Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Urge Commerce Secretary to Strengthen Antidumping Measures & Protect American Workers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the U.S. Department of Commerce reviews antidumping margins on foreign imports, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to crack down on unfair trade practices and strengthen protections against the dumping of foreign-made products in American markets. In their letter, the Senators brought attention to the 2,000 Illinois steelworkers who were laid off after the temporary idling of blast furnaces and … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Duckworth Statement on U.S. Missile Strike in Syria
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement on last night's U.S. military strike in Syria: "Last night's cruise missile strike sends a clear and measured message to Bashar al-Assad that his horrific, unacceptable and illegal use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians will not go unanswered by the United States of America. While our Armed Forces effectively carried out their orders with utmost professionalism, the United States now … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Duckworth Meets with VA Secretary Shulkin, Highlights Need to Protect Veteran Access to Health Care
[WASHIGNTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces and still receives her own healthcare services through VA, this week met with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss the importance of ensuring America's Veterans have access to the quality care and support they have earned. A photo of the meeting is available here. "It's important we … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate Republicans’ Elimination of 60-Vote Standard for Supreme Court Nominees
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following Senate Republicans' decision to overturn decades of Senate precedent and eliminate the 60 vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "In their haste to give President Donald Trump's nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court, Senate Republicans have engaged in an unprecedented abuse of power and unraveled a vital check and balance that ensured Supreme Court Justices are in … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $4 Million in Transportation Funding for Emergency Relief in Illinois
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has awarded a total of $4,714,092 to the Illinois Department of Transportation to repair and reconstruct Federal highways and roads on Federal lands in Illinois damaged by natural disasters. Repairing these transportation systems will help normalize traffic flows and protect against future deterioration. "These investmentswill … Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Duckworth, Cohen, Clay Introduce Bill to Help Prevent Police-Involved Deaths, Provide Justice to Impacted Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act to help prevent police-involved deaths and encourage independent and impartial investigations into law enforcement officials' use of deadly force. The legislation, introduced as a companion to identical House legislation drafted by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Congressman Lacy Clay … Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following reports of a chemical weapons attack in Syria that has claimed the lives of dozens of Syrians, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The Syrian government's use of poisonous gas on their own people, including innocent children, is a clear violation of international law and I am utterly disgusted. It is also a reminder that Basher al-Assad is a murderous butcher and yet more evidence he cannot be allowed to stay in power. It is time … Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Duckworth Participates in “Women’s Power Hour” in Opposition to Judge Gorsuch’s Supreme Court Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC - On Equal Pay Day, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined fellow female Senators on the Senate floor for a "Women's Power Hour" to voice their concerns regarding Judge Gorsuch's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, pointing to his questionable rulings on reproductive rights and women's issues. Video of Duckworth's remarks is available here. Her full remarks as prepared are below: "Today, on Equal Pay Day, we are reminded of the fact that women across the country still … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Duckworth to Oppose & Filibuster Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court Nomination
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight issued the following statement announcing her opposition to Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination to be the next Supreme Court Justice, as well as her intent to support a filibuster of the nomination: "When Judge Gorsuch was nominated, I shared my concerns with his predilection for putting corporate profits ahead of people time and again, as well as with his troubling rulings on disability rights, civil rights, reproductive rights and … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Duckworth: Millions of Americans Will Suffer Because of Dangerous Cuts to Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke out today in opposition to a Republican effort to allow states to defund Planned Parenthood, which would be devastating for millions of Americans who rely on the organization for healthcare services. The Senate passed the measure to allow states to defund Planned Parenthood on a tie-breaker vote with the help of Vice President Mike Pence. Video of Duckworth speaking is available here and a transcript of her remarks is available … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Duckworth Meets with CTA President & Chicago Department of Transportation Leadership
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with CTA President Dorval Carter and Chicago Department of Transportation leadership to discuss their efforts to support transit and transportation infrastructure projects as well as support and create jobs in the Chicagoland area. Duckworth also discussed her recent bill - which passed the Senate just 64 days after she was sworn in - to cut red tape and reduce delays on construction projects in Illinois. The bill would save … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Duckworth Calls on President Trump to Use American Made Steel in Pipeline Construction, Support U.S. Job
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a letter with 10 other Senators today urging President Trump to protect American jobs by ensuring all new pipelines - if approved - are constructed and maintained with American made products and equipment. The President recently issued a memorandum requiring all new pipelines to be constructed with American made materials, but made an exception for the Keystone XL pipeline, posing a threat to American manufacturing and U.S. jobs. While … Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Senator Duckworth Calls for Investments in Job Training Programs to Boost U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, DC - During a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Hearing today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted the need to expand support for job training programs across the United States to strengthen the workforce, especially within the manufacturing sector. Duckworth also discussed a bill she recently helped introduce in the Senate, the Community College to Career Fund Act (CC2C), to close the "skills gap," by creating a grant program to fund workforce training … Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Duckworth Welcomes Illinois Members of AIPAC to Washington to Discuss National Security Priorities
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) who are in Washington, D.C., this week from Illinois for the 2017 AIPAC Policy Conference. Senator Duckworth underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the two countries to support Israel's national security and maintain a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. A photo of Duckworth addressing Illinoisans at AIPAC is available here. "My experience serving my … Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Duckworth: Trump Again Puts Veterans on Chopping Block, Threatens to Increase Veteran Homelessness
WASHINGTON, DC - Combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted a new Associated Press report that found President Trump's new budget proposal threatens to increase Veteran homelessness despite his repeated campaign promises to care for those who've worn our nation's uniform. As the former Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Duckworth helped coordinatea joint initiative with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to end … Continue Reading
March 29, 2017
Duckworth Meets with Planned Parenthood Leadership, Highlights Need to Protect Women’s Access to Health Care
WASHIGNTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Linda Diamond Shapiro and Planned Parenthood of Illinois leadership to discuss the importance of protecting against efforts from Conservatives to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood and prevent tens of thousands of women from receiving the health services they need. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Recent attacks on … Continue Reading
March 27, 2017
Duckworth Addresses Service Year Action Summit, Highlights Importance of National Service
WASHINGTON, DC - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke at the Service Year Action Summit to promote the importance of civilian national service. As a Congresswoman, Duckworth led efforts to expand national community service opportunities with the introduction of the 21st Century American Service Act to increase service positions available through civilian national service organizations and ensure all Americans are informed of the opportunities available to them. As … Continue Reading
March 24, 2017
Duckworth Addresses Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, Highlights “Economic Opportunity” Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council yesterday, outlining her vision for creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for hardworking families in communities across Illinois through investments in infrastructure, education and small business development. A photo of Duckworth at the event is available here. "Every American deserves the chance to get ahead - the chance to get a quality education, secure a … Continue Reading
March 23, 2017
Duckworth Statement on David Friedman’s Confirmation Vote to be Ambassador to Israel
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement explaining her vote against David Friedman's nomination to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel: "Considering the close relationship between our two countries, the next Ambassador to Israel should be a unifying figure who can work collaboratively and diplomatically to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance and advance American interests in the region. After a careful review of Mr. Friedman's past statements and … Continue Reading
March 23, 2017
Duckworth, Veterans in Congress Criticize Trumpcare’s Devastating Tax Hike on Millions of Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Tim Walz (D-MN), and several others to criticize President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress for attempting to impose a tax hike on millions of Veterans' healthcare. Despite the President's campaign pledge to "ensure our Veterans get the care they need wherever and … Continue Reading
