr. Benton's lack of qualifications for the position and expressed concern that President Trump, who received five draft deferments, appointed the first Director in the history of the agency who has never served in the … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.4 Million For Head Start Programs In Central And Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $2,477,422 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation and Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council. "Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, which is why it's so important that … Continue Reading
