Press Releases
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce Legislation to Increase Transparency in America’s Campaign Finance System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and 41 other Senators to reintroduce legislation to create a more transparent federal campaign finance system by ensuring both businesses and organizations spending money in elections disclose their individual donors to the public. The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2017 (DISCLOSE Act) would also require any company spending money in an election to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Duckworth Reintroduces Bill to Reduce Recidivism Rates in Criminal Justice System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced the Video Visitation and Inmate Calling in Prisons Act of 2017 to strengthen the nation's criminal justice system by helping families keep in touch with incarcerated family members, something studies have shown can help reduce recidivism rates and thereby save taxpayer dollars. The legislation would remove any doubt over the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) authority to regulate video visitation and inmate calling … Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Expansion of G.I. Bill Benefits
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT) to introduce bipartisan legislation to expand the post-9/11 G.I. Bill and improve benefits provided to those who have served this nation in uniform-our Veterans. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 would be the most significant expansion of G.I. benefits since the post-9/11 G.I. … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.5 Million In Federal Funding For Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $2,695,377 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG Program provides first-responder organizations with the access to much-needed emergency response equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, personal protective equipment and training in an effort to create safer, more … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth Meets with All Chicago Making Homelessness History to Discuss Veteran Homelessness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with representatives from the All Chicago Making Homelessness History organization who are visiting Capitol Hill to discuss ending Veteran homelessness. A photo of the meeting can be found here. "Every American is dishonored when someone who fought for our freedom is forced to lay his or her head down to sleep on the same streets they defended," said Senator Duckworth. "I will continue working with organizations like All … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth Statement on CBO Analysis of Senate GOP Repeal without Replace Plan
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the release of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's analysis of Senate Republicans' plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act without replacing it, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released this statement: "There are honest-to-goodness fixes to the Affordable Care Act that both Democrats and Republicans alike can support to improve our nation's healthcare system, but robbing 32 million hardworking Americans of their insurance while doubling costs … Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $15 Million for Head Start Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $15,138,247.00 to support Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership programs in Chicago. "This funding will help ensure that children in Chicago have access to quality public education and the tools they need to succeed at the earliest stages of development," said Duckworth. "I will … Continue Reading
July 16, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Failure of Trumpcare 3.0
[WASHINGTON, DC] - After Senate Majority Leader McConnell admitted that Senate Republicans' 3rd attempt to force millions of working Americans to pay more for less care failed and announced that he would pull their most recent Trumpcare proposal from consideration, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "With the country overwhelmingly against the proposal, it's no surprise the secretly-written Trumpcare plan is falling apart. Hardworking Americans shared … Continue Reading
July 16, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $24 Million for Community Health Centers Across Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a total of $24,562,393.00 to support local community health centers throughout Illinois. Community health centers are community-based organizations that improve access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved urban and rural communities by integrating primary health care with pharmacy, mental health, substance abuse, and oral … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
At the Rainbow PUSH Black and Brown Leadership Summit, Duckworth Calls for Greater Diversity in Politics and Economic Justice
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called for greater diversity in politics and economic justice at the Rainbow PUSH Black and Brown Leadership Summit. The Senator emphasized that far too many young people of color have their dreams and ambitions stifled by lack of hope. "We need a government that is representative of the American people," said Duckworth. "Our nation is as strong as it is because of the diversity of its people-people that come from all different … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth Promotes Agricultural Investments During Meeting with Illinois Soybean Association
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leaders of the Illinois Soybean Association this week to discuss her goals for investing in agriculture and rural America, as well as the need for protecting crop insurance assistance and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Duckworth also focused on the negative impact President Trump's proposed budget cuts to rural development and agricultural programs would have on farmers. A photo of the meeting is available here. "Every … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Repeal Trump Voter Suppression Executive Order
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and number of their colleagues in introducing the Anti-Voter Suppression Act to repeal President Trump's Executive Order establishing an "election integrity" commission to investigate widespread voter fraud. Duckworth has been a vocal critic of the commission's actions, including its intrusive and illegal request for personally-identifiable information on every United States voter, which they temporarily … Continue Reading
July 14, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $19 Million for Head Start Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $18,928,237 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout Illinois. "This funding will help ensure children across Illinois have access to the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom," said Duckworth. "I'll continue to advocate for programs … Continue Reading
July 13, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Bill to Prevent Creation of Cybersecurity Unit with Russia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 12 other senators to introduce legislation to prevent the creation of a cybersecurity unit with Russia in light of the Russian government's attacks on our election infrastructure and interference in the 2016 presidential election. The bill is a response to President Trump's suggestion that the United States should partner with President Vladimir Putin to create a joint … Continue Reading
July 13, 2017
Continuing Her Work to Prevent Lead Contamination, Duckworth Cohosts Roundtable on Drinking Water Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the top Democrat on the Senate Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee, cohosted a roundtable discussion on the threat of lead contamination in our nation's drinking water. Duckworth stressed the importance of modernizing America's water infrastructure to help ensure Americans in rural, suburban and metropolitan communities alike have access to clean and safe drinking water. A photo of today's roundtable is available here."When … Continue Reading
July 13, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Updated Senate Version of Trumpcare
[WASHINGTON, DC] - After Senate Republicans released an updated version of Trumpcare, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "It's unfortunate that in the face of mounting public scrutiny, Senate Republicans doubled-down on their secretive, behind-closed-doors process and produced a healthcare bill that's even worse for the American people. "The version of Trumpcare released today would still rob tens of millions of their health insurance and … Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $40 Million for Community Health Centers
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a total of $40,054,159.00 to support local community health centers throughout Illinois. Community health centers are community-based organizations that improve access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved urban and rural communities by integrating primary health care with pharmacy, mental health, substance abuse, and oral … Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Duckworth: Trump Commission Should Focus on Serious Threats to Our Democracy like Foreign Attacks Instead of Manufacturing False Evidence of Voter Fraud
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called on President Trump's Voter Suppression Commission to rescind its intrusive and illegal request for personally-identifiable information on every United States voter. Speaking alongside Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and others, Duckworth called on … Continue Reading
July 11, 2017
Duckworth Calls for Investments in Rural Development During Meeting with Illinois Farm Bureau President
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with the President of the Illinois Farm Bureau Rich Guebert today to discuss the important role Illinois farmers and ranchers play in both the state and national economies, as well the need for greater investments in agriculture and critical infrastructure. Duckworth also highlighted the negative impact of President Trump's proposed budget cuts to rural development and the importance of protecting crop insurance for farmers. A photo of … Continue Reading
July 10, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Donald Trump Jr. Seeking Assistance from the Russian Government
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today after Donald Trump Jr. admitted he-along with senior Trump campaign officials-sought help from the Russian government during the 2016 campaign: "President Trump has long denied any connection or collusion between his campaign and the Russian government while doing nothing to counter their clear and persistent attacks on our democracy. Today, Donald Trump Jr. undermined his father's denials by … Continue Reading
