Press Releases
Duckworth Discusses College Accessibility with AmeriCorps Members in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with AmeriCorps members from College Possible - a program designed to prepare students from underserved communities for college - to discuss her efforts to promote national service and make higher education more accessible for all Americans. Duckworth also announced over $15 million in grant funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to support Illinois AmeriCorps members. A photo of the event is … Continue Reading
May 23, 2017
Duckworth: Trump Budget is Devastating for Illinois Families, Veterans, Economy & Environment
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to President Trump's federal budget proposal: "This irresponsible proposal merely continues President Trump's long list of broken campaign promises. Instead of investing in our country's infrastructure and manufacturing sector, protecting Medicaid or putting American workers and families first, this proposal recklessly guts the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and eliminates a … Continue Reading
May 23, 2017
Duckworth to NSA Director: Did Russians Bug the Oval Office?
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to National Security Agency (NSA) Director Admiral Michael Rogers to ask whether any security sweeps were conducted following the President's recent meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador, as well as whether any listening or recording devices were found in the Oval Office. In the letter, Duckworth asked Admiral Rogers whether the NSA or the Central Security Service were consulted before top Putin officials and staff … Continue Reading
May 22, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Legislation to Protect LGBTQ Americans from Credit Discrimination
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in introducing the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act (FDCA) of 2017 to help ensure LGBTQ individuals are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity during the credit application process. Duckworth, Murray and Gottheimer were joined by twelve other Senators and more than twenty Representatives in introducing … Continue Reading
May 22, 2017
Duckworth Calls For Investigation Into Attorney General Jeff Sessions
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined a number of U.S. Senators including Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in urging the Inspector General of the Department of Justice to investigate whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions' involvement in the firing of former FBI Director James Comey was inappropriate given Sessions' recusal from any investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign including Russia's ties to the Trump campaign. In a letter sent to … Continue Reading
May 22, 2017
Duckworth Delivers Commencement Address to the George Washington University's Class of 2017
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered the commencement address to the Class on 2017 today at the George Washington University, where she graduated with a Master of Arts degree in international affairs in 1992. Drawing on her own life's story and the words of President Teddy Roosevelt, Duckworth urged graduates to never let challenges get in their way and to never let the fear of failure prevent them from pursuing their dreams or from getting involved. Key … Continue Reading
May 22, 2017
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) last week in reintroducing the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act to enable Americans with outstanding student loan debt to refinance their loans at more affordable interest rates. The legislation is fully paid for by eliminating tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires. The Department of Education has estimated that around 25 million … Continue Reading
May 18, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Legislation to Protect LGBTQ Americans from Credit Discrimination
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in introducing the Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act (FDCA) of 2017 to help ensure LGBTQ individuals are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity during the credit application process. Duckworth, Murray and Gottheimer were joined by twelve other Senators and more than twenty Representatives in introducing … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
Duckworth to Mattis: Will President Trump’s Recent Actions Undermine Broader U.S. Strategy Toward Russia?
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis today questioning whether the chaos coming out of the Trump White House is undermining Secretary Mattis' stated goal of developing a coherent, comprehensive U.S. strategy to confront Russian aggression. Duckworth expressed concern that the President's firing of former FBI Director James Comey, his potentially inappropriate decision to share highly classified information … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
Duckworth Participates in ACLI Capital Challenge
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Along with more than a dozen of her Senate office staffers, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today competed in the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Capital Challenge, an annual three mile race with participants from all branches of government and the media. After losing both her legs and partial use of her right arm when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq, Duckworth made a commitment to pushing herself to go above and beyond what she could do … Continue Reading
May 17, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Appointment of Special Prosecutor to Lead Trump-Russia Investigation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the appointment of former FBI Director Robert Mueller by the Department of Justice as a Special Prosecutor to lead the investigation into the Russian government's efforts to influence our presidential election, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The appointment of a special counsel is a positive step to help protect our democracy and ensure the Trump administration's ties to Russia are fully investigated. Special Counsel … Continue Reading
May 16, 2017
Duckworth: Assad’s Horrifying Atrocities a Reminder of Why U.S. Cannot Let Human Rights Take a Backseat in Foreign Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to reports that the Assad regime is torturing, raping and systematically executing its detainees and cremating their remains to cover up the evidence, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: These horrifying atrocities are not just a clear violation of international law - they are a reminder of why we cannot let human rights take a backseat in U.S. foreign policy, as some have suggested. The world needs to recognize Assad … Continue Reading
May 15, 2017
Duckworth Statement on “Stunning” Revelation That Trump Shared Highly Classified Information with Russian Government
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following reports that President Trump inappropriately shared "highly classified" information with the Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador last week during their Oval Office meeting, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Considering the President regularly complains about leaks, the revelation that he may have leaked national security secrets himself is absolutely stunning. This alarming disclosure, if verified, is an insult to the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
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
