Press Releases
Duckworth & Durbin Pass Resolution Congratulating FermiLab on 50th Anniversary
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced a resolution this week, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), which passed the Senate unanimously last night, congratulating Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) on 50 years of groundbreaking discoveries. Fermilab, a United States Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory located in Batavia, Illinois, is America's premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory. This world-renowned facility … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Duckworth Applauds Passage of VA Accountability & Whistleblower Protection Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement applauding today's Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation she co-sponsored to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by strengthening protections for whistleblowers against retaliation and making it easier to dismiss employees who are negligent in their care for Veterans and are performing poorly. Senator Duckworth is a combat Veteran who … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Duckworth Addresses the Ninth Annual Summit on Breastfeeding, Calls on Members of Congress to Support New Moms
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed members of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine at the Ninth Annual Summit on Breastfeeding. Duckworth discussed her efforts to support the health of breastfeeding mothers and children across the country, highlighting legislation she recently introduced - the Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act - to ensure women traveling through large- and medium-sized airports have accessible, clean and convenient lactation rooms. … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Duckworth: I Will Not Gamble with the Safety of the Flying Public by Privatizing Our Airspace
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Two days after President Trump announced a plan to privatize the nation's air traffic control system, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today questioned U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao on the President's proposal and other key aviation issues during a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. "The FAA successfully manages the busiest, most complex airspace in the entire world, and, thanks to their good work, America's air traffic control … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
After Meeting With EPA Assistant Administrator Nominee, Duckworth Reiterates Need for Strong Environmental Protections
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Susan Bodine, the nominee to be Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A photo of their meeting is available here."I appreciated meeting with Ms. Bodine this afternoon and know that, at a time when both the President and the EPA Administrator seem intent on dismantling environmental protections, roles like the one she has been nominated for are as important as ever," said Senator Duckworth. "I … Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Duckworth Speaks At Rally Against Trump’s Devastating Cuts to Medicaid
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) at a rally yesterday with disability rights advocates against the reckless $1.4 trillion in cuts to Medicaid that President Trump has proposed in his healthcare repeal bill and budget blueprint. Senator Duckworth warned that the cuts would hurt students across the country who benefit from Medicaid-funded counselors and school nurses and … Continue Reading
June 05, 2017
Senator Highlights Devastating Effects of President Trump’s Discriminatory Immigration Executive Orders
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a roundtable with elected officials, community leaders and representatives of immigration and refugee organizations to discuss the issues facing immigrant communities in the Trump era. Duckworth highlighted her efforts in the Senate to combat the Trump Administration's discriminatory executive orders against immigrants and instead move towards immigration reform that is practical, fair and humane. A photo of today's discussion … Continue Reading
June 02, 2017
Duckworth Urges EPA to Strengthen Drinking Water Protections to Prevent Lead Poisoning
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the top Democrat on the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee, and Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen protections against lead poisoning in our nation's pipes, fittings, and fixtures that supply drinking water. In a comment on the EPA's proposed rule on the "Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water," Duckworth and Kildee emphasized … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Duckworth Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States of America from the Paris Climate Agreement: "Climate change is one of the gravest environmental, economic and national security threats of our time, and we're already experiencing its devastating effects in Illinois and across the country. Our military leaders have long understood that increased famine and drought caused by climate … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $15 Million in Federal Funding for Illinois AmeriCorps Programs
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced over $15 million in grant funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support 16 Illinois-based AmeriCorps organizations. This funding will invest $11,053,898 in AmeriCorps programs across Illinois, along with $4,142,050 in education awards to help AmeriCorps members pay for college after they complete their service. "Expanding national service opportunities is vital to … Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Express Concern over President Trump’s Cuts to Rural Development
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and 26 of their colleagues in writing to President Trump this week to express concern about how his budget proposal would dramatically reduce or eliminate critical rural development programs within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and cut Farm Bill programs by $231 billion. These cuts, coupled with the recently announced USDA reorganization that would abolish Under … Continue Reading
May 31, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes Trump Budget’s Cuts to Programs that Support New Moms, Curb Homelessness
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with the staff of New Moms, an organization based in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago that supports young, struggling mothers and their children. While touring their facility, Duckworth discussed how President Trump's budget proposal would hurt new mothers and their families by eliminating the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which coordinates a comprehensive response to homelessness across 19 federal … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Duckworth Pays Tribute to Fallen Servicemembers at Camp Butler on Memorial Day
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - On Memorial Day, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed American servicemembers, Veterans and military families at Camp Butler National Cemetery to pay tribute to those who laid down their lives defending our nation. A photo of the ceremony is available here. "Memorial Day offers us a somber reminder of the true cost of war," said Duckworth. "It is a time for us to remember that wars are not fought by faceless, nameless troops. They are … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Duckworth, Senators Express Alarm at White House Attempt to Conceal Ethics Waivers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and 16 of their colleagues in writing to the White House to express alarm that the Trump administration is attempting to block the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) from discovering how many lobbyists and industry lawyers have been granted ethics waivers by the administration over the past few months. After taking office, President Trump signed an executive order to continue the Obama-era … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Duckworth, Collins & Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Preventive Healthcare More Affordable for Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced bipartisan legislation to make healthcare more affordable for America's Veterans. Their Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act would stop forcing our nation's Veterans to pay out-of-pocket costs for essential preventive health medications and prescription drugs and add preventive medications and services to the list … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Screening Committees For Judicial, U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal Nominations
CHICAGO-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the formation of three screening committees to assist the Senators in evaluating candidates for vacant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal, and federal judgeship positions in Illinois. The Senators are establishing separate screening committees for each of Illinois' three federal districts. The task of the screening committees is to review and vet candidates for the vacancies and advise the Senators regarding the … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Veteran Healthcare Programs with Leaders at Rush University Medical Center
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), met with the leadership of the Chicago Rush University Medical Center. They discussed the importance of Rush's Veterans Road Home Program, which helps Veterans who are struggling with TBI, PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma transition from military to civilian life, and its Advanced Trauma Training Program, which has trained more than 2,000 civilian first responders and servicemembers on how to provide advanced … Continue Reading
May 30, 2017
Duckworth Addresses Environmental Leaders in Chicago, Calls For Action on Climate Change
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), top Democrat on the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee, addressed members of the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) today to discuss the importance of combating climate change and supporting the clean energy economy. During her remarks, Duckworth also criticized President Trump's recent budget proposal, which would gut the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and eliminate critical environmental protection programs like … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
Duckworth Addresses AIPAC’s Chicago Gala, Underscores Importance of U.S.-Israel Relationship
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) addressed members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) this week at the annual AIPAC Chicago Gala. Senator Duckworth highlighted 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 the event is available here. "My experience serving my country in the military has shaped how I approach national security … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
Duckworth: America’s Veterans Deserve Better Than Trump Budget
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 16 of their colleagues in outlining how President Trump's budget and health care plan would jeopardize health care for more than 60,000 Veterans in Illinois and nearly 2 million Veterans across the country who depend on Medicaid to get the coverage they have earned. Trumpcare would cut Medicaid by $834 billion and eliminate the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid … Continue Reading
